~{deeper than all roses}~ chicken scratch 22

{{Thursday, May 29, 2003}}

Neko-chan and I were talking about this the other day, particularly in regards to a submission for the writing club; but I figure it's a general enough question that I could talk about it here and see if anyone else had an opinion. (Or I could just be listening to the sound of my own voice. ^_^;;)

With third-person perspective, you typically have the two choices of either an omniscient or limited (single-character) narration. (And I think omniscient narration is hardest to do, at least in terms of consistency, because there's always the tendency to slip into the 'voice' of individual characters. Like, incorporating one person's thoughts/emotions into the narration, rather than saying specifically, "he said this" or "she thought that." I think this is because the omniscient perspective -- to me -- takes a lot of flavor out of straight narration, and taking on the perspective/bias of an actual character is more interesting. Or maybe I'm getting it wrong. Is there such a case of an omniscient narrator having its own 'voice'?) But what do you call the practice of limited narration that switches between characters? By this I don't mean dividing a book/piece up into chapters that are told by each of the characters; I mean describing things through the point of view of one character in one paragraph, and then from another character's perspective in the next. Instead of sticking to looking at things through the 'eyes' of a single character, or even having the narrator's 'eyes' look down on all of them, the reader goes POV-hopping from one person to the next. (Er, make sense? I can try for examples if it doesn't. ^_^;;)

I don't believe I've ever heard a term for this. In fact, I don't think it's an actual 'literary' technique. But I don't see it being a problem; unless, say, you've told the entire story through the perspective of one character, and jump to another perspective three-quarters of the way through the piece. But otherwise, it's not particularly jarring. And I'm loath to compromise stylistic choices for the sake of arbitrary rules of narration (read: I'm lazy and don't want to change if I don't have to XD). So I guess my question is: Does anyone know of the opinions of any writing authorities on this? Have you seen it practiced in published writing? Does it bug you, personally? Does it even matter?

~with each breathing~03:46 p.m.

{{Thursday, May 29, 2003}}

Arachibutyrophobia: the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of one's mouth.

What I learn in psychology class. :D

~with each breathing~02:17 p.m.

{{Tuesday, May 27, 2003}}

I most decidedly did not want that weekend to end. :D

The beginning left something to be desired, though. Starting on Thursday night, I was feeling a little ill but went to work anyway. (I arrived late, having been at a writing club lecture, and bearing pizza since I hadn't eaten dinner. For that, I felt a little bad ... but all was well, because as soon as I walked in the door I saw one of my coworkers finishing off his *own* meal; and a few minutes later another coworker walked in, two hours late for her own shift and, um, slightly inebriated. I felt better after that. XD;;) The next morning wasn't *too* bad, and I managed to go to my classes ... but after that I was down for the count, and largely incapacitated for the next twenty-four hours. _o_;; I wouldn't mind *too* much, since it was a weekend ... but it was *the* weekend, with neechan's birthday picnic on Sunday, and a very important guest arriving Saturday morning. (Neechan and neko-chan ended up having to pick her up instead. XD;)

We managed, though. I couldn't really walk around on Saturday, but I had good company in my recumbent state. :D (Much much thanks to all the lovely people who stayed with me or brought me food or did other things -- like attempting to fend off my angry boss ^^; -- for me ... Dunno what I'd have done otherwise. Well, probably been bored and lonely and hungry, but.) It was much better on Sunday, when we all went to the picnic. Not much to comment on there, except that it was good fun, and the sun was merciful and made a brief appearance in the late afternoon. ^_^

Monday evening consisted of an ... exploration of downtown Seattle, as the bus system seemed determined to get in our way. ^_^; But yes, I got back fine, don't worry -- I even saw someone from AP at the bus stop, so I caught up on some happenings in fellow AP-er lives.

(I miss you lots~~ Have fun in California!)

Hm ... Dragon's Pen meeting in two hours, and I have yet to finish editing tonight's piece. Bother.

~with each breathing~04:54 p.m.

