Halfway through the book, I was thinking there was some major need of evisceration, branding, or a good old fashion nailing to a floor/wall/table. Not that I got any, but I have to say in general, it was a satisfying read. That speaks volume for the interaction between Vryce, Tarrant, and Karril, because Crown of Shadows is by far the weakest book of the series, and I have more negative things to say about it than positive.

For the record, I like When True Night Falls the most. People seem to either like the first one best, which I can understand because it's fantastic, or the last one, which I can't. I didn't like any of the new characters. Any scenes with Andrys and his girlfriend were lame, the last one being so lame it read like a bad fanfic. The second book set the stage for a real apocolyptic hellrising, but the stakes just weren't high enough in the third book. There were only two what I call "adventure" sequences, and they struck me more as moments of discomfort than actual danger. They weren't as interesting or urgent as the those found in the earlier books, nor were the solutions as difficult or the price for those solution as high. Everything was too neat and easy, and it should have been much, much harder.

Things that made the book satisfying were the fact that Vryce, Tarrant, and Karril was in it, a redemption that was actually well done, a ghost shadow appearance that really did move me, and that halfway through the book, I decided that Howl's Moving Castle was really a parody of the Coldfire Triology. I will put up my compilation of their similarities on my LJ when my wrists stop hurting, but for a taste: Vryce=Sophie, Tarrant=Howl, Karril=Calcifer, Forest=Moving Castle ^___^

Metaphors collided at Thursday, August 28, 2003, 08:20 p.m.

"I like humanity. With all its quirks and its foibles and its insecurities intact. I enjoy them."

My sentiments exactly, Karril. I love humanity. If anything is going to be my downfall, it will ultimately be my extreme love for this sad excuse of a planetary disease. I watch show like "What were they thinking?" and I realize what a sad place this world would be without the utter, utter stupidity of people who have not a shred of common sense. Nothing like a person being swept away by a tidal wave and breaking six rib bones while trying to take a picture of an oncoming hurricane to make you say, "Damn, do I love humanity."

That, and authors like C.S. Friedman.

I just finished When True Night Falls, and wow, what a rollercoaster ride. I'm just stunned, and moved, and upset, and uplifted, and close to tears, and in awe, and wow, wow, wow, wow. I love Damien Vryce and his courage and goodness. I love Jenseny's strength, and every rakhin detail about Hesseth. I love Karril in ways that only a truly awesome demon is worthy of (CALCIFER!) I love Gerald Tarrant for being an anti-hero who's actually complex and non-tiresome. I love them all and I miss them and I'm sad the book is over.

Malice: Snerk.

Metaphors collided at Wednesday, August 27, 2003, 10:33 a.m.

I want short stubby arms and legs, a snubbed nose, slanted eyes, and brown skin. What I wouldn't do to look like this *squeals* Saw the movie for the eightieth time and I swear, I love that movie more and more each time I see it. Flawed, yes, manipulative, like you wouldn't believe it, but the humour, biting honesty of some of the characters, and the incredible cuteness of both Lilo and Stitch wins me over each time and leaves me wiping tears from my eyes.

I love Lilo and Stitch. Favorite. Couple. Ever.

Now my heart is all sappy and afluttered and mushy and all. The fact that I'm halfway through When True Night Falls isn't helping. I love the relationship between Tarrant and Vryce, not just for the hostile trust, but also for the compassion and equality. I never thought their relationship would warm the cockles of my heart, but it does. And so does the relationship between Tarrant and Karril. You could feel the depth of their friendship in their brief scenes together.

I love Karril. He got Calesta to say one of my all time favorite lines in fiction ever: "You're bluffing." I love that line! Confrontations like that make me squealing (and may I add the scene where CSM says, "You're bluffing" to Skinner in Paperclip is one of my all time favorite scenes in X-Files). I love that scene between Karril and Calesta. There's so many things I love about the book, the growing bond between Hesseth and Vryce, the deep feelings Hesseth was developing for Jenseny, how characters are learning to trust and care about each other.

I mean, yeah, kids go all "Lord of the Flies"-y, parents being eaten, people being nailed to the floor and eviscerated, but still, I have to go mushy and gushy and squeal "oh!" and "aww" and put a hand to my heart and gulped because it's all so sweet and wonderful and I can feel it going down to the tips of my toes.

Awwwww.

