I resolve to...

Last year was the first year that I made a New Year's resolution that I completed. I don't think I read many books in 2007. I replaced them with teh interwebs. My resolution was to read 20 books that I had never read before. I actually read these 25, in this order:

• Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson
• The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
• Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1) by Jim Butcher
• Fool Moon (The Dresden Files, Book 2) by Jim Butcher
• Grave Peril (The Dresden Files, Book 3) by Jim Butcher
• Summer Knight (The Dresden Files, Book 4) by Jim Butcher
• Death Masks (The Dresden Files, Book 5) by Jim Butcher
• Blood Rites (The Dresden Files, Book 6) by Jim Butcher
• Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, Book 7) by Jim Butcher
• Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files, Book 8) by Jim Butcher
• White Night (The Dresden Files, Book 9) by Jim Butcher
• Small Favor (The Dresden Files, Book 10) by Jim Butcher
• The Host by Stephenie Meyer
• Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman
• Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
• New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
• Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
• Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
• Paper Towns by John Green
• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
• An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
• Looking for Alaska by John Green
• The Christmas Countess by Adrienne Basso
• Blood and Chocolate by Anette Curtis Klause
• Let it Snow by John Green, Lauren Myracle, Maureen Johnson

This year, I would like to also complete my resolutions. I know my limits. I know that I can't always eat healthy 100% of the time. I know that no matter how much I bully myself, I won't exercise more than occasionally. At the moment, I don't particularly want to quit smoking, so I know that I won't be able to. (It's hard enough when you really, really want to. I've tried plenty of times.)
So, here are my resolutions for the year:

• I only saw 18 new movies last year. I own DVDs that I have never seen. So, this one is in 2 parts. I want to watch at least 30 movies that I have never seen before, and I want to watch every DVD that I own but have not seen. For the 30 movies, other than in my collection, I would like to finally see some "classics" that I have never seen, including, but not limited to (please don't mock me): The Godfather, Goonies, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Royal Tennenbaums, Labyrinth, Old School, Anchorman, The Blues Brothers, Caddyshack, and almost any of the James Bonds (new or old).
• I want to read 25 books again.
• I want to post on my personal blog at least 104 times this year (twice a week, on average).
• I want to complete another photography project as amazing as the photobooth party.
• I want to finally watch all of The West Wing. I think I have only seen seasons 1-3 in their entirety, parts of season 4, and nothing much after that.

So, we'll see how I do. What are your resolutions?

Kinda fail?

Yesterday and today was the 24 hour readathon at Joseph Beth's Booksellers. It started at 5pm, and the point was to read until you 1) couldn't anymore and decided to leave or 2) fell asleep. Every 2 hours, we had a 15 minute break and every 6 hours, there was a 45 minute break. There were only 7 of us that started the night, curled up in comfy chairs with pillows and blankets.

Warning: The next paragraph contains some mild spoilers to the Twilight saga. If you know nothing about it and would like to keep it that way, just skip it.

I started by finishing the book I was reading, Neil Gaiman's book of short stories, Smoke and Mirrors (which is highly recommended, by the way). Then, it was on to Twilight. I have been sitting on the Twilight saga for months now, saving it for the readathon. No matter the complaints I've heard, everyone says it is at least captivating. This is true, I suppose. I certainly didn't find it more captivating than Harry Potter, but it did keep me awake the whole night through. I only got to halfway through Eclipse (the third of four, no spoilers, please!), and please don't flame me for this, but I think I desperately hate Edward Cullen. I feel he embodies everything about young love that deserves criticism, and that there is a clear distinction between protecting people you love and being an overwielding, control-freak maniac. Plus, does no one else find it creepy that a 104 year old wants to date a 17 year old? I know Bella is supposed to be an "old soul", and that he *looks* 17, but c'mon.

My book choices aside, I started the evening with a sinus headache. JP was supposed to visit during my first 45 minute break at 11:30 and bring me meds, but it turned out they locked us in while the store was closed. We could only leave for cigarette breaks out the back. I was annoyed because I had been told that people could visit for breaks. I made it until 7 am before I asked someone for something for the pain, and as soon as my headache went away (around 8:15), I passed out. BOOO! I really wish that I had tried to deal with it long before then because I feel that without the headache, I could have pushed through.

