Woohoo, halfway point!
Apr. 12th, 2006 11:17 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
castaliaI've reached approximately halfway and it's going so much faster now that I'm into the actual research and specific experiments. Those aren't hard to describe and critique so the rest shouldn't take much longer. I have something to send my supervisor and the rest will be finished after mother's visit. Several lovely people have helped me get access to articles I couldn't get and I love you all for it. *smooches ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
nzraya and cteare*
I ran into several classmates at the library today who were also working on their reviews. They were surprised and envious that I'd started the writing process at all, which relieved most of the stress I had about my progress. Most of the others are still reading, so I'm doing well in comparison. They also said they'd talked to the course director about the reviews and what the acceptable length was (5 to 10 thousand words is a big range) - the verdict was that they usually expected around 6,000 for it to be acceptable. Damn, that's much better than I'd thought. I'm still aiming for 7 or 8 thousand, though, which shouldn't be a problem to reach. Yay! Now I should be able to relax and enjoy myself when mum gets here tomorrow. I have so much to do! Should vaccuum, tidy the front garden, take out all the trash, etc.
Also have a haircut tomorrow, as the back is getting far too long. I fear the mullet.
In celebration of progress, I give you the gift of music. I checked my iTunes list of the 20 most played songs, took out the ones I'd already posted for you guys, and uploaded the others. I haven't had iTunes very long, so the list is mostly recent acquisitions and a reflection of my habit of listening to new songs over and over obsessively. Here you go:
1. Alice by Tom Waits - I love this song. Remember that Sports Night ep where Dan went through hell and back and did favors for everyone he knew just to get time off to see Tom Waits live? We all should emulate Dan. Tom Waits is love. "Alice" is rough and sexy and probably my favorite song of his.
2. Gravedigger by Dave Matthews (acoustic version) - I'm only a casual, sometime fan of DM and his band, but this song...oh, this song. Lyrical and creepy - especially when the "ring around the rosies" rhyme kicks in.
3. Gravenimage by Sonata Arctica - Ahh, power metal. My newest musical obsession, I think. Like most European metal bands, this Finnish group is heavily influenced by European classical music; this particular album was backed up by a full orchestra, something for which I am a total sucker.
4. Untitled 6 by Sigur Rós - Everyone's heard of these guys by now, right? If not, please download this one if you don't download anything else. Icelandic post-rock with classical and minimalist elements. Absolutely some of the most gorgeous music I've ever heard.
5. The Luckiest by Ben Folds - Ok, sappy as hell but it's just pretty. Folds has a lovely clear tone to his voice.
6. Our Truth by Lacuna Coil - Some of you might've gotten the impression by now that I really love this band. Maybe. Another new metal obsession, this time from Italy. Some really nice stuff coming from these guys.
7. Lullaby by Assemblage 23 - I think I got this song fromdaegaer, who is personally responsible for my foray into industrial and electronia music. Thanks :)
8. Crazy Faith by Alison Krauss & Union Station - I like Krauss the best when she's singing with this group. Crazy Faith has everything I like in folk music: a pretty melody, minimal twang, good lyrics and plenty of strings.
9. Perfect Day by Miriam Stockley - Light, clear, perfect.
10. Frontier Psychiatrist by The Avalanches - Catchy as hell and it makes me laugh.
11. Northern Cross by Cry Cry Cry - I've posted music from this group before, but you can never have too much.
12. Winter Born (This Sacrifice) by The Crüxshadows - Another song courtesy ofdaegaer, and my favorite of the bunch. If you couldn't tell, I really like this stuff.
13. Hurt by Johnny Cash - Got this one fromlauraspeak, I believe. Just passing on the wealth.
14. Red Dirt Girl by Emmylou Harris - Everyone should have at least one song from Emmylou. Sometimes she's a bit too twangy for me, but this is just lovely.
15. Eric's Song by Vienna Teng - Everyone should have some Vienna Teng, too, while they're at it. There's something about her way with lyrics that impresses me. The beautiful, clear voice doesn't hurt, either. It also pleases me that something like this (certainly not country music in nature) was recorded in Nashville, TN.
