Dogless in Seattle

[gwyn]

Brutus got adopted today! At least, I hope so -- I'm waiting to hear how the meeting went. It was fairly unusual -- the daughter of an elderly couple up in Sequim saw him in the newspaper and sent the clipping to her folks. They fell in love and so she arranged to get him and bring him up there. They have excellent references, both the daughter and parents, and they have had rescue dogs for years, so they're familiar with some of the behavior issues. He tried to nip her, which he has never ever done, and I was kind of freaked that he flipped out so bad, but we figured out it was her white baseball cap that was causing the trouble. He has difficulty meeting strangers because of his vision problems, and that just tipped him over the edge I guess. But when they drove away, he was on her lap, and seemed quite content. He was afraid of me when he met me, too.

We're hopeful that the donations we've received so far might help fund some surgery for him, but we're going to have to see how everything goes. I miss the little dude! I got so used to him clinging to me all the time, and going for walkies. He loooooved to go for walks. I know he'll be really happy though, and he's got a wonderful life ahead of him. Thank you so much to everyone who's helped out. If he gets the surgery, it's going to be the bestest thing ever.

Class finished for the quarter on Thursday, and I feel a huge weight off my shoulders. It's funny that the last year I plan to teach it, I finally get a class who appreciates me and gives me good evals. Oh well. Now it's on to planning my all-day workshop for the program in a couple weeks. I haven't done a damn thing on it.

I broke down and decided to get HBO since there are so many programs I want to watch, but I missed the second and third Game of Thrones eps, and they are not repeating them at all. I'm so frustrated by that, and that they're not repeating the first two Tremes, either, which I got HBO too late to get. I know I can DL it, but it just doesn't look as good in avi format as it does on the TV from the satellite.

Not that I'm enjoying what I've seen of GoT. I... well, I'm baffled by the love for this thing. I asked people about it beforehand, because I'd seen lengthy clips from it, and said that it looked like a bunch of really horrible people doing really horrible things to each other, which just... gah. And everyone agreed that yup, that's pretty much what it is, so I had to decide if my love of Sean Bean (and a number of other people, too) was enough to keep me watching after that execrable first episode. I just do not get the appeal. Sean is wonderful, but it has everything I hate about second-world fantasy that's just reimagined historical Great Britain with a few otherworldly creatures.

I'm learning that that kind of fantasy has never been my bag, but the things I hate most about it -- that it's almost always sexist, misogynistic, militaristic in an annoying way, and usually involves long boring passages about family intrigue and politics -- seem to be the things so many people find perfectly acceptable about it. And seeing it translated to film, from what I'm reading, is making some of those things even worse. I was just so disgusted by the first episode, so many things about it, but especially that Daenyris (spelling? Sorry) stuff with her basically being sold off by her repugnant brother and then raped for her wedding night just... well, that was everything I loathe right there in a nutshell, and it seems like it's just going downhill from there.

I'm completely bewildered by the love so many people I know have for Jaime Lannister, after everything I've seen so far (which admittedly is small, since I am waiting to watch when I can get all the episodes). And while I want to love Sean, his character is just... I don't know. I'd like to slap some sense into him. Anyway. I had a conversation with killabeez about it and she told me there are some characters who come up later in the story I might like, but she didn't seem to totally disagree with my take on the story, even if she finds more to enjoy than I do. Which helped a lot, because I was starting to think I was nuts since every. single. person. I know. love this thing to pieces. I'm at a loss.

We all have different tastes, I know, and I'm sure it's not helped by my sour feelings for GRR Martin lately, but I just don't know why fantasy always has to be like this. I used to read a lot of it when I was younger, but now I'm a lot more swayed by urban fantasy, although there are certainly some tropes that are falling into cliche there, too.

I'll probably keep recording it though, at least till... what happens happens (yes, I know the first novel spoilers).


