Creator

This morning I woke up and I knew that it was going to be a good day. I climbed out of bed and peeked my head out the window, the smell of spring swept through my nostrils. Oh yes, this was a good day.

Creator.

Do you have stop and think about the fact that you were created? I am a creation, created by a God who is completely good, and perfect, and kind, and loving. The thought blows me away. Not only am I a creation, but I am uniquely different from anyone else on the planet, and I was made with a specific purpose.

Romanowski does a beautiful job of explaining these concepts. To be human is to be God's image bearer. Whoa. As Christians we should be creating the most magnificent pieces of art because we have this knowledge. Yet, many times it seems like we lack the ability to do so. Madeleine L'Engle says this, "We are human and humble and of the earth, and we cannot create until we acknowledge our createdness." We MUST acknowledge our createdness, our creator.

There is a lot of good out there in the wide wide world. Good maybe not because it is coined "christian", but good because everything that God created is good. We have to make an effort to see it.

blogging

Simply. This is what Eric always says nowadays since he has been back from India. Everything is just "simply". I know, it doesn't really make sense BUT I am simply an awful student when it comes to academic blogging. Enough said.

I'm not sure what everyone thinks of our current read in mass media class, but I am thoroughly enjoying it. The author makes me reminisce about the days when I was reading Madeline L'Engle's "Walking on Water". They both ask the serious question of where Christians should stand when it comes to the art world. Too often that question is disregarded or taken completely out of line.

So where should Christians stand? I believe that we have a responsibility that requires us to know what is going on in the media world. We need to cultivate a balanced, faith-informed criticism that allows us to properly determine what is right and wrong.

Not everything in the media world is evil. Many times Christians will only listen to or watch "christian" media. Personally, I have found that these supposedly "christian" media texts are cliche and lack depth. Maybe I am too critical, but I have had beautiful spiritual experiences with "nonchristian" media texts. Granted, we do need to be critical of what we are taking in, but we also need to realize that we are all the Lord's; we all have a purpose that is good.

Trekkies

Watching the movie about the "Trekkies" in class the other day was very interesting to me. Instead of seeing these people as weird, I saw them as drawing on each others creative sides. Yes, to most people dressing up in Star Trek outfits, redesigning rooms to look like the set of Star Trek, and turning a dentist office into a "Trekkie heaven" is awfully strange. But, what if they didn't have those outlets?

We all have interest and we seek out others who have the same interests as ourselves. When you begin a relationship with someone, you usually have some things in common. A community like the "Trekkie" community allows people to be themselves, with no one judging them for their interests. They have a certain language that they use with signs and symbols that many don't understand. Most of the world would look at them and think they are bizarre, but not among themselves. They are who they are, and a community allows them to draw on that.

fandom

My gracious, it seems like I have not posted anything for ages. Hello.

Before I officially begin my post I just wanted to say that Eric is home from India! I have no motivation to do homework now (which is wrong, I know), but life is so good.

Fandom. What does it mean to be a "normal" fan and an "obsessive" fan? When I think about this question I think about the different types of families. Every family is different and with that comes different standards, beliefs, and family dynamics. Fandom is along those same lines. Depending on what culture you are in, normal fandom may mean different things. A child who really likes Miley Cyrus or other characters like that, and wants all of things associated with those characters, usually isn't looked down upon by others. Most of the time parents give in to those desires, maybe even fueling unhealthy desires in their children.

When I think of obsessive fandom, automatically I think of "Twilight" fans. Many of the fans seem to develop parasocial relationships with the characters, getting emotionally attached to characters who aren't even real. With a release of a book or movie, many line up in the character's outfits giddy and excited.

But really, can we say when a person is obsessed? Perhaps when they confuse the real world with the other worlds of movies and books and etc. Maybe I am obsessed with something and I don't even realize it. I enjoy watching LOST and I make sure that my Wednesday night is open from 9-10pm. There are many conversations that take place between myself and others concerning LOST. Attempting to figure out the plot is exciting to my friends and I. Would I consider myself obsessed? No, I don't think so. I'm not consumed with thoughts of LOST, I just enjoy it.

natalie

There are days when I get in the mood for a certain movie; days where you get a hot-n-ready and curl up on the couch with no care in the world. Last Friday was a "Garden State" day. So, my roommate and I quickly drove to little Caesar's and got a piping hot pizza, hoping to get back fast enough for our cheese to still be melty (I know, that is not a word, but it seems necessary). We did get back fast enough, thankfully. And oh my, was it heavenly (the pizza, that is).

