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?
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
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...
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.jpgIn 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...
Saturday, February 7, 2009
"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!
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!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
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.
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.
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