Ammie: I just realized I said I sent you maple candies and they're sitting on my desk right now *slaps forehead* Will send them with Merlin Conspiracy which has FINALLY come in *dances* I'm so happy the package got to you, darling *GLOMPS* and that you like the Beaver. And Mulan rocked, especially that knife-cutting-hair part. Awesome music, wasn't it? And I thought Mulan herself was a cool character. I mean, FIRECRACKERS! Come on, you have to love a girl who runs by a towerfull of them and decide to blow up the palace in a flash of colours and lights and noise ^___^ Good luck with the library conference, dear. I'm sure you'll do fine.

Metaphors collided at Monday, August 25, 2003, 11:29 p.m.

Metaphors collided at Saturday, August 16, 2003, 06:39 p.m.

“Abhorsen pays her respect to the Clayr, and requests the gift of water.” They’d gone back up the stairs, a sending locked the cellar door behind them, and another brought Sabriel a nightshirt and a cup of hot chocolate.”

HEE.

You have to read Sabriel. I’m talking to everyone who hasn’t read it – it’s a must read – but particularly to Ammie if she hasn’t. Just for the talking cat, but Moggett isn’t just any talking cat, darling. I haven’t felt my heart drop and swing for an animal since Bigwig from “Watership Down” and look at where that lead to. Moggett is awesome, all smug and cheerful and snarky and knowledgable and since he’s a cat, I can say how badly I want to hold him down and lick him all over like a lollipop. Beastiality, my newest sex kink. I blame fantasy writers.

I’m halfway through the book, but I wanted to get my hormonal yas-yas out so I can give the book its due reverence when I finish it. It’s fantastic so far. There’s something really delicate and beautiful about it, like the Paperwings. That scene was lovely.

Speaking of which, I love the word “paper”.

So yes, blackout. I’m hoping to have this snoozy summary about how much it sucks to have no electricity up in couple of day, hopefully after I hear from Sarah that she's doing all right, but I have to say the stars out at night with no streetlights is spellbinding.

And yes, they were shooting ^___^

Metaphors collided at Friday, August 15, 2003, 10:43 p.m.

You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace
The mountains and the hills will break forth before you
There'll be shouts of joy, and all the trees of the field
will clap, will clap their hands

And all the trees of the field will clap their hands
The trees of the field will clap their hands
The trees of the field will clap their hands
While you go out with joy

Metaphors collided at Sunday, August 10, 2003, 04:12 p.m.

In which case I hope he called the wrong person a faggot and got his face stomped into the pavement.

That's why I love Sarah's journal entries. She has such a hard-as-nail, unsentimental, but not unhumourous way of telling a story. I think he was mentally unsound, but if he wasn't, he's definitely going to get his face stomped. Purple is a nice colours for walls, btw. I'd offer to help, but I'm lousy at the wall-painting thing too. Hope it goes well in the end.

Oh Oh Oh!! *does a happy dance* Got a wonderiffic Snape postcard from Heather in the mail. She was nice enough to send me the *only* Snape postcard in the pack, and yes, Alan Rickman looks wonderful as always. I want to have his kids.

Speaking of which, saw Tomb Raider yesterday with Young Mikey Boy and Sue, and there was this yucky, unsexy bad guy who looked like Alan Rickman. It freaked Sue and I out because an unsexy Alan Rickman is wrong in every sense of the word. We stayed through the ending credits and didn't see his name, so all is right with the world. Simon Yam was in the movie, which amused me to no end, and Angelina Jolie is a babe and we'll leave it at that.

I got a wonderful, witty email from Alison. Aw, she is *such* a darling and I totally love her and I want to propose to her all over again *hugs* Also finally heard from Satsuki-chan, who is still one of the most interesting and unique people I know. It's so good to hear from her again. Both have gotten to me wanting to do a rain ritual in my backyard, but as it's been pouring on and off here in Ottawa, there's no need. Plus knowing my luck, I'll probably end up calling down a plague of lizards and rotten fish. Either that or get struck by lightning.

Yup, John Woo is the best with cinematic gun. Oh, I finally saw "Savior of the Soul" and boy, do I love style over substance. It was freaking good. My sister even liked it and as a rule, she hates Chinese movies.

I was trying to get Minnie to open a blog, and as I expected, she said no. So I'm writing one for her, based on what I know about Minnie:

Entry 1: What the hell am I supposed to write in here? This the stupidest thing I ever done. Hong, I hope you're happy.
Entry 2: This is still so stupid and I have nothing to say.
Entry 3: I can't believe people actually have things to write here. Guess what? I still have nothing to say.
Entry 4: Hong, remind me why I'm here.
Entry 5: Blogs are stupid blogs are stupid blogs are stupid blogs are stupid
Entry 6: Guess what? Blogs are still stupid and I still have nothing to say.
Entry 7: That is stupid. I'm ending this. Hong, you can keep on... doing whatever you do. I'm leaving.

