'The Passage' | Justin Cronin

So I bought this book about 2 years ago, and have been meaning to read it since I got it, however life (and University) kinda got in the way and so I've only just gotten around to reading it really. And I loved it.
 
'The Passage' tells the story of a young girl called Amy Harper Bellafonte. In 2018, the military was experimenting with a virus they discovered, trying to create powerful super soldiers using death row inmates... and eventually 6 year old Amy. However, one night, an (inevitable really) catastrophe strikes - the 12 infected experiments escape, resulting in the fast and widespread infection of the US and the end of civilization as we know it. Eventually, what remains of humanity, struggling to survive in a world where to be out at night without the protection of light means certain death at the hands of the virals, must learn to fight if they want to survive for much longer.

Cronin has created an amazing epic tale. It's incredibly detailed and well thought out, making it believable and chilling. The characters are so well rounded and thought out, every aspect of their past thought out to decide how they would react to certain situations and what their motivations are. Cronin's narrative begins around 2012 then moves on slowly to 2018, and the events that lead up to the outbreak of the virus, before moving on decades into a fully realised and thought out future. The level of detail and planning that has gone into this is amazing.

The story itself starts off as your kind of standard end-of-the-world/virus outbreak story. But that just kind of occupies that first quarter of the book, and the rest of it focuses on the people in the future who have been born into this world of fear and darkness, who are trying to find a way to survive in this world as it slowly begins to crumble around them.

The main narrative is fairly linear and floats between different characters, which is nice as it gives an insight into the motivations and minds of a wide variety of characters. It also briefly segways several times into the past of the characters to reveal pertinent moments from their past, which either directly affect the main narrative or just reveal more about the person itself. It's also told in an interesting way, mostly from a 3rd person perspective following each important character, but occasionally punctuated by extracts from diaries and emails, adding to the sense of realism, as if someone was reading this and trying to discover what happened in a future beyond what occurs in the books.

I have to say, most of the story isn't quite what I was expecting when I read the blurb of the book, but it was probably actually better than I imagined once I started to read it. The book was gripping, particularly after the halfway point. I actually read half of the book last night, staying up late to finish it. Overall, an amazing book! I can't wait for the second one which I believe is due out in October!

The Dark Knight Rises review (spoiler free)

So, on Friday the Dark Knight Rises was released. The final film in a trilogy from Christopher Nolan re-imagining the origins of Batman and his rise to the hero of Gotham City, with all the troubles along the way. Batman Begins was a good film, enjoyable. The Dark Knight was amazing, with extra emphasis as a result of the death of Heath Ledger (who portrayed the Joker) shortly before the film was released. I went to see The Dark Knight Rises on Saturday morning, and I have no qualms in saying it is easily as amazing as The Dark Knight if not better. I'll do my best to stay away from any spoilers in the film over the course of this review, but will refer to stuff that happened in the previous films (don't hate me, they've been out for years, you've had PLENTY of time to watch em).

Okay, so for those unaware, a little background on the film. It's set 8 years after The Dark Knight, and following on from the end of that, Harvey Dent's descent into being Two-Face has still been hidden and he is still regarded as a hero. Batman is still regarded as a villian by most of Gotham and Bruce Wayne still mourns the death of Rachel Dawes. He soon encounters talented Cat burglar Selina Kyle and is instantly intrigued by her. Meanwhile, Gotham begins to be terrorized by a new threat in the form of a mysterious masked man known as Bane, who seems to pose a big threat to Gotham, and one that Bruce Wayne as Batman will have to face.

The film is great. It kinda seems to take awhile to get into the heart of the action, but it's good actually as it subtlely builds up plot and character points that become important later on in the story and slowly builds up the threat of Bane and leaves you wondering about the overall plan and scheme. I did feel that there wasn't as much Batman action in this film as in the previous films, but this didn't feel like a major negative thing and there was plenty of action and drama in the film already.

Bane as a villian was great. I know people who watched the leaked prologue and trailers etc. complained that they found it difficult to understand Bane, but in the finished film I wouldn't say that this was a problem at all, the filmmakers obviously tweaked the audio to make sure Tom Hardy would be understand through the mask. Bane was a good, intimidating villian with a clear master plan. Bane is known in the comic books for testing Batman physically and mentally, for being a great strategist and that does come across in the film. It was a very nice change from the Bane from Batman & Robin where he was a mindless goon anyway.

