This string of thoughts was inspired after reading a post about Harry Potter book burning and the resulting comments in Ryan’s blog. I didn’t want to respond in a comment myself since the initial conversation took place quite some time ago.*
Legalism is still a hot issue in the Church at the moment. I still have the misfortune to work for a Church-related office and I can’t tell you how often the subject rears its ugly head. I hate to burst the optimistic bubble of some, but it is still a very real and very present reality. If I interpreted it correctly, the discussion turned to the idea of a new brand of legalism, the liberal elite of Christianity calling down fire upon the fundamental Christian Right. As is the case in most incidences of prejudice (because after all, that is what we are essentially talking about here) there will eventually be a reversal of those criticizing pointed fingers. I agree with that sentiment whole-heartedly as it is evidenced all over the world; however, I cannot say that the traditionally fundamental and intolerant are not still vying for control over many of our Churches and in turn, over our futures. That is the ugly reality.
This new legalism can be viewed as the reversal of traditional prejudices, yes, but I tend to view it as a long overdue backlash with some teeth. To me, it's the difference of a group of people who are considered the "new oppressors" by some, and a group of people who have made a practice of confusing and confounding others by inserting doubt into their hearts of a different kind. Their brand of confusion and doubt appears to make a good person wonder if they are prejudicing the "right" things enough to buy their way into Heaven! The "new oppressors" are simply the "liberal" believers calling the first set of over-opinionated, habitually oppressive believers out on their bull. Sure that can eventually reveal a complete reversal of past relationships, but at this point, it is the unchurched people who have been so long (and are still) at the mercy of those wielding the use of mystifying scriptures and mostly personally invented logic to support their collective distrust in things they don't understand.
At one time, everyone agreed that the fundamentalist’s once long-held prejudices were inappropriate, but now, these types of people find things that confuse us and make us struggle with issues of little importance that have been cloaked in the guise of being Heaven or Hell issues—and for what purpose? Which is more evil then?
*This is clearly an ongoing discussion that hasn't been fully developed. There are obviously so many tributaries of thought to explore when discussing something like this, but I'm not writing a thesis here. These are just some thoughts, however emotionally charged, presented as they come to mind.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Fanfiction and Fan Art
I’ve been reading some Harry Potter fanfiction lately (yes, I’m that big of a nerd) and I’ve come to realize that while a story can be interesting and you can enjoy reading it—there is a huge and noticeable difference between writing a story and writing a story really well when it comes to fanfiction
An utterly, totally, 100% reliable resource called Urban Dictionary.com defines fanfiction as “a piece of fiction within a fandom utilizing characters and situations from a pre-existing work including (but not limited to) books, television programs, films, and comic strips.”
I would imagine that writing fanfiction is one of the most difficult yet completely self-gratifying genres one could attempt to write in. First of all, you’re writing about a fictitious world that already exists and that world, its characters and its creator already have fans of their own—the same fans that will most likely read your work. Those fans can be unbelievably grateful and positive yet others can quickly turn obsessive compulsive and nasty when the writer of a work of fanfiction fails to adhere to the rules of this preexisting universe. The tradeoff? You get to live out all your wildest imaginings about those preexisting characters and create the stories only you know.
After reading about three works of Harry Potter fanfiction, I am convinced of three things…
1. Most fans don’t know when or how to end a story even if they know how they want to end it (none were completed).
2. People love writing and reading about illicit sex between two unexpected characters. Take slash or het fanfiction for example: Harry/Ginny, Ron/Hermione, Harry/Snape and Hermione/Snape etc…
3. Lastly, it’s painfully easy to recreate central characters most fundamental idiosyncrasies in order to effectively create an alternate storyline that appeals to our general opinions on the nature of good and evil. That departure from personality could, in my opinion, be the Dementor’s Kiss of all fanfiction.
Out of the three works I read, the one that stood out as the best was titled “Forgotten” and attempts to take its readers to a future in the Harry Potter world most readers, and perhaps Rowling herself, would never have seen. Because of that bold sweeping move into what will most likely prove to be an alternate future, the story is able to stand alone as a separate work about characters we’ve already come to know. Also, the writer does what any good writer would do and draws from his/her own personal areas of expertise or interest to create an alternate fictitious universe.
Just in case the suspense is killing you, “Forgotten” finds Hermione several years post-Hogwarts and a few years after the great wizarding war we’ve all been lead to believe is inevitable. She has lost her two closest friends in the war and survived by escaping into the muggle society in which she was born and has become renowned in that world for her art restoration capabilities. In a very Nick Bantock-esque way, the writer throws us into her life just when she begins receiving mysterious and beautiful paintings of a clearly magical nature from a stranger. At the end of chapter three (the last chapter posted) the reader is beginning to realize who this very unexpected “stranger” might be and we wonder what role the stranger will play in her life: will this person deliver redemption or a final blow.
