"We'll take the next bus, destination: setting sun"

The entrance exams were a week ago, and I've been enjoying my vacation since. Life seems slightly empty now that I don't have to study anymore, but I'm trying to fill it up with random stuff.


Here's what I've gotten to keep me busy:

So I finally started watching Star Trek TOS, though I'm doing it in the wrong order - I've watched almost half of the second season and none of the first. I don't think that matters, though. ^^ It's very enjoyable, at the moment my favourite episode is I, Mudd. The crappy special effects are wonderful! :D Can't wait for the next movie, which will be out in June 2012, according to IMDb.


The Privilege of the Sword is something I bought just because you can't get it from any library here. Ellen Kushner is one of the guest authors coming to FinnCon in July, so I decided it would be wise to read some of her works. I've browsed the book and read the first page, and I think I'm going to like it. Maybe not Lynch-like-it, but enjoy anyway.

Those are what I've been reading lately. I've had the Mammoth Book of Fantasy since April and I still haven't finished it. -_- At the moment there are some 100 pages to go. The short stories are not bad, but it's a little hard to concentrate when there's no continuous plot. But I've been introduced to some authors I hadn't heard of or known I might be interested in them, such as Michael Moorcock or Patricia McKillip.

The Tough Guide, then. I had to order it, but haven't regretted for a second. It is constructed like any travelling guide, and if you're familiar with the fantasy genre, you'll laugh like hell all the way through it. I've earned some curious stares giggling in the bus. Diana Wynne Jones is actually one of my favourite authors, even though I've read very little by her.

Oh, movies! There isn't much to tell, I'm afraid. The latest one I've seen is Bright Star, and I can recommend it to anyone who likes Austen. It was very interesting, beatiful in colour and full of drama. What impressed me the most, however, was possibly the choice of soundtrack during the credits in the end. But I'm not going to spoil that to anyone who might stumble upon this blog.

And what became of my Bastards and the Knives? Well, it seems to have finally arraived at the bookstore, but the one I ordered (the cheaper paperback version) won't be in until November. I'm going to go there today to see whether they have it shelved, but most possibly won't purchase it yet. I guess I can wait, I already have a pile of books to read this summer. Just for fun, let's list them:
1) The Mammoth Book of Fantasy
2) Ellen Kushner: The Privilege of the Sword
3) Jane Austen: Sense and Sensibility (or Pride and Prejudice, if I can find my copy)
4) Joe Abercrombie: Blade Itself
5) finnish rereading Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch

I have a busy week ahead of me. I'm going dancing today and tomorrow, on Wednesday we'll go see the Prince of Persia with a couple of friends, on Thursday there's the picnic with friends, only Friday remains free. I think I'm going to gym then, but we'll see.

Maybe that will suffice for a while. I'll be back, hopefully a little sooner this time. :)

~Wil