Gesundheit?
No, I didn't sneeze. That is a legendary Persian Queen.
Quick description:
Persian King marries a new girl everyday after killing yesterday's wife. He had some serious hurt feelings from his 1st wife. After killing 1,000 girls, enter Scheherazade stage right. Not wanting to die the next day, she tells her new husband, that Persian king with some serious trust issues, a story which takes all night. BUT when dawn breaks she stops in the middle of her story. The Persian King wants to know the ending, but she says it is a new day, and he must wait until the next night to hear the ending. She stays alive and finishes the story, and then starts a new one only to stop in the middle again.... King keeps her alive. After 1001 nights of this, the King realizes he has fallen in love with Scheherazade... He spares her life and makes her Queen.
YaY for happy endings!!
I heard of the story when I was spending some "Me" time at Barnes and Noble. I was looking in the biography section and came across a book about an America woman who became one of the many wives of a Middle Eastern Sheikh. This story was in her prologue. She ended the prologue asking the reader (and I'm paraphrasing) to understand that every writer feels like Scheherazade. Writing is their story telling, and the reader has the power to simply put the book down and "kill" the story or fall in love with the story and keep reading. She told the reader to take care in the story for it was the author's life in their hands.
I think that this Persian story is beautiful, and this biographer's use of it was brilliant. I have many friends who are amazing writers and could make a living with their skill. I see their talent now as something much more precious. I see stories and books in a new light. And, you know what? I think I am a better reader for it
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Films
The Goonies. Newsies. Rocky Horror Picture Show. Disney's Atlantis: the Lost Empire. Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The Lost Boys. Se7en.
What do all these movies have in common? Other than I have seen all of them and actually enjoyed them?
They are what people consider Cult Classic Movies. The movies that are "so bad that they are good" films.
I love them. I love the whole idea of liking them even though they bombed in general public appreciation. These films make me laugh, cry, and think.
I was recently watching Super 8, and what I noticed was it's similarities to the film The Goonies. Both of these films deal with kids caught up in extremely grown up situations whether it's aliens or convicts wishing to kill you. The kids of both films were smart alecks when it came to dealing with each other and their extreme situations. The difference of the films? Adults did not really understand or appreciate The Goonies. Whereas, Super 8 received critical acclaim and tons of awards.
Kinda cool. Similar movies made 20 years a part received such different receptions with the general public.
Go get a cult classic, whether its comedy, horror, or adventure. Sit down and appreciate it for what it is. A eccentric take on a non-mainstream idea.
Because really, who wants to be told what to like by another human being? Heaven for bid we make our own decision on what we like and enjoy.
Cheers
What do all these movies have in common? Other than I have seen all of them and actually enjoyed them?
They are what people consider Cult Classic Movies. The movies that are "so bad that they are good" films.
I love them. I love the whole idea of liking them even though they bombed in general public appreciation. These films make me laugh, cry, and think.
I was recently watching Super 8, and what I noticed was it's similarities to the film The Goonies. Both of these films deal with kids caught up in extremely grown up situations whether it's aliens or convicts wishing to kill you. The kids of both films were smart alecks when it came to dealing with each other and their extreme situations. The difference of the films? Adults did not really understand or appreciate The Goonies. Whereas, Super 8 received critical acclaim and tons of awards.
Kinda cool. Similar movies made 20 years a part received such different receptions with the general public.
Go get a cult classic, whether its comedy, horror, or adventure. Sit down and appreciate it for what it is. A eccentric take on a non-mainstream idea.
Because really, who wants to be told what to like by another human being? Heaven for bid we make our own decision on what we like and enjoy.
Cheers
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The irony of today
Sometimes I just want to be able to say exactly what is in my head- out loud-with no consequence.
The culture of today says that you can; but in reality, no one wants to know what you have to say. People want to hear exactly what THEY want you to think, not your stupid ideas or concerns. That's the greatest irony I have observed in the past few weeks.
Come on people! Be yourself! Be proud of the ideas that you have marinated in and let people know what you think. True, you may lose friends. You may also gain others that will make an impact with you in this crazy place.
Don't let the world's ideas and concerns dictate what you think.
Be brave!
Be strong!
Be yourself!
