Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
WIP: A Little Bit
Can I just say - I'm not all that inspired to write anything today?
It's rainy out, gloomy, cold and I have been hiding inside watching videos online while resolutely avoiding work of any kind/form.
As it is work in progress week I will add a few poems, and a little snippet of the latest workings on. Leave a comment with anything you're working at this week.
It's rainy out, gloomy, cold and I have been hiding inside watching videos online while resolutely avoiding work of any kind/form.
As it is work in progress week I will add a few poems, and a little snippet of the latest workings on. Leave a comment with anything you're working at this week.
“Erik, this is stupid, why do I even have to be here?”
“You’re the owner – the whole benefit is for you.”
“Great,” I muttered under my breath.
He opened the door to the ballroom and I had to stop for a moment. The whole place looked like a swanked night club. I went in and was soon swallowed by the higher end of society.
Rich socialites and bachelors were breathing down my neck, offering me their word of support. A few offered me drinks. I looked over at the bartender and was relieved to find Tom there. Each glass that came my way would be perfectly 100% alcohol proof.
Thank you, Tom!
The night went on. I danced with a few billionaires, forcing myself to be nice and participate in their almost drunken behavior.
“Can I have everyone’s attention, please?”
I looked up at the stage. The DJ cut the music and there was an MC there, looking about as steady as a sailor on dry-land. I watched with mingled curiosity as the assembled crowd grew quiet. Erik sidled up to me. I gave him an equally curious look, and then felt worried when I saw him grin.
This, can’t be anything good.
“As you all know, this benefit is to help support the Destler theatre. So far, through your generous donations, we’ve managed to raise that bar a little higher.”
There was polite applause.
“Erik,” I whispered, “what the heck –”
“And now, for the highlight of the night,” I turned back to the MC. “Gentlemen, open your wallets and bid generously. It’s time for the auction!”
There were hearty cheers around the room.
Auction?
“Our first lady is one the move affluent models in the city –”
I tuned the MC out and fully focused on the musician.
“Erik, you never said a word about an auction for women!”
My voice was low, whispered, hardly heard above the din of bids ringing above my head. I was furious and was almost positive he knew it.
“It’s just an auction for a date, nothing illegal about it.”
I glared back; I opened my mouth to protest when the MC shouted.
What are you working on lately?
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Book Nook - A Tale of Two Cities
With the new semester in full swing and my forty-five minute commute in full effect I chose a new novel to listen to while stuck behind drivers going ten below the speed limit.
Novel: A Tale of Two Cities
Author: Charles Dickens
Originally published as a serial in the newspaper, chapter by chapter in 1859, it follows the lives of people living in London, and Paris. Spanning the time of the French Revolution it entwines around the lives of both Enslighmen and Frenchmen.
Disclaimer: I won't get too much into the details of the plot. After all, no one likes a Spoiler.
Cast of Characters:
Charles Darnay: The Marquis Evremonde
A man who changed his name and left France because of the injustices done by his aristocratic family. He chose to live in England as a teacher, only returning to France to help another man in need.
Sydney Carton
A man who prefers to drink his life away, with no real prospects of life. He works with Stryver in the law offices and helped acquit Darnay when he was first accused of treason in the British courts. Darnay was left off due to the striking resemblance between him and Carton. Throughout the novel he transfers from a negligent drunk and scoundrel to that of a man surpassing Darnay in qualities.
Doctor Manette
A brilliant physician. When he was younger he helped an aristocrat and was rewarded with 18 years in the Bastille. While there he learns to make shoes to pass the time he's imprisoned. When finally reunited with his daughter, he proves to be a kind, loving father.
Lucie Manette
A French woman who grew up in England, raised as a ward of Tellson's Bank. She is the archetype of compassion in the novel, the basis of all the good things that come about. She is referred to as the "Golden Thread" (though that could be an allusion to her hair color as well). Her love is shown as a transformative power to those who meet her: her father turning from a man without hope to one who lives and laughs; and Sydney Carton, who goes from scoundrel to hero.
Monsieur Defarge
The man who used to be a servant to Doctor Manette, and took care of him after his release from the Bastille. He is the owner of a wine shop, intelligent and committed to the revolutionary. He is a compassionate man, turned leader in the revolution. His wife sees his compassion as weakness.
Madame Defarge
The wife of Monsieur Defarge, she is far more blood thirsty for the aristocracy. She knits the entire novel, knitting the names of those who must die for the revolutionary cause. She is unrelenting in her thirst for blood.
Jarvis Lorry
The businessman from Tellson's Bank who helped Doctor Manette and Lucie first reunite. He is a bachelor with a strong moral sense. He has a good, honest heart and proves trustworthy and loyal. He is a personal friend to the Manette family.