Speaking of reading. I've been considering getting an e-reader, even though I hate them on general principle, because I think it would be nice to be able to carry my reference manuals around with me when I use the laptop in other places like visiting my dad, as well wondering if it would help me get back to reading more books. I don't read books at all anymore unless it's for work, and that really saddens me. I'm much more attracted to the Nook color, because it handles graphics and you can borrow books. But every single person I know here has a Kindle. Once I saw how badly that handles graphics and PDFs, I decided that wasn't for me. I would love to hear from any of you who have a Nook Color what you think, and if you feel it's worth it. One of the big things for me is being able to read outside, which is something I can't do with my laptop and I hear the iPad is terrible for. I'm getting landscaping for my backyard, so I think I'll be outside a lot more in the future and it would be great if the Nook is good for that. Would love to hear your opinions!

Comments

brutus!

[talking_sock]

So glad he was adopted. Also, I think it's great you're fostering dogs despite the work and emotional toll...

[devilc]

First off, the HBO series has walked right into several cliches that GRR Martin clearly reversed in his books. It is a much more conventional (and sexist/racist/homophobic) series than the novels.

What it gets right, though, it really really gets right.


I'm completely bewildered by the love so many people I know have for Jaime Lannister, after everything I've seen so far (which admittedly is small, since I am waiting to watch when I can get all the episodes).

Because he does bastard with such style and panache. But also, if you watch closely, you'll see why he's such a bastard. Oh, he was born an arrogant prick, but that wasn't all that made him the way we see him today.

Also, without giving away spoilers, by the end of book 3 you will like him, and by book 4 you'll be cheering him on.

And while I want to love Sean, his character is just... I don't know. I'd like to slap some sense into him.

So would we all. Ned Stark undercuts that fantasy cliche that the noblest guy is always a great leader.

Ned Stark is a good an honorable man, but he's a limited in his ability as a leader. He's great militarily, he's solid in the north where political intrigue is limited, but nothing in his life has prepared him for Kings Landing. He sees the world in black and white and doesn't know when to compromise for reality.

Anyway. I had a conversation with killabeez about it and she told me there are some characters who come up later in the story I might like,

If you're looking for "strong female characters" (tm) well, at the moment we've got Cersei and Catlyn, and Ayra and Dany are on their way. But book two introduces us to: Asha Greyjoy, Brienne of Tarth, and the ladies of House Tyrell. Book four gives us Arianne Martell, heir to the throne of Dorne.


What's interesting about all of these women is that they don't all take the same path to power and they all have flaws. What I like about this series is that the way of the sword isn't a woman's only path to power and agency. And some women, such as Asha Greyjoy (whom I love to pieces) swing a sword as well as they rule.


but she didn't seem to totally disagree with my take on the story, even if she finds more to enjoy than I do. Which helped a lot, because I was starting to think I was nuts since every. single. person. I know. love this thing to pieces. I'm at a loss.

It's not for everybody. I know a lot of people who loved LoTR and D&D style fantasy who don't like this at all because it (the books) are so counter to all of that. And that's fine. This is why we have 31 flavors.

Don't get me wrong, I love LoTR, but what I love about the ASOIAF novels is that they are a direct and dark answer to them. And yet each of them, ultimately, is about the mysteries of the human heart.

If you haven't read the "Dunk and Egg" novellas, I highly recommend them as a better way to ease into the the world of Westeros and ASOIAF. They will not spoil you for anything in Game of Thrones (being set about 90 years prior).

But, once again, if you don't like the books or the TV series, like I said, this is why we have 31 flavors. ;)

[destina.livejournal.com]

I can't tell you anything about Nook Color, but I have an older Nook 3G and I love it. It's heavier than the Kindle, which I think is its only drawback. Well, that, and needing a light for it when reading in a dark room. But Kindle has the same issue. I wish they had a backlight option. Maybe Nook color does.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

You know, that brings up something I'm still really confused about -- do I have to sign up for some kind of 3G phone service to use something like this? Because I don't have that, don't plan on it for at least a long while, and that would really kill any interest I have in these things if I have to add an expensive data service to get the books. I'm still very... confused about anything 36 or wireless or whatever on these kinds of devices.

