I read today about how a lawyer is preparing to challenge Scotland over tuition fees - that is, someone's finally taking a stand on the Scots getting free university places in Scotland and charging all other Brits up to nine thousand quid per year. Excellent! I've always said that the non-Scottish taxpayer shouldn't have to be paying for the Scots to attend university - why should they have any more right than the Welsh, Northern Irish or English to free university places, particularly when the money largely comes from Welsh, NIsh and English taxes? This irks me. *Scowls*
In the next paragraph of the same news story (on the BBC News page) was a tale of two (non-Scottish) students who are attempting to sue the government (I think) over the increase in tuition fees, on the grounds that they "discriminate against the poorer students and those from minority backgrounds." Um. WHAT?! It goes on to say in the next breath that the fees are paid back in installments after one graduates and is earning more than £21,000 per annum. This is an immediate contradiction to the students' claims. I've pointed out before that if one is paying back the money after one has graduated and is earning their own money, the ability to pay has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with how rich or poor one's parents are when they leave for university.
I will be the first to admit that I'd personally love for fees to be lower, but really, there is a big loan for the country to pay off and the money has to come from somewhere. Would YOU rather the NHS budget was slashed? Students who really want to go to university won't be put off by the rise in tuition fees, and if one has second thoughts about going because of the rise, it only suggests that they don't want to go for the right reasons, and as such ought not to be encouraged.
On a semi-related note, A-Level results came out a few days ago. I would use this blog to express my apathy over my results, but seeing as my school are violating section 7 of the Data Protection Act 1998 and withholding my results from me, I'll instead express apathy about not knowing them. Though really, the school are breaking the law and as such are to be frowned upon. Naughty bad school.
DFTBA
Sunday, 21 August 2011
Monday, 8 August 2011
*Insert Mozart's Clarinet Quintet in A Major here*
Two things I really want to write about today, one serious, one Sirius. Yes, that's a joke you'll get if you read this entire post, or if you are a bit of a geek like me and have already got it, in which case, well done, you ARE worth knowing. Be happy about this fact. :D
The serious issue I want to say a bit about is, of course, the current rioting in London. I would just like to take the opportunity to point out the irony and hypocrisy in that the way some people are protesting against the police allegedly fatally shooting a suspect is to retaliate by burning police cars, in addition to burning down buildings after looting them for expensive gadgetry et cetera and just causing pandemonium in general. I mean, really, guys, if you want to protest, surely the best way would be to draft an eloquently composed letter and send it to either the police, your local MP, David Cameron, the neighbours, your local supermarket, Miley Cyrus, the florists' down the road, your grandmother, the cast of Glee or the Queen? Alright, so maybe those suggestions weren't all entirely serious, but if you were to write to Glee they might even turn up in Tottenham and sing some twisted abominations of songs (didja get the reference there? Didja? I doubt it, but I get it so I'm happy) about burning stuff which could seriously help matters. :O
OK, I'll stop being stupid now. Basically, if you're reading this and you're one of those who's been burning stuff and pilfering plasma TVs from shops who can't defend themselves, shame on you. Arson and theft are NOT means of protesting, they're serious crimes which ought to be (and are) heavily punished, and there is no excuse for those behaviours. Also, people ARE being arrested, so you'd be horrendously ill-advised to partake in these activities. Don't do it. And if you do, I hope you get put in gaol for a very long time. :)
Now for the more Sirius matter. Yes, that's my way of saying that with the current hype around Pottermore (which I managed to get an early access account to while I was on holiday, again, thanks for humouring me, mum & dad - I know you're reading this :D) and my recent discovery of A Very Potter Musical and the Sequel (and no, I'm NOT a fangirl, and I'm not one for fangirling, however pretty some of the male cast-members may be) I'm in a rather Potter-y mood, so I thought I'd reopen the classic HP vs. Twilight argument (maybe not reopen, but at least stick a foot in the door, before slamming it shut.) Essentially, I'm going to look at the best arguments presented by either side of the great debate, and then explain why the Twihards are talking rubbish. :) (NOTE: contains spoilers. Actually, I don't know why I'm bothering with this warning, the seventh HP book HAS been out for four years and nineteen days.)
I'd just like to start by firstly pointing out that I actually don't hate the Twilight series itself, I think that some of the basic plots are essentially alright, and there are one or two great characters (team guy-who-almost-hit-Bella-with-a-truck, anyone?) I just find the majority of characters to be extremely weak, Meyer's writing style tends towards tedious and the airhead fangirls all deserve a good slap. Excellent, now I've got that over with, time for some comparisons.
