Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Read the Tennessee William's play for class. First time reading Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, for me, so I decided to jot down some lines I particularly liked.

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MARGARET: Living with someone you love can be lonelier -- than living entirely alone! -- if the one that y'love doesn't love you....
I, 177-178

BIG DADDY: ...I've lived with mendacity! -- Why can't you live with it? Hell, you got to live with it, there's nothing else to live with except mendacity, is there?
BRICK (lifting his glass): This! --Liquor...
BIG DADDY: That's not living, that's dodging away from life.
BRICK: I want to dodge away from it.
BIG DADDY: Then why don't you kill yourself, man?
BRICK: I like to drink...
~II, 694-702

BRICK: A drinking man's someone who wants to forget he isn't still young an' believing.
BIG DADDY: Believing what?
BRICK: Believing....
BIG DADDY: Believing what?
BRICK (stubbornly evasive): Believing....
~II, 746-751

BRICK: Mendacity is a system we live in. Liquor is the one way out an' death's the other....
~II, 965-966

OH YEAH, SHIT JUST GOT REAL.

Officially registered for the MCAT.

Commence MCAT preparation, and intense, hardcore stressing.

Next semester is going to suck balls.


Alas, it appears even if I tried, I'd have no time for you, CAG. Why bother. Sad days.

Thanks, dude.

I had something pretty lengthy written up, but I realized it all seemed jumbled. Honestly I can't find the words to make a complete and coherent post because I feel really ok, which is good because it's a helluva alot better than I've felt in recent weeks. Anything I write serves as an outlet, and I suppose when I can't write, I'm in a decent, content state of mind. Which is good, I suppose.

Basically, Thanksgiving was great, I helped cook, and I'm so so so very thankful for my great family and what few, amazing friends I have.

Also, I've now watched Scott Pilgrim vs. the World a total of four times now. Four! Insanity! And Ellen Wong in this movie is super cute. Too bad I think she looks better at the beginning of the film, before she gets her haircut.

Recognition

He stood in line, tapping his foot anxiously, looking at his watch, checking his teeth in the reflection of his cell phone. He hated waiting in line, and on top of that, he was running late. He contemplated skipping his usual morning coffee when he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder and heard a voice behind him.

"Hey," the voice said cautiously. A female's, he detected. He turned around to face this person, and her curious expression lit up...(continued)

I dunno. Didn't feel like having all of it here.


On a side note, I love my family. They're great.

How to avoid the backscatter and pat down:

Found a really interesting post from another blog I follow. Or rather, this blog linked to another blog that actually had the post.

It concerns the recent (or semi-recent? I'm so out of touch with current events) controversies/rants about the TSA backscatter machines and pat-down procedures at American airports. This person found a way to bypass both of these procedures on his flight home from Paris. Read his post to find out. 

Solace

One of my favorite Scott Joplin songs is "Solace."


This guy does a pretty good job of how I interpret the piece.


Specifically, I love the D section of the piece, or I guess the final section, the conclusion. The way I like the D section is that the repeat is played a little slower, softer, somber, than the first time through is played. I use the una corda pedal (I think is what it's called, the one on the very left) to enhance that soft sound. Sometimes I'll also abuse the sustaining pedal as well with the repeat, playing through the entire section without letting the dampers fall so that ever single note rings the entire time. I like to imagine the combined effects of the pedals combined with the adjusted dynamics and tempo create a very eerie, forlorn feeling, but at the same time, the melody is indeed somewhat remorseful but carries a slightly uplifting undertone, and the entire piece ends on an inspiring, hopeful chord.

The song as a whole just comes together beautifully. It's not entirely happy, but it's not entirely depressing either. It's...a comforting song. Solace, as its appropriately titled. I love playing this piece when I'm feeling a little down.

Let it burn

It doesn't seem to smart, burn, scald, sear, sting, smoulder, or singe anymore. Instead I'm rather mystified, curious, and somewhat dumbfounded. 

All I can think is seriously? What the hell. 

WTF Japan seriously

...I need a drink.