Down & Dirty

So, let me get this rollin then shall we? Through some other friends and by watching a few episodes with theatreg33k now I am addicted to "Last Airbender" I know I'm very late to this band wagon, but if you've seen anything else on this blog you know this is nothing new. I really enjoy the series, its hilarious, the characters are engaging. many of them are multifaceted beings with many thoughts and relate-able traits. I love Uncle Iroh with his depressing as hell son story and his ridiculous wisdom, I think I am Sokka as I may have my moments but they are never when I want them and as awesome as I tell other I am I feel I am in a world of people with greater abilities than me PLUS dude has the most tragic love life out of all of them in my opinion, and finally, FUCK YEAH ZUKO. 1. Rufio, no for reals, look it up and come back, I'll wait . . . . I know, right!? 2, dude is a badass with serious issues that give him depth, comedy, and great fight scenes, AND I agree with one of the Korean artists from the documentary that he has the most development out of ALL the characters, were currently at the end of book 2 and I cant wait to see where Zuko goes.

I am in Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, acting is hard and don't let anyone tell you different. But, luckily we all have a sense of humor, all sorts of Russian comedy, very dark and sarcastic. Although most of us yell "for Yakov" because we cut the character named Yakov and then many "in mother Russia . . ." jokes are spewed every night.

Finally, I am getting into Steampunk with a vengeance and I have read H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine" and Westerfeld's "Leviathan" which I would argue are a "deep roots" piece as well as a modern pillar of Steampunk literature.
The Time Machine was excellent, Well's is a great literary mind, everyone should put at least ONE of his books on their "read before I die" list. it was blessedly short and concise and now I know that story.
"Leviathan" utterly whelmed me. I liked it, it was a great read, it was fun, it was interesting and I was constantly fascinated by the different technology and the alternative history aspect. BUT, it did not change my life nor did I feel it had any soul shaking depth. I hope I am clear that I enjoyed the book and will most likely read the sequel Behemoth as I want to continue to follow the adventures of Alek & "Daryl" and that the book greatly helped to give me more perspective on what the culture of "steampunk" looks to for its influences and roots.

So far, in general, I can not point to any product of the culture that has a "great work." Many of its "ancient roots" like Wells & Verne don't count in my opinion but to be fair, I have not gone half as deep as I intend to. I still need to talk to some active people living the culture and I think my next reads will be from the gentlemen who actually began using the term.