Whatever you think of Dan Brown's prose, his view on religion or the controversy that comes out of his work there's no denying the success of the Da Vinci Code, which brought in a profit of over $700 million. Whether this was a measure of deserved success or not, you can understand why director Ron Howard has returned to the franchise to bring us Angels and Demons.
Familiarity with Brown's books will prepare you for the film's thrills and intrigue, set this time in the papal halls of Vatican City. Tom Hanks returns in his role as Robert Langdon, the conspiracy thwarting professor of symbology, called in by the highest members of the Catholic faith in a time of great need. The pope is dead, and the Vatican are set to decide on the next pope. Langdon must find the four kidnapped prime candidates by midnight, the trail of clues he has to follow through the church's archives and artworks must also be completed in time to stop a bomb that could level the whole city.
Howard has brought together some great actors in sublime locations with a gripping plot, but he has fallen short of bringing us a great film. Tom Hanks' name lends the film credence but even his talent fails to give the lead character any depth or charisma. The supporting cast are headed by Ewan McGregor, possibly the most valued player in this production, but every other character seems to be in attendance to provide either a sounding board for Langdon's theories, or as a means for the writers to provide repetitive exposition for any viewer unable to see through the holes in the rather flimsy plot.
Hollywood gives us a view of the inner halls of the most powerful religious institution on the planet, yet it provides this treat with little grace or sincerity. We are spoiled with shots of fine art, and beautiful locations from within the heart of Rome. What we see of the church is a lot less critical than in the Da Vinci Code, a fact that got a review of “Harmless” from the Vatican's own news paper.
Then again the film's portrayal of Science is equally weak. The bomb threat that drives the focus is a convenient MacGuffin providing a sense of urgency that was missing in the earlier film. The suspected conspiracy behind the events of Angels and Demons is the Illuminati, a secretive order of Scientists. The ancient Catholic church stood against the pursuit of science, truth and reason and now the illuminated and reasonable scientists are looking to strike back with a big bomb.
Summoning up the Illuminati this way gives a name to the pursuit of knowledge and the ability to reason, providing the film with a scape goat. This villain can clearly be linked to original sin and the fall of man. The seeking of forbidden knowledge is what pulled man from God in the first place, therefore we are led to conclude the further we descend into scientific discovery the less connected mankind is to God. In contrast the church is portrayed as a spiritual set of brakes on a run away train, with McGregor defending faith as the voice of reason. He asks if man is ready to leap into the future, whether we have matured as a race enough to be trusted with God's secrets.
There are many highlights to recommend this movie, yet the only saving grace really carrying it is the hectic pace. You will need to keep your expectations low for the story to deliver it's few surprises.
Sunday 17 May 2009
Tuesday 14 April 2009
Film Review - Race to Witch Mountain
It's not often you find an action movie as dark as Race to Witch Mountain, or a scary film so well aimed at the younger end of the market. In this reboot of the Witch Mountain franchise director Andy Fickman brings us a film about belief and faith in the unknown, in yourself and in those you depend on.
The film opens with a montage history lesson showing a faithful record of UFO sightings from around the world, providing even a young viewer with a brief introduction to the subject matter. Fickman is a confessed enthusiast of UFO interests and his treatment of the subject is honest, showing both the serious and goofy sides of the UFO fraternity.
The movie follows two teenagers Sarah (AnnaSophia Robb) and Seth (Alexander Ludwig) who hire taxi driver Jack Bruno (Dwayne Johnson) as they race to the titular destination. These kids soon display a range of special abilities that assist in their journey, leading Jack to learn they are aliens, who crashed on Earth, and must succeed in a mission of great importance.
Hunting them down is an alien assassin, designed by the studio who built the costumes for Alien and Predator. Also seeking them out are a bunch of government agents led by actor Ciarán Hinds (Caeser in the TV series Rome).