After reading some of this, I find that I innately want to marry the alternate worlds into the Harry Potter world that already exists. That could be dangerous as the series comes to a close… I might forget that Lily and James never got to see what became of their son, or that Harry and Snape never did have hot gay sex. :) You’ve been warned.
If you’re interested, I found these stories through Mugglenet.com
An utterly, totally, 100% reliable resource called Urban Dictionary.com defines fanfiction as “a piece of fiction within a fandom utilizing characters and situations from a pre-existing work including (but not limited to) books, television programs, films, and comic strips.”
I would imagine that writing fanfiction is one of the most difficult yet completely self-gratifying genres one could attempt to write in. First of all, you’re writing about a fictitious world that already exists and that world, its characters and its creator already have fans of their own—the same fans that will most likely read your work. Those fans can be unbelievably grateful and positive yet others can quickly turn obsessive compulsive and nasty when the writer of a work of fanfiction fails to adhere to the rules of this preexisting universe. The tradeoff? You get to live out all your wildest imaginings about those preexisting characters and create the stories only you know.
After reading about three works of Harry Potter fanfiction, I am convinced of three things…
1. Most fans don’t know when or how to end a story even if they know how they want to end it (none were completed).
2. People love writing and reading about illicit sex between two unexpected characters. Take slash or het fanfiction for example: Harry/Ginny, Ron/Hermione, Harry/Snape and Hermione/Snape etc…
3. Lastly, it’s painfully easy to recreate central characters most fundamental idiosyncrasies in order to effectively create an alternate storyline that appeals to our general opinions on the nature of good and evil. That departure from personality could, in my opinion, be the Dementor’s Kiss of all fanfiction.
Out of the three works I read, the one that stood out as the best was titled “Forgotten” and attempts to take its readers to a future in the Harry Potter world most readers, and perhaps Rowling herself, would never have seen. Because of that bold sweeping move into what will most likely prove to be an alternate future, the story is able to stand alone as a separate work about characters we’ve already come to know. Also, the writer does what any good writer would do and draws from his/her own personal areas of expertise or interest to create an alternate fictitious universe.Just in case the suspense is killing you, “Forgotten” finds Hermione several years post-Hogwarts and a few years after the great wizarding war we’ve all been lead to believe is inevitable. She has lost her two closest friends in the war and survived by escaping into the muggle society in which she was born and has become renowned in that world for her art restoration capabilities. In a very Nick Bantock-esque way, the writer throws us into her life just when she begins receiving mysterious and beautiful paintings of a clearly magical nature from a stranger. At the end of chapter three (the last chapter posted) the reader is beginning to realize who this very unexpected “stranger” might be and we wonder what role the stranger will play in her life: will this person deliver redemption or a final blow.
After reading some of this, I find that I innately want to marry the alternate worlds into the Harry Potter world that already exists. That could be dangerous as the series comes to a close… I might forget that Lily and James never got to see what became of their son, or that Harry and Snape never did have hot gay sex. :) You’ve been warned.
If you’re interested, I found these stories through Mugglenet.com
Pura Vida: Take II
I have spent the last week in a foreign country. After a record setting four flights in one day, we arrived on Ambergris Caye in San Pedro Town in Belize. Hello again Central America! The last overseas trip I took was to Costa Rica about five years ago—I have some kind of obsession with Central America apparently.
Belize is gorgeous and has all that you would hope/expect a country like that would have to offer—white sand beaches, barrier reefs, geographical oddities, jungles, rainforests, ruins, and under developed cities. If you plan carefully, you can get a little of everything in Belize.
I learned the life philosophy of “Pura Vida” while in Costa Rica and while it definitely made more sense there, it certainly isn’t out of place in Belize either. The phrase translates as “pure life” and in many ways; there is no better way to describe the very moment when you find yourself floating effortlessly a few feet above schools of sting rays, shark rays and overly friendly silver fish.
The realization of where you are and the simple rarity of what you’re witnessing compared to the harsh and mundane reality that is your everyday life is quite simply put, a moment thoroughly infused with “pura vida.” Everyone should experience a moment in which they feel completely alive AT LEAST once a year. That experience throws into sharp relief, the difference between wading through your life and opening your eyes to the entire world. I love trips like this.
Belize is gorgeous and has all that you would hope/expect a country like that would have to offer—white sand beaches, barrier reefs, geographical oddities, jungles, rainforests, ruins, and under developed cities. If you plan carefully, you can get a little of everything in Belize.
