books

As many fans of children’s literature will know, Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” was released as a Netflix Original Series on Jan. 13—a Friday, fittingly.

a-series-of-unfortunate-events-poster — The Netflix original series “A Series of Unforunate Events” was released Jan. 13.

“A Series of Unfortunate Events” follows the story of the three Baudelaire children after their parents are killed in a fire that destroys their home. They are passed from relative to relative in search of a place they can call home while simultaneously trying to escape the clutches of the dubious Count Olaf, played by Neil Patrick Harris.
I read the series voraciously in grade school and was overjoyed when the film, which encapsulated the first three novels, was released in 2004. Despite the film not absolutely thrilling me, I was disappointed when no more films were announced, and I patiently waited 13 years. It was worth it.

Harris as Count Olaf is frightening yet extremely enjoyable (and that’s coming from someone who liked Jim Carrey’s performance in the film). And the children, Violet (Malina Weissman), Klaus (Louis Hynes), and Sunny (Presley Smith), are perfect for the roles. This run of the series seems to be a lot more racially diverse in casting as well, which is fantastic. Continue reading “‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ is far from unfortunate” →

Thoughts

Tolkien

November 13, 2014January 11, 2016 H.R. Gordon

If I say I want to be a Tolkien scholar, and you say, “What’s Tolkien?” Our friendship is over.

-HRG

Thoughts

What would you do if money were no object?

October 18, 2014January 11, 2016 H.R. Gordon

Alan Watts is an interesting man. I’ve been listening to his lectures on YouTube all day, and I just find him fascinating.

This particular video really resonated with me. It’s only about 5 minutes, so give it a watch. It’s called “If money were no object, what would you do?”

Watts, in many of his lectures, speaks to needing the discipline to acquire skill to be happy, not money. After watching, or listening rather, to this lecture, I’ve begun to think how often I put off writing or editing photos because “more important” things take precedence (like homework and the newspaper). But what I want most out of life is to write.

Sure, I mean be a journalist because I enjoy it, but I want to write books. I want to write poetry. I want to write short story collections. But my stipulation for that is that I want people to care, and that’s scary to think about. It’s completely out of my control. Whether or not people chose to give a damn about me or my stories is 100% their prerogative. I can only rely on what I know how to do, the skills that I am mastering and the ideas in my head.

But maybe the stars will align for me as they have for my heroes.

-HRG