gdp's Comments

Mark Reads : Mark Reads 'Trickster's Choice': Prologue / Chapter 1

Tue, 5 Nov 2013 18:46:33 +0000

I am obsessed with the audio versions of these books. I listen to them while doing data entry at work.

Mark Reads : Mark Reads 'Trickster's Choice': Prologue / Chapter 1

Tue, 5 Nov 2013 18:37:53 +0000

Gung jnf pbzcyrgryl zl nffhzcgvba gur irel svefg gvzr V ernq gur obbxf! V jnf guevyyrq, gubhtu, jura vg qnjarq ba zr gung vg jnf bar bs gur Onyvgnat tveyf. (Bs pbhefr, V vagvnyyl obhtug vagb gur vqrn gung vg jnf Fnenv, abg Qbir). And since I'm replying to you, anyway. These are my very favorite Tortall books, and I love Aly fiercely. Thank you!

Mark Reads : Mark Reads 'Lady Knight': Epilogue / Prediction Wrap-Up

Fri, 1 Nov 2013 15:01:01 +0000

She is my absolute favorite of all the Tortall heroines. You are not alone!

Mark Reads : Mark Reads 'Lady Knight': Epilogue / Prediction Wrap-Up

Fri, 1 Nov 2013 14:55:32 +0000

TRICKSTER'S CHOICE! Gurfr ner zl snibevgr, snibevgr Gnzben Cvrepr obbxf. Gurl ner nyfb ceboyrzngvp. V xabj guvf, naq V xabj gung gurfr obbxf pna or hacbchyne. Bs pbhefr V jnag Znex gb ybir guvf obbxf naq Nyl (NYL!) nf zhpu nf V qb, ohg V npprcg gung ur znl be znl abg srry gung jnl. V'z ernyyl ybbxvat sbejneq gb uvf gubhtugf ba gurfr obbxf, naq nz rkpvgrq gb qvfphff gurz va gur pbzzragf. V unir ab vagragvba bs qrsraqvat ceboyrzngvp zngrevny, be vafvfgvat gung crbcyr jub qvfyvxr gur obbxf sbe nal ernfba nf Jebat. V ubcr V svaq n srj bguref jub rawbl gur obbxf nf zhpu nf V qb, naq V ybbx sbejneq gb unir n ahnaprq pbairefngvba nobhg gung cnegf bs gur obbxf gung ner ceboyrzngvp. Whfg orpnhfr V ybir gurfr obbxf qbrfa'g zrna V qba'g frr gur vffhrf. Naljnl. Nyy guvf whfg gb fnl V NZ FB RKPVGRQ!

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'Friday Night Lights': S03E04 - Hello, Goodbye

Fri, 12 Jul 2013 20:09:52 +0000

I LOVE YOU, SMASH WILLIAMS.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'Friday Night Lights': S03E02 - Tami Knows Best

Mon, 8 Jul 2013 20:28:47 +0000

Yeah, basically MATT SARACEN FOREVER. I love the flirtation between him and Julie. I love Lorraine. Although it irks me that a replacement for Carlotta never appeared (because, seriously, THEY SHOULD SEND A REPLACEMENT) I'm interested enough in Matt's mom to want to see where this will lead.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'Friday Night Lights': S03E02 - Tami Knows Best

Mon, 8 Jul 2013 20:21:06 +0000

Ugh. People can be the worst.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'Friday Night Lights': S03E02 - Tami Knows Best

Mon, 8 Jul 2013 20:14:30 +0000

Watching Tim Riggins order rare squab (I actually ate squab for the first time this year as part of a tasting course on my honeymoon. It definitely was not rare, though) is almost too painful for me to watch. The second-hand embarrassment is overwhelming. I've never had a moment like this with food, but I have with clothing. I got a pair of cute floral flip-flops from a friend of mine in a clothing swap. They were Vera Bradley sandals, but I had no idea who that was or what that meant. I was living in New York City at the time, and knew nothing about fashion or style or designers. (Spoiler alert: I still don't). Even if I had an interest in such things, I was far too poor to be able to own any of them. I wore the sandals to a casual after-work event at one point, and was lured into a conversation about them. Even though it was immediately clear that I had no idea what they were, or why they were a talking point, the girls I was talking to wouldn't let it go, and thoroughly embarrassed me about the rest of my outfit (which was decidedly not name brand and many years out of date). They even went so far as to insinuate that I'd stolen the shoes, because obviously I could never afford to come by something that high-end honestly. It was AWFUL and I never wore the flip flops again after that.