I did make it for 15.5 hours, though. This means I raised $145.87 for my charity, Beginning with Books. And I read 1,456 pages. I don't remember the last time I read for more than an hour straight, let alone read a book cover to cover. That part was really amazing. The other amazing part was sitting with 6 other people who were content to do the same. I've been thinking that maybe I will sponsor my own readathon, just for fun. We can put down air mattresses and all hang out and read for an evening. Even after this binge, right now, I think I'm going to go pick Eclipse up again.

I also appreciate the fact that this has helped me with the second ever New Year's resolution that I will have completed. I wanted to read 20 new books this year (no rereads can be counted in this). This also doesn't include any fanfiction, no matter how well-written or epic it is (if it did, I'm sure I'm well beyond my goal). I'm at 16 right now, so I should easily hit 20 by the end of 2008. Yay!

Fruition

So, today marks the two year anniversary of my blog! Two years ago today, I posted for the very first time. Sure, there have been some gaps without entries for awhile (like recently, sorry!), but I have stuck with it. And I have to say that being able to rant, rave, and just generally speak my mind to an audience is pretty awesome.

In addition to this anniversary, today also marks the beginning of lots of plans I have had for a few months now. Tonight is the Readathon at Joseph Beth's Booksellers. At 5pm, I will start reading. Hopefully, I will make the full 24 hours. If I do, I will have raised almost $200 for Beginning with Books, my charity of choice. So, I will definitely be out of any communication loop from tonight until Sunday morning (I plan to pass out shortly after coming home on Saturday and sleep until morning). 24 hours with no internet! Is that harder than the lack of sleep? We'll see.

I've also managed to write three articles for the Wizrocklopedia so far, and a fourth should be posted in the next few days. I've totally loved writing for them and getting to talk about wizard rock to an audience who cares. It's very cool to have people react positively to something you've written; especially enough to comment or email me about it.

In less than three weeks, we have the first wizard rock show I have been helping to plan. This has been going on since the middle of August, so again, I've been waiting awhile for it. The day after the Pittsburgh show, my friend Rose and I are going to jump in the car and follow the bands to Columbus, where they will be joined with yet another band. The day after that, we'll drive to outside Cleveland and see them again. Wizard rock road trip! I know some of you think I'm crazy and ridiculous and should be devoting my time to more worthwhile things, but at the moment, this is what makes me happy. After that, it's less than a month until the show that I set up at Your Inner Vagabond, followed quickly by Thanksgiving and Christmas. Yikes! Am I really thinking about 2009 already?

And finally, Monday is my birthday. I am usually so super excited and planning craziness and jumping up and down, but I have really been far too busy lately to anticipate it. Plus, 27 may be a bit old to make a huge deal out of it. There will still be parent celebration and drinks and dinner with friends on Monday, and that's all I really need.

If you've been reading this for two years, thank you so much for following my life, step by step. If you've jumped in somewhere in the middle, I appreciate the time you've spent here. Thanks to everyone for letting me sound off - it means a lot.

Book meme

I actually collected this from two shorter ones. I would love to hear your answers as well. Do it.
And thank you all for your sympathy and suggestions about my lost photos. It has made me feel much better.

Total number of books owned:
I'm going to say somewhere between 300-500. I may be inspired to count now.

Philosophy on reading:
Reading books is a purely escapist pastime for me. I don't want to read about politics or wars. I read to forget those things. I have enjoyed classic literature in the past, but nowadays I tend to read whatever I feel like, and screw anyone for thinking less of me. Considering 25% of the U.S. population didn't read a book last year, I'm ok with just reading what I like and not forcing anything down my own throat. Sorry, Dostoyevsky.
I made the first ever New Year's resolution that I am trying to stick to. I need to read 20 books this year, not counting re-reading any Harry Potter's or any fics (novel-length or not!). I'm a little short of being on track, but I will do it. Currently reading new book #12.