John Blake, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, was a nice addition to the cast as a Gotham Cop, being a main investigator and assistant-hero whilst Gary Oldman's Gordon settled into his commisionner role. He was very multi-faceted and a good hero character with some interesting twists later on in the film.

Anne Hathaway's Selina Kyle/Catwoman was fiesty and seductive and interesting, and found the suitable Catwoman balance between hero and villian that she sways between in the comics.

Overall, the film was really good. It had great music (once again) and the cast was superb with well-rounded characters, both the veterans of the series like Alfred and Gordon, who have clearly continued to develop and have changed between this film and the previous one, and new additions to the series like Blake and Catwoman. There are a multitude of twists and turns and gripping moments that kept me hooked throughout the film, although if you've heard some of the rumours about certain characters one or two of the twists might not be so surprising. The ending of the film was a satisfying conclusion to the series as a whole, wrapping up this trilogy as well giving a suggestion of hope for what will happen for Gotham next, even if there are no more films.

Overall, an excellent film. Go see it!

What I Learned from University, pt. 3 - The End

So, here it is. The final part in my little series contemplating and ranting about the various things I've learned during my time here at the University of York. I had thought about writing a few other entries in this little series, but 1) I'm too lazy and 2) I think that might be a little OTT. So I'll just put a bit about the stuff I thought about writing into this one (big-ish) entry.

One thing I learned at Uni is that I wish I'd gotten a little more involved. In societies and things. I mean sure, I went to a few society nights out and stuff and took part in Aerobics sometimes. I helped out a little and took part in RAG events. But I still don't think I got involved enough. Before I went to Uni and in my first weeks, I had all these plans to go to loads of different societies - things like zumba, photography, creative writing, join the Orchestra or a wind/ceilidh band - maybe take up a new language (like Japanese which I'm so eager to learn) or do something a bit different and exciting. But in the end, I didn't. Probably because I was too afraid to go on my own. If one of the people on my floor had said they were going to go I probably would've, but no one did and I chickened out. But looking back now, I really wish I had gone.

Another reason I didn't really get involved in societies too much though, is because I had a part-time job. Before I went to University, I was already working part-time in a pub back home in Newcastle, and through that I knew the manager (at the time) in a pub here in York, and so as soon as I learned I was definately going to York I asked her for a job and got one. So I had that from the beginning. During my 6th form I sometimes had issues balancing my job and my school work and responsibilities, and I was aware that I didn't want that to happen at Uni, so I was careful not to take on too much. Uni work took priority, and then my job, and so after that I was wary of getting too involved in societies that would consume too much of my time. Looking part, I could have gotten involved, and I do regret that I thought I couldn't handle it.

At the same time, not having too much societal commitment and having my job instead has been great. I mean, for starters, money at uni has gotten increasingly tight, and so my job has let me do little things like eat food and pay bills which is always a plus. But at the same time, I've made so many amazing friends through work and had so many amazing nights out and done great things and I don't regret a second of that. I love all the people I've worked with, and now that I'm finished there and moving back home I know I'm going to miss them all so much. We went out for my Leaving Do a few nights ago, and it was lovely. The perfect night just having fun with everyone and a great way to say goodbye without it being too sad - I'll admit I did cry at the end when I left but I was quite drunk and I blame everyone else for setting me off... ahem ;) But I am going to come back and visit them all a lot, and we've said they'll invite me to stuff and I can stay at one of theirs and there are plans for them to come visit me in Newcastle too.

I've also had loads of fun with my friends that hasn't been restricted by societal commitments. We've had loads of coffee hangouts and nights out and just chilling watching DVDs at one persons house or another. I've particularly had a good time just hanging out and messing around with my housemates, and one in particular who I've lived with for the last 2 years and we kinda lived together (in the same block but different floors) in first year. We've just had a great time and I'm gonna miss them all loads as well.

What else have I learned? I do not travel light, as my parents and housemates will all attest to. I bring a lot with my to uni and I bring as much as humanly possible back and forth with my during the holidays. Far more than I really need to, I'll admit, but I just can't seem to leave stuff behind anywhere - what if I need or want something in particular!? Yeah, I'm terrible at travelling light. Thank god for my parents and their willingness to drive me to and from uni at the beginning and end of every term.

My time management is generally quite rubbish, but if I put my mind to it I can get it under control.