Pursuit from one or the other of these enemies supplies the source of drama and action throughout the movie, with chases ranging from the spectacular to the predictable. Sarah and Seth use their abilities, and Jack uses his skills and fists to evade danger time and again leaving any child in the audience on the edge of their seats, though most grown ups may struggle to feel engaged.
The real appeal for the mature audience might be the witty one-liners scattered throughout the film. In truth I suspect unless you were a fan of the original Witch Mountain films this will be a movie you sit through while your kids enjoy it. But if you do remember the first two films then the hints of continuity reaching back to the seventies and the cameo appearances from the original child actors, Kim Richards (Tia) and Ike Eisenmann (Tony) now all grown up, will make the movie magical.
Disney have managed to weave together action and adventure at a level suitable for children as low as seven or eight, and a story with levels of complexity and themes that should engage young teens up to the ages of fourteen or fifteen.
In the original Escape to Witch Mountain Tia and Tony presented a pair of otherworldly teenagers, who are experiencing a disconnect that teens the world over have to struggle through, but as that film closed the twins embraced that difference leaving humanity behind. In this film Sarah and Seth have that initial feeling of alienation and distrust but as their story draws to an end they learn to open up to their friends and embrace the more human elements of their nature.
In the current media there's a lot of focus on kids with special powers, such as certain orphaned wizards. In Sarah and Seth's story kids will find two teenagers they can identify with whilst escaping from the mundane for a while through impressive displays of psychic powers. As the characters develop over the length of the film and reach their trade mark Disney happy ever after, Sarah and Seth show that it's not all that bad being human. And as the credits roll the feeling of excitement and fun will stay with children for the duration of the drive home.
The film opens with a montage history lesson showing a faithful record of UFO sightings from around the world, providing even a young viewer with a brief introduction to the subject matter. Fickman is a confessed enthusiast of UFO interests and his treatment of the subject is honest, showing both the serious and goofy sides of the UFO fraternity.
The movie follows two teenagers Sarah (AnnaSophia Robb) and Seth (Alexander Ludwig) who hire taxi driver Jack Bruno (Dwayne Johnson) as they race to the titular destination. These kids soon display a range of special abilities that assist in their journey, leading Jack to learn they are aliens, who crashed on Earth, and must succeed in a mission of great importance.
Hunting them down is an alien assassin, designed by the studio who built the costumes for Alien and Predator. Also seeking them out are a bunch of government agents led by actor Ciarán Hinds (Caeser in the TV series Rome).
Pursuit from one or the other of these enemies supplies the source of drama and action throughout the movie, with chases ranging from the spectacular to the predictable. Sarah and Seth use their abilities, and Jack uses his skills and fists to evade danger time and again leaving any child in the audience on the edge of their seats, though most grown ups may struggle to feel engaged.
The real appeal for the mature audience might be the witty one-liners scattered throughout the film. In truth I suspect unless you were a fan of the original Witch Mountain films this will be a movie you sit through while your kids enjoy it. But if you do remember the first two films then the hints of continuity reaching back to the seventies and the cameo appearances from the original child actors, Kim Richards (Tia) and Ike Eisenmann (Tony) now all grown up, will make the movie magical.
Disney have managed to weave together action and adventure at a level suitable for children as low as seven or eight, and a story with levels of complexity and themes that should engage young teens up to the ages of fourteen or fifteen.
In the original Escape to Witch Mountain Tia and Tony presented a pair of otherworldly teenagers, who are experiencing a disconnect that teens the world over have to struggle through, but as that film closed the twins embraced that difference leaving humanity behind. In this film Sarah and Seth have that initial feeling of alienation and distrust but as their story draws to an end they learn to open up to their friends and embrace the more human elements of their nature.
In the current media there's a lot of focus on kids with special powers, such as certain orphaned wizards. In Sarah and Seth's story kids will find two teenagers they can identify with whilst escaping from the mundane for a while through impressive displays of psychic powers. As the characters develop over the length of the film and reach their trade mark Disney happy ever after, Sarah and Seth show that it's not all that bad being human. And as the credits roll the feeling of excitement and fun will stay with children for the duration of the drive home.