Mark Reads : Mark Reads 'Page': Chapter 12

Mon, 8 Jul 2013 14:44:42 +0000

I have really, really curly hair (think Keri Russel in her Felicity days, and then some) and strangers--both men and women, to be fair--are ALWAYS TOUCHING IT WITHOUT PERMISSION. It is the most bizarre and uncomfortable feeling. I loathe it. Keep your hands to yourself!

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'Friday Night Lights': S03E01 - I Knew You When

Fri, 5 Jul 2013 14:03:18 +0000

I started watching ahead, so I've made some of these comments in ROT13 on previous reviews. I stopped mid-season 3 though, so hopefully I'll sync back up with Mark soon. I have issues with this season opener. Continuity in character development is a huge thing for me. I'm more forgiving about continuity in plot, but when you give me great characters (FNL does) and prove that you can develop them beautifully and organically (season one, you are perfect) then I kind of expect you to keep doing that. And I get upset when you drop the ball. The time jump itself isn't doesn't bother me. And I'm fine with where the Taylors and Smash are at (admittedly, I forgot that Smash's scholarship is academic, not athletic, but that's a plot point, not a character point, so I can easily dismiss it. Brian's character development at this point rings 100% true for me, though). My problems are these: SANTIAGO WHERE ARE YOU? When we discover that Lyla's living with Buddy, I expected the reveal to be that she was sleeping with Santiago, not Tim. Speaking of Lyla and Tim... HOW? WHEN? WHY? The chemistry and attraction has always been there, so that part makes sense. And it's fun to watch them together on the screen. But how does Lyla get there? Even if it was clear she wasn't going to stick with church BF, it seemed clear to me that she was at least going to stick with the church. Apparently not. Also, she was pretty clear and firm on her rejection of Tim last season. WHAT HAPPENED? Tyra and Landry. WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU BROKE UP? WHY? WOULD IT HAVE KILLED THE WRITERS TO PUT THIS BREAK UP ON THE SCREEN? I waited all of season 2 for them to get together, and then they do at the very end, and I never get to see any of the good stuff. You made me watch murdergate, but I don't get to watch their non-murder-filled consensual, seemingly adorable and happy relationship before it crumbles for no explained reason?! Did they just break up because Tyra's concerned about her social standing? If that's the case, it feels like a step backward for her? If it's not the reason, WHAT IS THE REASON? PLEASE, I AM NOT ASKING FOR THE MOON, HERE.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'Friday Night Lights': S03E01 - I Knew You When

Fri, 5 Jul 2013 13:49:33 +0000

I'm...kind of with you on all fronts.

Mark Reads : Mark Reads 'Page': Chapter 10

Tue, 2 Jul 2013 13:26:40 +0000

This is ROT regarding Mark's interpretation of a character. It includes comparisons to a character from a previous MR project. I'm cyphering because I don't want the influence Mark or new readers based on the comparison I'm making. Mark, I hope you come back and read some of the ROT when you're through this quartet, or else I hope you hold a Q&A session about these books, because I'd love to know your thoughts on this! V jbaqre ubj zhpu bs Znex'f urfvgngvba nobhg Jlyqba vf vasyhraprq ol uvf rkcrevrapr ernqvat Fancr? V xabj gur punenpgref ner irel qvssrerag, ohg V jbaqre vs Znex'f srne (frys-qrfpevorq) gb pbzzvg gb n fbyvq vagrecergngvba bs Jlyqba nf Tbbq be Onq sbe gur checbfrf bs gur aneengvir vf n erfhyg bs gur rzbgvbany ebyyre-pbnfgre gung vf gur frira obbx qrirybczrag naq zvaq-shpx gung vf Frirehf Fancr.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'Friday Night Lights': S02E12 - Who Do You Think You Are?