I'm terrible at saving money. As soon as I have an excess of money I spend it on clothes/books/games/DVDs/useless crap. It's something I really need to improve upon. If I had done earlier then I might have actually been able to go on holiday in the last few years or just not worry so much about money.

The best hangover cures are lots of water and greasy food - preferably chips. Chips are a wonderful hangover food cure. Dunno what it is, but greasy food like that always works to cure a hangover. Water is the best thing (and a paracetamol) for hangovers, as you're often mostly dehydrated. A shower works wonders too, and just getting out and getting on with the day and getting some fresh air. Wotsits are also amazing for making you feel better if you feel sick. Tried and tested student cure that I'll swear by to anyone.

I'm not as bad a cook as I think I am. Yes, I'm not great by any means, but I can actually cook edible things. A shock, I know.

I'm actually more religious than I thought I was. Well, to be fair, Uni hasn't really taught me this, it's more family stuff that has happened whilst I've been at uni that's made me realise this, but whatever. At the end of my first term, my great-grandmother died, and I loved her and was really sad, but at the same time, I didn't actually see her that often. But then, about 15 months or so ago, my Nan died. I loved her so much and saw her fairly frequently and she was always asking about me and everything. I was absolutely devastated and I still miss her so much. But I've realised since she's passed that I'm a bit more religious than I thought I was. I had my Holy Communion when I was about 8, and my family went to church in the lead up to that but haven't been since (not counting Christenings and funerals and such) and I never thought of myself as a religious person. I'm not even really sure what my religious views are. Technically I'm a Roman Catholic, but I don't really believe in everything about Catholicism or follow all it's teachings. But I've realised that I do think there is a God or something up 'there', or at least I hope I do. I saw another family on a street near to mine preparing for a funeral this afternoon which reminded me of this, and I subconsciously crossed myself as we went past. I'm not very religious, but I think I do think there is some kind of God and I find myself comforted by praying when I'm upset or worried. I pray that he looks after my Nan and Grandad and other relatives in heaven. I still miss my Nan terribly and wish she was still here to see me graduate, but I know she would be proud of me.

To appreciate my parents. I've always loved them and got on with them, but strangely being away at University has made us closer. I feel I can talk to my parents about anything now really, and we're a lot closer. We've emailed each other every week I'm away at Uni, but they still frequently text me during the week as well, and we have a good laugh whenever I'm home as well. I still text my mum for advice with cooking, house stuff and just general advice. I dunno what I'd do without her. I love my parents, and I appreciate them all the more now for everything they have done for me in the past and continue to do for me.

I'm pretty sure that I've learned a lot more at University than the stuff listed here. University has taught me so much about myself and the world, and I've loved every second of it. I'm going to cherish all my memories of my time here. I know I've made so many lifelong friends (or good friends at least - I hope they're lifelong ones!). As I graduate tomorrow, I'm reminded of the following Baz Luhrmann song, and I'll end this with that song.

FFVII PC Re-release announcement

So, if you like gaming at all, you've probably heard of a little game called Final Fantasy VII. You have? Told you. If you haven't... I honestly have no words.

FFVII was released by Squaresoft (now known as Square-Enix) way back in 1997 on the PS1, and was shortly afterwards ported to the PC. FFVII is a huge, fanboy game. There are people who rave about how it's the "BEST GAME EVAR" and go on and on and on in angry rants at anyone who dares to say anything slightly derogatory about any aspect of the game. It was huge. It's probably one of the reasons Square's Final Fantasy series is as big as it is. It even has it own mini-series of games  and a movie (the Compilation of FFVII as it's referred to). And today, Square has finally announced it's releasing it again.

But not in the way most fans thought/wanted.

It's re-releasing for the PC via their online store. The game has exactly the same graphics, gameplay etc. as it did in 1997. The only difference with this re-release is that the software's been slightly modified so that it'll run smoother on modern computers. It also will contain a variety of new bonus online features. It will have 36 'achievements' to be unlocked that you can compare with your friends, have a Cloud save feature (I'm already dreading all the puns that will arise, since the main character in the game is also called Cloud... >.>) and a 'Character Booster' feature, where you'll be able to "increase the HP, MP and Gil levels to their maximum, all with the simple click of a button, leaving you to enjoy your adventure" (source: http://finalfantasyviipc.com/en). This last feature is obviously to reduce the difficulty for novices of the series, but Square has been quite vague about how this feature will work. Will it increase the permanent HP etc. levels, or just fully heal your party? And what exactly will this cost? Will it be an in-game cost or will you have to spend your own, actual hard-earned pennies to do so? (the latter seems more likely to me)

While this kind of simple PC re-release has been hinted at before, it's kind of surprising that this is what SE decided to do with their 'flagship'  game of sorts, and yet, not surprising at all (give me a minute here, I'll get round to that).

