Monday, July 30, 2007
♥ 7:41 pm
Dulce et Decorum Est - Wilfred Owen
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest we began to trudge
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame, all blind;
Drunk with fatigue, deaf even to the hoots
Of tired, out-stripped Five-Nines that dropped behind
GAS! Gas! Quick, boys! -- An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And floundering like a man in fire or lime.--
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering , choking, drowning
If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,--
My friends, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.
Questions? What is Owen's intention here? What is the impact of describing his soldiers as children, boys? What is the significance of structure?
you know what, i don't give a damn now...
cause...
IOC IS OVER!!!!!!!!!! YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH!!!
WHOOOOOOOOOOHHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(swearing words)
WHA PAO!!
haha
going a bit crazy...
ok back to earth, and reality.
Labels: IOCs, School, Wilfred Owen
Friday, July 27, 2007
♥ 9:44 pm
Squelching in thick mud we lay the ropes
of the success and grandeur of our exhibitions
tirelessly we work
never complaining
for the sake of the greater good
alas it's not going to be
as human greed takes its place
Why can't they listen
why can't they just follow.
Don't step into the leadership they say.
If everyone wants their own way
everyone wants their own say
Then we would have no need
no need to lead, no need to comply.
Entropy always increase, doesn't it?
haha poetry is good.
everyone seems to be wanting their own way, and when it doesn't, they scold, they complain.
I really exploded
Think i took it out on the little boys and the barker guys.
in the words of qi'en
I am saikang warrior number one.
FUP Brothers!
(Back into reality)
IOC IOC IOC IOC IOC IOC IOC IOC!!!
damn this don and drew song, it makes no sense.
Labels: Frustrations, IOCs, NDP, Poetry
Thursday, July 26, 2007
♥ 9:54 pm
The time comes nearer.
Soon the works of Shakespeare, Owen, Frost and Soyinka will be laid before us, awaiting the fateful hand of choice, of fate, of nature's power (as Lear would subtlely put it.)
Picking one, flipping it over,
Waves of memories flood back,
numerous scribbling, uncountable words
Swarm the mind, restricted by the hand.
Nervous we are not,
Petrified we try not
However, even if we succeed
What cost have we born,
What have we lost?
haha anyone can be a poet.
je t'aime vous, ma belle!
(dropped back into reality)
Labels: IOCs
Monday, July 23, 2007
♥ 10:01 pm
bloody wisdom tooth.
all coming out at once, it fugling painful and irritating.
argh IOC on Monday, 30 Jul 2007!
1300 hrs.
It's going to be ok, it's good to get it over and done with fast, so i can focus on world lit, prelims, NDP parade....
fuck i have a lot of things to do, and so why am i posting this blog?
haha
Please don't try to influence what we say, it just shows a lack of confidence in your own system and style. Why fear the students when you have done a good job? We are mature enough to give honest replies that truly reflect our feelings.
so please, piss off
Thanks
Labels: Health, IOCs, School
Sunday, July 22, 2007
♥ 8:43 pm
IOC week begins now.
I've printed out my notes. Now time to mug it until i can read it backward-first.
I really hope i get a Lear text, definitely not a Soyinka or Frost. Wouldn't mind Owen.
'Courage was mine, and i had mystery
Wisdom was mine, and i had mastery'
Wilfred Owen, 1893-1918
Yeah can't be better said at all..
'Howl howl howl howl! Oh men, made of stones'
'Oh fool, i will go mad'
'Now gods, stand up for bastards!'
but my favorite of them all...
'Nothing will come of nothing, speak again!'
Something our IOC invigilators should say when somebody freaks out.
Watching the European Grand Prix now, what a race.
Torrential downpours, 5 cars skidding into the gravel, Lewis Hamilton's car screwing up and crashing.. all in 11 laps..
funny if you must say...
my sis hasn't read the last HP book yet, and i'm trying not to spoil her story, yet give her subtle hints, it's been funny too...
IOC, IOC, IOC, IOC!
(in memorandum of Alastor, Remus, Nymphadora, Dobby, Hedwig, Fred, George's ear, Colin)
Labels: English A1, IOCs
♥ 1:30 am
Just finished HP and the DH...
can't be bothered to write the whole bloody name.
Haha bloody is apt, deaths fly around like no one cares. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs, well, you don't wanna know...
People can know that they are going to die, go and die, think they're dead, and still not die! it's a miracle!
