:: Wallpaper ::

:: Sunday, June 22, 2003 ::

Hmm, a little late in writing this, but I finished the new Potter book already. On the night it was out. Heh, not bad eh? Took me more than 10 hours to read that thick binding of papers, it's thicker than Goblet of Fire by the way. I'm not really a Potter fan, and if you're wondering how I got the book then, well, a friend of mine when to the library on the very day itself to borrow it. Surprisingly, he decided to annouce to me he had it the very moment he got back, perhaps out of sheer joy that I was the first familiar living being on sight that he could wave the book to, and then, amazingly, decided to plomp it onto my bed for me to read despite me not asking for it, cause he said he was going out. See? I'm so blessed with love, haha. Since I had nothing better to do, or rather, nothing better that I wanted to do, I picked up that chunk of wood and began reading.

Actually, it's not bad. The character has changed tremendously(well, I think so, can't remember how it was in the previous books). It no longer is so much for kids anymore. Potter has becomed real, mirroring that of a real life teenager. For one, he has becomed a highly emotional character that is much guided by his feelings rather than his logic. He blunders through the book, and gets himself into many sticky situations that would not even have occured in the first place had he but kept his wits around him. Oh, and he does not end up saving the day this time, instead quite ruining it. *spoiler alert* In fact, he indirectly caused the death of his godfather, Sirius, and put 5 of his friends in serious mortal danger when he was tricked by Voldemort to enter the Ministry of Magic and got attacked by er, I think 12 Death Eaters? There abouts, cause the book said odds were 2 to 1. Funny that they need so many adults to capture 6 kids though, and still managed to suffer casualties and take quite a long while at that.

Dumbledore saves the day, the only character that has Voldemort quivering in his pants and calling for mommy, and proceeds to call himself an oldman, apologising profusely to Potter and letting that sufferous kid throw tantrums at him in the headmaster's office. Then, lo and behold, *starts whispering* the secret of Potter's scar is revealed!! Wow! An amazing revelation! Potter must kill Voldemort, or vice versa. Bottomline, one of them will destroy the other. Not that we didn't guess that of course. Potter matures somewhat at the end of the book, realising his mistakes and suddenly feeling the weight of his burdens and responsibilities. He is also a sadder boy now that all those who was ever his family is dead.

Of course, there are many other things in the book, I merely described the last few chapters that remain fresh in my memory. There's the inteference in Hogwarts by the Ministry of Magic that turns the whole place upside down, thanks to the paranoid Cornelius Fudge who thinks that Dumbledore is trying to overthrow him and replace him as Minister of Magic. Percy has cut connections with his family, refusing to believe in the return of Voldemort and siding with the Ministry instead. Potter is called a liar and Dumbledore a senile old man by the Daily Prophet and the wizarding community in general. All are made to eat their shoes when the Death Eaters + Voldemort appear in the Ministry of Magic to chase after those 6 little hooligans. Fred and George Weasley leave Hogswart after causing an uproar in Hogswart to start their own Trick Shop, sponsored my Potter. Cho takes a liking to Potter and they even *gasps* kiss, but Potter eventually manages to chase her away with his wool headedness. She goes for somebody else in the end. Ginny also had a boyfriend, interestingly, and switches to another at the end. Did I forget to mention that Ron and Hermione are prefects? So is *groans* Malfoy.

Bah, I can't remember. The book's too thick. Plus I left out some of the juicier parts, so go read the book yourself! Haha. Enjoy, it's a pretty good read, if you have the time. Since it's the hols, you do. So take a break from muggin from mid year, go to the library or your next door neighbour, and wrench the book out of the poor kid's hands if you can't find a copy the normal way. Happy reading!!

This is the author's first attempt at book reviewing, so please be a little less critical. Not that he was even intending on reviewing the book of course, just that since it seems to come out like that... Oh well. By the way, here's the rating, since all book reviews must have one. 4/5. Thumbs up. Worth reading. Enjoy!


:: Sam 10:07 PM [+] ::
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It's been awhile since I looked through the lives of others arranged so neatly at the side. Strange that it's so easy to click, yet I did not. Today's just one of those days with time and lack of purpose that allows for exploration and ponderation(is there such a word? just thought it sounded nice ;p). So many blogs, each a different style, a different tune, a different outlook. Simple as they are, merely words, yet they strike a chord in me. The feelings and thoughts of individuals, so clearly brought across, the lives of others experienced in this window.