On the one hand, it's kind of surprising. For years, fanboys of FFVII have been crying out for a remake of the game with HD graphics, kind of like the ones the PS3 tech demo (just search YouTube, you'll find it) or any other modern game. And a lot of people in the gaming community suspect/know that Square have probably been working on such a remake for a few years already. Square know the fans want an actual HD remake, so just re-releasing the old game is a slight surprise. I thought if they were going to re-release FFVII at all, it would be the HD remake, and it suggests to me that if they holding back on said remake, it'll be a while before they do release it. I mean, why release the old version of the game, just to release the remake within a couple of years or something?

But at the same time, I'm not surprised at all. For as long as fans have cried out for a remake, I've always said Square won't do it. At least, not yet. Square know that if they do make and release a HD remake of the game with modern graphics etc., then all the FFVII fanboys will buy it and they'll make loads of money. It's the ace up Square's sleeve essentially. If they release, they'll make loads of money and be set. So why release it when the company is still doing well financially and making games that are selling millions of copies? Square will probably only release a remake of the game when they're a bit financially hard up, when their games aren't selling quite as well. If they released a remake before then, then they could be screwed if they suddenly do rubbish financially. So in that sense, a re-release of the old game makes more sense, as it might appease the fanboys for a while, especially with these added features. And it'll help test the water for how many are still interested. As well as introduce newer fans of the series to this huge game in the series, younger ones who may have only gotten into Final Fantasy more recently with Final Fantasy XIII, or even Final Fantasy X, helping to widen the fanbase potentially for when they do release the HD remake.

An HD remake is inevitable I think, but who knows when it will be released. It could feasibly be in the next couple of years, but it might not be for 5 or 10 or 15 years yet. Who knows. I'll admit I'd like to see a remake and I probably would buy it (as long as I had whatever console it will be on), but I don't think it's a necessity. Every day on the internet I see fanboys demanding a remake. That's just stupid. I don't see a reason why FFVII needs to be remade any more than the other gems in the series, such as VI, VIII and IX. People talk about VII as if it's the best game ever and it's not. It's a good game, don't get me wrong, but it's by no means perfect or superior. On the one hand I'd love to see all of the aforementioned games remade, but at the same time a remake would undoubtedly lose some of the charm of the original games, which a re-release like this one for VII will have.

So yeah, basically, I'm a bit split on what I think of the FFVII re-release. I think it's a good idea on the one hand, but at the same time I don't think I'll buy it. I still have it for my PS1 at home, so why get it on PC? I know lots of other fans will still have it for the PS's or PCs as well, and might not buy it. I think it'll depend on what other (if there are others, and there probably will be) online features are included in this re-release and what the nature of them are. Will they cost actual money for example, and if so how much? I can't help but wonder what Square is planning with this re-release and it's potential ties to a re-make of the game.

What I Learned From University, pt. 2 - The Degree

So, here's part 2 of my little contemplation about University and its affect on my life. I did mean to publish this a few days ago but I was at work at the weekend, so sue me. What does it matter anyway. Anyway, this time I'm going to be discussing the degree side of University. Riveting, I know. So, in case you don't know or didn't read part 1 of this little series (shame on you!) then I just completed a BA Hons degree in Archaeology at the University of York.

I loved my degree. I thought it was really interesting. I'll admit to being one of those people who came initially intending to do History, but I think it's important to state that I didn't apply to do History. I came with my mum on to an Open Day, with the intention of doing History. However, when we got to the talk we discovered that they were raising the entrance requirements to 3 As at A Level, which was a bit above my predicted ABB. So we went to talk to the Archaeology people. I can't remember what their entrance requirements were but I do know they were well within my reaches. So I decided to apply for Historical Archaeology. And I got on.

I ended up changing my degree to straight Archaeology during my first year, as I decided that I didn't want to focus primarily on medieval stuff etc. and I would rather do prehistoric stuff.

