just finished: the kite runner. it was Very ZOMG.
it’s likely that i’ve read too many graphic depictions of rape/murder/angst/tortuous family drama so that, in retrospect, the story gears seemed somewhat unoriginal. (or maybe i just grew up on too much chinese serial dramas. blech to those.) seemingly unoriginal only because the actual events paled against hosseini’s presentation of all the resulting human emotions. it makes me feel as if he’s capable of more — not in creating drama via sensational events but, i dunno, just the Something More.
i’ve only just finished so maybe my opinion will change later as i re-read. i will say this though — it’s been years since i’ve been roused from a sleepy state to read into the darkest hours of the night only to stop because i need a certain number of hours under my belt in order to function ably the next day. if not for werk, i would’ve pounded through the rest. this spurs me more to read my copy of the condensed history of the middle east. cuz ferfuckssakes, what happened??! in that part of the world?!
can’t be enthused about the olympics. i’m a sap for any “let’s get together and dance!!” gatherings in the global community. but.
1) there are things that china does that annoys me no end. it lends a sickly edge to any entertainment they bring to the world stage because, deep down, i don’t think they deserve the praise yet. this is not aimed at the people and, in certain aspects, not even at the actions of their government. greedy, selfish, inconsiderate people (no matter their ethnic origin) Piss Me Off. and there are not just a few things — from cultural mindset to political harrassing — that really gets my goat every time the subjects are brought up. china at current reminds me of an overly brilliant, insolent child. and i can’t bring myself to pay attention to a show that, while so obviously prepared and presented with true love, might encourage further arrogance because it becomes a mark of approval of all their recent (and often callously) gained progress. i guess i’m just a cynic at heart. i question the motives of pretty much any policy/decision made on the global stage by china and taiwan. part of that is my upbringing. the other part is because these two keep reinforcing the cliches and stereotypes of my childhood.
on the other hand, kudos to the people who designed/created/took part in the show. from the few photos and sequences i glimpsed of the opening program, amazing effort went into it. i can’t even imagine the pride the people who took part in it felt when they were on stage. must’ve been the best rush in the world to be in a performance of such historical magnitude. whenever i see pics of the little boy who walked with yao ming, i have to swallow a lump in the throat. that kid is courage packaged in all of four feet.
2) nbc are ASSHOLES. your list of crimes are of an olympic measure. not airing the opening live. resequencing opening program events. not airing events during the day (wtf with the 8pm slot on fucking SATURDAY!!!!!). airing only a selective number of events. airing said events at four fucking thirty in the morning. i hate nbc so fucking much. your only saving merit are your on-site reporters. the bigheads who make the scheduling decisions are — fuck, i can’t even think of a word dirty enough to merit your type of distinction.