I learned the life philosophy of “Pura Vida” while in Costa Rica and while it definitely made more sense there, it certainly isn’t out of place in Belize either. The phrase translates as “pure life” and in many ways; there is no better way to describe the very moment when you find yourself floating effortlessly a few feet above schools of sting rays, shark rays and overly friendly silver fish.
The realization of where you are and the simple rarity of what you’re witnessing compared to the harsh and mundane reality that is your everyday life is quite simply put, a moment thoroughly infused with “pura vida.” Everyone should experience a moment in which they feel completely alive AT LEAST once a year. That experience throws into sharp relief, the difference between wading through your life and opening your eyes to the entire world. I love trips like this.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Ah Jeez, It’s Another Baby Post
Yes, it is, but this is dedicated to someone else. Last Friday, my older cousin, and his wife had their first child—a boy also. Being foreign, you tend to grow very close to extended family. My cousins are, and always have been, like brothers to me. We make fun of each other, we talk often, and we advise each other, often without solicitation. My point is that the birth of my big cousin’s baby boy is big news in my world. Moving on.
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This one’s for you Gav…
Gav, you were born on a Friday and five weeks before you were expected. You gave all of us quite a scare, to be honest. Your poor parents were so anxious about your early arrival, but alas, all turned out for the best and here you are, in our lives a few weeks ahead of schedule. Don’t make a habit of this though as you have been born into a family of late risers.
You are named after your Dad’s father and your Dad’s brother. Since you don’t know them yet, I’ll tell you a bit about them. Your uncle is generous, intelligent and tender-hearted. He is so pumped about you. One day, you’ll feel that way about him too. Your Granddad was the most brilliant, generous and brave person I’ve ever known. He went on to heaven two years ago, but I think he always imagined you, just the way you are. You are blessed to share a name with these two unique and wonderful men.
As for your birth… you were greeted by the anxious faces of your mom, dad, grandma C, and Auntie C. Yours was the first birth ever witnessed by any of them—way to help someone reach a milestone so early! Your dad taped the whole thing on the same camera your granddad used to tape all of our family Christmases for as long as I can remember. I can’t wait until this year and you get to star in your very first Christmas tape!
If you’re wondering about me, I’m your second cousin, Naomi. You will probably end up calling me Auntie Nomi, like my niece and nephew do, but you will always be special to me as my cousin, my blood. I’m thrilled about you and I think you look like a black haired version of your uncle Gav. That’s a compliment to be sure.
Welcome to the world B.G., we are so glad you’re here!
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This one’s for you Gav…
Gav, you were born on a Friday and five weeks before you were expected. You gave all of us quite a scare, to be honest. Your poor parents were so anxious about your early arrival, but alas, all turned out for the best and here you are, in our lives a few weeks ahead of schedule. Don’t make a habit of this though as you have been born into a family of late risers.
You are named after your Dad’s father and your Dad’s brother. Since you don’t know them yet, I’ll tell you a bit about them. Your uncle is generous, intelligent and tender-hearted. He is so pumped about you. One day, you’ll feel that way about him too. Your Granddad was the most brilliant, generous and brave person I’ve ever known. He went on to heaven two years ago, but I think he always imagined you, just the way you are. You are blessed to share a name with these two unique and wonderful men.
As for your birth… you were greeted by the anxious faces of your mom, dad, grandma C, and Auntie C. Yours was the first birth ever witnessed by any of them—way to help someone reach a milestone so early! Your dad taped the whole thing on the same camera your granddad used to tape all of our family Christmases for as long as I can remember. I can’t wait until this year and you get to star in your very first Christmas tape!
If you’re wondering about me, I’m your second cousin, Naomi. You will probably end up calling me Auntie Nomi, like my niece and nephew do, but you will always be special to me as my cousin, my blood. I’m thrilled about you and I think you look like a black haired version of your uncle Gav. That’s a compliment to be sure.
Welcome to the world B.G., we are so glad you’re here!
True Love
Yesterday had all the makings of being a really bad day. Before I left the house, I opened the mail to find five new medical bills. I also had my monthly doctor visit and on the way, I got a speeding ticket that no amount of hormone induced tears could eliminate. Yesterday was also the day my evil boss was to come back into town, and he always makes the office his first or second stop. A bad day, by most people’s standards, to be sure.
