Exchange

For those that don't know, or those that randomly stumble upon this blog: As of September 2010 I will be studying abroad for a year.  In Japan. (YAY!) I am still filling forms out and have been for about 2 1/2 weeks now.  The Japanese really like paperwork.  Lots of it.
 For the exchange, I believe this will turn into a 'follow me so I can let everyone know what's happening at the same time blog'.  The continuation of definitions? They'll probably take on a more Asian feel.
As of right now I have only three more forms to fill out.  Three research essays, two tests, an online assignment, six quizzes, two chapter tests, four finals and a summer job to go.  I wish I could just let my classes slide, but unfortunately I need to maintain an above 70% average.  Not that it's too difficult, just lots of work on top of school work.
Very glad I am not taking five classes.

In other news, my car, the Citation, aka The Molly Mobile, has been parked.  She still runs mostly but the time has come to leave her in place till pictures are taken and she's sold for junk parts, or to some poor high school student.

Other than that, I procrastinate finishing my procrastination.  So I should probably get back to my studying.


saponify (V)
1. to convert (a fat) into soap by treating with an alkali.

2. to decompose (any ester), forming the corresponding alcohol and acid or salt.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!

It is my friends twentieth birthday today.  So I am wishing her Happy Birthday 20 times.  In different forms.  this is 12/20.

NaNo 4

And no, the definitions have nothing to do with the story.  They just sound cool.

feretory (N)
1. a container for the relics of a saint; reliquary
2. an enclosure or area within a church where such a reliquary is kept
3. a portable bier or shrine

NaNo 3

Currish (ADJ)
1. of or pertaining to a cur
2. curlike; snarling, quarrelsome
3. contemptible; base

Cur (N)
1. a mongrel dog, especially a worthless or unfriendly one
2. a mean, cowardly person

(totally gonna be used as an insult somewhere. . .)
Enjoy.

NaNo 2

Vociferous (ADJ)
1. Crying out noisily; clamorous.
2. Characterized by or uttered with vociferation

can't rant, writing.

NaNo 1

Magnate (N)
1. A person of great influence, importance, or standing in a particular enterprise, field of business, etc.: an oil magnate
2. A person of eminence or distinction in any field: literary magnates
3. A member of the former upper house in either the Polish or Hungarian parliament.
Too busy writing to rant, tah!

NaNoWriMo

This month, I officiated my journey into insanity.

I began my first NaNoWriMo. National Novel Writing Month. The goal is to write an original novel of 50 000 words or about 175 pages. One is not allowed to use any prose they have written before. What does one receive if one wins? Absolutely nothing tangible, awesome no?

So far I only have general ideas for my plot. I have managed to get 10 000 words with the idea of a basic character, his name and general obstacles that lead to a final end. Luckily, I have had the universe in my head for a while now, it is the same universe I have been using for another long story that I have been working on. However, since I have things written for it I was not allowed to use it. So I opted to write the story of the previous generation. All I have/had to work with was the idea of a character who in the main story was very much a side character and a moody old man. In 10 000 words, I have learned all sorts about that man and his childhood, even named his father.

And for the fun of it, an excerpt:
"

Distantly he heard the first bell sound. It was always the deepest, the distance and the damp air changing the sound. Soon the old high pitched bell by the old pier would sound and his father would be expecting him at his office. Remembering his duties he bolted out of the bed and began to scrounge for a clean tunic and overcoat. Successfully finding them he ran for the door. Unfortunately for him, the door was latched and he ran smack into it. Gently poking his nose he stood himself up and for the second time that hour shock his head and sent water flying across the room. Unlatching the door he bolted through and ran down the hallway and down the steps. He stopped briefly at the front door to tentatively open it and step out. Turning to the house he hollered at the cook and maid that he was gone and should be back with his father later. Twisting his body towards the street Meno bolted down and out the gate and ran down the winding road that lead to his fathers office at the castle.
The alley cats were out and were inspecting the days catches. Meno recognized the old tabby from the warehouse. It was the best micer in town and would often gloat to the others atop its perch on the warehouse wall. The other cats would come and watch her sit there and paw at the latest catch. Few cats were in that particular warehouse, she was matriarch to all the cats in the area, and this warehouse was her castle. The only other cat that reigned supreme was the owners house cat. A female calico with a brown booted legs and a black spot on her eye. She stood out and did not even need to mice for her food. If the neighbour forgot to feed her the tabby would offer mice. Today the tabby had a new resident requesting permission to stay at the warehouse. It came offering gifts of birds and mice from other areas of town. Reluctantly the tabby allowed him to enter and to take residence in the nooks and corners of the warehouse. With her performance over, the alley cats lefts to go about their daily business surviving and trying to claim more territory.
"

However as my story takes place in a fantasy world, most of my definitions are not useful, so here's one that might be.

andiron(N)
fire place log holder

Creative Vs. Formal

I have come to a conclusion. When writing formally or taking notes, I love to use the computer and type them out. When writing creatively I much prefer to hand write and then transcribe, proof read and edit simultaneously.