Last book bought:
Today I was at Borders and finally bought 'Twilight'. I also bought 'The Host' because I was told it was better. =)

Last book read:
I reread 'Deathly Hallows' again, but before that was the ninth Harry Dresden. Currently reading the tenth and wondering how I will cope when it's over.

One book you’d want on a desert island:
For some reason, I could read Michael Crichton's 'Andromeda Strain' over and over again.
Though, I should probably say 'Ulysses' because the only way I will ever willingly read Joyce again is when it is the only reading material available to me.

One book that made you laugh:
Every single Dresden Files has made me laugh out loud while in public.

One book that made you cry:
One?!? I cry at the drop of a (book) hat. The worst was 'The Notebook' - all I did was sob through the whole thing. It's like the Grey's Anatomy of pulp fiction. 'The Amber Spyglass' is probably the saddest thing ever, though.

One book that you wish had been written:
'Lyra and Will - Together Again'.
Seriously though, I wouldn't mind a 'Remus Lupin, the Lost Years'. Good thing there's fanfic. Lol.

One book that you wish had never been written:
The entire Dark Tower series. I found it to be an egregious waste of time (sorry to every other person on the planet that loved them).
Also, 'Wicked'. Egads, that was tedious.

One book you’re currently reading:
'Small Favor', Jim Butcher.

One book you’ve been meaning to read:
'The Host', Stephenie Meyer.

Five books that mean a lot to you:
(I am going to cheat and say that series count here)

The Dragonlance Chronicles, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman: Trilogy. The very first fantasy that I ever read. My father read 'The Hobbit' to us on a practically yearly basis, but this was the first that I picked up on my own, and I was blown away. Fantasy continues to be my favorite genre.

His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman: Trilogy. I have never heard of so many grown men crying as I have about the end of 'The Amber Spyglass'. I can't even really talk about it without tearing up. There is so much in those books to take in, and I hope to someday meet my dæmon.

Harry Potter, JK Rowling: 7 part series. I don't know what it is about the Potterverse that continues to fascinate me, but I can't stop. I want to talk about it. I want to muse aloud about the adults' personal lives and bad habits and coping mechanisms. I want to wonder how it was possible that we were all saved by a 17 year old. Yet, it's so believable. And they are still my favorite re-reads of all times. Every time I finish a book, I have to fight not to pick up one of them, yet again.

'Stargirl', Jerry Spinelli: Everyone should read this book somewhere around age 14. She gives me faith in humanity by being honest and hopeful and not too cheesy or schmaltzy. I <3 Stargirl.

'Neverwhere', Neil Gaiman: My copy was borrowed a few days before my birthday, taken to a signing without my knowledge, and signed 'Happy birthday, Freya. Mind the gap. Neil Gaiman." (I was also gifted 'The Golden Compass' by the same person (Tim) that year). I've always loved the book for its pure escapism without being insulting to my intelligence.

I love the Potterverse, or how I don't really hate JKR

I am putting together a guide to the HP fandom for some friends of mine, and of course, I had to touch upon The-Case-Which-Shall-Not-Be-Named. In my search to find good info on both sides (I don't presume anyone should take my POV simply because), I stumbled upon the Leaky Forums and have gotten myself all worked up again. It reminds me a bit of this entry that dealt with real-life politics, and not the ones of the fandom.
I found these 3 questions posed by rotfang07 on part 14 of the WB/JKR vs. RDR forum that I would like to respond to.

1. How can you believe you are a fan and simultaneously go against Jo Rowling's wishes?

Because I am not necessarily a fan of her, but of the world she created. I don't know JK Rowling. I know her work. Just because I love what she has made doesn't mean that this should transfer to the person. I think many people have forgotten this in the entire lawsuit hubbub. Yes, it was her decision to challenge the printed Lexicon. She has the right to do that. But (and I am guilty of this as well), why must we be on "her" side or "his" side? It isn't personal! It's a lawsuit. The only people who this should personally affect are people who personally know the plantiffs/defendants/people affected. (And let's not forget that Steve was not actually a defendant.)
I am not "anti-Jo", as so many have accused. I am of the opinion that the law should allow something like this to exist. This is based on research and my personal feelings about copyright and IP. If my husband decided to pursue this same type of lawsuit, I would disagree with him, too. It's not about how I feel about a woman that I've never met; it's about how I feel about the legality of the issue. The people who have contributed to splitting the fandom are the ones that don't see this as a legal issue, but rather, a personal one. It's become "fanning fans", by choosing which "superfan" you want to side with.

