Resolutions Update 2

Thanks to everyone for the positive comments and well wishes. I'm feeling somewhat better? I just need a bit of time to mope.

But it's the beginning of the month, so let's check up on how well I'm following my resolutions since last month.

Here we go...

Goal 1:

I enter the 4th week of the 100 push-up guide. I've learned a few things such as push-ups are really hard to do when you're tired. That's my excuse for the slow progress on this guide. Not going to blame my scrawny physique if possible.

Also, strange unintended side effect, the constant push-ups are slowly giving me a six-pack. I don't know if this is normal, or if I'm getting abs because I'm so thin and lack any fat but hey, I'm not complaining.

No I am not using one of these. (Bonus points to anyone who gets the reference).

Goal #2:

Well, we all know how well the Internship Program went. Meaning I'm still left hunting for a job of some sort, preferably something research or Psychology related because that's all I've done for the last 4 years. But I'll be honest, if it pays well, I'll do it.

Like I said at the beginning, one place that I really wanted a job yet currently doesn't have any positions but they're willing to keep in touch with me and answer any questions I have in the future. It's pretty nice of them, really hoping something opens up within the next few months.

Goal #3:

Instead of finishing up a certain project,  I actually ended up starting another one with my friend Jean. I'm not going to say much on it until we're done. But if this actually if this works I plan on maybe posting a video of it in action.

I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with Pat Hatt's catch phrase "Enjoy your winter, smash a printer", but I will hopefully be melting through a printer with ease.

Glorious.

Goal 4:

I did a book review of Pygmy by Chuck Palahniuk and I for those of you who read my review you'll know that I didn't care much for the book.

Also, that was supposed to be my January review. I'm still a bit behind on my February one so bear with me here. Depending on how closely you read things, D4 may have revealed the title of my next review.


BUT WAIT. This month I was given my first awards. A very big thank you to Vapid Vixen for The Charlie Sheen seal of Win. And then I was so very lucky to get awarded this:

Are you jealous? You should be.

Lord Phrozen describes this honor better than I can so hop on over to his blog to read the descriptions for everyone.

If you've given me an award and I haven't acknowledged it please leave a comment below. I love these things, validates my existence as a blogger.

Pygmy:This Book is Awkward

It's about time I got around to doing this book review. I mean I finished this thing back in January and look, almost the end of Febuary until I get around to talking about it. Better late than never I guess.

But yes, the book I'm going to be reviewing today is Pygmy by Chuck Palahniuk. You may recognize that name because he's the same guy who wrote the Fight Club.

I've never actually read Fight Club and I've only seen half the movie.

The book takes place in present time and follows the story of a boy from an unnamed totalitarian country which feels like a mash-up of the USSR, North Korea and Communist China. The boy has been trained as an elite spy and with his colleagues have been "adopted" by various families in an unknown small town in the United States.

Their goal is to perform an act of terrorism only referred to as "Operation Havoc" and kill as many people as possible.

Meanwhile, my readers are questioning my tastes in books.

The book is narrated by the boy who is called Agent 67 but later goes by the name Pygmy, a nickname given by his adoptive family. This is where the book for me was very painful to read. Imagine if a robot with a poor grasp of the English language and understanding of Western culture and objects was giving reports on his how his day was. That's what Pygmy feels like.

Pygmy often refers to himself as "Operative Me", goes into long and descriptive comments on even the most mundane of tasks and occurrences. He gives unique phrases for various thing for example, crying is "bleed eye water". The grammar and the syntax of all his sentences are like that. Short, concise and but colorful. He also describes his environment in the same way, able to identify specific chemicals and compounds simply based off what he smells or sees.

I wasn't even aware you could smell Viagra off someone's breath...

It's a contrast of two cultures. The decadent, materialistic and free USA compared to the strict, militaristic and controlled Unknown nation. I didn't really enjoy this aspect either, it's kind of cliched, and felt really forced to the point where it was cartoonish.

Oh and as with any of Palahniuk's books expect violence and sexual content, this book is not for children. Not that they'd be interested, I also found the text to be kind of dense. Probably just because of Pygmy's speaking quirk.

It's not a bad read, but it certainly wasn't my favorite book ever. I've actually had this book for years but stopped reading halfway. Now I remember why.

And I'll be honest, I only bought it because I heard good things about the author, and the cover looked hilarious.

Best weapon ever.

So that concludes my first book review, any comments or suggestions for things to do in the future? Or even other books to read. I generally prefer dark humor or satire.