[destina.livejournal.com]

No, the 3G was included (you don't have to sign up for anything to use it; you just register your Nook) but you pay more for a Nook that has it. With it, you can connect to B and N servers at any time and download stuff. Without it, you either have to use a wireless connection or a Nook hot spot (in a brick and mortar Barnes and Noble), so you can only download if you're near one of those.

[anoel.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on GoT. I find it mildly enjoyable at best and the sexist crap and a lot of just plain evil characters (and not in a fun way) frustrate me. I just don't get the love for it although it has gotten a little better since the first episode. The only one I'm really loving is Arya but I really just want a spinoff of her being awesome. I'm just sick of using historical basis as an excuse for the women characters getting stuck in the same crappy roles and being treated badly. But I'm still watching so it's at least keeping me interested.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I liked Arya, and then I saw a scene where she was saying what she wanted to be when she grew up and Ned's all "You'll marry a prince and be a great queen" or something and I was just... gah. They can create ANYthing they want in second world fantasy, but they always go for the traditional medieval European stuff.

[anoel.livejournal.com]

I am happy to report that it does get better from that :) But yeah, THAT exactly. It's fantasy, it doesn't have to be reality. It's not that hard to reimagine Camelot without all the of the sexist stuff.

[deejay.livejournal.com]

I stopped dl'ing GoT after the third episode.

*meh*

Re:

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that about sums it up. I wish I didn't like so many of the actors in it.

[khaleesian.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on the 'Avoid' GoT. Obviously, I was a fan at one point (see pseudonym), but there's just too little payoff for all the relentless portentous DOOM and hideous gore. Daenerys' storyline actually becomes the most compelling. I would watch if I thought the show would do right by her, but I'm not sanguine about the prospect.

I've decided as re: modern fantasy, if you want something done right...you've gotta do it yourself ;)

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I admit that I was intrigued by all the things I'd read about Daenerys, and was kind of looking forward to that, but it just seemed like they were not going in a direction that mapped to all the things I'd read.

[greenpear.livejournal.com]

The iPad is terrible for reading in any type of bright light. It's screen is extremely reflective which makes reading hard. I believe that the color Nook might have the same problem. But I was just informed that the new Nook is going to have a different ink technology and will make it easier to read.

[fishsanwitt]

Yay for Brutus being adopted!

[batwrangler.livejournal.com]

I hope things work out for Brutus (and that he gets a better name).

I believe GoT is available through HBO On-Demand, so if your cable package includes it, you could watch the rest of the episodes on your tv. (I didn't care for what I saw of it either.)

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

I have a Nook Color and LOVE it. I'd be glad to let you play with it sometime. ;) I like that it plays mp3s and mp4s and takes both epub files, Word docs (RTF format), and PDFs.

I've got a ticket to see Third Star on 6/10 (Cumberbatch!) and am meeting minim_calibre there. I could bring it.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Oooooh, I would LOVE the chance to look at your Nook (how suggestive that sounds!). You're the only person I've even heard of around here who has one. Where are you and Min meeting up? that might work (I'm not even sure what Third Star is, but i assume something with the SIFF?)

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

Yep, a SIFF film (I hear it will make us cry):
http://www.siff.net/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=44287&FID=206

We've got tix to the 6/10 showing. I am off work that day and actually have a volunteer shift till 7 (am going to ask to be let go a bit early so I can see the whole film) so we were going to meet up at the theatre. You can find me in the ticket booth out front that night. People start to line up about 45 min before a show, so if you came by, you could play with it while you wait.

You can ask her if you want to meet beforehand. I think she was planning on taking a work bus to the area and hanging out. I have to get there at 3, so you know where to find me.

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

I was hesitating on getting GoT for the reasons you said. This sort of dark, epic fantasy isn't my cuppa. I prefer urban fantasy. Cheesy as it is from the eps I've seen, Lost Girl is more my thing.