I remember thinking, when I went to those first few lectures and things, that there were some strange people on my course. Since I was now at University, I had expected that I would enter the lecture hall and it would be full of smartly dressed, really intellectual people. My mum had even convinced me to buy several smart tops etc. to wear to lectures and seminars. Some of them were dressed smartly. Most, however, were not. Some were even wearing an Indiana Jones type hat. Obviously.

That's another point. A lot of people said to me before I went, and have asked me since upon learning I've done Archaeology, if it's like Indiana Jones. I can say that it definately not. I do not wear the hat and carry a whip, fighting Nazis and running around the globe after sacred Arks. That's not real archaeology. Nor is it like Time Team either. While Time Team is closer to what we do than Indy, it's still not an accurate representation, and to be honest, after 3 years I'm getting sick of being asked about Time Team.

Most of the time was spent in lecture halls or seminar rooms, discussing the history behind Archaeology and old civilizations and cultures, or the theories behind it all. Over the three years, we did comparatively little compulsory field archaeology. We did one term of it in first year. That's it pretty much. We spent half of it doing buildings surveys, or pot washing etc. We only spent about 3 weeks actually excavating. We did get some more hands on experience in our second year, where we chose to do a module either studying artefacts, bones, buildings or other types of evidence. But again, that was it. It wasn't a lot. While Archaeology is about digging up the past, a lot of it is actually spent reading, researching and writing. Which I think was a surprise for some people.

I came into it with a limited background of Archaeology. In the summer prior to University I did two weeks of excavating at the Roman fort of Vindolanda on Hadrian's Wall in northern England. That was it. The rest of my background was History based. I was even surprised that some people I met on my course said they'd done lessons or courses at school on it, as I didn't realise that was possible.

But despite my limited background, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I can't even imagine doing History at University now instead of Archaeology. While Archaeology is similar to History, it is different in that it focuses on and uses the actual physical evidence a lot more, as well as primary historical texts. History on the other hand, just looks at what Archaeologists have discovered or the texts. To me now, History just seems limited. It doesn't use, examine, interpret or discover the evidence like Archaeology does, and so it seems to me to be lacking. Or so that's what I think, but then again I am a bit biased.

Academically, University is a huge step forward. Throughout school life, we were slowly built towards it. We had to write longer and longer essays, use more texts and had to work and read more independantly, preparing us for University and/or the real world. Despite this, I have to say I did feel a little underprepared for Uni. I didn't really know what to write and what not to write in lectures or seminars, or how to write an academic essay. I was also completely unprepared for the completely different marking system. I remember getting back my first essay in first term, and I got about a 54. I was devastated. At school I was used to getting marks in the 80s or 90s. It took me a while to realise that 54, for a first essay, was pretty good. It was a while before I got used to the fact that the grade boundaries as it were were lower. 50-59 = 2:2, 60-69 = 2:1, 70+ = 1st. After realising that, I suddenly didn't feel so bad.University was a huge step up from anything before, and made me re-evaluate a few things about the way I thought about my academic work.

People ask me what I'm planning to do with my degree now, and all I can say is 'I don't know'. Getting a job in today's climate is incredibly difficult, I've seen it and heard a lot about it. I'm incredibly realistic about it (I think anyway) and I know that I'm moving home to live my parents once again (which, while it's not the most exciting prospect and I would love to stay in York, money wise it's the right move as it'll be cheaper) and I will be working in the same pub back home I've been working in for the last five years. I'll admit now it's not the most exciting prospect, but it makes sense. It should allow me to start saving some money up, and it should give me the chance to evaluate my life and my options and think about what I want to do now, or what I need to do. Knowing what you want to do in life is all well and good, but actually being able to achieve it is another matter entirely. It's not always possible. Yet whenever people ask me what I'm going to do next and I explain this, I always see this slight look of... disappointment almost or "oh... okay then...". I think when people ask what you're doing next, they expect you to roll off this huge speel of how you're going to do a Masters and a PhD or you're going straight into this internship which will lead to a high-powered job. I'd love to say I'm doing that, but that's just not me, not at the moment. After seeing that look of 'disappointment' when I say I'm moving back home, I automatically then go off on a speel about how I'm going to look into a career of Field Archaeology (Archaeology being my degree, just in case you didn't know) or find a job in Museum or something, or about how I'm considering doing a PGCE to become a History teacher. And yes, these are things I'm considering, but not for a while yet. Maybe one day.

(edit: Also, for all of you who were wondering: I got a 2:1 on my degree. I got the result 4 days ago and I'm still on cloud nine)