{{Thursday, May 22, 2003}}

I'm actually not upset over American Idol. No, really. ^_^; They're both getting record deals; one just gets more publicity. But I'm not complaining ... except for the fact that I'll probably be shelling out cold hard cash for both. XD;; (And watching the THREE-HOUR finale next week, mou!)

Um ... I want it to be the weekend. Right now. XD But at least I only have two classes tomorrow~~

~with each breathing~05:15 p.m.

{{Wednesday, May 21, 2003}}

Random news:

1) Sakamoto Maaya will be releasing a new single collection (a la the format of Hotchpotch) on July 30! ^_^ One version will actually come with a DVD ... but R2, of course. XP Also, a fourth original album is slated for release in autumn. *_*

2) Nishikawa Takanori (a.k.a. TM Revolution) will be the Guest of Honor for Otakon 2003. Arrrgh, why is Baltimore so far away~~?

~with each breathing~03:47 p.m.

{{Tuesday, May 20, 2003}}

Over the weekend I read a book for class, Jeanette Winterson's Written on the Body. In a sense, it's a typical romance novel, because the actual plot is not hugely original: in essence, it's the find lover/lose lover/realize worth of lover/regain lover (perhaps ...) StereoPlot. But of course, since I'm reading this for class -- and a postmodernism class, no less -- there's obviously a bit more to it. Part of it is the narration style; there's something unique about it, which I won't spoil (though if you read the back of the book you'll find out anyway ~_~). Additionally, the prose is just delicious. It doesn't progress linearly, but rather twists and winds, sometimes delving deep into the vulnerable desires of the narrator, sometimes looking down objectively upon humanity from the context of textbook anatomy or black holes. I wouldn't call it stream of consciousness, though -- or, at least, not the infuriatingly random kind. It's just *delicious*. From the very first page:

"You said, 'I love you.' Why is it that the most unoriginal thing we can say to one another is still the thing we long to hear? 'I love you' is always a quotation. You did not say it first and neither did I, yet when you say it and when i say it we speak like savages who hve found three words and worship them."

I wonder if that quote might make it seem like the book is just some extended meditation, something that tries to offer a definition or philosophy of love ... but it's actually not. What I really loved about the book is that "love" becomes something that transcends all that -- the definitions, the cliches, the "right" way of doing things. And yet, at the same time, there isn't some higher, purified form of Love-With-a-Capitol-'L' that must be attained. It's flawed, real, and very much a part of the individual ... The book is, at the bottom, a typical romance novel; it's raised to something greater by taking a long hard look at love and *not* being satisfied with the surface; but in the end, it remains the story of the narrator, the narrator's love, and no one else's.

Watch me babble. Haven't pimped a book for a while, you know. ^_^; Just go read it.

In other news, I've been seconded. Squee! ^o^

~with each breathing~04:22 p.m.

{{Monday, May 19, 2003}}

Registration this morning went surprisingly well. Got up a little before 6:00, went to the site, couldn't get through for about ten minutes, and then, suddenly, got to the registration page. Everything went through on my first try and I got all my classes. o_o It involves some lopsided scheduling and walking down to the godforsaken south campus (XD) every other day, but at least I'm taking all the courses I wanted: Japanese 211, Romantic Poetry, and Philosophy of Religion. *shiawase no odori~~*

Saw X2 yesterday. So. Much. Fun. XD (Though I couldn't watch the Logan/Bobby drink scene with a straight face after reading this. XD;;) I think the best part, though, is seeing just how much of a fanboy Bryan Singer himself is, with those little tidbits he throws out for the comicfans -- like in the last scene, when Xavier was talking about Kitty ("Let's just say I know a little girl who can walk through walls ...") and you see Kurt smiling to himself. ^_^ And then there was Colossus! And Hank on TV! Teresa Cassidy as the customized Xavier School security system! XD Also, in the scene where Mystique was at Stryker's computer, neechan and I saw folders for Project Wideawake and Franklin Richards -- there's a discussion of what else people caught here, along with a screencap of part of the computer screen. ^_^ Of course there was also the pointed lingering on the "Remy LeBeau" file, which made us giggle like ... well, like giggling fangirls. XD;; But I was told he has a cameo, during the invasion of the school -- I was even told what to look for -- but I COULDN'T FIND HIM. T_T Must watch again to see if I can catch it ...

