arkratirma: (Default)
arkratirma ([personal profile] arkratirma) wrote2008-10-17 09:25 pm

New stuff 'n' things.

Changed my theme. I'd had the same theme since 2006, and lately I'd been considering changing it. I love purples and greens paired together, so I chose Grapevine. It's snazzy.

I'm keeping up very well for Phil's Maya demonstrations... mostly because I remember them from last term. I'm actually ahead of this term's classmates for the course (as far as demos go); what a novel concept. He complimented my boat hull (one of the practice exercises).

After class, I went to Powell's and decided to just go ahead and purchase Writing Fiction by Janet Burroway and Elizabeth Stuckey-French. I'm pissed that I couldn't find a used copy of it, because I'd heard some of my Creative Writing peers explaining they'd found used copies for just twenty bucks.

Brand new, this thing costs $73.20. This book is 6 1/2" x 9 3/16" x 1" and costs SEVENTY-THREE GODDAMN DOLLARS. But hey, it's apparently the most well-respected text on writing fiction, and I wanted to be able to just have my Creative Writing readings on hand. I like the writing exercises in the book and will probably complete some of them for fun. Maybe it'll help me advance my writing skills.

When I brought it up to an available cashier, he looked at the price after it rang up and said, "Textbook?" The price is all too telling.

INTERJECTION: HOLY FUCKING CRAP WATCHMEN WAS TESTED AT THE LLOYD CENTER THEATRE LAST NIGHT!

JESUS CHRIST THAT'S JUST MINUTES AWAY FROM THE ART INSTITUTE BY MAX. I PASS IT EVERY SCHOOL DAY.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. *flail*

[/drama~]

Everyone who watched the screening had to sign non-disclosure agreements, but.... WOW. Watchmen screened in Portland and I missed it. Kinda sounds as if it was invitation-only...? The viewers had special passes, anyway. Read the article here, if interested.

GET HERE FASTER, FRIDAY, MARCH 6!

I'm eating a bowl o' popcorn and it is delicious. No added butter or anything, just light and fluffy and mmmm-mmmm good!

Lots of fun today with my friends before class began. I shared my tire blow-out story and Jessie kind of made fun of me for my automobile term mixup: when I wrote about the incident, I wrote that the "axle was resting directly on the asphalt." ...I meant wheel. The wheel rim that the tire wraps around was resting directly on the asphalt after the tire had blown out. She drew me a diagram in my notebook and explained where the axles are; her lesson did strike me as a bit patronizing. When she asked if I understood everything she was explaining and I kept nodding, she asked, "...or are you just placating me?"

After I'd shared that I'd waited for forty-five minutes for someone to arrive to help me put my spare on, Jessie said, "I don't mean to downplay your intellectualism, but isn't that something your parents taught you?" Jacob said, "I was going to ask the same thing."

...Well, no. It's not something you expect to have to be able to do, even if you should always be prepared for such things. It's not part of driving lessons (perhaps it should be). Aunt Pam and Uncle Larry told me they could give me a lesson on putting my spare on (the dinky thing is simply a donut spare, not a full-size tire) sometime.

It irked me slightly, but Jessie means well. She's still a good friend. I just don't know a terrible lot about cars.

At least I know how to put in the oil by myself. XD Cammy still hasn't done this yet on his own. Of course, he doesn't have his car at hand for the time being.

And I can install wireless cards in computers.... *facepalm*

[identity profile] midget-remnants.livejournal.com 2008-10-18 06:02 am (UTC)(link)
omg, 2:45 long!

...I stiiiiilll wish it was something like 3 and a half hours, but maybe they got alot in still.


OMG WATCHMEN

[identity profile] arkratirma.livejournal.com 2008-10-18 07:13 am (UTC)(link)
Oh I know! Just 2:45.... Ugh, it just sounds like it would cut a lot out. If it were to be three and a half hours long, I'd bring lots of snacks and a pillow and get ready for the MIND-BLOWING KICKASSERY TO COME. :D

[identity profile] midget-remnants.livejournal.com 2008-10-20 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
oh man, have you heard about the changes they had in the ending, at least in the version that was screen? D:

[identity profile] arkratirma.livejournal.com 2008-10-21 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
I have. ;____; The changes mentioned in the Portland screening article are rumors, but.... I hope that's all they are - or just changes in that screening. There's another article that describes how the "squid" is kept in, at least.

We'll only know for certain on Friday, March 6! IT CAN'T COME SOON ENOOOUGH.

[identity profile] midget-remnants.livejournal.com 2008-10-21 06:03 am (UTC)(link)
I really hope it was just the screening, Zack wouldn't do this to us, I don't think.

[identity profile] arkratirma.livejournal.com 2008-10-29 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
Check this out: http://www.watchmencomicmovie.com/102808-watchmen-movie-multiple-two-endings.php

It seems that a few different endings are being screened to test audience reactions. All the endings will appear on the DVD (whenever that comes out!). :)

[identity profile] fierce-desea.livejournal.com 2008-10-18 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
I like the new theme, but it's going to take some getting used to. ;) YOU SHOULD HAVE A WATCHMEN LAYOUT. :O

I hate textbook prices. They're so friggin' ridiculous. And it really, really sucks having to pay at least 20 bucks more for a new version. Hey, question: did you look online for the book? Like on Amazon or even eBay?

That's crazy that Watchmen was tested in Portland! But it was probably invitation only or something.

Aww, I'm sorry that your friends irked you a bit. I can see why that would be irritating. They shouldn't assume anything.

<333

[identity profile] arkratirma.livejournal.com 2008-10-18 07:21 am (UTC)(link)
*grin* It is really different, isn't it? AND OH MY JESUS A WATCHMEN THEME WOULD BE FUCKING HOT. XD

I did find the book on Amazon, but it's practically the same price. SO maddening! I guess that the publishers of textbooks have a say in the price. Greedy bastards.

Yeah, the article describes that passes were handed out a week prior to the screening. ;______;

I agree. I dislike it so much when anyone assumes anything about me. Even positive things, sometimes!

<333

[identity profile] fierce-desea.livejournal.com 2008-10-18 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
Indeed it is. OH MY JESUS. I should make you a header and find a good layout for it or something. I don't know when, but SOMETIME.

There weren't any used books you could get on Amazon? The publishers are greedy bastards.

Aww, pobre Jill. ;______;

Same here!

<33

[identity profile] fierce-desea.livejournal.com 2008-10-18 08:22 am (UTC)(link)
OH NOES. I FORGOT THE LAST 3.

<333333333333333333333333333

[identity profile] arkratirma.livejournal.com 2008-10-19 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
IT'S A THREESPLOSION! :D

[identity profile] arkratirma.livejournal.com 2008-10-19 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
Squee o' glee! That would rock! I don't care when - if you do make a layout, it'll be awesome whenever.

I didn't bother with used books, sadly. ;____; I need the book now for its writing exercises and assigned readings for class. CURSES.

<333

[identity profile] fierce-desea.livejournal.com 2008-10-19 04:53 am (UTC)(link)
When I have the time, I'll just ask you what picture you want me to use or something. :D

;____; CURSES! It would have been cheaper used, but it does take considerably longer.

<333