"Garden State". I love this movie a little bit more each time I watch it. talking about parasocial relationships this week in class made me realize that I may have a similar relationship with Sam, Natalie Portman's character. Immediately I get sucked into the movie when her quirky character sits in a doctor's office with the biggest headphones I have ever seen on her head. How can you not love that sight?

As time goes on, Sam continues to be a quirky, lovable, innocent character; yet, she has seen heartache and experienced the world in her own ways. And that, that is what I identify with. I don't spend my days dreaming about Natalie Portman in "Garden State", but I do connect with the character when she is on the screen.

When the movie was over that Friday night, my roommate and I just sat on the couch with full stomachs and stared into space, hypnotized.

merchants of cool

"The Merchants of Cool", what a wild documentary. This documentary shows the process of marketers as they conduct surveys and focus groups, and scourge the streets to find the next "big" thing. These creators and sellers of popular culture have made teenagers the hottest consumer demographic in America. I will admit, I have been caught in the scheme of things. Most of the time I would consider myself to be outside of the sphere of marketing, but I know that to be false. I have been sold an ipod, a macbook, music, makeup...and I suppose the list could go on.

The place in life where I find myself seems to be a strange one. I ache to get away from media's attempts at selling me things and I long for the "good old days". I long for the days where people sit on the porch and drink iced tea with their neighbors and find out the latest news from each other instead of a gossip columnist on the internet. I long for things that I suppose won't happen in most people's lives, but I will try to make them happen in my life.

Looking at my fourteen year old sister, I can see the effects of media on her life, the Jonas brothers and Miley Cyrus being the center of many conversations. Texting seems to be turning into the main form of communication between young people. What if they started talking the way they text? Oh wait, some of them do. As you can see, I am bitter towards a few things that are taking place among our young people. Perhaps I am old fashioned? Yes, maybe. But I do recognize that media has a MAJOR effect on our young people and I don't see the benefits to it.

Anne-girl

Like every year, the coming of spring brings on thoughts of Anne of Green Gables. As a child I read all of the books several times over. My sister and I cut locks of each others hair just like Anne and Diana because we wanted something to remember each other by (as if we didn't have enough already). Tea parties and mud pies were our forte and dresses and fields sounded more than appealing to us. Anne of Green Gables was my hero.

The topic in class has been this idea of convergence. Mass media has become this crazy in-depth thing that I never would have expected. Well, since Anne of Green Gables has been on my mind as of late, I have been thinking about convergence within this text. This redhead girl Anne has been turned into many different forms. Not only are there books, there was a silent film made in 1919 adapting to the story, and another film made in 1934; from there on there have been seven television movies made, along with an anime series and another animated series, and a musical.
Over done? Maybe, but I haven't seen everything made in adaptation to the books. All I know is that the stories are lovely.

This loveable little redheaded girl Anne has made quite an impact on the world, influencing young girls and so many others.

peace

Wow. I'm not very good at blogging. Over spring break I had every intention of participating in "amnesty week", but unfortunately my addiction to reading other people's blogs kicked in. Strange how that works.

While "stalking" people on facebook (aka looking at their pictures), I have noticed a similar theme between the "indie" crowd. That is, I have noticed that it is pretty cool to hold up the peace sign when someone takes your picture.

http://cm1.theinsider.com/media/0/58/81/miley_cyrus.0.0.0x0.300x400.jpeg

I will be honest, I have done it before. But, what are our intentions when we hold up the sign? This got me thinking about the denotative and connotative meanings of the peace sign. The v-sign, or the peace sign is a hand gesture with the index and middle fingers open and all of the others closed facing the viewer. The denotative meaning for this sign is victory and developed into a sign of peace during protests against the Vietnam War. As time went on this peace sign became a sign of love for the hippies as they chanted about peace and love and freedom.

Now, this sign of peace seems to have become a trivial thing to do when taking pictures. And t-shirts, jewelery, bumper stickers are plastered with the peace sign. Perhaps I am too judgmental and people are really meaning well and hope for peace when they flash this sign. Are we really striving for peace?

