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.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
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.
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?
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?
Monday, January 19, 2009
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.
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.
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