Then something amazing happened. Still whimpering by the time I arrived at the doctor’s office, I was actually starting to become frightened that I might never be able to stem the never-ending flow of irrational tears. I went into the exam room and my doctor arrived. He had me lie down, then put the Doppler (like a baby microphone) on my belly and started rolling it around. Suddenly, there was a very loud crackling sound and I looked at him, startled. He just smiled and said, “That’s just him moving around.” “Moving as usual.” was my first thought, but then out of all the crackling there appeared a faint, but distinct rapid heartbeat—my son’s. The doctor usually holds the Doppler still for a minute so the machine can count the beats per minute. As he rested the wand there, all my concerns sort of melted away and I realized that hearing his movements, his little heart, eradicated all the wrongs of the day. From the first time I heard his heart beating its own beat; it was love at first sound.
I’ve been in love before—and am still in love, but for the first time, I realize that I love someone, “sight unseen.” To be honest, I was unsure the feeling would come and was getting a bit scared about it. But now, there is no doubt—this is true love. It is love without expectation
Then something amazing happened. Still whimpering by the time I arrived at the doctor’s office, I was actually starting to become frightened that I might never be able to stem the never-ending flow of irrational tears. I went into the exam room and my doctor arrived. He had me lie down, then put the Doppler (like a baby microphone) on my belly and started rolling it around. Suddenly, there was a very loud crackling sound and I looked at him, startled. He just smiled and said, “That’s just him moving around.” “Moving as usual.” was my first thought, but then out of all the crackling there appeared a faint, but distinct rapid heartbeat—my son’s. The doctor usually holds the Doppler still for a minute so the machine can count the beats per minute. As he rested the wand there, all my concerns sort of melted away and I realized that hearing his movements, his little heart, eradicated all the wrongs of the day. From the first time I heard his heart beating its own beat; it was love at first sound.
I’ve been in love before—and am still in love, but for the first time, I realize that I love someone, “sight unseen.” To be honest, I was unsure the feeling would come and was getting a bit scared about it. But now, there is no doubt—this is true love. It is love without expectation
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Random Ramblings Regarding Residences and Frivolity
I don’t want to go anywhere. Am I weird? All I want to do is go home and lay on my couch. I want to flip channels, watch movies, play with my dogs, sleep and maybe make dinner later. Seriously, I only need about seven instances of major excitement in one year to make me happy. No thrill seeker dwells here.
Have I always been this way, or am I just more content now? I have no clue. Home seems to me, a perfect place to be. Lately, I’ve been daydreaming a lot about my new house. We move in towards the end of November. I can’t imagine my future in my current house anymore, everything that wanders past my mind’s eye takes place in a house I’ve only been in three times. Sometimes, in the morning, I wake up thinking about it too.
So at some point I became a total homebody. I think it happened before I got married too, which is what makes it so weird. Don’t get me wrong, I love going out; in fact, you could just as easily be reading a post about that. It’s just that I only need a very minimal amount of full-on going out to satisfy me. A perfect night out for me goes something like this: a long, laughter-filled dinner with Jason and other friends followed by a movie. The movie doesn’t even have to be very good, because that can occupy several hours of conversation too. Then go for coffee and sit outside while we have embarrassingly pseudo-intellectually philosophical discussions about the unknowable nature of life or some other nonsense. As you’ll notice, there were no night clubs listed there, no table dancing (although, I’ve done my fair share), no drunken debauchery (done my fair share of that too), just good company, and conversation. I’m boring.
Plus, I have a thing about the evening. Anything is better if it takes place in the evening. Don’t you agree? Coffee on the patio is much better without the sun, dancing spontaneously with someone who inspires you is much better by moonlight, and of course, there’s sleeping… ah sleeping.
Have I always been this way, or am I just more content now? I have no clue. Home seems to me, a perfect place to be. Lately, I’ve been daydreaming a lot about my new house. We move in towards the end of November. I can’t imagine my future in my current house anymore, everything that wanders past my mind’s eye takes place in a house I’ve only been in three times. Sometimes, in the morning, I wake up thinking about it too.
So at some point I became a total homebody. I think it happened before I got married too, which is what makes it so weird. Don’t get me wrong, I love going out; in fact, you could just as easily be reading a post about that. It’s just that I only need a very minimal amount of full-on going out to satisfy me. A perfect night out for me goes something like this: a long, laughter-filled dinner with Jason and other friends followed by a movie. The movie doesn’t even have to be very good, because that can occupy several hours of conversation too. Then go for coffee and sit outside while we have embarrassingly pseudo-intellectually philosophical discussions about the unknowable nature of life or some other nonsense. As you’ll notice, there were no night clubs listed there, no table dancing (although, I’ve done my fair share), no drunken debauchery (done my fair share of that too), just good company, and conversation. I’m boring.
Plus, I have a thing about the evening. Anything is better if it takes place in the evening. Don’t you agree? Coffee on the patio is much better without the sun, dancing spontaneously with someone who inspires you is much better by moonlight, and of course, there’s sleeping… ah sleeping.
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