Author Archives: Sarah

Things I Didn't Know About Canada

From the Wikipedia:

Although it was written and directed by an American and was filmed in Miami, Florida, Porky’s was funded by a Canadian production company, which means that it is classified as a Canadian film. Porky’s is the highest-grossing Canadian film of all time in domestic box office. In October 2006, Bon Cop, Bad Cop appeared to surpass Porky’s in nominal box office revenues, but as of the end of its theatrical run, Bon Cop, Bad Cop had not surpassed the inflation-adjusted revenues for Porky’s. Taking inflation into account, Porky’s has grossed more than twice what Bon Cop, Bad Cop has earned to date. Porky’s is also the highest-grossing Canadian film of all time internationally.

What's not in my bag

While enjoying pictures from the Flickr “What’s In My Bag” pool (a lovely way to peek into other lives and cultures) I realized that there are many things I don’t carry in my increasingly heavy purse.

Smokes and lighter
Makeup
Camera
Water bottle
Gum
Umbrella
Moisturizer
Hairbrush
Mirror

Almost enough to fill an opposite-me purse!

Blurbism

The difference between the blurbs and the blurb words in context for the book Jack Tumor.

Blurb:
“Lots of laughs.” —Kirkus Reviews
Context:
“Lots of laughs but little else.”

Blurb:
“The love-hate relationship between Hector and his alter ego is engaging.” —School Library Journal
Context:
“The love-hate relationship between Hector and his alter ego is engaging. But, the abundant penis jokes, sex gags, farting, and use of the f-word and other profanities are over-the-top. One tires of distended testicles, pubic lice, anal probes. The message that brain cancer need not mean the end of one’s life and can actually help a teenager stop worrying about his peers is a good one. Too bad the message, Hector’s insightful humor, and his love-hate relationship with Jack are buried in so much vulgarity.”

Blurb:
“McGowan injects plenty of humor.” —Publishers Weekly
Context:
“Though the story can ramble painfully, McGowan injects plenty of humor, phallic references and British slang into this edgy coming-of-age tale.”

And the tea just goes everywhere

“Upturning the tea table” is a phrase used by developers at Nintendo to refer to a sudden and dramatic change of direction suggested at the latter stages of the development process

From an article (part one of five) on the Nintendo Personal Trainer: Walking game.

Metaphysical Spam

“With Social Security Search you can uncover anything in their past that they are not divulging.”

Brad: Kate, we have to talk.
Kate: What?
Brad: There’s… there’s something I need to know. Well, something I already know.
Kate: Brad, you sound so serious! What is it?
Brad: The report I got back, the report on your social security number. It said that you didn’t really like my mother’s cooking when we visited last Christmas. You said you loved her green bean casserole! How could you just… lie like that?

May Reading

Albert and the Others, Guy Delisle
I really liked Delisle’s books on Burma and North Korea, this is his first fiction graphic novel I have read, an A to Z of men in wordless vignettes. I like his visual style, but the stories didn’t grab me. Actually, I found them fairly unsettling. Hm. Two stars.

Brave New World, Huxley
I had very much wanted to read this after having read 1984, since they were books on similar themes from writers who were friends. I am left wanting to learn more about the present it was written in, since having sufficient background to 1984 really increased my appreciation. Which is to say, my appreciation wasn’t all that high for BNW. I came away thinking “great writer, ok book.” Well, great use of language and description, poor structure and storytelling. I can’t think of this as a great SF book where there is a whole chapter of two characters discussing the themes of the book. Guh. Show, don’t tell. Three stars.

Veeps by Bill Kelter; artist, Wayne Shellabarger
A historical overview of US Vice presidents, with nice illustrations. The best part was the overview of the political wrangling that leads to the selection of a running mate. The worst part is that the book didn’t seem to have been proofread. Three stars

Bonk: the curious coupling of science and sex, Mary Roach
I like Roach’s style, but again I liked her first book (Stiff) best. This book also covered a lot of genital surgery, which was pretty gross, and the audiobook reader wasn’t amazing. Two stars.

Getting the girl: a guide to private investigation, surveillance, and cookery, Susan Juby
I do really love how Juby captures the voice of her characters and the thinking of a semi-oblivious person without being condescending. That said, she takes on some deep stuff with a touch that was maybe too light? I’m not sure, I may have to digest this one. Three stars.