Here's the thing. I love the books, of course. But I also love fanfic, fanart, and Wizard rock. These are not things created by her, but rather, inspired by her. All of these things could be called into question as well. Now, I'm sure we could argue about whether wrockers/ficcers/artists make (or could make) the same amount of money as the Lexicon has the potential to do, but I thought this was not about the money. From her testimony, I was under the impression that she wants to have control over her world (again, something she has the right to defend). I also understand that she can pick and choose what to pursue as a violation of her control, and that since she hasn't done so yet for these things, she probably won't. I'm still a little concerned.

2. How can you maintain loyalty to two apparently contradictory goals? i.e. publishing the LM and placating Rowling and/or fandom.

By doing exactly as I explained above - not making it personal. People disagree all the time and still manage to be friends, lovers, coworkers, etc. Why can't we as a fandom say, "this is not about me, but I have an opinion"? And then constructively discuss from there? At its root, this is politics, pure and simple. People get angry about politics. People take sides. People avoid discussing it because it can turn the best of friends into enemies. Why hasn't anyone stood up to point this out?

Of course, I'm sure this is just like saying that Democrats and Republicans should just get along as well. What can I say? I'm a Libra, through and through.

3. How can you apparently believe one thing at one time and apparently believe the opposite the next?

How can you ask the same question three times, making all 3 sound accusatory and causing me to become defensive?

Are you more important than me?

The more time I spend researching and joining in the Harry Potter fandom, the more I like the idea of belonging to a community with similar interests. It's pretty great to be able to automatically have a conversation with someone you don't know about something you are passionate about. It seems, however, that with any large group of people, drama has ensued.
Matt Maggiacomo from the Whomping Willows recently posted a blog on his MySpace about how someone has created a tiered rating system for how much of a fan you are, "based on how important and influential [you] are within the fandom". No, seriously?

I can't find the original post, and I have no idea who actually did this (Matt never says), but he goes on to berate this person, saying to sum up - "there are only two tiers in this community: J.K. Rowling, and everybody else". He also points out that "there's a weird dynamic within this fandom, where fans of Harry Potter have become fans of other fans". I guess everyone wants some sort of celebrity, and if meeting influential Harry Potter fans is the closest you can get, you'll take it.
The point that the original blogger is missing is a huge one. Where would all these podcasters and Wizard Rock bands be without these people who support them and get excited about these things (the "low-level fans", if you will)? Why would you want to alienate your fanbase by telling them "you're just not as important as I am in this fandom"? It seems so petty.

Of course, I don't want to belittle what many people have done for the fandom. It can be a full-time job to run a website like The Leaky Cauldron or Mugglenet, or tour around the country with your Wizard rock band. Yet it seems that these people are the ones that are humble and grateful for this experience, rather than walking around with your own brand of narcissism because of something that, let's face it, much of the world would classify as "nerdy". Matt says, "One unifying characteristic of these people is that they are hard workers who have made personal sacrifices to pursue their work. Another is that they truly love what they do, and it is their passion for their own creative process that keeps them from susceptibility to the pitfalls of fame." I am sure there are exceptions in this group as well, but I don't think it's necessarily the norm.

I found an interesting editorial by Victoria Loe Hicks about the fandom. "A bunch of adolescent kids suddenly find themselves wielding hitherto undreamed-of powers, faced with a sometimes repressive adult establishment and, in ways few grownups even grasp, engaged in shaping the future of the world." Sound familiar?
And she has a good point. She goes on to say that:

"...the most potent cultural narrative of recent years coincided with an explosion of interactive, Web-based technologies that have become the scaffolding for today's youth culture. Those new platforms have morphed the "fan clubs" of yesteryear, which communicated sporadically via photocopied newsletters delivered by snail mail, into dynamic real-time communities that span the globe."