Hee ^_^ Now to phone her and ask her how accurate I was.

Metaphors collided at Thursday, August 7, 2003, 09:40 a.m.

My life is beautiful. The street I live on is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I remember being fourteen and sitting on my porch watching the colours change and fade in the sky at sunset. The houses in front of me prevented me from ever seeing the sun actually descend, but seeing bands of purple, red, yellow, orange, and blue across the sky was more than enough. I love colours.

I love a lot of things.

I love how there's sunlight until 9:30 in summer. I love the white white skies in winter. I love the flare of gold and crimson after a sunset. I love seeing flourescent blue between smokey grey clouds just before it becomes dark. I love how dark and shadowy trees are a night.

I love how the world just after dawn, when it seems time has stopped and everything is stationary, mute, and alien. I love the magical undercurrent dusk has, as if that transition period between day and night is a doorway for fairies and ghosts and goblins.

I love the word goblin.

I love the word elephant.

I love seeing raindrops fall like needles in the yellow triangle a streetlight cast on a stormy night. I love the dull, twisted, faded fires leaves make along streets and sidewalks in Autumn. I love the delicate lacework the bare branches above make when they crisscross each other. I love how surreal roads and telephone polls look when they waver on hot days. I love seeing the knots and snags on a branch against a full moon. I love how weightless snow is when it first appears in December.

I love looking through windows and seeing the sun cast a bright yellow chain of rings and diamonds.

I love it when the wind makes my hair and skirt billow. I love how the streets calls to me at twilight to dance on it. I love the burst of colours and fragrance flowers give in bright sunlight.

I also love Ammie, but that goes without saying. Happy Birthday Darling ^_^

Metaphors collided at Wednesday, August 6, 2003, 11:50 a.m.

INTERNATIONAL HOLIDAY!.

I will make you feel like SPAM, and yes I mean that as a threat. I don't care if you'll have my head for that, Your Royal Highness. Call me "Leeka" and I swear, by the time I'm through, there'll be chain letters that will bring plagues and ill luck to those who fail to make five people wish you many happy returns of the Good Day ;D Besides, from when I've been told, decapitation is the new way of showing one's love to their princess (as oppose to giving one's eye to one's Master and one's heart to one's Muse). *Chortles* I laughed so hard at the comment you made about his head.

Want it all Back is *such* a kareoke song. Talk about squeal-inducing *lol* It's priceless. My cousin has been casting evil glances at me because I've been blasting it for the last hour or so ;)

I'm such a slob when it comes to clothes too. I wore this hideous maroon jumpsuit to Jeannie's Christmas party two years ago that belonged to my aunt back in the seventies. For the longest time, all of my clothes were cast-off from relatives and church members who gave them to my family. Cheapest way to avoid being reported for indecent exposure ^_~ But for my friends' sake, I've started getting some "21st Century" clothes for parties and outings, and I keep the comfty baggy ones for home and school.

I miss Tara/Willow too. I love Tara. She was probably the prettiest girl there, all blond with big eyes and the loveliest lips. I love how she smiled, flirted, and gazed adoringly at Willow, and how she was firm when she had to be *sniffle* I miss Tara. But I'm so thrilled you like "Restless".
-->You found the Tragdor the Burninator through an Andrew site!? HAIL ANDREW!

Because my mind is always in the gutter, I take hardcore to mean the more graphic, violent degree of porn, which is why I had so many nosebleeds when I saw the word on your weblog. And no, I *still* haven't recovered. Then you go ahead and compound it by adding in Voyager (I should have known it had something to do with breasts *g*) and X-Files (toothbrush holder -- I knew Mulder was useful for something ;D), and now you're turning Warren, Andrew, and Jonathan into Powerpuff Girls. Woman, are you trying to kill me here? *snorts with laughter* Frith, do I ever love you!

BTW, Darling, the rumours that are spreading about the person who had the cure to geekiness disappearing after having a drink with me are totally unsubstantiated.

Metaphors collided at Monday, August 4, 2003, 11:23 p.m.