16. Gravity by A Perfect Circle - This band never disappoints me. I seem to have played this one a lot lately.
17. I'm Still Here by Tom Waits - Obviously at the top of my playlist, Tom Waits. This is heartbreakingly sad, yet hopeful.
18. The Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn by Alison Krauss & Union Station - As much as I like Krauss's voice, I like the lead singer for Union Station better. He's the guy you heard in O' Brother, Where Art Thou? as the lead for the Soggy Bottom Boys. The strings here and some of the minor chords may cause drooling. Bluegrass at its best.
19. Crazy in Love by Snow Patrol - Mmmm, Snow Patrol. A bit different than their usual fare, but I like it.
20. The Moth by Aimee Mann - Another singer you should definitely check out. Nice and simple, but lovely.
You're all tagged. So there. Let me know if any links run out.
nzraya and cteare*I ran into several classmates at the library today who were also working on their reviews. They were surprised and envious that I'd started the writing process at all, which relieved most of the stress I had about my progress. Most of the others are still reading, so I'm doing well in comparison. They also said they'd talked to the course director about the reviews and what the acceptable length was (5 to 10 thousand words is a big range) - the verdict was that they usually expected around 6,000 for it to be acceptable. Damn, that's much better than I'd thought. I'm still aiming for 7 or 8 thousand, though, which shouldn't be a problem to reach. Yay! Now I should be able to relax and enjoy myself when mum gets here tomorrow. I have so much to do! Should vaccuum, tidy the front garden, take out all the trash, etc.
Also have a haircut tomorrow, as the back is getting far too long. I fear the mullet.
In celebration of progress, I give you the gift of music. I checked my iTunes list of the 20 most played songs, took out the ones I'd already posted for you guys, and uploaded the others. I haven't had iTunes very long, so the list is mostly recent acquisitions and a reflection of my habit of listening to new songs over and over obsessively. Here you go:
1. Alice by Tom Waits - I love this song. Remember that Sports Night ep where Dan went through hell and back and did favors for everyone he knew just to get time off to see Tom Waits live? We all should emulate Dan. Tom Waits is love. "Alice" is rough and sexy and probably my favorite song of his.
2. Gravedigger by Dave Matthews (acoustic version) - I'm only a casual, sometime fan of DM and his band, but this song...oh, this song. Lyrical and creepy - especially when the "ring around the rosies" rhyme kicks in.
3. Gravenimage by Sonata Arctica - Ahh, power metal. My newest musical obsession, I think. Like most European metal bands, this Finnish group is heavily influenced by European classical music; this particular album was backed up by a full orchestra, something for which I am a total sucker.
4. Untitled 6 by Sigur Rós - Everyone's heard of these guys by now, right? If not, please download this one if you don't download anything else. Icelandic post-rock with classical and minimalist elements. Absolutely some of the most gorgeous music I've ever heard.
5. The Luckiest by Ben Folds - Ok, sappy as hell but it's just pretty. Folds has a lovely clear tone to his voice.
6. Our Truth by Lacuna Coil - Some of you might've gotten the impression by now that I really love this band. Maybe. Another new metal obsession, this time from Italy. Some really nice stuff coming from these guys.
7. Lullaby by Assemblage 23 - I think I got this song from
daegaer, who is personally responsible for my foray into industrial and electronia music. Thanks :)8. Crazy Faith by Alison Krauss & Union Station - I like Krauss the best when she's singing with this group. Crazy Faith has everything I like in folk music: a pretty melody, minimal twang, good lyrics and plenty of strings.
9. Perfect Day by Miriam Stockley - Light, clear, perfect.
10. Frontier Psychiatrist by The Avalanches - Catchy as hell and it makes me laugh.
11. Northern Cross by Cry Cry Cry - I've posted music from this group before, but you can never have too much.
12. Winter Born (This Sacrifice) by The Crüxshadows - Another song courtesy of
daegaer, and my favorite of the bunch. If you couldn't tell, I really like this stuff.13. Hurt by Johnny Cash - Got this one from
lauraspeak, I believe. Just passing on the wealth.14. Red Dirt Girl by Emmylou Harris - Everyone should have at least one song from Emmylou. Sometimes she's a bit too twangy for me, but this is just lovely.