The first argument which is commonly (and rightly) trotted out is to do with the characters of Cedric Diggory and Edward Cullen, obviously, as they're both played by the same actor. Comparing the characters, one's a loyal, honest and trustworthy character who was strong enough to represent his school in an extremely dangerous tournament, and survived it until being murdered by the darkest wizard on the planet. The other just kind of existed for a century until a girl came along, when he became obsessed with her and exerted all his energy into following her around. I think we all know which character's the strongest. Actually, on the subject of the actor, Robert Pattinson, I do believe he's been quoted as saying that he died in the only good film he's ever been in. Make of that what you will. Ha.
The other day, I heard of a Twihard who commented on how Cedric beat the character of Harry Potter in the second task of the Triwizard Tournament, and how this apparently makes Twilight better than HP. Can I just point out that this is stupid? Who tied for first place in the first task with Viktor Krum? Who returned to Hogwarts ALIVE after the third task? That's what I thought. *Smirk*
Well, I've compared male characters, so now for the main females in the series, Hermione Granger and Bella Swan. The best way of summing up this one would be to point out that when the love of Hermione's life left her, she continued to search for a way to bring down Voldemort. When the love of Bella's life left her, she curled up into the foetal position and cried for a few months, before throwing herself off a cliff so she could hallucinate her boyfriend's voice. I think that pretty much says it all. Oh, comparing the actresses, I've found a rather good picture, which summs up my point better than I could put it. Here it is. http://graphjam.memebase.com/2011/07/12/funny-graphs-in-kristens-defense-her-character-is-awfully-flat/
Yeah.
Another comparison one could make is between characters called Bella in both series. Bella(trix Lestrange) from HP would destroy Bella (Swan) any day of the week and just laugh about it. Problem, Twihards?
Another point that must be made is that the majority of Twilight fans who insist Harry Potter is rubbish have never read the books.
I would also like to point out that comparisons between fansites, so here are some examples. From http://averagewizard.com we have "Today my best Gryffindor friend and I (being a Slytherin) went to the go kart track at the beach. While waiting in line when we decided to put a spin on our go kart experience by dueling while riding the track. Being a gryffindork she warned me against using the unforgivables... So I pass her and yell, "FLIPPENDO!" and she swerves like she just got hit. OLAM" and on http://www.mylifeistwilight we have "Today, I realised my hair is bown jus like bellas! :D MLIT" (Am I the only one who headdesk-ed at the latter?)
Finally, I shall consider the overall morals of both stories. Some of the main themes in Harry Potter are love and courage, friendship and bravery, redemption, and ultimately the choice between what is right and what is easy. In addition to this, there are several Biblical allegories, the most notable being Harry sacrificing himself so that Voldemort couldn't kill anyone else, and then coming back to life (and by extension, Lily's sacrifice for Harry). Also, it's worth noting that a cross is carved on the tree under which Mad-Eye's eye is buried, and the roles of godparents in the series, which are a Catholic thing. As mentioned above, redemption is a major theme, most notably The Prince's Tale and Harry subsequently naming one of his children after Snape in the epilogue. In comparison, the message behind Twilight is "you must have a boyfriend or you will be unhappy." As A Very Potter Sequel's Snape would say, "That's b***s***." I'm single myself, and I'm perfectly happy with that fact. It's also worth pointing out that reading the Twilight books I didn't spot a single Biblical reference.
I think that's about all I have to say on the subject for the moment, the post's long enough as it is. If I find any more arguments from either side I think are noteworthy, I'll update the post.
Lowri out, bitches. (Another reference.)
The serious issue I want to say a bit about is, of course, the current rioting in London. I would just like to take the opportunity to point out the irony and hypocrisy in that the way some people are protesting against the police allegedly fatally shooting a suspect is to retaliate by burning police cars, in addition to burning down buildings after looting them for expensive gadgetry et cetera and just causing pandemonium in general. I mean, really, guys, if you want to protest, surely the best way would be to draft an eloquently composed letter and send it to either the police, your local MP, David Cameron, the neighbours, your local supermarket, Miley Cyrus, the florists' down the road, your grandmother, the cast of Glee or the Queen? Alright, so maybe those suggestions weren't all entirely serious, but if you were to write to Glee they might even turn up in Tottenham and sing some twisted abominations of songs (didja get the reference there? Didja? I doubt it, but I get it so I'm happy) about burning stuff which could seriously help matters. :O
OK, I'll stop being stupid now. Basically, if you're reading this and you're one of those who's been burning stuff and pilfering plasma TVs from shops who can't defend themselves, shame on you. Arson and theft are NOT means of protesting, they're serious crimes which ought to be (and are) heavily punished, and there is no excuse for those behaviours. Also, people ARE being arrested, so you'd be horrendously ill-advised to partake in these activities. Don't do it. And if you do, I hope you get put in gaol for a very long time. :)
Now for the more Sirius matter. Yes, that's my way of saying that with the current hype around Pottermore (which I managed to get an early access account to while I was on holiday, again, thanks for humouring me, mum & dad - I know you're reading this :D) and my recent discovery of A Very Potter Musical and the Sequel (and no, I'm NOT a fangirl, and I'm not one for fangirling, however pretty some of the male cast-members may be) I'm in a rather Potter-y mood, so I thought I'd reopen the classic HP vs. Twilight argument (maybe not reopen, but at least stick a foot in the door, before slamming it shut.) Essentially, I'm going to look at the best arguments presented by either side of the great debate, and then explain why the Twihards are talking rubbish. :) (NOTE: contains spoilers. Actually, I don't know why I'm bothering with this warning, the seventh HP book HAS been out for four years and nineteen days.)