But where in the world is the line between formal and creative?

Well obviously notes and resumés are formal and stories, poetry, and prose are creative. But what about essays, cover letters, letters, and other small assignments such as 'informal responses'. Well essays, no matter how formal require a bit of creativity to create phrases and comparisons that will last with the reader. Cover letters themselves are very creative in that the whole point is to stand out from the rest. Letters in general depend upon their purpose and who they are sent to. And most assignments are more formal than creative. And yet I still prefer to write essays, cover letters, letters, and assignments. However I do much prefer to do pre-writing by hand. And I do not think I could 'pre-write' a blog and then transcribe. And one can argue that a blog is the truest form of prose.

Go figure.

unconceivable (ADJ)

1. not believable; incredible

syn. inconceivable
(It is actually a valid word)

Architecure

As previously mentioned (link) my Art history class is providing me with a plethora of definitions. Oddly enough for the first section, Indian Art, most of the definitions are in regards to architecture. Not only are these words necessary for my class, most of them would come in handy when describing actual factual buildings. Personally I think anyone who designs a building purely to be remembered is a sycophant. For example instead of saying "On top of the pillars there was a wonderfully sculpted phoenix," one could say "The pillar's capitol was a wonderfully sculpted phoenix." And if the receiving party doesn't understand you then you get to feel smart in explaining it. And what is a large vocabulary for if not to feel more intelligent?



Oh right, proper communication and the ability to clearly get ones point across.



Most of the words deal with arches and fences. A roundel, for instance, can be defined as "a decorative plate, panel, tablet, or the like, round in form". we learned about ones using scenes from the Buddha's life. Primarily for proslytization. Some depicted scenes included the buddha taming a mad elephant and the dream of Queen Maya. We saw roundels on fences of Buddhist Stuppa's (that's a definition for another day). We also talked about the columns, and the lintels which is "a horizontal architectural member supporting the weight above an opening, as a window or a door". Basically the horizontal bit above columns. Both the roundels and lintels were quite the spectacles.
What I found most interesting about this section was that most of this stuff was made out of red sandstone. Red sandstone is much redder than I thought, perhaps not vermilion but very close. What I have deduced about both the Buddhist and Hindu beliefs is that they are anything but anthropocentric. However Hinduism seems to be less autonomous for the lower classes. I would love to explain my professor, however to do so would be do be detracting. I would have to describe her as jejun and not very austere. And then i would have to abjure my statements.
Random thought: Do you ever wonder if there is large amount of comstockery going on in the universities?

challenge: (N)(V)
1. a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc.
2. something that by its nature or character serves as a call to battle, contest, special effort, etc.: Space exploration offers a challenge to humankind.
3. difficulty in a job or undertaking that is stimulating to one engaged in it.
–verb (used with object)
4. to summon to a contest of skill, strength, etc.
5. to take exception to; call in question: to challenge the wisdom of a procedure.
6. Archaic. to lay claim to.
7. to make or issue a challenge.

(I cut this down from 23 for you)

Here's your challenge: How many words that I have previously defined did I use in this rant?

Well, have fun I am off to play with something effulgent!

Soap Box Preacher

If you ever hear the word 'Evangelism' what comes to mind. Allow me to guess. What you don't want me to, to bad. Crazy man, over zealous charismatic Christians, weirdos on your door step? Likely at least one of the above. Sadly it's not true. Evangelism comes in all forms, and people often don't even realize they're being evangelized. This is a word that has become entirely made up of its connotation:

Evangelism (N)
Zealous preaching and dissemination of the gospel, as through missionary work.

even the dictionary seems biased. What is one to do? Suffer I suppose. All evangelism originally was was telling the world the Word of God. Alright, so I'll admit it has Christian origins, but it's Greek, not my fault.

However the real reason for this post is that my art history class has provided me with a plethora of new terms, not all new. So now I really have no excuse not to post. Well, we shall all see what happens. But here you are, not one but two new definitions (however synonymous).

proselytization (v)
1. Tto convert or attempt to convert as a proselyte; recruit
2. To induce someone to convert to one's own religious faith.
3. To induce someone to join one's own political party or to espouse one's doctrine.

Personally, I think this ones sounds more like crazy people on my door step.