A sad time for the literary world...

As a budding writer, it only makes sense to take this time to acknowledge a few shining stars that have joined their predecessors in the heavens.

This month has seen the loss of:

J.D. Salinger, writer of The Catcher in the Rye.

Howard Zinn, author of The People's History of the United States.

Robert B. Parker, writer of the Spenser series.

Erich Segal, writer of Love Story.

R.I.P., gentlemen. Thank you for your contributions to the letters.

A "so far..." review of "Silent Hill: Shattered Memories"

*WARNING - HERE BE SOME SPOILERS*

Well, I knew I had to prepare myself for disappointment, given I already disagreed with it being a remake and the Otherworld turning into Icy Winter Wonderland. But, wow, y'all. So far, it's just bites.

The controls are wonky, especially the door opening buttons. Whose genius idea was it to have one press the X button repeatedly? I'm glad I could use the left control stick to push it open, otherwise I would have a sore right thumb! (Yes, the Silent Hill series, along with many survival horror titles, have a history of bad controls; but those are easier compared to the ones in this game, trust me...) But seriously, one button should do the trick.

The lack of combat is a joke. Oh, I apologize. Apparently throwing flares or pushing down random bookshelves is the best you can do. If I was put into a similar situation (what a world it would be if that were the case...) I would kick more ass than Harry did. And I'd do it with a 2x4 with a nail at the end of it.

Running around aimlessly (oh wait, your helpful GPS-capable iPhone rip-off leaves a blue trail just in case you get turned around) is your only option! Don't forget to zigzag. No need though, since when you explore the town, there are no monsters! And the monsters are ALL THE SAME when you get to the Otherworld in the Fridge.

Don't even get me started on the story. In all its madness, it is weird for the sake of weird. The scares are almost nonexistent, unless you're real jumpy by nature. Everybody is being thrown in there without explanation, connections made in seconds. I mean, most of the females end up calling Harry which leads me to ask "how in the world did they get his number?!" No scene establishes this.

The camera-detecting-random-spirits thing is a ripoff from Fatal Frame. Wow, y'all who made this game. Really? You had to plagiarize (no, they didn't borrow it) an awesome aspect of a lesser-known series in order to bring something new to the series? No other word for this than: FAIL.

~

Now, there are some good things. Calling the numbers and hearing the messages is the only good thing so far.

Making John Wyndham the founder of Midwich High was effing funny and appealed to the lit geek in me.

Yeah, pretty much it.

~

Y'all want to play the original Silent Hill? Just call me and borrow my copy. Or, if in the very likely chance that you don't know me and can't borrow it, ask your hardcore gamer friend or just buy it off of eBay. Do anything but buy this game. If you do, you're getting a neutered, borderline plagiarizing, sanitized, high-school-drama-havin', nonsensical, weird-for-the-sake-of-weird retelling of a classic horror video game.

*exhales* Now, if y'all excuse me... I have some things to do. Like schoolwork, internship stuff, and chilling the hell down.

Expect a final review soon...

I emerge from the depths of... something

Take the silence from my side of things as a sign that things are going okay. I've been ill for the last three days and it has hampered me from handling various tasks, from the internship to even fun things. I've been playing catch-up, but thankfully, it isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

I've been busy emailing with the magazine's editor, a professor, a fellow classmate, and others. It's the most I've spent on my email account in a long while.

Very little reading, but the big one is of course Camus' The Stranger (for my Senior Seminar). Now, I already know I'm going to English Major hell for not enjoying Austen's Pride and Prejudice... but I'm gonna go to the ninth circle for this: I'm not completely digging Stranger that much. I appreciate it for what it's doing, or at least what I perceive it's doing, but I cannot say I really like it. Perhaps discussion in the class will help me respect it more, but by itself... it has yet to impress me.

For movies, I watched The Holy Mountain a couple of nights ago. I'm not much into surrealist films, but hey, at least I started off with a prime choice. At least, that's what I heard about this film. I got most of it, but had to read up a little more to get it. I caught some of the tarot symbols and understood most of the Christian allegory. It was an interesting film and recommend it to those who like surrealist films. Personally, I wouldn't watch it again. I can barely handle my own imagination sometimes.

Not much writing, but I need to get to working on my COLFA conference submission. I plan to work on it later on today.

Otherwise, not much else.

Have yourself a safe and happy Martin Luther King Day, y'all. Honor the man of the hour by learning more about him. He's a fascinating guy. Plus, his wife Coretta is an awesome lady in her own right.

*no title*

As y'all are aware of by now, Haiti has gotten hit by a nasty earthquake. Damage is beyond words, the loss of human life... unspeakable.

If you are unable to physically help, I HIGHLY encourage donating money to those providing aid. Here is a news story that provides links. One charity I recommend is Doctors Without Borders, who are already in Haiti setting up triage centers.

And also, whatever your beliefs are, please send prayers and/or good thoughts their way.

BTW, if you have friends/family in Haiti and having difficulty getting into contact with them, the State Department has a number you can call to help with your search.

Whoa, gap between posts...

Yeah, sorry for no new posts since the obligatory "welcome to the new year" one. My writing project hasn't gotten off to a good start. Reading has been an effort also. I could blame everything, but it is really me. I fail to kick my own ass into gear. Once I realize that time is precious when school begins (hopefully), I'll utilize it better.

Maybe. Yeah. I say that every year. Does it mean anything this time? I dunno. I'll have to see.

Welcome to 2010!

Hello everyone, just stopping by to say hello and to wish all a Happy New Year.

I just got the Monsters of Folk album and I'm in love with this song. It is my official theme song for this year.

A nice way to start off the year, don't ya think?