The editorial then mentions the influence that this fandom has, being millions strong. Dr. Henry Jenkins, director of MIT's Comparative Media Studies program says, "One could argue that this vision of fandom as a political movement might reflect the ideological construction of the books themselves, which encourage us to stand up for what we believe in, to question authority, and to take strength in our own communities". It's easy to see how this has influenced fans. Take the entire Harry Potter Alliance, for example, or look at the Wizard Rock album, "Rock Against Voldemedia". Andrew Slack, the founder of the Harry Potter Alliance had this to say:

"Once Voldemort took over every form of media in the Wizarding World, Dumbledore’s Army and the Order of the Phoenix formed an independent media movement called “Potterwatch.”
Now the HP Alliance and Wizard Rock have come together to fight for a Potterwatch movement in the real world to fight back against Big VoldeMedia from further pushing out local and foreign news, minority representation, and the right to a Free Press."

Hicks also points out that "Ms. Rowling owns the legal rights to Harry Potter, but the fandom owns his zeitgeist". We have been given the canon, and we have created the rest. Every 8 year old Potter fan has contributed to that just as much as George Lippert has. Didn't Harry Potter teach us that the "little people" are just as important? After all, the Wizarding world was saved by 3 teenagers, not the Ministry of Magic.

Someone is wrong on the internet!

The internet is full of wonder for me. I can spend hours upon hours learning, reading, ranting, whatever. After my last post, I have spent time looking at opinions of the whole RDR/JKR thing, since there is no real information coming out as we wait for a verdict or settlement. And of course, I have found lots of people that oppose my view. One suggested that anyone who believes as I do needs to get a lobotomy. Considering their egregious spelling errors in addition to their general lame-ass troll attitude, I had plenty of responses to this. However, no one wants to end up like this:

Thanks xkcd, for the reality check.

Why read fan fiction?

Jessica Bridges sums up my thoughts nicely.

Stargirl

Over the past few years, I have spent much of my reading time exploring the world of young adult fiction. While it has been around for awhile (many claim The Catcher and the Rye to be the original young adult novel), it has really taken off in recent years. When I was a young adult, I had the choice of Christopher Pike, Sweet Valley High, and an occasionally Lois Lowry book. I did love these, but they have not followed me well into adulthood. Things have improved immensely since these books were aimed at me, and I'm almost constantly astounded at these authors who take themes relevant to people of all ages and present them to impressionable youth. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a mother-in-law that's a teacher, a friend that's a youth librarian, and a friend going to school to be a high school English teacher to help me choose. I have recommendations out the wazoo for what I should check out next. The list is endless.

But my favorite of all is Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl. At its core, Stargirl is about discovering yourself and trying (or not trying) to fit in. While most in the forefront of your brain as a teenager, it really is a story that even adults can relate to. Who are we, deep down? Is changing yourself for other people ever a good idea? Would we be happier as part of the norm? It's an honest look at this and isn't presented in such black and white as to feel preachy. There is a sequel, Love, Stargirl as well. While not quite as good as the first (as sequels rarely are), it does give you the little extra bit of story that you wanted at the end of Stargirl. I got the boxed set of both for my birthday this year, and it came with a set of magnets. I immediately put the magnets on my refrigerator, scattered about. Every time I go to the fridge, I take a moment to find and read the little messages. It sounds cheesy and like some silly self-improvement mantra that you chant to yourself, but I can't help it. They make me feel better. They make me feel like it's ok to be confused, stressed, and unsure of things. We all are. And isn't that important? To feel like we all have someone who can commiserate with us? Even if it is just a fictional character, it rings true. So I leave you with my magnet mantras.

Inhabit your moments.

I am not a typical girl.

I feel the need to be alone.

Will we ever meet again?

Okay, so you're not perfect. Who is?

None of us gets it right all the time.