Robert Jordan

The "Wheel of Time" book series by Robert Jordan has been one of my shameless addictions that I have had ever since Eric introduced them to me. (I am also proud to say that I have my father addicted to the books as well) To my dismay Robert Jordan died last fall, before he finished the 12th and last book to the series. Anticipation grows as we wait for the new author to finish the book.

These books are epic fantasy novels with a large cast of characters and an in depth imaginary world. I am drawn in to these books because of their nature. Fantasy novels allow me to enter a place where I know that I will never be able to go. With it's dramatic wars, magic, and romance, who would not be drawn in?

People who get themselves involved in these books know that it is no simple feat to finish this series, considering that each book ranges from 700-1200 pages. Complacency is not allowed. For onlookers they may see "us" as weird because of all of the time we devote to reading these books, and others may see it as just another series of epic fantasy novels. Still others, (such as producers) may see this series as another money making movie potential. Rumor has it that Universal Studios have obtained the rights to the books and are in the process of making a movie. Unfortunately, I don't know how a series so big could be made into a movie, even if it were to be a series. The cast of characters is too intense and the complexity of the plot would only be confusing to the audience.

Not every book needs to be made into a movie. Why can't we just let our imaginations do the work for us?

gardens

In attempt to keep myself warm this winter I have been dreaming about my garden that I will have this summer. Actually, Celia King and myself are going to have a garden together (this makes me have butterflies of excitement in my stomach).

While thinking of Celia King, it has occurred to me that I have a "rustic" in my midst. When we are together we can hardly stop talking about the different vegetables and herbs that we will grow in our garden. We question how on earth we will get the 20 foot pine tree out of her yard (thankfully my brother used to be a lumberjack, enough said). Our hearts are warmed with the thought of giving away most of our fruit and vegetables. Yet, while we are dreaming she is still a pillar of wisdom. She is quick to remind me that I am a student for this time of my life and I must treat this season as if it was a great privilege (and yes, it truly is a privilege). Celia King, she is a beautiful woman.

And so, we will dream of warm things, tomatoes, and basil.

eat well

The snow falls again. For some reason this puts an ache in my heart. To think that every snowflake is unique in itself. Oh, the beauty. Yet, I long for the days when I can smell spring, when I see the buds grappling for the the warmth of the sun. I cannot wait to get my fingers and toes in the dirt and work the ground until my back can no longer handle it. Lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, basil, and rosemary. Warmth, where are you?

Last weekend I had the privilege of attending Jubilee, a conference for college students. While the crowds overwhelmed me to exhaustion, I took delight in the small groups talking about Wendell Berry, farming, growing roots where you are at, and eating well. The topic of eating well has always been important to me and I was able to gain some new insight on what that actually means.

As Americans, we are surrounded by fast things...fast food, fast internet, fast this fast that. The food industry has become unhealthy with its preservatives and colorings. Evidence of its unhealthy nature is simply seen in our population with obesity and cancer running rampant. Everyone knows that red and yellow means Mcdonalds and a purple and yellow bell means Taco Bell.

What will it take for Americans to get healthy again? Perhaps we need to slow down. We need to discover where our food is coming from. We should find out what foods are in season in our state so we don't invest in more pollution from trucks making their way across the nation. Maybe we would even venture to grow some of our own food. The process is slow, but worth it.

Honoring God with every part of our being includes the food that we eat. Let us gather around the table, discovering more of Christ and who we are in Him.

men and women

Last evening my family and I went to Carrabas for my birthday celebration. To put it mildly, there were a lot of people trying to fit into the narrow doorways. If you want to see the nature of people, stand in line with them when they are hungry. Well, I am rambling now. I wanted to tell you a quick story that happened last night...

After I ate my delicious meal of sirloin steak and garlic mashed potatoes, I naturally had to use the restroom. The bathrooms are tucked away beside the server's station and I always get so anxious knowing that. I am afraid that I will make one wrong turn and end up in the middle of the kitchen. So, I walked cautiously to the restrooms and found myself in front of a door with a men and women's sign like this one : http://216.92.160.187/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/bathroom-sign-mens-womens.jpg
In a moment of terror, I thought that I was entering a bathroom where both male and female could do their duties.(I don't even know if they actually have bathrooms like that) Well, I set aside all fear, because I really had to go to the bathroom, and I walked in. Thankfully, after I entered through that door there were two more doors, one with a women's sign and one with a man's sign. Those little tricksters.