Friday 10 April 2009
Film Review - Knowing
Fans of Knowing already compare it to Steven Speilberg's Close Encounters, and while parallels can be drawn there is only a shallow similarity.
Nicolas Cage plays John Koestler MIT professor and father of Caleb (Chandler Canterbury). The family is dealing with the death of Caleb's mother, a loss that drove John to doubt any form of supernatural order exists in the world. When Caleb's school digs up a time capsule buried in the late fifties each student receives an envelope. Caleb brings home a sheet of numbers, in which his father discovers a pattern with dates and death tolls of disasters spanning back to the burial of the capsule, and also predicting three disasters still to come.
Director Alex Proyas has aimed high with this slightly confused thriller/suspense/disaster sci-fi movie. Proyas' earlier works include I Robot, goth favourite The Crow and cult classics such Dark City. The film draws together elements from Close Encounters, Signs, and an episode of the Outer Limits called Inconstant Moon. The protagonist struggles with his lost faith whilst questing after a secret that leads to the final act, where we find the world itself is in peril and just maybe the numbers hold the key to mankind's salvation.
In truth the film does not stand out for its script, acting or effects, the music score is uninspiring and the overall emotional content is constantly dark and depressing with very few moments of joy. A feeling of suspense and an edge-of-the-seat thrill are present throughout the movie, with both more evident as the film's villains “The Whispering People” make more appearances.
The effects used for the three disasters don't wrap the audience in cotton wool, leaving you to feel the human cost and emotional impact. Nicolas Cage's finest moment as John comes after he witnesses a plane crash. The shell shock on his face displays his emotional turmoil and the conflict of his rationality fighting with the surety that he has a prediction of yet more disasters to come.
In Knowing, Proyas presents the story of one man's (Koestler's) struggle to reassess his understanding of the world. He comes to accept, through exposure to the remaining disasters and further research into the numbers, that there is a grand plan at work for the betterment of mankind. There are many clues that it is a Judeo-Christian plan, but the film delivers twists that show a different interpretation can be made. By the end of the film we are left with no doubt that the story we have seen, played out within a western society, has also been echoed around the globe, and it would be presumptuous to assume the other recipients of the prophecies were from solely Christian backgrounds.
Within the story there are many biblical themes. There is a question of whether a father can find it in himself to give up his only son to save mankind? You start to wonder how reassuring is it to have a higher being watch over us. And the central question seems to be - Is it better to know what is coming or to remain blissfully ignorant? We see the breakdown of society's morals, we see a representation of heaven and hell, and in the final moments of the movie we find a pointer to the tree of knowledge, bringing another insight into the title of the movie. There's plenty to take home and talk about from this film.
Knowing is thought provoking and accessible, it struggles with a few issues and resorts to a Deus-ex-machina ending, even still this is a worthy suspense movie. 7/10
Nicolas Cage plays John Koestler MIT professor and father of Caleb (Chandler Canterbury). The family is dealing with the death of Caleb's mother, a loss that drove John to doubt any form of supernatural order exists in the world. When Caleb's school digs up a time capsule buried in the late fifties each student receives an envelope. Caleb brings home a sheet of numbers, in which his father discovers a pattern with dates and death tolls of disasters spanning back to the burial of the capsule, and also predicting three disasters still to come.
Director Alex Proyas has aimed high with this slightly confused thriller/suspense/disaster sci-fi movie. Proyas' earlier works include I Robot, goth favourite The Crow and cult classics such Dark City. The film draws together elements from Close Encounters, Signs, and an episode of the Outer Limits called Inconstant Moon. The protagonist struggles with his lost faith whilst questing after a secret that leads to the final act, where we find the world itself is in peril and just maybe the numbers hold the key to mankind's salvation.