The culture of today says that you can; but in reality, no one wants to know what you have to say. People want to hear exactly what THEY want you to think, not your stupid ideas or concerns. That's the greatest irony I have observed in the past few weeks.
Come on people! Be yourself! Be proud of the ideas that you have marinated in and let people know what you think. True, you may lose friends. You may also gain others that will make an impact with you in this crazy place.
Don't let the world's ideas and concerns dictate what you think.
Be brave!
Be strong!
Be yourself!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Genre Proof
Music.
So enjoyed by many people from different economic backgrounds, religions, ethnicity, and so many other differences found in the human race. Have you ever met a person who didn't listen to some kind of music whether it be chant, rap, classical, bluegrass, jazz, or any other type of genre? I haven't. I think the greatest thing about music is its ability to make connections between 2 vastly different people.
My favorite thing about music though is the type of song that crosses all genres. These songs are usually performed by a highly trained artist or performer. The one group that stands in my mind right now would be "The Goat Rodeo Session" band. Get ready for some serious name dropping. The band is made up of Stuart Duncan who is a bluegrass fiddle player, Edgar Meyer who is an incredible bassist that plays mostly jazz, Chris Thile who plays mandolin like no other person I've ever seen, and Yo Yo Ma, who is an acclaimed classical cellist and quite possibly the best cellist in the world today.
These four men are breaking boundaries. This group has no genre. Their individual talent produces this sound that gives me chills. The skill level is like non I have ever seen.
Here's an example. Watch. Sit back and enjoy.
Do you see?! That pure enjoyment at simply playing music!
Oh, it makes me so happy to see such amazingly, talented people from different backgrounds and styles join together to create something so beautiful. Take a page out of their book, people. Branch out and meet someone completely different from you. You may have found someone who will create a beautiful moment in your fleeting life; and hopefully, you'll make a moment like that in theirs.
So enjoyed by many people from different economic backgrounds, religions, ethnicity, and so many other differences found in the human race. Have you ever met a person who didn't listen to some kind of music whether it be chant, rap, classical, bluegrass, jazz, or any other type of genre? I haven't. I think the greatest thing about music is its ability to make connections between 2 vastly different people.
My favorite thing about music though is the type of song that crosses all genres. These songs are usually performed by a highly trained artist or performer. The one group that stands in my mind right now would be "The Goat Rodeo Session" band. Get ready for some serious name dropping. The band is made up of Stuart Duncan who is a bluegrass fiddle player, Edgar Meyer who is an incredible bassist that plays mostly jazz, Chris Thile who plays mandolin like no other person I've ever seen, and Yo Yo Ma, who is an acclaimed classical cellist and quite possibly the best cellist in the world today.
These four men are breaking boundaries. This group has no genre. Their individual talent produces this sound that gives me chills. The skill level is like non I have ever seen.
Here's an example. Watch. Sit back and enjoy.
Do you see?! That pure enjoyment at simply playing music!
Oh, it makes me so happy to see such amazingly, talented people from different backgrounds and styles join together to create something so beautiful. Take a page out of their book, people. Branch out and meet someone completely different from you. You may have found someone who will create a beautiful moment in your fleeting life; and hopefully, you'll make a moment like that in theirs.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Thoughts from a Bookworm
I'm a bookworm. In fact, I'm what you would call a SERIAL bookworm.There are a few people who know what I'm talking about.
You read a book.
Put if away for several weeks or months.
Find it again.
Pick it up and start reading.
It's not a weird habit. It's entertainment. For instance, right now i'm re-reading The Historian by Kostova. I think I may have read 2 times and am now working on number 3. It's about vampires... and no they don't sparkle or happen to be love struck teenagers. This story is about the actual lore behind them. Vlad the Impaler otherwise known as Count Drakulya. Why write about Dracula? I think the author said it best. "Dracula is a metaphor for the evil that is so hard to undo in history." If you couldn't tell, I highly recommend it!
Anyway, back on point. re-reading books. I would consider it a huge compliment. To know that readers enjoy my writing so much that they feel the desire to read my writings over and over again. You may wonder why read it again when you've already read it. I can't tell you why. It is simply an enjoyment, a sense of familiarity with the characters and pages of these books. A sense of welcome back into a world of fantasy where all your problems and troubles melt away.
