Reading, Writing, Werewolves, and Julia Child

[ozmissage]

1. I got up this morning with every intention to spend the day writing when real life decided that today would be better spent doing everything else instead. Sigh. I have charts and outlines! I do not want to deal with practical matters like shopping and occupying family members who really ought to be able to occupy themselves.

2. Seriously though, I’m going to try not to be too spammy this week, but I’m tackling the last billion luau requests so I apologize in advance if you guys get inundated with ficlets. There are a couple that I’m actually kind of excited about. I’m going to be sad to see the luau end. It’s been a lot of fun to have an opportunity to write so many different characters and pairings. I mean if someone would have told me I would write Jack/Sawyer a month ago…well, there would have been some giggling on my end, but you know it was actually not that hard (of course it was only a drabble.)

3. I watched Julie & Julia this weekend. I mostly enjoyed it although I could have done without some of the Hollywoodization of Julie’s story. Spoilers for the movie and the Julie Powell book under the cut.

For instance, her husband never walked out on her. That part made me groan. Seriously, Hollywood? Can we say arbitrary creation of tension? I was indignant on Eric’s behalf.

Also, I just loved how instead of having Julie’s motivation to start her blog come from her boredom and a deep desire to have something to call her own, they opted to have her start her blog as a response to her snotty friend’s blog.

One of the things I really loved about the book was the way Julie described her circle of friends. It was very clear that she has a real support system of female friends. I mean these gals ate aspic for her. The cattiness and competiveness they added in the film left a bad taste in my mouth.

Overall though, it was a nice little movie. It was funny and even a little touching.  Streep was fantastic as Child. She looked like she was having the time of her life. Her chemistry with Tucci was incredible. Seriously, I would totally be up for a Paul/Julia meet and fall in love prequel.

This movie was like food porn. Guh. Everything was so pretty; I kept getting distracted by the food.  Anyway, good not great, but I would recommend it for the food scenery alone. Plus, come on it’s Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. Those ladies are awesome even when the material is not.

4.

Annie repeat after me: I will stop pining for the asshat who pushed me down the stairs.

I kind of want her to haunt him now, and I mean properly this time not with covered dishes.

I was kind of meh on the whole Gilbert thing. I know I was supposed to find the whole I love you thing moving, but the cynical side of brain was like, “What am I watching Lost now? You don’t love her, you just met her, dude.” I couldn’t decide if I found him charming or deeply annoying, then he disappeared so I stopped trying to figure it out.

George!!!(What, you thought I was going to make it through a review without squealing about my boy?)

Um, did you see lady doctor’s face after the sexing? Yeah, my thoughts exactly.  BTW, I think I love her, but I’m reserving judgment until I see how she reacts to the whole werewolf thing.

Then Mitchell and George cuddled on the couch and Mitchell wore George’s glasses and I almost died from the sheer amount of happiness that brought me. Show, what are you trying to do to me?

Note to Mitchell: thanks for reminding me why I don’t fall for vampires. That bathroom scene? Ewwww. There was blood everywhere and I started spazzing out (and not in a good way.) Can we stake her or something? Cause that can’t keep happening.  

Also the blood as drug addiction storyline looks about as promising as the magic as drug addiction storyline they did on Buffy. Which is to say, not at all. Just give me more of the boys being adorable and we’ll call it even show.

5. This post is reaching epic levels of longness, but I have a question to pose to you guys. Has anyone read anything good lately? I’m in the middle of a serious book drought and I’m in need of some recommendations. I’ll read pretty much anything, fiction, non-fiction---it really doesn’t matter. I just really want to read something.

Comments

[elliotsmelliot.livejournal.com]

I am not usually a fan of so-called chick flicks, but Julia and Julie looks okay. Those things you pointed out would annoy me too.

I hope you can get more writing in soon.

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

It was decent, it just irks me that Hollywood feels the need to reduce women to unnecessary cattiness for no apparent reason. I'm still annoyed that "Bride Wars" exists.

Aww, thanks! My grand plan for today is to finish my very first Desmond fic. We'll see how that goes. ;)

[elliotsmelliot.livejournal.com]

Don't like me get started on Bride Wars. What an insult to women everywhere. When it came out my friend was getting married, and I refused to see it with her.

Good luck with your fic! I can't wait to see what you do with Desmond.

[valhalla37.livejournal.com]

Ugggggh, "Bride Wars". I actually saw it pretty soon after I got engaged -- two of my girlfriends took me and made a night of out it with other "bride" stuff, so that was fun -- but I was pretty much offended on every level possible to be offended on. It was just ... gross.

And ridiculous to boot. I'm the same age as the characters in the film -- mid-20s -- and I don't have a single close girlfriend anything like that would ever, ever happen with. (Although I have to say I saw similar, not though as extreme attitudes on some of the wedding planning websites I used to use, which is why I no longer do. Still no reason for this movie to exist, though.)

As for book recommendations, I've been reading the same one for the past two months, so I'm probably no help, lol. The Southern Vampire Mysteries (what "True Blood" is based on) are awesome, though, and sound kind of "Being Human"-ish.

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

I never made it past the previews. It looked crazy offensive. I'm glad I didn't check it out now because it sounds like it was awful as it appeared to be.

Thanks for the rec! I read the first book in the series a little while ago and thought it was a bit campy. I enjoyed though, even if I couldn't stop making fun of Bill. I might pick up the second book next time I go shopping. :)

[mollivanders.livejournal.com]

You and me both sister - we need to get our butts writing (me way more than you, but I encourage you :p)

As for reading suggestions... hrmm.. I definitely recommend Waterland by Graham Swift, and then I love all of Paulo Coehlo's work :)

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

Yay book recs! I'm going to have to check those out.

I encourage you back. And support your decision to use that adorable Pam icon. ;)