Tweets & Books

So I spent a good half-hour last night trying to find/sign-in to/update my Twitter account and follow someone other than Anderson Cooper (Channel One Alum! Whattup!). And now I've forgotten what my account name is. Sigh.

Yeah, I couldn't stand Gatsby the first time I read (ahem.. listened to the audiobook of) it. It seemed slow-moving and bogged down in description. Having read it aloud to a class at least 4 times a year the last four years, though, I've come across things I find more meaningful. The kids can't stand all the characterization (and no action! OMG!), but I try to put it in the context of bored, rich party people and the inverse hierarchy of morals to money. I mean, minus explicit sex, isn't that what The Hills and Gossip Girl are about anyway?

Yes, I did read The Great Gatsby. It wasn't bad, but I can't say I've given it much thought since. I feel like I remember the pacing being uneven, but it's definitely about characterizations much more than action. There were definitely some character oddities. The rich people prove to be empty, but that was kind of the point, I think. Then there is the out-of-nowhere climax. I wish I could remember more about it! I would be happy to discuss specific questions. It may jog my memory.

You're kidding about Cliffs Notes! I have heard of Sparknotes, but I kind of thought of that as a knockoff. Ha.

The Great Gatsby

Did you ever read the book? You said you were, but I didn't hear anything about it. I'm about to start it with my AP kids & I'd like to be able to add something to the discussion, so I was thinking you could read it & blog about it & then I could add that into the conversation in my class. Like having a 3rd voice in the class: (1)the teacher's voice, (2)someone who has read the book's voice, (3)the students who have only read the Sparknotes'* voice.

*Did you know that these kids don't know what Cliff's Notes are? They know Sparknotes, but have never heard of Cliff's Notes and don't recognize the familiar black & yellow book covers. Crazy. Some marketing guy at Sparknotes should get a bonus.

Oh, no I've never heard of that. I'll check it out.

I don't fault you for not doing twitter. I do have it on my phone, but I rarely use it on there. I just do it because I sit in front of a computer all day and don't usually have anyone to talk to, and it can be very amusing once you figure out who you like to follow and who will tweet links to things you're interested in.

Tweets & NPR

I never really do twitter. Is it because I can’t access it from work? Yes. And perhaps because I haven’t downloaded the app to my phone because I find myself doin’ alright without it. Hmm, I’ll have to consider this.

Speaking of twitter, there was a great joke about the tweeting on “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” on NPR the other day. Have you ever listened to that? It’s like a current events game show on the radio with special guests & the ability to call in & participate. I think you’d like it. I download them on iTunes & listen when I can.

TV Pruning

I've never watched Ghost Whisperer. Good? Although, yes, I don't need to add anything else! I watch my TV slowly but steadily. I've had to drop a few things, but it was worth it. I've dropped Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice, just not worth it, and I've postponed The Office. That was an accident, but I missed so much that I'm just going to watch the whole season this summer or something. I did watch the episode where the baby is born, though.

Okay, yes, I remember reading that Adam Baldwin is on Chuck. His Firefly character is really funny. On Firefly, he's not really bright, but he's the muscle and force. Plus, everyone on that show says funny things, him included.

Another Brent Spiner thing. I started following him on twitter recently, and it's amusing. He has a weird relationship with his fans, and he's very dry. I don't try to tweet him or anything, but it's fun to read.

More About TV

Also (!), Casey from Chuck was on Firefly and he is probably my absolute favorite character (which, from what I gather, is very similar to the spirit of his Firefly character). His name is Adam Baldwin and I think the connection between the two is his gun-lovingness.

I’m still barely able to get in the TV I want to see now and I don’t like to be sitting in front of a show if I can’t be fully engaged in it, so I tend to save good TV for times when Clark is gone, busy or sleeping. Instead, I watch reruns of Ghost Whisperer.