*Just* back from Toronto this weekend. Family related, which is always a snore. Highlight, as always, was seeing my Good Brother and made the long trip, the weight comments, and freaky skeleton grandmama, and everyone trying to matchmake everyone else worth it. More later, after I unpack, clean up the kids, do dirty laundry, rest, and collect my sanity together.

Closing note: Rosamund Kwan is a one bitching babe! And I love Sue muchly.

Metaphors collided at Monday, August 4, 2003, 02:25 p.m.

Pleasant stuff first: Hugs Sue! If I could get the code for the LJ for you, that would be so awesome! And Ugh on the creep who came to your work yesterday. What an asshead. Glad you didn't give in and that you put a note on his friends' account. Love you and your grinning lotus finger position. "I am Zen." *LOL*

Now for the unpleasant stuff (nothing earthshattering of course. My life is a bowl of cotton candy, but it's still obnoxious):

THAT BITCH!

ARG! Stupid older sister keeps coming into my house, into my ROOM, without permission and going through my stuff and taking my clothes, wrinkling my comic book, reading my mail, looking at my bank transactions, and telling my mom what I spend my money on and asking me, "why did you buy this and that?" FUCK HER! It's none of her freaking business and technically, she shouldn't even be in my room without my consent. And since I pay rent and take her kids out to movies, parties, and meals, and buy half the household items for both houses, I should be able to spend my money any frigging way I want to.

I can't believe she took all the clothes I bought with Jeannie to my mom's house to show off what I spent my money on. I was going to do that. I wanted to do that! I was so looking forward to showing them off to her, and then I get phonecall from my mom saying she has my clothes and how much did I pay for them? GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

BTW, shopping trip with Jeannie was a lot of fun as usual. The girl has a gift for finding pretty clothes for low prices. Afterwards, we bugged rescued Linh from the throes of boredom, and got to eat sushi behind the counter of Fruits and Passion :D Mumsy says "sankyu" by the way ^_^

Today was my last day at work. I'm going to miss the folks there. They're all terrific people, and I love my job dearly. I could have also really use the money, but hey, it's a month where I can finally do the sleepover thing on weekdays, sleep in late, help around the house more often, and most importantly, catch on all the social blogging and email I owe people >_<

My darling, it's coming. I'm swear, it's coming *GLOMPS*

Metaphors collided at Wednesday, July 30, 2003, 04:51 p.m.

You are Beauty. You are beautiful, whether it be on the inside, the
outside, or both. People are drawn to you as
strongly as you are drawn to the beauty in the
world around you.

What Emotion Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

*snort*

That's the biggest crock of bullshit I've encountered all week. It's also the most accurate crock of bullshit I've encountered all week. Go me, in my flaky, sensory, new age glory.

I knew I forget something. Sue, love the new icons, especially the "here comes the slash writers" one. Those two are so perfect for it. Trust Disney to bring out the slasher in me. Malice, I meant to tell you this a long time ago, but I love your butterfly layout. It has the right amount of lightness and prettiness, without being sickening. I so wanted to steal the idea when trying to do my own layout.

Tequila! Glad you had a good weekend, Heather, and that work isn't too bad to come back to. Mondays are hell. I'm actually glad I'm getting laid off next month. It'll be like a month long vacation, and hopefully it'll coincide with your vacation so we can see each other late August again. Convention, yo.

Sarah, Jim Henson's golden rule of comedy is foolproof except in one occasion: Chicken Run. It wasn't a bad movie by any means, but it wasn't as good as I thought it would be, and definitely not as funny. The chickens on the Muppet Show never failed to amuse though ^_^ I'll answer your email soon. The new apartment sounds real nice and pretty and I'd love to see it. I hope things goes well

Metaphors collided at Wednesday, July 23, 2003, 09:52 a.m.

Seriously thinking of getting a livejournal, if just a way to communicate to friends without the formality of writing something witty in a blog entry. Need to ask Jeannie when is the best time to drop off her stuff. And yes, I had toast and it soaked up everything so mucho gracias for the advice. BTW, I love your entry about the plausible Dazzler, especially the stuff in the bracket :)

Since I'm writing in my blog, here's my witty comment: You can find hot guys on Road to Avonlea. I don't know who played Gus Pike and Arthur Pettibone, but they're both such adorable boys and I want to throw them in a cage together and let them get rough and passionate over each other instead of Felicity. Oh, the desecration of L.M.Montgomery.