You can sit with a cup of tea and enter another world forgetting everything in yours and just read.
You read a book.
Put if away for several weeks or months.
Find it again.
Pick it up and start reading.
It's not a weird habit. It's entertainment. For instance, right now i'm re-reading The Historian by Kostova. I think I may have read 2 times and am now working on number 3. It's about vampires... and no they don't sparkle or happen to be love struck teenagers. This story is about the actual lore behind them. Vlad the Impaler otherwise known as Count Drakulya. Why write about Dracula? I think the author said it best. "Dracula is a metaphor for the evil that is so hard to undo in history." If you couldn't tell, I highly recommend it!
Anyway, back on point. re-reading books. I would consider it a huge compliment. To know that readers enjoy my writing so much that they feel the desire to read my writings over and over again. You may wonder why read it again when you've already read it. I can't tell you why. It is simply an enjoyment, a sense of familiarity with the characters and pages of these books. A sense of welcome back into a world of fantasy where all your problems and troubles melt away.
You can sit with a cup of tea and enter another world forgetting everything in yours and just read.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Age
Time goes by so quickly. I'm just now coming to that understanding.
Fact: It's been almost 5 years since I graduated High School.
Fact: It's been almost 1 year since I finished college.
What am I doing with my life?
In less than a month I'll be 23 years old. 23?!!? It blows my mind that I am almost in my mid-20s. I have a stable job, amazing family support, and the love of even more amazing friends. My hope is that this life that I am living now will have an impact on someone else. I think my parents would laugh and say, "Becca, dear. You're only 23. You have so much more life to live!" But, do I really? I've known to many people to go to bed and not live to see the end of the week. I've read too many news articles about people my age dying.
So, what am I doing today to make an impact on those around me? I guess that's the question. It's hard to answer.
Maybe the better question is, Am I making an impact at all?
Fact: It's been almost 5 years since I graduated High School.
Fact: It's been almost 1 year since I finished college.
What am I doing with my life?
In less than a month I'll be 23 years old. 23?!!? It blows my mind that I am almost in my mid-20s. I have a stable job, amazing family support, and the love of even more amazing friends. My hope is that this life that I am living now will have an impact on someone else. I think my parents would laugh and say, "Becca, dear. You're only 23. You have so much more life to live!" But, do I really? I've known to many people to go to bed and not live to see the end of the week. I've read too many news articles about people my age dying.
So, what am I doing today to make an impact on those around me? I guess that's the question. It's hard to answer.
Maybe the better question is, Am I making an impact at all?
Monday, January 9, 2012
A hard Truth about loss- for cliff
loss.
it's something that everyone feels at some point in their lives.
never nice or friendly. impacting life in both a negative and positive way.
about 4 months ago, i experienced an incredible loss.
my friend and someone i loved, died.
he got a gun and killed himself. no signs, no inkling. no hints to his feelings that he was considering this. to this day, i cannot comprehend that he is gone and in the ground. a place i can no longer hug him or hear him laugh or see him dance. it hurts. a lot. what else can i say?
angry? absolutely. confused? most definitely. never will i see him smile again.
he was an amazing person. at camp, i'd call him a diamond in the ruff. one of those people you see arrive at camp, and you think to yourself.... nah, won't make it through the summer. well, he made it through 3. i saw him grow and become a man that put others before himself. a man who loved unconditionally. he was beautiful from the inside out, and the world will never know him again.
i. will never know him again.
and it sucks.
it's something that everyone feels at some point in their lives.
never nice or friendly. impacting life in both a negative and positive way.
about 4 months ago, i experienced an incredible loss.
my friend and someone i loved, died.
he got a gun and killed himself. no signs, no inkling. no hints to his feelings that he was considering this. to this day, i cannot comprehend that he is gone and in the ground. a place i can no longer hug him or hear him laugh or see him dance. it hurts. a lot. what else can i say?
angry? absolutely. confused? most definitely. never will i see him smile again.
he was an amazing person. at camp, i'd call him a diamond in the ruff. one of those people you see arrive at camp, and you think to yourself.... nah, won't make it through the summer. well, he made it through 3. i saw him grow and become a man that put others before himself. a man who loved unconditionally. he was beautiful from the inside out, and the world will never know him again.
i. will never know him again.
and it sucks.
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