asimplechord | (no subject)

1. I had every intention of writing a thinky post comparing House To House and No True Glory, two books that chronicle the US military's battles in Fallujah. There are even post-its and page-markers where I took notes! But I've already started reading another book, and I am not feeling very analytically inclined, so. Not-so-thinky comment, instead. The two books are markedly different, as one is a first-hand account by one of the soldiers involved in the second battle, while the other is a narrative collated from multiple different participants and analysts, written by a retired Marine officer. It took me far longer to read No True Glory for a variety of reasons, including the fact that at some points the book was so generally uncritical with respect to Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, and their complete lack of a plan to deal with a populace that wasn't grateful and subservient, and the way the military's need for unity of effort with the diplomatic side was completely ignored; I had to put it down before I threw it at the wall in anger. (Also? West is the biggest Mattis/Conway/USMC-wife ever.) Bellavia's account makes no effort whatsoever to analyze the politics or policy: he tells the reader what he did, what his men did. Of the two, I definitely preferred his telling.

2. Saw Inception this weekend. I think maybe it was overhyped to me, because I enjoyed it and am interested in the metaphor it presents, but the plot did not have much of a twist. Am I too jaded a movie viewer? In any case, I want all the Arthur/Eames banter-filled fic in the world, now.

3. Tabby posted Bravo's Baby Belle, which is Generation Kill gen. Baby!fic, if you couldn't tell from the title. Brad's not a baby person. He really has no idea what to do with a baby. Yet, here he is, left with a diaper bag, a list of instructions, and a baby with Ray’s eyes. He needs to call in reinforcements before this situation gets out of control.

4. LOLLAPALOOZA THIS WEEKEND. CAPSLOCK DOES NOT ADEQUATELY CONVEY MY GLEE. I AM READY TO COUNT DOWN THE HOURS 'TIL WE LEAVE.

5. Also, there is a possibility that I will be in Austin for a professional meeting at the same time Social Distortion is playing Stubb's. Is it self-indulgent to plan on seeing them there, then driving back to Houston and seeing them again?

6. Are you still here? You should go check out the Combat Jack community challenge: 25 things about my sexuality. Read, write. Some characters don't have threads yet. Doesn't Doc Bryan deserve some love?

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I was like, "...that's the twist? I called that when I walked IN. Wtf, has no one here ever read a sci fi book before?" and then I felt bad and judgey. /o\

Yeah. I mean, it was well done, but. So many clues all along, really.

Really, the Arthur and Eames interaction and the effects made the movie for me. :)

Is it self-indulgent to plan on seeing them there, then driving back to Houston and seeing them again?

Not if you come to my new place for a dinner partay?

If it works out, I'll be there Nov 17-19th, so that's totally do-able. :)

Edited 2010-08-04 03:52 (UTC)

Sweeet

Janelle Monae is playing on the 13th?

*Really*? Of this month? I know she's touring with Of Montreal later this fall.

Actually, I'll be in ATX for ACL, too. I just don't know what the plans are, b/c I think I'm staying with my half-sister now that she's moved ATX with her fiance.

No no. November XD with of montreal. NO ONE is touring this month and it's pissing me off. My calendar is currently empty until Ludo Weekend in September. BOOOO

Let me know if you wanna sidebarsidebar or something during ACL. I miiight go if I can pick a day and get a one-day pass but probably not.

I'm actually in the same place as you with Inception. :D It was interesting, but I can't say that I loved it.

It was entertaining. The effects were good, the actors were superb. I just... IDK, I expected something like a Sixth Sense moment, and it didn't happen for me.

I love Doc Bryan. He doesn't get enough love an appreciation.

Also, it is too hot & I'm too miserable at the moment to move off my bed, but I need to pack. Why don't I have servants??

Servants would be awesome, it is true.

Tabby, it is going to be ~110 with the heat index today. A measly 98 just based on temperature. I am not amused. BUT. My flight leaves at 7, so I'm skipping out of work early to pack and such. :D

I can't actually write Doc Bryan. I've tried. It never ends well.

I grabbed stuff from the dryer & threw it in a duffel bag for the boys this morning before I left for work? I'm such a bad mom. But they're going to the beach for 4 days - what do they need besides their swim trunks and one decent outfit for aquariuming??

I am intimidated by Doc Bryan, lol. But I <3 him! :)