The episode was fantastic though, and kudos to Sullivan Entertainment who got the feel of Montgomery perfectly. Felicity's turmoil between the two boys reminded me of Rilla so much, and the heartbreak, the confusion, the pain of having to make decision and the fear of making the wrong ones that are a staple in Montgomery's work came out clearly in this episode. I was moved, and torn between the characters. I'm so glad I wasn't Felicity. But considering that I would have told them to forget me and go after each other, I guess it's a good thing I'm not.

But oh, I love L.M. Montgomery. Must rant about Pat of Silver Bush (argubly her best book along with The Blue Castle and Rilla of Ingleside.) But I said I would rant about Pirates of the Caribbean, so here it is: I disagree with all those people who said Johnny Depp was the only thing worth seeing about the movie. I thought the story itself was well-done and had no major plot holes that made me go, "Why didn't they do this!?" It was probably the most logical story I've seen on screen all summer. Seriously. Secondly, the sets and clothes were gorgeous. Thirdly, I want to buy that script. Fourthly, I want to buy a sword and pistol and swashbuckle my way to work. Fifthly, Keira Knightley did a great job with the role (and boy did she ever look like Natalie Portman). Sixthly, I love Geoffrey's protrayal of the old pirate goon. Him going "ARR" was one of the many delights of the film.

Seventhly, Orlando Bloom deserves some credit for the work he put into his character. Will Turner could have turned out to be a bore or a brat, but Bloom kept him from being neither, and added the right amount of spunk, humour, and impulsiveness to him. He also had fantastic chemistry with Johnny Depp. Oh, that one scene that made me go all fangirl squeal and shriek over them. Sure, there were many, but there was one particular scene that made the slasher in me go wild. They were meant to be together.

As for Mr. Depp: HE KICKED UP A STORM OF MAD, MAD BOOTY! Totally the best character to come on the silver screen in twenty years. Totally.

I really should get some social blogging gone. Satsuki-darling, I hope you didn't swallow the fly. At least you shouldn't follow the fate of the old lady who swallowed the fly, or the lady who tried to get a cockroach out of her throat with a fork >_< And if Munster is as hot as you describe, I'll expect rainstorms soon, of the massive tropic monsoon variety, so there should be some relief :)

Ammie, you deserve the world in your lap, tied up with ribbons, with everyone in it doing your will. However, since the universe is cruel and unfair, you probably won't get it, but you will get a blog reply from me soon. Promise ^_^

Metaphors collided at Tuesday, July 22, 2003, 11:05 p.m.

First off, CUTE KITTIES! ^___^ Bubbles' short legs are adorable and she has such a cute, sweet face. Legalos is so white and fluffy ^^ I love fluffy cats. And he has such cute paws. Your babies are so cute, Alison. As for Pirates of the Caribbean coming out in Sept.4 in Singapore: GAH!

I have a headache. Ow, hangover. I had more alcohol in the month of July than in my entire life before, thanks to Jeannie. And I had more alcohol last night than in the month of July previously, thanks to my sister and her friends. I went clubbing last night with the two of them and Jeannie. Speaking of which, Jeannie, I hope to see a blog entry from you letting me know you made it home all right last night.

Anyways, Jeannie looked hot last night! So hot the lady behind the bar gave her a free drink. I got Sex on the Beach as usual, nonvirgin *snerk*, and then my sister got all cute and everything and bought me a Tequila Sunrise and a Schmirnoff. Tequila Sunrise is bloody potent. Wow. You could kill someone with that stuff. Then we went dancing. Or rather, the three of them danced like they were born to, and I tried to follow what they were doing. I did get a couple of moves going ^^ but seriously, those three were really good at the dancing thing. We even got the guy at the bar dancing behind the counter and clapping his hands with us. It was so much fun ^__^

My parents called and I have to go, but social blogging and a PotC rave to come. That movie was beyond awesome *sparkles*

Metaphors collided at Saturday, July 19, 2003, 07:30 a.m.

Correction: Satsuki-chan is the SQUEE, the WHEE, the GLEE, the HEY and the YAY and the DIDDLE AND THE DO! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou for your help with the picture *HUGS*

There you go, folks, Lika's first blog layout that she did on her own (with help from friends *GLOMPS*). The picture is a painting from Alex Colville, my favorite Canadian artist, about the collision between nature and technology.

Metaphors collided at Thursday, July 17, 2003, 9:27 a.m.

THE SQUEE! THE WHEE! THE GLEE! THE HEY AND THE YAY AND THE DIDDLE AND THE DO!

Metaphors collided at Wednesday, July 16, 2003, 11:31 p.m.