Phoebus is a jerk

I have just finished "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and I do recommend the book to everyone. It was remarkably easy to read using language that accurately reflects the era the novel takes place.

I am just in awe at how well some authors can write. After reading "All quiet on the Western Front" and then this book, it amazes me how one can capture the feelings and emotions of an individual so eloquently and in such a way that you feel what the characters are going through. Furthermore, "Hunchback of Notre Dame" expresses the emotions of females very very well. Females in despair, females in shock, even females in heat! How is it that a man (Victor Hugo in this case) can know so well female instincts and reactions? Especially given that this book was written in 1830! Crazy. To be a master of words is a true true art.

Oh, and the Disney version of this story is much altered from its original form. For one, the real book is a true tragedy and for another, Phoebus is an absolute butt-wipe (for lack of a better word...).

A football dilemma

So I have quickly become an avid football fan. Perhaps it is because I am in Europe, perhaps it is because I am bored. Regardless, I just can't get enough of watching the sport. However I have quickly reached a problem with this new found hobby...Which team should I be supporting?

When one is new to a sport, how does one decide? I have no personal affiliation with any of the teams. I do not know the rules to the game and I don't understand the plays, or what constitutes a good kick. I basically have no idea what goes on during the game besides my own interpretation of what I am seeing. And being so uneducated, it doesn't tell me much!

So how do I go about finding a team? Do I go with the crowd favorite, Brazil? Or do I follow my parents and root for Portugal? Perhaps I should root for the best-looking team...hmmm...where to begin?

Classic = Tragic ?

Why is it that most classic novels are just so tragic?

I went to the library to borrow more books yesterday and was more than successful in filling my arms with must-reads. However, I was in a jolly mood upon returning home and was looking forward to settling down with a good, happy book when I realized that much to my disappointment, all the classic literature I had borrowed were quite somber!

The books I borrowed were:
Lord of the Flies
All quiet on the Western Front
Hunchback of Notre Dame
The eye of the Storm

I am now in the midst of "All quiet on the western front" (I decided on this book because it was the thinnest), and I must say, this book is incredibly well-written and its significance is no surprise to me. However, it very effectively puts you in a rather depressed state of mind. War is a horrible, wretched thing and this book is really, really affecting me. I guess that is the sure sign of a really good book...

Gone Swimming

Have you any experiences that have marred an otherwise enjoyable activity?

I have and despite having taken lessons for more than a decade, the activity is swimming.
I just recall feeling cold, feeling dry, feeling itchy, feeling not clean even after showering, feeling embarrassed, seeing someone elses hair clog the drains, feeling the grime beneathe your feet, the fear of plantar's warts, putting on clothes after peeling off the sticky bathing suit...the list goes on of just how unpleasant I found the whole experience.

So one can imagine the dread I felt when my friend suggested we go to the swimming hall here in Suonenjoki yesterday. I contemplated staying home but did not want to be a party-pooper so I agreed to tag along. Much to my surprise, it was an incredibly clean and modern facility. The walls were freshly painted white, the people were friendly, the water warm. We did laps for an hour and though I am feeling the effects of the exercise today in my back and arms, I really thoroughly enjoyed myself and could not remember the last time I had this much fun swimming.

So I challenge you all, take a negative experience that has tainted an otherwise fun activity and erase it by going back and trying again. Surround yourself with positive people and hopefully you will be as pleasantly surprised as I was!