Wed, 26 Jun 2013 21:19:44 +0000

Hell yes.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'Pushing Daisies': S01E03 - The Fun in Funeral

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 19:13:59 +0000

I think even if herbal remedies are not technically drugs, or even if they're not effective, you're still giving someone something without their knowledge or will. You are robbing them of the ability to make a choice. And although the aunts are definitely depressed, I don't think they're in a place where they're no longer competent. I say it falls over the line into badness.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'The West Wing': S02E11 - The Leadership Breakfast

Fri, 21 Jun 2013 20:36:27 +0000

Oh Mark. Your description of struggling on minimum wage. Knowing I can put the phone bill off because they won't cut off my service right away, yes, I have made that decision many, many times. The first fight my now-husband and I ever had was early in our dating adventures when I had to tell him I could not afford our previously planned date, and that if he would like to come hang out on my couch I would love to see him, but otherwise could we please reschedule? (I did this with a few days advance notice). He was not working, and living off a large inheritance at the time, and did not understand how I couldn't afford to go out for dinner and a beer, even at a cheap dinner or someplace, and got REALLY ANGRY about it. I had to pull up my bank account online and show him that it was overdrawn and that I would literally be walking to work for the next few weeks because I could not afford to refill my metro card before he got it. I've been financially stable for years now, and my husband has since developed a more responsible, nuanced, and respectful attitude toward finances. But this feeling, this panic, this--oh god, do I feed myself or do I pay my rent? feeling.....it never goes away. The worst part was people always treated me like my poverty was my FAULT. Like I was just stupid or lazy. I was usually working 4 or 5 jobs at a time, busting my ass harder than anyone, thanks. UGH.

Mark Watches : Mark Watches 'Friday Night Lights': S02E10 - There Goes The Neighborhood

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 20:23:38 +0000

I have to say, I love Landry here, and I don't get the Nice Guy vibe. (Not sticking up for "Nice Guys," because that's gross). I interpreted this more as Landry sticking up for himself than pressuring Tyra. She is absolutely not at all obligated to date him for any reason, no matter what, ever. I love Tim staying with the Taylors! For some reason I thought this arc spanned a few episodes, but apparently not. I don't think Coach was really being an asshole, here. Of course, since we know all the facts, we know he's in the wrong. And yes, it would be nice if Tim got the chance to explain. But given the scene that Coach walked in on, and knowing how fiercely protective he is of his family, I don't think he overreacted. Tim is not his family; Julie is. He made a split decision in favor of his family. He's wrong, but I don't think he's mean or particularly shitty here. Yes, he's jumping to conclusions, and yes, that's unfair. But... I don't know. I don't judge him for it (even though my heart absolutely breaks for Tim in that scene). Znlor vg'f xabjvat gung Pbnpu bssref n shyy ncbybtl jura ur yrneaf gur gehgu?

Mark Reads : Mark Reads 'Page': Chapter 6

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 14:12:18 +0000

That sounds so frustrating. I don't have this issue with menstrual cups, but I've definitely had the same issues with other things, and there's nothing more infuriating than someone insisting that you just haven't tried hard enough or long enough, or that you just need to relax, or get over your mental block or WHATEVER. You know your body best. End of story.

Mark Reads : Mark Reads 'Page': Chapter 6

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 13:55:45 +0000

I love, love, love my menstrual cup. Never going back.

Mark Reads : Mark Reads 'Page': Chapter 6

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 13:47:59 +0000

It happened to me as an adult at work last year. I'm pretty sure I managed to figure it out, get a change of clothes, and carry on without anyone at the office noticing, but oh my god the humiliation was so amplified by all the horrible middle school flashbacks.

Mark Reads : Mark Reads 'Page': Chapter 6

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 13:45:27 +0000

Off topic here, but I had to comment because "I hate when my body does new things without telling me" is EXACTLY how I feel about being pregnant right now. (First pregnancy, child very much planned for and wanted, but HOLY FUCK do I loathe being pregnant).