In truth the film does not stand out for its script, acting or effects, the music score is uninspiring and the overall emotional content is constantly dark and depressing with very few moments of joy. A feeling of suspense and an edge-of-the-seat thrill are present throughout the movie, with both more evident as the film's villains “The Whispering People” make more appearances.
The effects used for the three disasters don't wrap the audience in cotton wool, leaving you to feel the human cost and emotional impact. Nicolas Cage's finest moment as John comes after he witnesses a plane crash. The shell shock on his face displays his emotional turmoil and the conflict of his rationality fighting with the surety that he has a prediction of yet more disasters to come.
In Knowing, Proyas presents the story of one man's (Koestler's) struggle to reassess his understanding of the world. He comes to accept, through exposure to the remaining disasters and further research into the numbers, that there is a grand plan at work for the betterment of mankind. There are many clues that it is a Judeo-Christian plan, but the film delivers twists that show a different interpretation can be made. By the end of the film we are left with no doubt that the story we have seen, played out within a western society, has also been echoed around the globe, and it would be presumptuous to assume the other recipients of the prophecies were from solely Christian backgrounds.
Within the story there are many biblical themes. There is a question of whether a father can find it in himself to give up his only son to save mankind? You start to wonder how reassuring is it to have a higher being watch over us. And the central question seems to be - Is it better to know what is coming or to remain blissfully ignorant? We see the breakdown of society's morals, we see a representation of heaven and hell, and in the final moments of the movie we find a pointer to the tree of knowledge, bringing another insight into the title of the movie. There's plenty to take home and talk about from this film.
Knowing is thought provoking and accessible, it struggles with a few issues and resorts to a Deus-ex-machina ending, even still this is a worthy suspense movie. 7/10
Wednesday 25 March 2009
Model of Creationist Evolution - Extra-temporal God
God is Extra-Temporal = He is able to act outside of time, to manipulate time and react in an non-causal manner. He is not limited by the forces that limit our actions within the passage of time.
An example of this could be - A man is mugged and left bleeding to death, he prays to god to have someone come and help him. God responds by having someone equipped to deal with this man's need walk by just at the right time. But in his omniscient way god knew this prayer would be made in advance and had the foresight to prompt the medic to attend medical school, and maybe even on the day pick up a first aid kit on their way out of the house that day. God initiated the answer to prayer before the prayer went out.
God is capable of working without, or even outside of, the constraints of time.
In today's world we are more aware of the shape and form that time takes. We have in our experiences encountered time travel stories that have expanded our understanding of how free movement through time allows for different methods of achieving goals.
With this in mind I have identified a model that allows the story of Genesis as told in the bible to match with the concept of evolution.
God created the world in 6 days. He did it in a set order as listed in Genesis. But he acted outside of the period of that week. In all Honesty he reported to the prophets that the creation of the world and all its creatures took him six days. But he was not restricted to acting solely within a continuous hundred and forty four hour period. Without the understanding of the nature of time and the idea or time travel the early Israel nation would not have grasped the full details and would have recorded the parts that whilst accurate do not tell the whole story.
He could even have drawn together the elements he wanted to work with in the Garden of Eden, so that the evolved creatures were all present at one time. When the first human male was created by God's hand he would have been the finest thing around. But very possibly he would have been quite lonely god takes the time to craft a mate and brings her to the garden.
All of this building and creation work was happening over the length of time that evolution takes, with the hand of the designer involved at all stages. He marvelled at his handiwork and proclaimed it good.
Exceptions -
I am not claiming that this is how the universe and man came to be, but I am saying it is a possible model or explanation. I'm saying it is in keeping with the character and abilities of God and that it doesn't contradict the teachings of Genesis as much as say the models where people claim that when God says it took a day his definition of a day is not like our definition of day. He with all honesty reports to the early Jewish church and the scripture writers that it took him a week and it still allows for the work to be carried out over a much longer period.
Objections -
I'm aware of automatic objections to this model.
First I expect to hear that I am using my Wisdom to supplant that of God. Well I'm not trying to. I'm trying to figure out how it could be that there is evidence I trust to support evolution, yet there is a record of God's involvement which I believe in and the two don't seem to tally.
