The off-topic topic

Shen · Post by **Shen** » 15 Jun 2006, 15:55

awww haha cute!!

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 16 Jun 2006, 08:24

Awww, so cute!

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 16 Jun 2006, 20:25

Just got a call from my teacher: Not graduated yet, and indeed because of that last group-project. He said I can still get my diploma cause in August I can make another groups-project, but I told him I just want an individual assignment cause I'm not going through that shit again...

Sucks though, but the good news is that I keep my free public transportation card for an extra 2-3 months I think, plus 400-500 euro a month...
But obviously I would rather have had that I had just graduated and gotten this whole shit behind me...

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 17 Jun 2006, 00:06

Where was I when a discussion about reading and books began?! I've missed my chance to enter the discussion now.

Oh, well. I'll just offer a postscript, then. . .

Read whatever you like, whatever it is. What's most important is that you DO continue reading. Like any skill, your ability will only improve with practice. But unfortunately, if you're looking to improve your vocabulary or challenge your comprehension skills, which will in turn improve your writing skills, then I'm afraid The Da Vinci Code isn't a good pick.

It's written on about a 6th grade reading level. But does that mean you should avoid it? Heck, no! I read it and enjoyed it. Sure, it's a purely plot-driven novel with unrealistic characters, but so what? It reads like a script for a suspense movie, which is exactly what it's turned into, with mixed reviews.

We all enjoy a wide range of movies, from the most serene and reflective Japanese art film to the big effects, no-brainer Hollywood action flick. No need to try being pretentious or snobby about our tastes. Sometimes an entertaining plot-driven novel is the perfect fit for our mood of the day (or train ride to work

).

Enjoy it without shame, Grim!

Shen · Post by **Shen** » 17 Jun 2006, 00:18

i agree 68m one should read what ever they like

personally didnt read the da vinci code, the synopsis on the back looked shite...but also agree that it is important to continue reading, i find it really sad that the most of todays generation couldnt care less about reading...hell i get ribbed something chronic by my siblings for reading...but as time goes on people are gonna stop reading, i find that really a sad concept

on another note....those fucking new music phones annoy the shit out me...did the owners of these such annoyances never hear of headphones?! jeez every damn bus you have this shitty dancey crappy music blaring out...i swear i feel like buying one and sitting on the bus blaring out slipknot or somet kind of death metal...see how they react to this, instead of thier stupid ass techno/dance/garage etc music (all sounds the same to me :\) it relly does get on my nerves, the music isnt even that clear on half of them it just sounds like even more of a jumbled mess than usual...ok rant over

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 17 Jun 2006, 00:20

I have a Sony w800 music phone but I always wear my headphones in public.

Shen · Post by **Shen** » 17 Jun 2006, 00:24

lol atleast your polite, it really does annoy me, when all the kids have these phones, with no respect for the fact that maybe people dont wanna hear their music, fell like asking them "did you never her of headphones, they are this kinda cool invention that you put in your ears and allow you to hear the music without pissing other people off" of course im too shy lol but argh it really gets on my nerves especially when your trying to listen quietly to music on your mp3 player and you can hear this stuff even over your own music

brooce-leroy · Post by **brooce-leroy** » 17 Jun 2006, 00:27

The music that a lot of teenage girls play on their phones also usually sounds like squeaky, speeded up crap too.

Shen · Post by **Shen** » 17 Jun 2006, 00:30

yeah! lol or really poor quality audio, it doesnt even sound like anything half the time just some sort of awful, lousy noise

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 17 Jun 2006, 00:56

the68monkey wrote:if you're looking to improve your vocabulary or challenge your comprehension skills, which will in turn improve your writing skills, then I'm afraid The Da Vinci Code isn't a good pick. It's written on about a 6th grade reading level.

Which is not easy to write, mind you.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 17 Jun 2006, 00:56

I dont know how it is on other countries, but here in Holland many kids stop reading after school, cause it is forced upon them during school. For your exam you have to read about 8 english books, and 15 Dutch ones. At least, that was the amount I had to read. I didnt read them though, and told the teachers I wouldnt read them, cause I felt it was a waste of my time. I always scored above 9's for comprehensive reading (usually 10's), so I feelt it wasnt needed to prove my comprehensible reading. They didnt allow me to take my exams cause I hadnt read any books, so I didnt graduate.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 17 Jun 2006, 01:00

the68monkey wrote:Where was I when a discussion about reading and books began?! I've missed my chance to enter the discussion now.