Funny isn't it? On that list of links, how many do I truly know, and how many acknowledge I exist? How many bother...? Yet the irony is so sharp and so sweet. I struggle to message and talk to those I love so dearly, those friends I hold so closely, and fail to get anything more than an occasional grunt from them; but at the merest tap of a finger, I get life of a past acquaintance laid down before me. Makes me wonder why their positions ain't switched. Ah, the incredulity of it.

One of the many themes woven into the writings of these blogs is friendship/love, something that plagues us, especially me, a lot. 'I want a friend. A friend so close he'd be a dangerous enemy.' Doesn't everybody? If only for everytime I saw something like this on a blog, I could shout out and say, 'Hey, I'm here, I'm could be that friend, I'm looking for somebody just like you!' Nevermind the fact that I dunno you well, as long as the needs of two people are satisfied. Why not? There's so many people pining for such a thing, me included, and yet it amazes me to see how their paths never cross and nothing ever happens.

People just love building up mountains and mountains of restrictions and requirements. I can answer my question. Well, it's coz we've never met before, it's coz I dunno if I can trust you, you might just be another online stalker waiting to pounce on me. Or how about, it's just not right, we're strangers, close friends must be built up over time. Er, not social norm? Nah, I'm not willing to open my door to just about anybody that comes knocking on it. Maybe it's simply just that I don't believe it's that simple, that something I so desperately want and have been wanting can happen so easily. The list goes on.

Why is the world so bounded by such rules? Why can't people just shrug them off? Beats me. Social norm just about kills every special friendship I have because it never comes by convention. I just get close way too fast that it scares the person, otherwise, people talk and peer pressure ruins everything. Perhaps I'm too quick to trust and know no fear, or maybe people are just too lost in themselves they don't dare step out.

*shrugs*

Oh well. Try and try again. Until magic happens one day. It could have been easier, but since they have chosen the long path, I'll just have to wait for them at the finishing line. And waiting alone is no mean feat.

Life could be beautiful if you let it be. So let it be.


:: Sam 10:09 PM [+] ::
...

Sentimentality. The one thing that identifies each and everyone of us as humans with a heart. I'm feeling downright sentimental now.

I guess it has something to do with my loneliness pangs again. Yeah, I know, people are all around me. But sometimes you just want a particular somebody to talk to? Someone you can share your innermost thoughts with. Only that that person is no longer there for me.

Alpha Bravo Camp's over. I rated myself 3. Not too bad I guess. Kinda under-performed. Missed alot of details about the campers, wrong calls, bad judgements, slow reactions, and the usual uncertainty that comes with not being totally in charge. Didn't really bond with my group either. 7 hours of land expedition, and I didn't talk to a single one of them. I dunno how I pull off such a stunt. Makes me think of last year.

At least last year I was ok with my group. Not too well bonded, but good while it lasted. Again, the instructors were distant. They were busy I guess, in the same way I was this year. But it almost seems like an excuse. I feel sorry for them that I was unable to give them a proper development as I would have liked. That I was not able to give the best to them. Hell, I couldn't even guide them along if I tried.

Makes me think back on that past year of supposed leadership training. How much of it do I have in me? Am I just another follower with a little bit more authority? Somehow, I just don't fit the bill. But I'll give myself a little credit. At least I tried. It's not enough, but I did try. In the end they'll tell me it's all up to me anyways. Haha. So, positive attitude I am.

As for wishing they were as bonded a group, and that they loved us instructors, that's wishful thinking I guess. We all hope and expect, but seldom do we get. I should be grateful that they do acknowledge us somewhat. Respect has to be earned, not demanded. Did I earn theirs? I wonder. I'll never know.

Another camp, another reflection. It's over. I'm abit upset, abit disappointed. It's bittersweet I guess. Another gathering of faces to be slowly lost in the sands of time. Hope I did my part well, for everyone. Know it wasn't much, but better than nothing, so live with it. Haha. But really, I appreciate the work the other instructors have done so silently without complain. You guys rock!!

Sentimentality can rip the heart out of one as weak as me. Should not dwell on it. It's over. Move on. I'm done. Next time then.

Shadows of the past flash by before me. I live again. Then they fade away. And I disappear.


:: Sam 8:23 AM [+] ::
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