The second objection I suspect will be aimed at my last point - some will object to the validity of the evolution evidence. In this model all evolution evidence can resolve with the biblical teachings, not that this makes the evidence valid but it removes the faith imperative to disprove the theory of evolution. The same would be true for the big bang. But if you still insist there is reasonable doubt that evolution has been proven I do not need to discourage you. Whether evolution is ever proven or not the above is an interpretation model that shows the events in the bible can be compatible with the theory, it does not require evolution to be true and it does not benefit or suffer should evolution be proved false.
There are other verses in the bible that suggest that evolution from one common ancestor is not true. 1 Corinthians 15:39-41 tells that all flesh is not the same. I'm not sure that this stands as a distinct argument against common ancestry I won't comment on that element as I haven't studied this verse in that light. But I would suggest a means by which we can still have an evolutionary past and this verse still be accurate and honest. The different kinds of flesh are accurate within an evolutionist view of the world. Humans do have different DNA though largely similar to chimps it is not the same. All flesh is not the same, there are some differences.
Objection also could come from the scientific community, the above model does suppose the existence of a deity that cannot be proven. I accept this but all I'm asking of the model is that is internally consistent. That it present a way to resolve evolution and creationism. I feel that the model is able to do that.
Both camps can attack me for over-simplification, embellishment, dodging points or ignorance of the issues. I accept my failings - I am neither a geneticist nor a theologian. I'm not a time traveller either. But I had an idea and it seemed worth jotting it down.
Anyway I'm interested in all feedback - Secular and Religious. I'd like to have you remember this is about drawing the two sides together, so please respond to the piece not the arguments for or against either of the stand points. Again please stick to feedback on the above model. If anyone does stray from feedback please just ignore their comment and continue on topic.
An example of this could be - A man is mugged and left bleeding to death, he prays to god to have someone come and help him. God responds by having someone equipped to deal with this man's need walk by just at the right time. But in his omniscient way god knew this prayer would be made in advance and had the foresight to prompt the medic to attend medical school, and maybe even on the day pick up a first aid kit on their way out of the house that day. God initiated the answer to prayer before the prayer went out.
God is capable of working without, or even outside of, the constraints of time.
In today's world we are more aware of the shape and form that time takes. We have in our experiences encountered time travel stories that have expanded our understanding of how free movement through time allows for different methods of achieving goals.
With this in mind I have identified a model that allows the story of Genesis as told in the bible to match with the concept of evolution.
God created the world in 6 days. He did it in a set order as listed in Genesis. But he acted outside of the period of that week. In all Honesty he reported to the prophets that the creation of the world and all its creatures took him six days. But he was not restricted to acting solely within a continuous hundred and forty four hour period. Without the understanding of the nature of time and the idea or time travel the early Israel nation would not have grasped the full details and would have recorded the parts that whilst accurate do not tell the whole story.
He could even have drawn together the elements he wanted to work with in the Garden of Eden, so that the evolved creatures were all present at one time. When the first human male was created by God's hand he would have been the finest thing around. But very possibly he would have been quite lonely god takes the time to craft a mate and brings her to the garden.
All of this building and creation work was happening over the length of time that evolution takes, with the hand of the designer involved at all stages. He marvelled at his handiwork and proclaimed it good.
Exceptions -
I am not claiming that this is how the universe and man came to be, but I am saying it is a possible model or explanation. I'm saying it is in keeping with the character and abilities of God and that it doesn't contradict the teachings of Genesis as much as say the models where people claim that when God says it took a day his definition of a day is not like our definition of day. He with all honesty reports to the early Jewish church and the scripture writers that it took him a week and it still allows for the work to be carried out over a much longer period.
Objections -
I'm aware of automatic objections to this model.