Never trust the things people give you, especially your prosthesis
It's amazing how much love can do to a man. It can bring him to submission, it can cause a sensation never felt before. It can make people make out during the middle of a major battle.
Twins are weird, and deranged women who have lost twins, well, stay clear.
Revolving eyes don't help.
Don't be greed and rob a bank, as you can drown in wealth.
Blood-purity makes Nazis.
One can plan to send one to his death, even by telling others to kill him. So beware of your friends.
Even those you think are protectors could have been murderers.
When it is war, there is no such thing as 'Unforgivable'
Half of double, is as good a nothing
and my last point..
I think Mrs Weasley and Mrs Potter could have chosen their kids names better..
i can't wait to see Miss Wright and Mr Radcliffe snogging, and Mr Grint and Ms Watson as well..
haha need sleep.. zzzzz
Labels: Harry Potter
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
♥ 7:59 pm
I don't know..
ever since i've kinda given up on you, i feel that something's missing. Something i thought i had, than knew i never had.
Confusing?
Yes it is.
Life's a slog, grades are not the best... (although i claim aggrieved status for 2 out of 5 papers...)
damn those super ngiao markers. 36 points is like within 5 marks.... damn
Maybe it's for the best, maybe now i can focus on my work, as nothing else can be as interesting as you.
last IOC to do, the feeling is not satisfying at all, as my piece of paper on the wall reminds me that i have to study....
The place, Waterloo
The fate of the world will be decided here, now, today..
'Form up positions, men!' the young officer shouted. His men, dressed in bright redcoats shuffled their feet around quickly, nerves in the mind as well.
Any man would be afraid, especially a young Lieutenant, with his first action since his commission. He felt that he had nothing to live for. His girl just ran off with some rich Earl. His family was dead, nothing was worth it, he would like to die at the end of a saber, or at the hands of a musketball...
He quickly shut the thoughts out of his mind. "For King and Country', he thought. If anyone would die, it would be those French bastards...
A wave of expectation, coupled with fear, swept the line. What would le petit corporal think of now?
The rumbling of hooves answered that....
A wave of golden and blue appeared far on the horizon....
Never had he seen something so grand, so terrifying, and so bold as that line of blue, red and gold. Then again, he had never seen much anyway..
'Load!'
the mess of gunpowder and cartridges split all over the place. The men he led had seen much more action than he did, yet the powder went flying. They had never seen something so magnificent as well..
'God protect me'. He looked to the heavens. He never was too religious, but in the face of adversity, there are no atheists
The artillery opened up. The Imperial Cavalry picked up pace and charged through the mess of cannonballs, although some fell, everyone raced towards the line of scarlet and sliver.
'Prepare to engage cavalry! Fire on my order only!'
the formation was complete. 'Even that can't take a volley of muskets'. the young man thought.
100, 90, 80,70
'Vive l'Empereur!!!'
'Vive la France!!!'
the cries rang out, the cavalry picked up pace. no one's face changed a bit.
60, 50, 40, 30...
'Fire!'
Smoke erupted from the formation. The Hussars fell like sticks in the wind. It didn't seem like anything could come through the thick smoke.
still they came...
the collision was fast, and painful. Some parts fell to the momentum of the charge, some met the charge with a wall of steel...
He drew his sword and pierced it deep onto a onrushing Hussar. No quarter was asked, and none was given. He soon indulged himself in the killing.
The line was held, but at what cost?
Labels: Exams, Relationships, School, War
Saturday, July 14, 2007
♥ 11:25 pm
Just came back from watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix...
To be honest, i was kinda put off by the show. The plot was so diluted from the actual story, that it became sort of a rush to finish. Everything was done in double-quick time.
This has to be put down to the scriptwriters. By cutting so much of the story to squeeze it into the 2 hr 15 min, it became a weak, unrealistic movie. The movie lacks depth, and is rather shallow to it as well.
By doing this, every character (except Harry) has his/her character development diluted (in the case of Ron/Hermione, very severely), and it seems like the major characters have been diminished in role.
Dumbledore hardly appears, the budding romance between Ron/Hermione is pushed into limbo, and the battle in the Department of Mysteries becomes a farce. How can 6 Death Eaters do hardly a scratch on 6 teens?
And another thing. The kiss between Harry and Cho is sooooooooo overrated. They kiss, and than nothing happens. No development, and it is as if the kiss is meant to please the fans. In the end, Cho betrays the DA. ?
Now, my awards....