Being in Mass Media in Society has allowed me to be more aware of my surroundings and the signs that are everywhere. We know that a picture of a cartoon woman on a bathroom door means that this is a women's bathroom and etc. That is the connotative meaning. But, what if we suddenly we changed the image of the picture, and instead of a woman with a dress on, it was a woman with pants on? How many times would a man accidently walk into the women's restroom?

Signs like these become ingrained in our heads. And if they were ever to change, there might be some chaos...

"let the sun glow"

This weekend I am at home. I don't know that I have ever appreciated this little town so much. As I was walking over the our local bulk food store for yeast (yes, today is a bread baking day), people were scurrying about. Amish men on their bikes, people like me venturing on the icy sidewalks. But, oh my! What a glorious day it is! There is that smell of spring in the air. My roommate refuses to smell it before the time is right, but me, I will enjoy every breath of it.

How does the above paragraph relate to mass media you may ask. Well, on my delightful walk the sun was shining so perfectly and I thought of the song "Glosoli" by Sigur Ros. A few weeks ago I had a discussion with someone about the meaning of the word glosoli and I discovered that it means "glowing sun" or "let the sun glow". My thoughts led me to this entry where I will discuss the music video for "Glosoli".

The video begins with an image of a boy sitting on the edge of water with his drum. One can tell that he is thinking about something as he looks at his drumstick and taps his foot. The music is quiet. Suddenly he gets up and looks around at the terrain. The colors are beautiful, yet gray, and the terrain is full of hills and rocks. The boy begins to ascend the hill and while he is doing that, children pop out from behind the rocks. As the boy keeps climbing higher and higher, he gathers more and more children. There is a scene when the boy and a girl kiss and the music gradually begins to build. The group then comes across a small boy asleep on some rocks, and they follow suit. As they fall asleep they dream themselves in a sun world. The colors are stunning, warm tones that make your heart light. Everyone is waiting at the bottom of a hill, anticipating something. The boy begins to beat his drum rapidly, all the while the music is getting more and more intense. While the song climaxes the children run up the hill, which turns out to be a cliff. The children jump off and fly over the ocean. The music video ends with an image of the ocean.

Every time I watch this music video I am brought to tears. The images that the eyes see are that of beauty and freedom. The gradual intensity of the music takes a person to somewhere besides earth, perhaps in the dream that the children are in. We are all searching for someone, and I think those children found it.

Let the sun glow!

obsessions

"Jani, you have an obsessive nature." my sister Tiffany told me today over the phone. I was explaining to her about my "media log" and this is what I concluded...

I cannot do one thing for just a short period of time (let's say 10 minutes or so). Whether it be reading a book, looking at wedding blogs, listening to music and what have you, I must do these activities until I'm finished with them. For example, last week I was at reading "Lord of Chaos" by Robert Jordan and I had about 200 pages left. Sadly enough, going to classes or doing anything else productive just about killed me. The thought of having an unfinished book beside my bed caused my thoughts to be only on the plot of the book. So, I apologize Andrew if I seemed like I was off in space during class. I was probably in the land of Cairhein or something. Luckily I had time to finish the last 200 pages and my oh my, Robert Jordan sure does know how to end a book. Because of his delightful words I have now started the 7th book and now I am in the same boat as I was last week. (I suppose that I will continue to be this way until I finish the series)

Last night I started crocheting a hat. I could hardly put the yarn down to write this blog. Obsessive? Yes. I realize that this part of my nature could become unhealthy. I don't believe that I have reached this point yet because I do try to have a balance in all the areas of my life. (from what I've written here, it probably doesn't sound like I am balanced at all)

Looking over my media log I have realized that I spend most of my time reading. Whether that be reading for pleasure or reading textbooks, my eyes are constantly scanning over words. I was encouraged to see that most of my time isn't spent on the internet, although that is a temptation. Balance is key, and that is what I'm striving for.

Indian Beauty

Semiotic domains. Two very interesting words put together to mean something that will eventually encompass our entire world.

Semiotic domains. Those words sound and look intimidating. However, after class this week, I have found that those words are not intimidating at all.