First I expect to hear that I am using my Wisdom to supplant that of God. Well I'm not trying to. I'm trying to figure out how it could be that there is evidence I trust to support evolution, yet there is a record of God's involvement which I believe in and the two don't seem to tally.
The second objection I suspect will be aimed at my last point - some will object to the validity of the evolution evidence. In this model all evolution evidence can resolve with the biblical teachings, not that this makes the evidence valid but it removes the faith imperative to disprove the theory of evolution. The same would be true for the big bang. But if you still insist there is reasonable doubt that evolution has been proven I do not need to discourage you. Whether evolution is ever proven or not the above is an interpretation model that shows the events in the bible can be compatible with the theory, it does not require evolution to be true and it does not benefit or suffer should evolution be proved false.
There are other verses in the bible that suggest that evolution from one common ancestor is not true. 1 Corinthians 15:39-41 tells that all flesh is not the same. I'm not sure that this stands as a distinct argument against common ancestry I won't comment on that element as I haven't studied this verse in that light. But I would suggest a means by which we can still have an evolutionary past and this verse still be accurate and honest. The different kinds of flesh are accurate within an evolutionist view of the world. Humans do have different DNA though largely similar to chimps it is not the same. All flesh is not the same, there are some differences.
Objection also could come from the scientific community, the above model does suppose the existence of a deity that cannot be proven. I accept this but all I'm asking of the model is that is internally consistent. That it present a way to resolve evolution and creationism. I feel that the model is able to do that.
Both camps can attack me for over-simplification, embellishment, dodging points or ignorance of the issues. I accept my failings - I am neither a geneticist nor a theologian. I'm not a time traveller either. But I had an idea and it seemed worth jotting it down.
Anyway I'm interested in all feedback - Secular and Religious. I'd like to have you remember this is about drawing the two sides together, so please respond to the piece not the arguments for or against either of the stand points. Again please stick to feedback on the above model. If anyone does stray from feedback please just ignore their comment and continue on topic.
Monday 23 March 2009
Lost Luggage - Home Work
Like the last elephant leaving the zoo I paused to turn out the lights, scanning the board room for one last time. Seeing the brief case snug under the desk, slightly ajar and totally unattended, I returned to the long table and dropped down onto my knees sliding the case out and lifting it up past my eye level onto the desk.
Without wanting to invade their privacy I quickly decided to see if I could find out whose case it was. I carefully removed the news paper, and manila envelopes spreading those out beside me, and settled into one of the comfy chairs supplied for investors. I noticed for the first time how supple the padding was and how supportive and firm the arms and back are.
The remains of the case were unimpressive, who ever owns it is reading a Dick Francis novel, and they were using a creased playing card (the nine of hearts) as a bookmark on page 34-35. It seems the main character awakes and is unsure where he is. There was a selection of Bic pencils, some with the ends chewed to splinters. Also some sachets of silicone were still in the bottom of the brief case, though the cheep stitching was coming loose inside, and the faux leather showed signs of wear. It wasn't a new brief case. I tried to remember now who was sat either side of where I found it. But all the investors seem to blur into one.
I took another look at the evidence, noticing the crossword puzzle on the news paper, it was almost finished, and had been filled in with a pencil. That's cheating. I flipped the broadsheet over to catch sight of the masthead and date, a two day old copy of the New Your Times. They're not so quick at solving puzzles. New York is a clue, there had been a couple of investors from America. There was a Texan, which I thought was clichéd the minute he walked in, and there was the guy who reminded me of Woody Allan. It could have been either of them I guess. But I figure it's not the Texan, he was all show and bluster, his money nearly sang and danced all through the pitch, he was making such a production of it. There's no way he'd own such a shabby case.
So it was the balding nervous guy. His pencil chewing habits and his nervous twitch were easy to remember, I could imagine him forgetting his brief case. So very much in character given how he'd acted all through the meeting. I snapped the latches shut , and took the case with me as I left the rented function room. Hitting the lights I headed to the supervisors office to see if they had a lost property box. Seeing as the bald guy was too tight to offer to invest I'd leave it to him to come back and fetch his case.