15. Eric's Song by Vienna Teng - Everyone should have some Vienna Teng, too, while they're at it. There's something about her way with lyrics that impresses me. The beautiful, clear voice doesn't hurt, either. It also pleases me that something like this (certainly not country music in nature) was recorded in Nashville, TN.
16. Gravity by A Perfect Circle - This band never disappoints me. I seem to have played this one a lot lately.
17. I'm Still Here by Tom Waits - Obviously at the top of my playlist, Tom Waits. This is heartbreakingly sad, yet hopeful.
18. The Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn by Alison Krauss & Union Station - As much as I like Krauss's voice, I like the lead singer for Union Station better. He's the guy you heard in O' Brother, Where Art Thou? as the lead for the Soggy Bottom Boys. The strings here and some of the minor chords may cause drooling. Bluegrass at its best.
19. Crazy in Love by Snow Patrol - Mmmm, Snow Patrol. A bit different than their usual fare, but I like it.
20. The Moth by Aimee Mann - Another singer you should definitely check out. Nice and simple, but lovely.
You're all tagged. So there. Let me know if any links run out.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-13 02:13 am (UTC)It also pleases me that something like this (certainly not country music in nature) was recorded in Nashville, TN.
The guy who did the music for Lord of the Dance recorded a CD under the name "Shannon" that's kind of like Clannad in their more new agey-moments in Nashville. I was absolutely shocked when I saw the label.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-13 02:02 pm (UTC)Michael Flatley? Wow, that would shock me as well. They must be expanding the genres there.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-15 06:18 pm (UTC)Perhaps. I know there's always been a few people recording non-country things, but it does seem that lately there's more of that going on. Mostly pop, though, I think.
BTW, I am totally in love with "Red Dirt Girl." The others I got didn't really stick (surprising, huh?), but that one did in a big way.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-19 12:18 pm (UTC)Wow!
Date: 2006-04-13 02:51 pm (UTC)Re: Wow!
Date: 2006-04-19 12:19 pm (UTC)That is the cutest puppy in your icon.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-16 04:37 am (UTC)The Snow Patrol song frightens me a bit. I was just thinking of checking out more of their stuff, but... "Crazy in Love"?? I didn't enjoy it that much in its original Beyonce form. Hm.
I started to download the song from A Perfect Circle when I realized that I have it on its CD, Thirteenth Step, which also features "The Noose".
Also, ooh ooh, Aimee Mann. I have two other songs by her, "This Is How It Goes" and "Guys Like Me" if you would like them.
Of course, I just have eternal love for Lacuna Coil. Accordingly, I simply needed to note my Lacuna Coil pride.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-16 04:39 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-19 12:23 pm (UTC)The Snow Patrol song frightens me a bit. I was just thinking of checking out more of their stuff, but... "Crazy in Love"?? I didn't enjoy it that much in its original Beyonce form. Hm.
*dies* I had no idea it was a Beyonce song. That frightens me, too. Honestly, this is the only such song I've heard them do - almost everything else is completely different.
I started to download the song from A Perfect Circle when I realized that I have it on its CD, Thirteenth Step, which also features "The Noose".
Heh, whoops. That CD does have some great stuff on it.
Also, ooh ooh, Aimee Mann. I have two other songs by her, "This Is How It Goes" and "Guys Like Me" if you would like them.
Nifty! I don't have either of those, nor "Pavlov's Bells". I do have "One", "Save Me", and a live version of her singing "The Scientist" (which is prettier than the Coldplay version, IMO).
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-22 08:31 pm (UTC)Ripping "Pavlov's Bells" now.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-22 09:22 pm (UTC)...I think I'm over the fact that Snow Patrol covered a Beyonce song, so I might have to look into them further. Any recs?
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-27 02:07 pm (UTC)Let's see, Snow Patrol. My favorites of what I have are How to be Dead (http://download.yousendit.com/BC76646B162267E4), Chocolate (http://download.yousendit.com/7A8C082401420B5F), Somewhere, A Clock is Ticking (http://download.yousendit.com/9CE83C0118012CFA), Tiny Little Fractures (http://download.yousendit.com/DE7337F74C2B70E1), and Starfighter Pilot (http://download.yousendit.com/19299852710D0837).
(no subject)
Date: 2006-04-29 06:54 pm (UTC)Thanks again.