Though does it bother anyone else that Gambit is going to be the same age as Scott/Ororo/etc., and Rogue is, like, sixteen? And dating Bobby? And infatuated with Logan? Hmph.

<--slightly bitter ^^;

We spent a lot of time debating and theorizing about the plot for the third movie ... [Spoilers!] Since Singer brought in the Phoenix Force (though, um, I still don't see how Jean manifested it herself ...), I'd like to see what he comes up with as an alternate for the comic storyline. After all, I don't think he has the budget to go about constructing the Shi'ar Empire. Some people were throwing around the idea of Jason Stryker being used as an analogue for Jason Wyngarde (since Jason Stryker wasn't an actual comic character? I never knew much about Stryker), which would be fun. I'm not actually sure how much was revealed in the movie, though -- besides the fire that Jean kept manifesting, did you actually see a phoenix shape in the final scene? The frickin' theater turned on the lights before it was over, and all I could see was an amorphous discoloration in the water. XP Bah.

And I have to link this: really cute shortfic from Kielle. ^_^

Okay, enough blathering about the movie. (Though I have to say this: I think my favorite character has to be the Drake family cat. I do believe we got the feline equivalent of a disdainful snort when Logan introduced himself as professor of art. XD)

~with each breathing~04:06 p.m.

{{Sunday, May 18, 2003}}

Today was fun, if somewhat tiring. ^_^ It started when we Three Stooges (or perhaps Three Musketeers, or something else more dignified-sounding? XD) went to a big-ass rummage sale. (Yes, it was big-ass. It's late; my vocabulary is shot. XD;;) Of course, this involved getting up at around 7:30, something I haven't done since high school ended ... though I was certainly woken up by the biting breeze while we waited in line. ^_^; Since we got there early, though, we had a pretty good spot in line, so all was good.

I was a bit shocked by how little money I spent there -- for one, because I tend to let loose at sales when left to my own devices (^_^;), but also because of the amount of stuff we got. My personal favorite was the white, Asian-motif, semi-formal dress that fits me perfectly and cost me two dollars. Excuse me while I bask in my victory. XD I got a bandanna to match hers and hers ... but I also picked up a lovely white scarf that can serve as an additional bandanna. Because after all, if I *am* Kazuki, I'm *supposed* to be the girliest one of the bunch, right? XD;;

After we returned from the sale, we went to the Ave street fair; luckily, the weather made up its mind to stay sunny and facilitated the outdoor-ness. I didn't actually buy anything at the fair -- the only purchase I made was at a store on the Ave, which had taken advantage of the additional traffic to advertise its wares on the street. But oh well. Neko-chan and I got strawberry shortcake (after agonizing over elephant ears and funnel cakes and "shishka-berries" and ice cream and ...), so I consider it a day well spent. ^_^

Lately, though, I've been tempted by all sorts of accessories that I find appealing, but which I don't actually *wear.* Case in point, the ear cuff I got at con, when I never wore cuffs before. Many of the dozens of jewelry stands at the fair today were selling cuffs, but ... well, I don't even really know how to pull off the one I have already, let alone coordinate several. ^_^; Another stand was selling silver hair clips that hold a lock of hair by letting you twist the hair around it. Add to that scarves and belts, which I have long admired but been unable to decipher ... They're all very nice, but. ^_^;; Not only would the result be a rather ... eclectic collection of fashion choices; my wallet would still be reeling from the blow of one purchase while I ran off like an overexcited toddler towards the next shiny object. ^_^; (Oh, and then there were the Indian/Indonesian/etc. clothing stands, but my issue with them was not so much confusion over when or how to where them, but rather a certain reluctance to wear a shirt that is little more than a triangle of cloth tied once at the neck and once around the back. The halter top/skirt combinations are quite lovely, but I prefer seeing them on the rack. Or on mannequins, which not only have the perfect figures, but are immobile and therefore do not have to worry about ... coming untied. ^_^;;)