Best Student Actor:
Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch)
Honourable Mention:
Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe)
No contest here, even though Harry deserves a mention by improving on the Potter character and creating a darker side to it. But Lynch manages to show the daydreamish, fantasy like character of Loony Luna, and for a rookie, that is really impressive. Only thing is that we see hardly anything of her, which is a waste.
Best Actor:
Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge)
Honourable Mention:
Jason Issacs (Lucius Malfoy)
No contest again, Umbridge really is the star of this show, managing to act both sweet and nasty in one face. Lucius Malfoy manages to act as a classy villain, befitting his status as the rich guy and the Death Eater in one breath.
Surprisingly none of the Order guys have any memorable role in this movie. What a waste.
Most Memorable Scene:
The Weasley twins comforting a young boy who got into Umbridge's detentions. A different side of the twins, who were only pranksters. Their escape is also not as fantastic as in the books.
Scene that would eject you from your seat:
Winner: The Death of Sirius Black.
Three words. What the Fuck. Sirius Black, perennial bad guy, Harry's hero, powerful wizard, dies in a daze and a flutter. What the hell...
(Dis)honourable mention: The Kiss
Again. Nothing against the kiss, but it is not developed. No dates, no conversation between them after that, and a kinda-break up. and the preceding talk, is really spastic. No 'I like you Harry', or anything of that sort...
Most Improved Student Actor: Matthew Lewis (Nevile Longbottom)
His role is increasing, and so is his acting capabilities. Excellent portrayal of the pain that Nevile faces.
Worst Student Actor: Katie Leung (Cho Chang)
Not really her fault here, it's due to the cutting that makes her role so insignificant, that she just kissed Harry and that's it. That's due to more of poor scripting more than anything.
I think that the acting generally has been excellent, and the character development of Harry is good, and Radcliffe's acting has improved. However, it can be said that there is little use for other characters in this book. All the stalwart British actors/actresses in this movie have been mere extras. Plot is way too quick, and although i am not looking for a photocopy of the movie, this one fails to capture the essences of the novel at all. The movie is disjointed, and the important details in between are left out, and movie fantasies are thrown in without consideration. Generally, the blame has to fall on Yates, who has changed the movie to suit his own fantasy. A good Potter movie (i.e 4 by Mike Newell) can capture the essence of the movie, cut down the fat (but not the muscle) and add in his own flair to it. Yates has failed on all 3 points. It is hard to believe that the longest HP novel has the shortest movie (138 mins). It doesn't make sense, and the movie really is not up to expectations.
2.5/5...
on another note....
RESULTS ON MONDAY!!! DAMN!!!
Labels: Harry Potter, Movies
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
♥ 8:35 pm
had to post this. almost puked on my water...
the DJ on the radio read 'Harry Potter and the Odour of the Phoenix...'
haha now it does sound funny as well...
oh yes bring your cheap dirty filthy thermometer tomorrow!
i think there is more chance of getting sick if we use that thermometer to check whether we are sick...
haha the irony..
life is full of it if you bother to pay attention...
♥ 8:33 pm
First time in a long time.....
No work on a weeknite!!!!!!!!
haha i wanna sleep now...
ye laddies! i am de pride of the north! highland laddies!!!!
haha scots pride...
Sunday, July 08, 2007
♥ 11:00 pm
I've not said this yet since the day that the exams ended...
F**K THE EXAMS ARE OVER!!!!
(for now...)
omg federer and nadal's faces on the official wimbledon board looks like crap...
It's not nice to ignore someone...
Just ran into the wikipedia.org list of best selling books..
Read it here...
It's most interesting.
From numbers 1-10..
1,5,6,7, involve Christian Literature...
2 is the Little Red Book
3 is the Qu'ran
10 is an Agatha Christie book...
and 9 is Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone..
humans, go figure...
Monday, July 02, 2007
♥ 10:31 am
Haven't really had time to blog about anything, and to be honest, i don't really felt like.
So now i'm going to blog about how the last wk of exams have been...
It's kinda weird when the Chem MCQs turn out to be so damn hard, and the paper 2 and 3 turn out to be so much relatively easier... go figure....
Econs was quite good, yeh we're fine there...
Maths 1 wasn't the best (haha compared to my usually high standards). so will need to work on p2.
Yeh that's kinda it...
Exam time is always, ironically, kinda slack. Go home much earlier than normal school days, some days also don't need to come to sch... haha
Haven't caught my rightful share of movies yet, but have not time, ah well... that sucks..
Am i fated to go down this path? Why do they always have someone else? Is there something wrong with me?
Labels: Exams, Life, School
