Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand. For all one knows that demon is simply the same instinct that makes a baby squall for attention. And yet it is also true that one can write nothing readable unless one constantly struggles to efface one’s own personality. Good prose is like a windowpane.

I cannot say with certainty which of my motives are the strongest, but I know which of them deserve to be followed. And looking back through my work, I see that it is invariably where I lacked a political purpose that I wrote lifeless books and was betrayed into purple passages, sentences without meaning, decorative adjectives and humbug generally.

# George Orwell - Why I Write

I was helping my sister today with her Uni essay and read this passage from Orwell’s book ‘Why I Write’. It stuck with me all day and I felt like sharing it.

I watched “Paprika” last night, directed by Satoshi Kon. I was surprised to learn that it’s actually based on a novel that was adapted to a screenplay. I can’t quite picture it as a novel after watching that. I can, however, see why Satoshi directed this film, as it reminded me a lot of his “Paranoia Agent” series which he wrote and directed himself.

It’s a visually stunning piece, but I still think “Perfect Blue” and “Tokyo Godfathers” are his best work, but Paprika certainly is a joy to the senses both in visuals and sound. After the movie ended, I had to find the soundtrack on iTunes. It’s funky

Paprika: Don’t you think dreams and the Internet are similar? They are both areas where the repressed conscious mind vents.

I’m also currently reading “Welcome to the NHK“. It’s rather good. I ordered volumes 1 and 2 nearly 3 weeks ago and volume one arrived the day before yesterday. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the book, but I found it a weird coincidence that I finished writing my ‘Static’ short story, which is about a man suffering from agoraphobia, and the lead character in NHK is a recluse with similar tendencies. I should have ordered this earlier XD Would’ve been a good reference source.

Think I’ll go finish reading it in bed.

Slow day at work. You know, one of those days that numbs your brain till you find yourself drooling in front of a monitor, just waiting to go home? Yeah, that.

Been looking forward to today all week though, ‘cos I got to go out and finally watch “Cloverfield“. It. Was. Awesome! I loved every minute of it and thought the way it was filmed was utterly perfect. Even Nana said she was constantly on the edge of her seat. I was completely engrossed by it. I’m extremely glad we both got to watch it on the big screen before it stopped showing, as it is really a big screen kind of movie. Not sure how well it’d work on a TV.

We had some time to kill before the movie, so after a nice dinner we popped in to pick up some Mochi. I spied the delicious desert you see in the photo above and grabbed a pack for myself. I forgot what it was called, but it’s delicious and spongey Glad the pack has 3 of them!

Also got lucky enough to find a great sale on at HMV where I finally picked up my own copy of “Brick” and “Serenity“, each for £3. Bargain! In fact, it was such a bargain, I managed to convince Nana to pick up a copy of “Brick” too XD She hasn’t seen it before, so it’ll be an interesting watch for her to say the least.

Right, can’t go to bed just yet, I need to finish a synopsis I started. See you on the flip side!

Last night, I got to finally watch Sweeney Todd at the Cinema, accompanied by Rik, Wing and Marbles. The funny thing about Sweeney Todd, is that I’ve wanted to see it at the theatre for going on 6 years now. It was kind of a treat, being the huge Depp fan that I am, to get to see it with him playing the lead.

It was a great watch, the singing was interesting, but it was the story and the acting that grabbed us all the most. It was a very dark story with a bountiful helping of stylised gushing blood that warranted the movie an 18 age rating here in the UK. We felt it would’ve been fine as a 15 age rating.

Wing expressed an interest in the opening credits animation, which was very cool indeed. Lucky for you, there’s a YouTube clip of the whole intro sequence for your viewing pleasure

Last night I had got round to watching a movie I’d wanted to see a couple of years ago, but totally forgot about it. I didn’t really know what to expect from this movie as I’d forgotten most of the premise. I just knew that it was something I’d wanted to see.

It was called “The World’s Fastest Indian”, starring Anthony Hopkins. His performance was, as always, simply amazing. It’s a true story about the later years of a man named Burt Munro.

Burt Munro is a 67-year-old New Zealander who is obsessed with speed. He is a loner who lives in a bike shed on a vacant lot in a family neighborhood. He spends most of his time modifying his beloved 1920s Indian motorcycle, and occasionally racing it against modern opponents. The movie’s plot revolves primarily around Burt attempting to follow his dream of setting a new land speed record with his Indian at the Bonneville Salt Flats near Wendover, Utah.

The man spent 25 years trying to achieve his dream. I was in awe at his determination and moved by the story. I don’t want to say any more, because it would simply spoil it. I really recommend you watch this film at least once in your life.

On a downer note, right after I finished watching this, I heard Heath Ledger had died the same day.

If you just be safe about the choices you make, you don’t grow.

#Heath Ledger (April 4, 1979 – January 22, 2008)

Rest in Peace.