Content. Content?

I've decided that in addition to reading a shit load of books this summer, I'm going to comment on them also. But since I'm not in school anymore and I don't have to, I'm not going to comment in essay format, but rather in reviewette format, as stolen from a certain L.A.-ite, who seems to have had a lot of life experience. I'd like to pick his brain sometime. That was a big sentence followed by a small one.

For my purposes I'm going to try to limit the reviewettes to one sentence. Here goes, for the three books completed so far:

1) V For Vendetta - Shouldn't have expected the movie, but still very pleased with the executions of theme and character.

2) The Wars - Though confusing and slightly ambiguous (as with all Findley) well worth the hype.

3) The DaVinci Code - Reads like a Hardy Boys novel with higher stakes.

More to come! I'm eyes deep in Mrs. Dalloway and Virginia's slapping me around like I'm her bitch, and truthfully, I am. I'll be lucky to make it out of this one with a sense of coherance.

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Some new links (look to your right!):

#1 - THE CAPTAIN HAS RETURNED!!! And DAMN has/is he had/having some epic adventures. It's been an entire year, but your favourite seafaring bucchaneer is back in style and firmly on point. So go there to marvel at his bravado and manliness in the face of Corsican prostitutes.

#2 - The Superficial. It's kind of like People Magazine, but nasty. It's a guilty pleasure, but these good folks capture an acidity about celebrity culture which sometimes eludes me. ie/ A video in which Tom Cruise dances (if you can call it that) ridiculously in front of an adoring crowd carries the following disclaimer: "Just make sure to brace yourself, because the awesomeness of this clip has been known to physically knock people off their feet." I love The Superficial... Because I'm Ugly.

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Here's that 11 secret things for 11 secret people thingy that's been going around like a bad rash. However, instead of causing itching, it causes people to think "Are they talking about me? I hope so/not!" Rest assured: Yes. Before attempting this I had to think long and hard about whether or not I knew 11 people.

Person the First: You, quite seriously, convince me of your stupidity every time I speak to you. You are innane, and you mistake having a reaction with having an opinion. You make thirteen hours out of my week a constant struggle to not rip my arm off and beat you with it. You also (inexplicably) inspire behaviour like your own in others.

Person the Second: You are so smart it's scary. In fact, I've avoided having any sort of intellectual conversation with you, because there are times when it seems like it's more important to you to have an argument (and win it) than to have a conversation. Can you accept criticism? I haven't seen much evidence of it yet.

Person the Third: Quit focussing on it! You'll be much happier! Also, come over for brunch! I'll make quiche, after I learn how to make quiche. We need to talk, drink, and talk some more, more often. You're fun and cool in a way which feels very natural, and not practiced. On some days, I think only of the benefits of being you.

Person the Fourth: I alternate between wanting to wish you good luck and thinking that you won't need it. No matter what I think of the future, I know you'll be fine. You're easy to talk to in that way that makes me wonder if I'll ever meet someone that is that easy to talk to again.

Person the Fifth: I know we need to hang out more, but I suck at being the one to initiate. I also bemoan (almost constantly) my inability to hold a meaningful conversation with you, and the fact that that is my fault. I want to be there for you more often. I will try.

Person the Sixth: You have one of the most interesting faces I've ever seen (in a good way). You also say the most delightfully random things, and whenever we part I feel like the conversation could have gone on for several more hours without losing steam (and that makes me a little sad). However, once in a while I wonder if you keep talking so that I won't ask you questions.

Person the Seventh: Is it possible I have an idealized notion of you in my head and that you're not all I've built you up to be? Absolutely. This line of thinking has caused me to doubt your abilities and your chances of success. I hope more than anything you prove me wrong.

Person the Eighth: You'll be fine. You know why? Because you're strong. You're stronger than you would give yourself credit for in a million years. I'll see you at the top, kiddo.

Person the Ninth: Whatever I find cool or hip, or new you've already discovered about a month ago. Son of a bitch! Just once I'd like to discover something before you! But I probably won't, because you're a brilliant shining star, you bastard.

Person the Tenth: You've got "it" more than anyone else I know. When you're wealthy and powerful and successful I'll be one of those people who keeps telling the story of how I knew you once, and how we shared the stage and you were brilliant and I was good only because you inspired me to be over and over again.

Person the Eleventh: You're great, but you need to calm down and stop being so pushy. I like you just fine. There's no need to "get all up in my face" and make sure. Maybe that's my fault.

Don't bother asking which one is you. I won't tell for less than $20 cash up front.

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The worst song ever writen: "Everybody's Got a Story" by Amanda Marshall. I get angry every time I hear this overproduced piece of garbage. She sings like a discount Christina Aguilera while the band tries to play every single instrument known to man. Seriously, she must need like an eighty piece back-up band to play this song live! The song makes a good point about how appearances can be decieving and how you shouldn't make judgements about people you don't know, but then muddles that message by making vague sexual references, taking shots at Cherry Coke and singing "Ah La La La La La La" over and over and over again ad nauseum (which doesn't take long, I can assure you). And I will never, NEVER forgive her for the following:

Amanda: Your words are like cheap champagne...

Annoying back up girl, looking for her fifteen minutes: CHEAP CHAMPAGNE!

Thank god there was not a "y'all" afterwards. If you can come up with a worse song, I'd love to know about it.

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And to finish off, I saw the following animals today (discounting the ones I see on a regular basis):

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