So this was supposed to be this really happy post about how I was ahead, and still going strong, and my writing was getting easier every day, but then I got burgled. Yup. Yesterday, someone got into my house, and took my laptop. And with that laptop, they took about 1,500 freshly written words, which I hadn't backed up to Google Drive yet (luckily, I had backed it up at 37,776 words, which was what I was at on day 22). So my NaNo status says 39,014 (day 23), but in reality, I'm back to 37,776.
While I should be at 41,666 today. A difference I was easily going to overtake, because I was going to write yesterday, and stay ahead, and even had thoughts about maybe finishing early this year. Clearly, this is not to be.
I'm contemplating just copy-pasting the 'stolen' words on the bottom of my document and continuing, but somehow that feels wrong, and it would really mess up the story. So I won't do that, and I will just try to hammer out the 1,500 words I'd already written, and add the 2,500 words I'm behind anyway. Which means 4,000 words in one day. Which is completely crazy, and probably won't happen, but I'll give it a try anyway. This one stupid person with no regard for other people's lives or homes or privacy or stuff won't get me down.
Showing posts with label rant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rant. Show all posts
Wednesday, 25 November 2015
Sunday, 1 June 2014
Original films
I've been watching a lot of films lately, because we got this 'unlimited' cinema card for a generous discount, and that has made me visit the cinema more often than I would usually do (and also watch films in the cinema that I generally wouldn't have paid any money for). One of the things that struck me, both in the story lines of the films themselves and in the trailers, is that there are hardly any original stories left. In film, that is.
The films trending in the Netherlands over the past few months have been: The Book Thief (based on a novel), Divergent (same), The Hundred-Year-Old Man who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (again), X-men: Days of Future Past (comic), Captain America: Winter Soldier (ditto), The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (again), Maleficent (arguably a somewhat original story, but based on Disney's own version of the fairy tale and the fairy tale itself), and the umpteenth Godzilla film. I've also watched The Railway Man (based on true events) and seen trailers for Grace of Monaco, The Fault in our Stars, 22 Jump Street, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and countless other sequels (Transformers, Star Wars, the Hobbit, The Hunger Games, etc).
Why is this? Is it impossible to think of a new, fresh storyline, with new, fresh characters? Also, all the books-made-into-films are based on not-very-literary examples of novels, or generally even popular young adult stuff (not counting The Hobbit, of course). Non-literary, but selling like hot cakes. Must a story prove its worth before a movie can be made out of it? And what's with all the super hero movies? Don't get me wrong, I love watching those, but it's really really hard to come up with any original storyline there (although it was nice to see that someone finally put the Gwen Stacey thing in a Spider-Man film). It's not that I don't like another X-men film, or that I won't go to see them, but I'm lamenting the fact that somehow originality seems to have gone out the window, and only safe, already-proven stories are getting produced.
As I see it, there are two proper exceptions to this rule, one of which I've already seen, and one which is yet to come out: Edge of Tomorrow and The Philosophers (also known as After the Dark). Edge of Tomorrow, even though it is yet another 'super hero will save the day' film, has a great plot, and great characters, and great acting. It is truly original, borrowing some elements from some other films, but never copying outright, and giving them original twists. I haven't seen The Philosophers yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
So I'm hoping that lots of people go to see these films, and will rate them positively, and that film makers (and mostly those giving film makers the money to make films) will realise that there is an audience out there waiting for original stories, not copies of real life, novels, comics, or other films. As I see it, films are an escape into another world, and if that other world is already known, the escape is less powerful. It can be a friendly immersion into familiar waters, but sometimes you just want to be pulled out of your comfort zone into a whole other world. Which is what Edge of Tomorrow will do for you. Go watch it, and spread the word.
The films trending in the Netherlands over the past few months have been: The Book Thief (based on a novel), Divergent (same), The Hundred-Year-Old Man who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (again), X-men: Days of Future Past (comic), Captain America: Winter Soldier (ditto), The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (again), Maleficent (arguably a somewhat original story, but based on Disney's own version of the fairy tale and the fairy tale itself), and the umpteenth Godzilla film. I've also watched The Railway Man (based on true events) and seen trailers for Grace of Monaco, The Fault in our Stars, 22 Jump Street, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and countless other sequels (Transformers, Star Wars, the Hobbit, The Hunger Games, etc).
Why is this? Is it impossible to think of a new, fresh storyline, with new, fresh characters? Also, all the books-made-into-films are based on not-very-literary examples of novels, or generally even popular young adult stuff (not counting The Hobbit, of course). Non-literary, but selling like hot cakes. Must a story prove its worth before a movie can be made out of it? And what's with all the super hero movies? Don't get me wrong, I love watching those, but it's really really hard to come up with any original storyline there (although it was nice to see that someone finally put the Gwen Stacey thing in a Spider-Man film). It's not that I don't like another X-men film, or that I won't go to see them, but I'm lamenting the fact that somehow originality seems to have gone out the window, and only safe, already-proven stories are getting produced.
