It's 2012, but where did my 2011 go...

I guess I should wrap up the 2011 year and talk about my 2012. Well, first of all I really did not write a lot of stories and poetry in 2011 which was a shame. I shall hopefully do more this year. But I did manage to read quite a few book. I think I read more this year than last year. I will probably focus more on writing this year rather than reading. A balance is very necessary, for me to be inspired by great writing and try to emulate and create with my own writing. I have no more qualms about borrowing ideas and structuring techniques from the greats because that is the only way to build art and create better work.

Second is on my work, and hopefully I graduate or am close to graduation by the end of the year. Also, I hope to finish writing a journal paper by mid year. My supervisor has pretty much given me the nod to do the work and write up of the paper. Hopefully this is pretty straightforward. I have been stuck enough on the last thing, hopefully the next phase goes more smoothly.

Think I'd probably drop my music; guitar and piano. I cannot juggle so many things at the same time. So those are the things that have to do. Also, I'll be starting French classes in February, so that takes time also. It want to immerse myself in this learning and also read lots of French things. I really like the sounds of the language, and the food. So yeah, it will be a very French year, and hopefully the years to follow.

Last but not least, (well, actually it's probably the most important thing) is that I'm now in a relationship and very much in love. Her pseudonym will be Grocery. Don't ask why, she probably hates that name but I like it, so I'm sticking with that. Grocery's a beautiful and wonderful person and I really hope it works out. Would love to spend more time with her and go on holidays. I guess my wish for the new year is more of everything: books, writing, art, love, Grocery.... 2012, be good to me.

Steve Jobs

by Walter Isaacson

This was a book that I really wanted to read and just completed it during my trip to Beijing and Harbin, China. It is the autobiography on Steve Jobs, the creator of Apple and Pixar Studios. It is a wonderful book on the creative genius and his process, his temperament, relationships and life. Before I never understood all the hype about Apple products but after reading this book I have a better appreciation for the philosophy behind Apple products and where they sit within the technosphere. Steve Jobs is a truly enigmatic and unique individual and one could just wonder what wonderful things he would have come up with if he was still alive. Isaacson does Jobs justice with a comprehensive and detailed account of his life's achievements, events and tribulations. A wonderful read; an inspiring and insightful book.

Rage of Angels

by Sidney Sheldon

I started reading this book 2 days ago and finished this morning. I must say Sheldon books always read like soap dramas, and they are really easy to read and finish. It was 500 pages but they are such quick books. Feels a bit like junk food, in the sense that you just keep munching and munching away and when you finish you still end up with a slightly empty feeling like you didn't eat much at all. The content doesn't feel all that feeling, but that doesn't mean that the ride wasn't entertaining.

This book is about Jessica Parker, a lawyer and she gets intertwined with the lives of Michael Moretti, a Mafioso and a Adam Warner, an aspiring lawyer and politician. Their lives become complicated when Jessica Parker struggles to hold her ideals while dealing with the reality of the real world.

Actually, I was 200 pages in when I asked myself whether I read this story before. Sheldon's story set ups are quite similar for most of his books and it read very much like other stories I have read from him. But about midpoint, I realised that no, I have never read this story. The pacing of the story is decent and character development is mainly focused on Jessica while less focus is given to the other characters. This isn't a criticism of character development, just an observation. As a whole, it just felt like a run-of-the-mill Sheldon story of a heroine's initial struggle, rise to power and eventual falling back in to reality. Nothing more and nothing less.