Back to School

So summer is finally over, and the work load is about to begin. In the spirit of back to school shopping, I finally bought a slipcase for my Dell 640m laptop. It's a black case logic one this is very similar to this one on Amazon. I figure that protecting my laptop (something that I haven't necessarily been doing for the past couple years :/) might make it last significantly longer--and by that I mean: keep my hard drive crash free for longer. Hopefully this guy as a couple more good years in it!

Reading update:

- "Malgudi Days" by RK Narayan

Still reading:

- "Shalimar the Clown" by Salman Rushdie
- "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Movie of the Year

"District 9". Without a question. This is the movie that will make you think: "Wow, we humans can be real assholes." I'll admit, I am a definitely a fan of the war movie genre; whereas, the science fiction genre only strikes a chord for me if the story is ridiculously awesome (i.e. "Starship Troopers", the book and the movie). However, after seeing this movie, I am fairly convinced that this the best example of a science fiction/war-movie that I have ever seen or read--I tend to "read" movies on wikipedia when I don't have time to watch them. Most movies, and science fiction movies in particular, cast humans as the protagonists. Of course, this is a natural choice, as people tend to empathize better with whom they relate to (yes, I guess we are all natuarlly racist). However, what "Letters from Iwo Jima" did for the Japanese in WW2, "District 9" does for the aliens; it casts them in the role of hero. Furthermore, this is a rare movie where the main character is able to go through character development, resulting in a bildungsroman-esque plot. Unfortunately, the denoument is postponed for a sequel--or perhaps the viewers imagination. The emotional twists that this movie plays on the audience are indescribable; honestly, the only advice I can give is: see it for yourself.

Jackassery and Mothers

In one swift stoke, Kanye West reaffirmed that--despite his musical talents--he is a grade-A-douchebag. By stealing a kid's limelight (let's not forget that 19 still qualifies you as a teenager) to make a scene (and an ass [of himself]) Kanye West alienated a whole new generation of fans. Some fast googling action will give you the inside scoop on his other gaffs. Incidentally, Michael Jordan did something similar a couple days earlier. Fortunately, I don't like Michael; unfortunately, I did like Kanye. There goes another would-have-been-awesome-if-not-for-a-fatal-character-flaw person. And speaking of character flaws, don't piss off Serena Williams, because she might just want to stuff a tennis ball up one of your orifices; but don't take my word for it---chances are she will tell you this directly! Too bad, Kim Clijsters's insane I-am-a-mother-of-a-child comeback win for the 2009 US Open makes Serena an afterthought. BOOM THO for the underdog, or the undermom as the case may be.

Song Of The Summer!

Real quick: There is no song (currently) that is better than Keri Hilson's "Knock You Down". Aaaaaand, she's cute ;).

Summertime Reading

A short update on my reading:

Casino Royale - Ian Fleming
For Your Eyes Only - Ian Fleming
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
Speaker For The Dead - Orson Scott Card
Catcher In The Rye - JD Salinger

Currently Reading:

Shalimar The Clown - Salmaan Rushdie
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller

A Tear For Its Passing

Pasadena is on fire, and my India trip was good. More on that later. But now, what should have been written two months ago, I now present:

Echoes

I am an urn.
Fat and squat.
Filled with the ashes of dreams gone by.
Stuffed with a diamond that has lost its luster.
Alone in this sill, yet surrounded by joy.
A cruel consequence of eternal life.

I am a tombstone.
Old and gray.
Preening, marking, the not-so-hallowed earth.
Where memories lay buried, beneath the soil.
Where flowers, reverence, and tears are served.
Where I alone must weather. that which life could not withstand.

I am the noose.
Flaccid and rough.
Tired, because it has been so long.
Crying, craving, that warming touch:
A human warmth, and that bittersweet caress.
Knowing, that in but a few moments, that too will pass.

RIP man, we will miss you.