As I see it, there are two proper exceptions to this rule, one of which I've already seen, and one which is yet to come out: Edge of Tomorrow and The Philosophers (also known as After the Dark). Edge of Tomorrow, even though it is yet another 'super hero will save the day' film, has a great plot, and great characters, and great acting. It is truly original, borrowing some elements from some other films, but never copying outright, and giving them original twists. I haven't seen The Philosophers yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
So I'm hoping that lots of people go to see these films, and will rate them positively, and that film makers (and mostly those giving film makers the money to make films) will realise that there is an audience out there waiting for original stories, not copies of real life, novels, comics, or other films. As I see it, films are an escape into another world, and if that other world is already known, the escape is less powerful. It can be a friendly immersion into familiar waters, but sometimes you just want to be pulled out of your comfort zone into a whole other world. Which is what Edge of Tomorrow will do for you. Go watch it, and spread the word.
Monday, 14 October 2013
Eat to live
In the Netherlands, people generally bike a lot. Looking at the 'bike basement' at my job, and the parking lot in front of the building, I'd say the ratio is pretty much 50-50, with those coming by car usually living more than 10 km from work and/or having to drop off several small children at day care before they come to work (lots of people also bike around with a small child in front and one in the back, but if you're working in a place that expects you to arrive relatively wrinkle and sweat-free, this isn't really an option).
I'd say most of us are a pretty healthy bunch: hardly any smokers, most people use the stairs when moving between floors, and a lot exercise or walk or move in any other way. The other company in our building is a health insurance company, which ironically has a larger percentage of smokers, and more elevator-users, although to be completely honest we do work on the 5th floor whereas they might be on the 11th.
Anyway, apparently, we're not healthy and sporty enough. Last week, there were leaflets in the canteen, stating that coming to work by bike was healthier than driving a car (which I'm sure most people know, and those able to bike generally already do so). The leaflet ended with a table of foodstuffs, and how many minutes one would have to bike to 'lose the calories' in that food. You come across these lists quite a lot, especially in women's magazines. There are several things that surprise, and maybe even worry, me about this development.
Firstly, it somehow emits the messages that when you bike, it's okay to eat these fatty things. You've biked to work? Great! Have a packet of crisps! As if it is somehow a reward you deserve for undertaking the great exhausting move of coming by bike.
Secondly, there are only unhealthy things on the list: crisps, candy bars, chips, other fried foods (egg rolls etc) but also hamburgers and other 'whole meal' options. Why not show how little time you need to 'lose' an apple or a wholemeal cracker? Wouldn't that be more motivating?
Finally, it makes it seem as if the only reason we eat, is to lose it as quickly as possible. As if you don't actually need the vitamins, protein, and fat (yes, fat) in your food. As if the only reason you're eating is to have something to do in your lunch break, and it's only purpose is to run through your body as quickly as possible and then be gone.
Now I know these leaflets won't really get much attention in our canteen, as most people already eat fruits, yogurt, salads, wholemeal buns and other healthy things. But I cannot help but remember the colleagues I had at the sandwich shop at the train station, who would literally tell each other 'I can have cookie today, because I came by bike!'. If that's the way we're treating food these days, not as something you need to survive, but as a treat you give yourself for doing a normal thing like move around, then I don't think we're going in the right direction. Having a piece of chocolate or a bag of crisps is nice every now and then, but just to enjoy it, not because you've already worked off the calories it contains.
I'd say most of us are a pretty healthy bunch: hardly any smokers, most people use the stairs when moving between floors, and a lot exercise or walk or move in any other way. The other company in our building is a health insurance company, which ironically has a larger percentage of smokers, and more elevator-users, although to be completely honest we do work on the 5th floor whereas they might be on the 11th.
Anyway, apparently, we're not healthy and sporty enough. Last week, there were leaflets in the canteen, stating that coming to work by bike was healthier than driving a car (which I'm sure most people know, and those able to bike generally already do so). The leaflet ended with a table of foodstuffs, and how many minutes one would have to bike to 'lose the calories' in that food. You come across these lists quite a lot, especially in women's magazines. There are several things that surprise, and maybe even worry, me about this development.
Firstly, it somehow emits the messages that when you bike, it's okay to eat these fatty things. You've biked to work? Great! Have a packet of crisps! As if it is somehow a reward you deserve for undertaking the great exhausting move of coming by bike.
Secondly, there are only unhealthy things on the list: crisps, candy bars, chips, other fried foods (egg rolls etc) but also hamburgers and other 'whole meal' options. Why not show how little time you need to 'lose' an apple or a wholemeal cracker? Wouldn't that be more motivating?
Finally, it makes it seem as if the only reason we eat, is to lose it as quickly as possible. As if you don't actually need the vitamins, protein, and fat (yes, fat) in your food. As if the only reason you're eating is to have something to do in your lunch break, and it's only purpose is to run through your body as quickly as possible and then be gone.