Anyway, it was all around fun. Plus, there were puppies all around to be squealed at. :D Going to work was not particularly fun, because my legs were tired and there were people I'd much rather hang out with ... but I suppose I'll be glad once my paycheck comes in. But I *am* awfully tired, so I think I'll head off to bed now. ^_^

~with each breathing~12:51 a.m.

{{Friday, May 16, 2003}}

Today! Friday! Parents coming! ADP showing! OHS (possibly)!

Tomorrow! Saturday! Street Fair!

...That's about it. ^_^ Time to relaaaax this weekend.

~with each breathing~03:29 p.m.

{{Wednesday, May 14, 2003}}

This is a sign that 1) I have too much time on my hands, 2) I am gleefully discovering the wonders of Photoshop brushes, and 3) i am a weak, weak fangirl and could not resist the frou-frou shoujo romance between Kazuki and Juubei.

But in any case ... here's the new layout. Enjoy, and marvel at the slash fangirl-pandering that is Getbackers. XD

~with each breathing~05:02 p.m.

{{Tuesday, May 13, 2003}}

So. Things I discovered tonight:

1. Neko-chan now has her own Ginji-style bandanna, because she and Jen went shopping today. They have also started a Neo-Volts gang. XD So, neko-chan is Gin-chan (naturally! :D) and Jen is MakubeX and somehow I'm Kazuki. o_o (The problem is, I'm not half as pretty as he is. I don't think ANYONE is. XD;; Though, hell, if this means I get to hear Koyapii pledging to protect me as the purpose for which he was born ... I am all for that. *snrk*) All we need now is an eyebrow-less man with a soft spot for blind violinist girls, plus some amorphous shadow blob to be the mysterious "mou hitori," and we'll have the Raitei and his four kings~~ (Mou, curse you for pimping GetBackers on me! XO)

2. Ray and O-ris are in love. XD No, really! The VP of the writing club (and as neko-chan states, the only male present) pointed out the rampant homoerotic subtext in chapter 2 ... Witty repartee? Of course not. Slashy attempt at seduction-through-breakfast food? You bet! *snrrrrk*

3. American Idol owns my soul. Or, rather, Clay singing "Unchained Melody" owns my soul. Damn. But -- day-amn. *_*

4. There has been a veritable explosion of RuroKen Mary Suefic at the Pit of Voles. >_< (I blame Cartoon Network. Perhaps it's not their *fault*, per se, but there's a definite causal relation.) But, at the very least, it lets me know that there are some levels of suckage which I have yet to hit, and in a certain perverse way, that makes me feel good. XD;; I also found this, which eases the pain somewhat. Read it. Be amused.

~with each breathing~11:36 p.m.

{{Tuesday, May 13, 2003}}

New layout is currently in progress, and I'm hoping to have it up tomorrow. The problem with only having access to Photoshop in computer labs, you see. ^_^;

In other news ... it occurred to me that I could totally write about fanfic for my term paper in English. XD;; See, the beautiful thing about postmodernism is this blurring of the "high" and "low" culture distinction it has -- meaning no intellectual elitism (theoretically), and the opportunity to write about virtually anything we want. *How,* exactly, I would write about it, I'm not entirely sure; but it will have something to do with the lessening of faith in the authority of the omnipotent author. Because while the tradition of derivative (oral) fiction has been around forever and ever, the acceptance of the right of layfolk who have absolutely *no* authority to mess with the canon (as opposed to, say, the "official" storytellers from the oral tradition, or those who have been officially licensed to write spin-off books) is a fairly recent thing. Et cetera, et cetera -- it would require a lot more development, but it's certainly intriguing. XD

~with each breathing~03:46 p.m.