I thought I told you to lay off the drink!

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 17 Jun 2006, 01:01

Yi-Long wrote:They didnt allow me to take my exams cause I hadnt read any books, so I didnt graduate.

Well then that's your own stubborn fault!

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 17 Jun 2006, 01:04

Kurgan wrote:
the68monkey wrote:Where was I when a discussion about reading and books began?! I've missed my chance to enter the discussion now.
I thought I told you to lay off the drink!

It was just a little glass of wine.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 17 Jun 2006, 01:19

the68monkey wrote:It was just a little glass of wine.

Somehow I don't think that'll hold up in court... The photo evidence against you is shocking

As for the reading discussion, well, I can't argue with the need to read, but I must say that I've personally found it a tad difficult to find time to read recently, and I don't think I'm alone in that. The book prior to The Da Vinci Code (thought it was rather entertaining for 2/3 of it and then the author went too far) that I really gave time to was my 50th anniversary edition of Fahrenheit 451 and before that, Simulacra & Simulation. When I was younger, I read a great deal more and it's one of those things I miss having the time to do. I've had trouble keeping up to date with films, so books tend to be a lot further down the scale than I'd like.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 17 Jun 2006, 01:24

the68monkey wrote:
Yi-Long wrote:They didnt allow me to take my exams cause I hadnt read any books, so I didnt graduate.
Well then that's your own stubborn fault!

Maybe, but I was right. Not that being right means anything in the real world, but in my mind it matters. I rather stand by my principles and fail, then throw them away and waste my time and succeed for something I dont agree with.

Stupid? probably...

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 17 Jun 2006, 01:52

Kurgan wrote:my 50th anniversary edition of Fahrenheit 451

Wow! You know, I just bought a used copy of this a few months back. It's at the top of my summer reading pile. No kidding! I never had my own copy of it and it's been 20 years since I last read it.

So, what do the publishers consider to be the 50th anniversary? Is it of the publication of the shorter version "The Fireman" that was published in a magazine, or the book version, which came out a few years later?

Another one I keep a lookout for in the used book shops is Brave New World. I remember reading that at the same time I read Farenheit 451, and actually liking it better. Soma. . . .

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 17 Jun 2006, 01:56

There should be a book profiler as I can't think of the books I have read, lol.

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 17 Jun 2006, 02:09

What's the old Thomas Jefferson quote?

So many books, so little time. . .

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 17 Jun 2006, 09:22

I agree with you Kurgan, I used to read lots more when I was younger, possibly because there was no such thing as t'internet and forums.

No, I'm still reading when I can, just not as much.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 17 Jun 2006, 17:45

Eye reed grate. Itz just meye righting that sux.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 17 Jun 2006, 19:03

Your typing skills aren't much better

the68monkey wrote:Wow! You know, I just bought a used copy of this a few months back. It's at the top of my summer reading pile. No kidding! I never had my own copy of it and it's been 20 years since I last read it.

So, what do the publishers consider to be the 50th anniversary? Is it of the publication of the shorter version "The Fireman" that was published in a magazine, or the book version, which came out a few years later?

The introduction written by Bradbury suggests that the anniversary starts from the first publication of the complete story, although the time between The Fireman and Fahrenheit 451 isn't great at all.
However, there is a huge spoiler in the intro viz. Clarisse's fate. which annoyed me.

I've also realised that I've read a lot more than I said earlier; it's just that it's been mainly autobiographies and fact-based writing, rather than fiction (though Simulacra & Simulation is hardly fiction).

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 18 Jun 2006, 01:29

Hmm, Saturday night. I think I'd like either alcohol, sex, or both.

However, seeing as how the kids want to camp out in the backyard, I think it's safe to say that NEITHER of those options are in the picture for tonight

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 18 Jun 2006, 02:02

the68monkey wrote:Hmm, Saturday night. I think I'd like either alcohol, sex, or both. However, seeing as how the kids want to camp out in the backyard, I think it's safe to say that NEITHER of those options are in the picture for tonight

A bottle of Schanpps and late night cable it is then...

the68monkey · Post by **the68monkey** » 18 Jun 2006, 02:08

Nope. A night of sleeping on the ground in a tent with my two kids!