Now I know these leaflets won't really get much attention in our canteen, as most people already eat fruits, yogurt, salads, wholemeal buns and other healthy things. But I cannot help but remember the colleagues I had at the sandwich shop at the train station, who would literally tell each other 'I can have cookie today, because I came by bike!'. If that's the way we're treating food these days, not as something you need to survive, but as a treat you give yourself for doing a normal thing like move around, then I don't think we're going in the right direction. Having a piece of chocolate or a bag of crisps is nice every now and then, but just to enjoy it, not because you've already worked off the calories it contains.
Friday, 17 August 2012
Administrative blaaaaaa
I realise that administration, paperwork, and contracts are what makes this world go round. I also realise that it is what keeps all of us from throwing ourselves into things without knowing for sure what they will bring us or what we can expect from others. I know there have to be rules and regulations, but surely, not this many?
The first thing I'm kinda getting fed up on: contracts. I've signed a contract with the company I will do an internship for, which I think is logical, as they will be providing me with lots of information and a workspace and what not, and they'd like to see me commit to actually giving them something in return. Conversely, I still have to write up and have signed (by 4 different people) the contact between me, the university, my university supervisor and my company supervisor saying that we will all help me get the internship done and that the uni will then give me credit (the final 10 ECTs). It's a lot of work, because it requires all kinds of specific wording and many many things which I don't know yet, so I'm spending a lot of time thinking about this stupid piece of paper, which should not be the main thing on my mind right now. Finally, I still have to write up a contract with my dissertation supervisor. That's right, it has gotten this far; because students can't trust their supervisors (to help them properly) and the university doesn't trust students (to finish on time, which is actually resonable), we have to sign a piece of paper saying that we both commit to me finishing the 15,000 words on time and her helping me do that.
I mean, where is the trust? I can see how the uni and the internship company have to protect themselves from me not doing anything (while they either pay me or give me credit) or how I have to protect myself from them not providing the things I need, but seriously, my dissertation supervisor? With whom I chat about my US travels, grading papers, the new Jane Austen film, and what-not? Sigh...
Then there is the paperwork that comes with either travelling or moving to another country (I have no experience with the latter, but yesterday I spend the afternoon helping a friend who will move to Sweden on Tuesday, and boy, does it involve a looooot of paperwork). Sticking to our US trip, we have insurance, pre-booked tickets (there is literally only 1 venue that offers will-call, for the rest we have to print them out and carry them around for 2 weeks), international driver's licences, booking confirmations... the list is endless. I am starting to realise why people take these all-in vacations where you don't have to do anything yourself (including thinking), although I'd really hate to do one of those, so plodding on here.
Moral of the story; anyone who tells you that paper is dead and everything will become digital soon, they're either lying or don't get out much. Paper is what this world runs on. It is also what my desk is filled with, and what makes it impossible for me to do the things I should be doing, as there's other stuff to fill in or sign or print out first.
The only good thing is that I know that once the trip is done (and we've actually used all those bits of paper), the internship is on it's way, and the dissertation is going smoothly, I'll be happy I've done all this administrative prep. Something to look forward to!
The first thing I'm kinda getting fed up on: contracts. I've signed a contract with the company I will do an internship for, which I think is logical, as they will be providing me with lots of information and a workspace and what not, and they'd like to see me commit to actually giving them something in return. Conversely, I still have to write up and have signed (by 4 different people) the contact between me, the university, my university supervisor and my company supervisor saying that we will all help me get the internship done and that the uni will then give me credit (the final 10 ECTs). It's a lot of work, because it requires all kinds of specific wording and many many things which I don't know yet, so I'm spending a lot of time thinking about this stupid piece of paper, which should not be the main thing on my mind right now. Finally, I still have to write up a contract with my dissertation supervisor. That's right, it has gotten this far; because students can't trust their supervisors (to help them properly) and the university doesn't trust students (to finish on time, which is actually resonable), we have to sign a piece of paper saying that we both commit to me finishing the 15,000 words on time and her helping me do that.
I mean, where is the trust? I can see how the uni and the internship company have to protect themselves from me not doing anything (while they either pay me or give me credit) or how I have to protect myself from them not providing the things I need, but seriously, my dissertation supervisor? With whom I chat about my US travels, grading papers, the new Jane Austen film, and what-not? Sigh...
Then there is the paperwork that comes with either travelling or moving to another country (I have no experience with the latter, but yesterday I spend the afternoon helping a friend who will move to Sweden on Tuesday, and boy, does it involve a looooot of paperwork). Sticking to our US trip, we have insurance, pre-booked tickets (there is literally only 1 venue that offers will-call, for the rest we have to print them out and carry them around for 2 weeks), international driver's licences, booking confirmations... the list is endless. I am starting to realise why people take these all-in vacations where you don't have to do anything yourself (including thinking), although I'd really hate to do one of those, so plodding on here.
Moral of the story; anyone who tells you that paper is dead and everything will become digital soon, they're either lying or don't get out much. Paper is what this world runs on. It is also what my desk is filled with, and what makes it impossible for me to do the things I should be doing, as there's other stuff to fill in or sign or print out first.
The only good thing is that I know that once the trip is done (and we've actually used all those bits of paper), the internship is on it's way, and the dissertation is going smoothly, I'll be happy I've done all this administrative prep. Something to look forward to!
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