I'd just like to start by firstly pointing out that I actually don't hate the Twilight series itself, I think that some of the basic plots are essentially alright, and there are one or two great characters (team guy-who-almost-hit-Bella-with-a-truck, anyone?) I just find the majority of characters to be extremely weak, Meyer's writing style tends towards tedious and the airhead fangirls all deserve a good slap. Excellent, now I've got that over with, time for some comparisons.
The first argument which is commonly (and rightly) trotted out is to do with the characters of Cedric Diggory and Edward Cullen, obviously, as they're both played by the same actor. Comparing the characters, one's a loyal, honest and trustworthy character who was strong enough to represent his school in an extremely dangerous tournament, and survived it until being murdered by the darkest wizard on the planet. The other just kind of existed for a century until a girl came along, when he became obsessed with her and exerted all his energy into following her around. I think we all know which character's the strongest. Actually, on the subject of the actor, Robert Pattinson, I do believe he's been quoted as saying that he died in the only good film he's ever been in. Make of that what you will. Ha.
The other day, I heard of a Twihard who commented on how Cedric beat the character of Harry Potter in the second task of the Triwizard Tournament, and how this apparently makes Twilight better than HP. Can I just point out that this is stupid? Who tied for first place in the first task with Viktor Krum? Who returned to Hogwarts ALIVE after the third task? That's what I thought. *Smirk*
Well, I've compared male characters, so now for the main females in the series, Hermione Granger and Bella Swan. The best way of summing up this one would be to point out that when the love of Hermione's life left her, she continued to search for a way to bring down Voldemort. When the love of Bella's life left her, she curled up into the foetal position and cried for a few months, before throwing herself off a cliff so she could hallucinate her boyfriend's voice. I think that pretty much says it all. Oh, comparing the actresses, I've found a rather good picture, which summs up my point better than I could put it. Here it is. http://graphjam.memebase.com/2011/07/12/funny-graphs-in-kristens-defense-her-character-is-awfully-flat/
Yeah.
Another comparison one could make is between characters called Bella in both series. Bella(trix Lestrange) from HP would destroy Bella (Swan) any day of the week and just laugh about it. Problem, Twihards?
Another point that must be made is that the majority of Twilight fans who insist Harry Potter is rubbish have never read the books.
I would also like to point out that comparisons between fansites, so here are some examples. From http://averagewizard.com we have "Today my best Gryffindor friend and I (being a Slytherin) went to the go kart track at the beach. While waiting in line when we decided to put a spin on our go kart experience by dueling while riding the track. Being a gryffindork she warned me against using the unforgivables... So I pass her and yell, "FLIPPENDO!" and she swerves like she just got hit. OLAM" and on http://www.mylifeistwilight we have "Today, I realised my hair is bown jus like bellas! :D MLIT" (Am I the only one who headdesk-ed at the latter?)
Finally, I shall consider the overall morals of both stories. Some of the main themes in Harry Potter are love and courage, friendship and bravery, redemption, and ultimately the choice between what is right and what is easy. In addition to this, there are several Biblical allegories, the most notable being Harry sacrificing himself so that Voldemort couldn't kill anyone else, and then coming back to life (and by extension, Lily's sacrifice for Harry). Also, it's worth noting that a cross is carved on the tree under which Mad-Eye's eye is buried, and the roles of godparents in the series, which are a Catholic thing. As mentioned above, redemption is a major theme, most notably The Prince's Tale and Harry subsequently naming one of his children after Snape in the epilogue. In comparison, the message behind Twilight is "you must have a boyfriend or you will be unhappy." As A Very Potter Sequel's Snape would say, "That's b***s***." I'm single myself, and I'm perfectly happy with that fact. It's also worth pointing out that reading the Twilight books I didn't spot a single Biblical reference.
I think that's about all I have to say on the subject for the moment, the post's long enough as it is. If I find any more arguments from either side I think are noteworthy, I'll update the post.
Lowri out, bitches. (Another reference.)
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