Aain’s Bed-and-Breakfast

I have a friend, (haha, XD  you know who you are, darling) who currently has to face a whole army of jealous brats at school. Whatever she does, they criticize. Everything she says is wrong. Why? Because they’re jealous. She helps, they say it’s her seeking attention. She doesn’t help, (as a result of their former response) they say it’s bloody unfair that she just has to sit and study all the time; not like them, help is their middle name.

She actually studies to get good grades, and they don’t. (Well, I’m assuming not as hard, but since I’m fuming so I’ll settle with ‘don’t’. Forgive me. :P) When she beats them in exams –all in the name of healthy competition- they refuse to speak to her. I can only imagine what goes on in their teeny tiny minds: We refuse to speak to you because you got a 98 while all of us have to settle for a 95.

I know what you must be thinking…seriously?

My answer is…YUP.

When her dad picks her up in his car, they say she’s showing off. Again. They say rich people use expensive cars to show off to others what they’re missing on life. Well you know what? I say rich people can afford expensive cars, which logically means cars of higher quality. If they have the money, why settle for a consolation prize when you can have the golden trophy, no? Exactly. It’s basic human logic.

And another thing that boggles my mind is that when it comes to group work, say presentation, they push the whole presenting thing on her. Their reason? You’re good, we’re not. Plus, kita malulah.

…God! I mean, one second they say it’s a problem that she’s putting herself out there, then the next nanosecond they say it’s the most obvious thing Fate ever decided. It’s like they’re this continuously shifting matter that changes at her every move. She goes left, they say right. But if they feel they can win too by following behind her meekly while she does all the work, leads them to victory and still heads left, heck! Why not?

Shame on you people, shame on you so bad. All you can think of is a way to bring her down and use her…and you very nearly did. (But to no avail, darlings…haha :P) Anyway, fact is, we all know you want to be her. When she goes in front of the class to help out a friend trying to make an announcement, (while all of you are busy making use of your gift of the gab) you see her as she catches your attention, then you immediately wish you’re the one doing it instead. When it’s her work that’s being read out in class, you wish it had been yours instead, and darn it, why hadn’t you done yours earlier yesterday like she did, instead of before recess today?

Anyway, all I can say is that if one of you people are reading this (though I think none of you have been added on my ‘friends’ list, because I just can’t stand people like that), just hold your tongue and wipe that horrid look off your face the next time the green monster comes out so that you don’t embarrass yourself too much.

Over and out,

-Aain.

Mood: Accomplished

Listening to: Keep Holding On (Avril Lavigne)

[yeah, yeah I know…it’s like LiveJournal…but can you kill a girl for wishing? Hehe :D]

Hello. I’ve managed to finish ‘Eldest’ today, second in the installment of the Inheritance series by young Christopher Paolini. I shall now go forth to critic and compliment it, so those of you thinking about reading the first; ‘Eragon’ or the second book, ‘Eldest’ steer clear of this post.

{ WARNING: SPOILERS!!!!! }

Okay, now that I can write with a clear conscience, I’ll continue with my post. First of all, I want to say that I am a Tolkien fan. I am sure this will explain what I have to say later. Right. Anyway, the book was okay, I guess. And ungrudgingly, I would have to say a good attempt. In fact, why don’t we all just be honest and say it was a marvelous attempt? Fine. I have said that.

Plot-wise, it was mostly guessable. But of course, not too much that you would bet your life on your guesses. The fact that Roran would not be the family who would betray Eragon is easily guessed and anticipated, as Stronghammer was not important enough to do so. Begging your pardon, Carvahall.

Also, the fact that Murtagh and the Twins weren’t really dead was very very very very very (excuse my grammar) much anticipated. The way Paolini wrote them off was somewhat pale and as a reader, I knew that was not how authors usually say goodbye to a character of such high import to the main character like Murtagh. Paolini wrote that Eragon was sad, of course, but he didn’t seem sad. He should have just went all out to describe Eragon’s mourning. Then it wouldn’t seem so obvious.

However, I was surprised to find out that Murtagh was to end up as a Rider. The last couple of paragraphs in the chapter ‘Eldest’ before the revealing of Murtagh did bring me to that suspicion as much, but I never gave a thought to it before. Suspected he would support Galbatorix, yes. But that in being a Rider? No.

Another matter which I’m not quite fond of is how Paolini seems to incorporate styles of a movie. For example, the exchange between Eragon and Saphira right as they prepared to face the Empire’s soldiers:

Shall we dance, my heartfriend?

We shall.

I mean…is it just me, or is that lame? I don’t know…It might have worked for some…but certainly not for me. I’d save it for the adaptation of the book on the screen, if I were him.

And of course, of Arya Svit-kona and Eragon Shadeslayer. The epic tale of love, huh Angela? More like a pathetic tale of a fool’s love scorned and a princess as endearing as your’s truly. Sorry Arya/Eragon shippers. It’s just too stale. I mean…I just don’t see why Eragon loves her. Paolini doesn’t give me that. Arya is beautiful, fine. Arya is kind, fine. Arya is strong of heart and also physically, fine. And of course that Arya loves the flowers that Faolin made for her, fine. Besides that? What does Eragon know of her? Nothing. Nada. Zero. And setting aside the kindness, I find nothing endearing of her, sorry. This love story may yet deter from the destination it’s heading for right now in the final book. But to do that, radical changes are sure to come. One term: Out of Character. I hate that.

Hey…who knows? Maybe it will turn out great after all. We’ll never really get to know until it’s finished, which will be around this year. 

Ooh! And before I say bye-bye, I would like to say: I LOVE ANGELA! She’s witty, weird, wacky and wonderfully brilliant! I like it when she opens her mouth. To quote Saphira, she’s ‘different’. 

Plus…I absolutely love the interaction between Eragon and Saphira. It’s funny at times, and sweet too. Muaxxies and kudos to Paolini for that. KUDOS!

I also love a whole bucketful of other things in the first two books of the Inheritence series, but I’m too butt-lazy to write about it. Critics are refreshing, compliments are boring. (For a book, that is. Don’t try me with that philosphy, or I keel you, I swear!) And yes, the second one is better than the first. But only in comparison, of course. Hehe, sorry.

Any-hoot, it was a very good attempt for someone so young as Paolini, and far beyond anything I can ever write. My only attempts at writing have been futile ones, and nothing in comparison to his works. I am just a passer-by, who felt compelled to comment. Tha’s all.

So here’s the verdict: ‘Eldest’ is a reasonably enjoyable book.

Muaxxies, everybody!

Aain.