Jerry Cruncher
An odd-jobs man for Tellson's bank. He is seen as a short-tempered, superstitous, and uneducated man (in the book sense). His main job is as a "Resurrection-Man" - someone who digs up dead bodies and sells them to scientists. He is shown as a good man throughout the novel, though at odds with some of the other characters.
Miss Pross
The woman who raised Lucie. She is the epitome of an English woman: brusque, though, and fiercely loyal. She personifies order and loyalty.
With a long list of characters, this novel delves deep into the world of Revolutionary France. Taking a more layman view of the events that changed the French government. This novel has every character you'd want in a story.
At the time it was written, Charles Dickens was paid by the word, making this a tedious read. Listening to it in the car while traveling made it easier - and the world came alive. I do intend to re-read this at some point in the future.
If you're looking for a good read (not quick!) then pick up a copy of "A Tale of Two Cities".
What are you reading this month? Leave a comment and let's discuss books!
Novel: A Tale of Two Cities
Author: Charles Dickens
Originally published as a serial in the newspaper, chapter by chapter in 1859, it follows the lives of people living in London, and Paris. Spanning the time of the French Revolution it entwines around the lives of both Enslighmen and Frenchmen.
Disclaimer: I won't get too much into the details of the plot. After all, no one likes a Spoiler.
Cast of Characters:
Charles Darnay: The Marquis Evremonde
A man who changed his name and left France because of the injustices done by his aristocratic family. He chose to live in England as a teacher, only returning to France to help another man in need.
Sydney Carton
A man who prefers to drink his life away, with no real prospects of life. He works with Stryver in the law offices and helped acquit Darnay when he was first accused of treason in the British courts. Darnay was left off due to the striking resemblance between him and Carton. Throughout the novel he transfers from a negligent drunk and scoundrel to that of a man surpassing Darnay in qualities.
Doctor Manette
A brilliant physician. When he was younger he helped an aristocrat and was rewarded with 18 years in the Bastille. While there he learns to make shoes to pass the time he's imprisoned. When finally reunited with his daughter, he proves to be a kind, loving father.
Lucie Manette
A French woman who grew up in England, raised as a ward of Tellson's Bank. She is the archetype of compassion in the novel, the basis of all the good things that come about. She is referred to as the "Golden Thread" (though that could be an allusion to her hair color as well). Her love is shown as a transformative power to those who meet her: her father turning from a man without hope to one who lives and laughs; and Sydney Carton, who goes from scoundrel to hero.
Monsieur Defarge
The man who used to be a servant to Doctor Manette, and took care of him after his release from the Bastille. He is the owner of a wine shop, intelligent and committed to the revolutionary. He is a compassionate man, turned leader in the revolution. His wife sees his compassion as weakness.
Madame Defarge
The wife of Monsieur Defarge, she is far more blood thirsty for the aristocracy. She knits the entire novel, knitting the names of those who must die for the revolutionary cause. She is unrelenting in her thirst for blood.
Jarvis Lorry
The businessman from Tellson's Bank who helped Doctor Manette and Lucie first reunite. He is a bachelor with a strong moral sense. He has a good, honest heart and proves trustworthy and loyal. He is a personal friend to the Manette family.
Jerry Cruncher
An odd-jobs man for Tellson's bank. He is seen as a short-tempered, superstitous, and uneducated man (in the book sense). His main job is as a "Resurrection-Man" - someone who digs up dead bodies and sells them to scientists. He is shown as a good man throughout the novel, though at odds with some of the other characters.
Miss Pross
The woman who raised Lucie. She is the epitome of an English woman: brusque, though, and fiercely loyal. She personifies order and loyalty.
With a long list of characters, this novel delves deep into the world of Revolutionary France. Taking a more layman view of the events that changed the French government. This novel has every character you'd want in a story.
At the time it was written, Charles Dickens was paid by the word, making this a tedious read. Listening to it in the car while traveling made it easier - and the world came alive. I do intend to re-read this at some point in the future.
If you're looking for a good read (not quick!) then pick up a copy of "A Tale of Two Cities".
What are you reading this month? Leave a comment and let's discuss books!
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Too Exhausted - Trying to Travel
Right.
I'm super distracted right now. I had something all planned out, but in the end it's the end of the day and this is all I've got.
So much school.
So much work.
Yes, I'm grateful to be busy.
Side note: I'm going to start a GoFundMe sometime in the near month. I'm trying to do a semester abroad and the fees are.....insane.
That's all I've got.
Now I've got to get some laundry done, pack and prepare for a trip.
Suggestions?
I'm super distracted right now. I had something all planned out, but in the end it's the end of the day and this is all I've got.
So much school.
So much work.
Yes, I'm grateful to be busy.
Side note: I'm going to start a GoFundMe sometime in the near month. I'm trying to do a semester abroad and the fees are.....insane.
That's all I've got.
Now I've got to get some laundry done, pack and prepare for a trip.
Suggestions?
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