This topic was brought up today in my "skype date" with my fiance in India. We were talking about the Wheel of Time series. Eric has read all of the eleven books in the series, and I am only on the seventh one. (this is a constant problem, because he knows everything about the books and likes to remind me of this) I was explaining to Eric what was going in my book and I realized that anyone who may have been listening to the conversation would have no idea what we were talking about ( that is, if they hadn't read the books). Rand and his gateways, the Aiel and their spears, Aes Sedai and saidar....all of these things would mean nothing to an outsider. Thinking about this, I realized that "Wheel of Time" is a semiotic domain. Of course, I explained all of this to Eric and he was glad to be enlightened about semiotic domains (for once, I knew about something that he didn't know about).

The question I ask myself now is, what other semiotic domains am I a part of? Well, I suppose I am a part of the semiotic domains of knitting, crocheting, baking, cooking, gardening, photography, sewing, and I'm sure there are more.

Semiotic domains. I don't really know how to conclude this post.

objects

Well, I feel like a parent right now. I am making cinnamon rolls and my mom has been spending her time discovering the world of facebook. She is wild on facebook and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. (sorry mom if you ever read this) But what a perfect day it is to make cinnamon rolls...

On "The American Myth of Success"...

I spent this past summer in Bolivia. I lived with the orphans; I have experienced simplicity. Ever since then, I have been messed up. There are days when I wonder what to do with what my eyes have seen. How is it that I wake up every morning with warm blankets and a comfy bed with no lice or bed bugs? How can I be blessed with such a wonderful, loving family?

Material objects. I will admit, I get caught up in the latest technology and I want things. I do not want to be this way. But I live in America, the land of comfort and security. The American myth of success says that with hard work comes success, and with that success comes material things, sometimes even great riches and a place in history.

Throughout time that myth has been altered in some ways. At one point, the ideal American was not one who worked for himself but on himself. The myth still says that man must work for himself to get anywhere.

I will not deny the fact that this myth has slowly taken root into my family. My father was once an Amish boy who just wanted to be Daniel Boone, and now he is a well known artist in our area. My mom (who is 44 years old) is in her freshman year of college and eventually wants to get her masters in counseling. By all means, give all you can to making a life for yourself. But what is the motive? Material objects, money, comfort?

Cynicism wants to creep into my heart. My fiance Eric gently reminds me of the honor we have in living in this country. He has been living in India for the past year and he has seen and experienced many things. He longs to be back in America.

Cynicism go away! I am a blessed woman. I must remember this.

The Jonas Brothers

Who has never heard of the Jonas Brothers? Unfortunately I have heard everything about them. Joe Jonas LOVES opb (organic peanut butter) and his birthday is on my sisters birthday, so they are obviously destined to be married. He also hates shellfish, has an iPhone, lifts weights, and dated Taylor Swift. Nick Jonas has diabetes, dated Miley Cyrus, and is competitive in sports. According to my little sister, "Kevin Jonas is just flat out ugly.". A big joke, right? Wrong, my little sister believes all of these things, along with most girls her age.

Experiencing the effects of media on my sister has proved to be hysterical and terribly sad at the same time. Yes, usually every girl has an obsession with famous boys of some sort at one point in their teenage life. But, my sister lives in a fantasy world of thinking she will have be famous one day (perhaps she will, who am I to say she won't?). I just don't want her to grow up with a false hope. And this is where I see problems with the media. Television shows, movies, music videos, posters, web sites, and magazines are filled with images and words that falsify and beautify Hollywood. Young, innocent girls like my sister are bound to become the bulls eye for all of the lies. Lies that say a girl has to be a certain size and hair color. I don't appreciate it. Not one bit.

What once was dolls and dress up is now pages and pages of magazines and stalking Internet sites. How many girls are being robbed of their girlhood from the lies of Hollywood?

grandmahood

I have been told that I am a grandma. As if I didn't know that already. Yes, I go to bed at ten o'clock every night and I take metamucil. So, what? I am well rested and not to mention regular ( I apologize if this grosses anyone out, I'm just being honest). But this is not what I wanted to talk about.

About 9 years ago someone whisked me away to the world of knitting. I have never been the same since. The clanking of knitting needles has become a gentle music to my ears and the thought of a finished product only fans the flame.

Recently I happened upon this website: http://www.ravelry.com/. A knitters dream. This website is full of patterns, forums, yarns and so many other delightful things. A community of people who love to create has been made through this website. How beautiful, really.

I often wondered what makes knitting so attractive to me. I have concluded that I love to create things. I love to create and give that away. What harm is there in that?

Grandmahood. Maybe, but I don't mind.