Toy Story 3

Just came home from seeing that new Pixar thing, maybe you've heard of it. I didn't expect much, going in, as I'd heard nothing but good about it. I figured it was the typical "let's milk an old franchise!" crap that too many people fall for. So, I was pessimistic.

But then, movie opens, and they throw raw awesome in your face. The first scene is Andy playing, and it is fantastically well made. As surreal and inventive as any child's most vivid fantasies.

Then it turns out Toy Story 3 is not a movie. It's a knife. And Pixar is holding it. They plunge it into your heart, and they twist.

And they twist. And they turn, and they grind, and they WRENCH AND TEAR LAUGHING MANIACALLY AS THEY CARVE A HOLE IN YOUR GUT AND CALL IT YOUR CHILDHOOD

Oh, thank goodness it's over, this is a funny part, ha ha-GUESS AGAIN, MEATBAG! THEY TEAR OPEN YOUR HEART AND EAT IT IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE, AND FUCK THE EMPY VOID LEFT INSIDE YOU, POUR MELTED HOT GUILT INSIDE AND SEW THE WOUND UP WITH PAIN

...and I still somehow felt happy, walking out of the cinema. I salute you, Pixar, you've created something wonderful.

On a less review-y note, I realized something as I watched the film. Will children be able to relate to this in ten years? As children become more and more entertained by video games and films than with toys, can they understand the simple joys of imagination in the future? Probably to some degree, but I wonder at it. It would be a terrible thing to see, a child not able to play with toys.

ah, well

"Angry" Angus McBeardfist is angry, and will punch you. With his beard.

Said I wasn't going to post my drawings, but...

writing

Another thing I may consider using this blog for is writing. I love writing. I am, by nature, a creative person, and often invent stories, scenes, characters, etc, and writing is something I someday dream to make money off. What I lack, however, is the drive to constantly write. If I were to post my writing here, and have people become interested, it may create that drive, since I would feel bad not to update. I don't think I'll do this quite yet, I think I'll wait and see if people start following, then gauge interest.

In the meantime, I'll post older stuff. Here, for example, is a poem I wrote once in school, during French class:

As I stare into its dark depths
Seeing naught but my own reflection
And often do I wonder...
Why does it not swallow me?
Why does it calmy stare back at me?
As I gaze into the abyss
The abyss also gazes into me

Now its power has ebbed out, devoured
The only trace of its black existance
A pristine cup stained by darkness
Black stars upon a silver night sky
Menacing dark clouds cradled in its breast
Upon its base
A poison moon spreads its wings

And I feel
I feel its venom corrupting me
Fel claws digging into my soul
Ripping, tearing, slashing, shredding
Burning with passionate flames of evil
Still do I crave more
My mug of coffee stands empty

I didn't learn much French in that class.

Blog plans

I'm considering thematically defining this here blog of mine, but I'm unsure as to what with. I considered art, as I'm currently a student of it, but I'd feel to self-conscious uploading my crap to such a website. I'm an avid gamer, so I may, from time to time, talk about what games I'm playing. I do not belive I shall post entire reviews (so much work), but little tidbits here and there. Lately, for instance, I've returned to Warcraft 3 online play for the mind-numbing simplicity of custom games. I listen to a lot of podcasts, but find I can't stay focused on listening if I'm not doing something else simultaneously. Hence, simple video games are a blessing.

I may also consider writing about what I'm reading. I don't read nearly as much as I did once upon a time, but if a book engages me I'll delve deep into it. Most recently, I read Fight Club. Took me, oh... 24 hours total, I'd say. Worth a look, especially if you liked the movie. If you've not seen the movie, but might consider doing so for the high praise it's received, I might recommend reading the book first. This is usually preferable.

I often travel. I think I'll write a bit about fun things I see abroad. I visited France not long ago, and saw there a poster for the Tom Cruise and... Cameron Diaz? Forget who the female lead was, but the film is called "Knight and Day". On the French poster it said "Night and Day". This baffled me. Why change the name? Did they think the French wouldn't understand the pun? A fair assumption, given the French people's limited grasp of English, but were I French, I would feel insulted by this. BUT WHY CHANGE IT?

Well, I'm out of ideas for now. 

First!

Oh man, I have a blog. Never tried this before. Let's see how it goes, shall we?