---
487 Words
Without wanting to invade their privacy I quickly decided to see if I could find out whose case it was. I carefully removed the news paper, and manila envelopes spreading those out beside me, and settled into one of the comfy chairs supplied for investors. I noticed for the first time how supple the padding was and how supportive and firm the arms and back are.
The remains of the case were unimpressive, who ever owns it is reading a Dick Francis novel, and they were using a creased playing card (the nine of hearts) as a bookmark on page 34-35. It seems the main character awakes and is unsure where he is. There was a selection of Bic pencils, some with the ends chewed to splinters. Also some sachets of silicone were still in the bottom of the brief case, though the cheep stitching was coming loose inside, and the faux leather showed signs of wear. It wasn't a new brief case. I tried to remember now who was sat either side of where I found it. But all the investors seem to blur into one.
I took another look at the evidence, noticing the crossword puzzle on the news paper, it was almost finished, and had been filled in with a pencil. That's cheating. I flipped the broadsheet over to catch sight of the masthead and date, a two day old copy of the New Your Times. They're not so quick at solving puzzles. New York is a clue, there had been a couple of investors from America. There was a Texan, which I thought was clichéd the minute he walked in, and there was the guy who reminded me of Woody Allan. It could have been either of them I guess. But I figure it's not the Texan, he was all show and bluster, his money nearly sang and danced all through the pitch, he was making such a production of it. There's no way he'd own such a shabby case.
So it was the balding nervous guy. His pencil chewing habits and his nervous twitch were easy to remember, I could imagine him forgetting his brief case. So very much in character given how he'd acted all through the meeting. I snapped the latches shut , and took the case with me as I left the rented function room. Hitting the lights I headed to the supervisors office to see if they had a lost property box. Seeing as the bald guy was too tight to offer to invest I'd leave it to him to come back and fetch his case.
---
487 Words
Saturday 24 January 2009
Chat Log
Hovering in mid thought I leave my fingers above the keyboard. I scan his words on screen, and realise I need to say something to respond and provoke a reaction. He intends to go out and eat now and I need to keep him from doing that. I re-read the message log then start typing but before I press enter he posts -
BIGTEETH22: I have to be going
I delete the few words I have ready and respond.
FreeRanger: Wait... Please let me finish what I was saying.
BIGTEETH22: Hurry have to meet someone for dinner,
FreeRanger: I know. That the problem. I need you to stop and realise you can't go through with this.
BIGTEETH22: Don't see why not.
FreeRanger: Well apart from the fact it's wrong, which I'm sure won't sway you. I want you to realise why it's not right. You claim to be an advanced form of the normal human, something greater than the rest of us.
BIGTEETH22: Yes, you all eat meat from other animals, I just draw the line further up the food chain.
FreeRanger: But humans aren't animals. We're your equals.
BIGTEETH22: I've faced the choice, I opted out of your limitations. The rest of the rat racers are all still too timid to try.
FreeRanger: Still look, you pray on these people like some kind of hunter. You say you faced a choice, what choice do they get. And besides why is the decision you made the right one, when you faced that choice should you have chosen to stay with the rest of us?
BIGTEETH22: I live a freer life, how can that be wrong?
I took a second to reply, again my fingers floating over the keyboard.
FreeRanger: You don't live a life of freedom, there's no more freedom in your choice than there is in the one the rest of us made. Come to the group, listen to the others. We understand you and your needs.
BIGTEETH22: I said I'd think about it, alright, but tonight I have a meal to prepare.
FreeRanger: I'm letting you know that this is our final offer, take us up on the invite or... remember we found you. We will take measures. Your actions endanger all of us.
BIGTEETH22: You shit. You think you can scare me? You cowards don't have the balls. Like any other rat racer you think the rules apply. Well I'm outside your control, just accept that.
BIGTEETH22 has logged off.
--
413 Words
BIGTEETH22: I have to be going
I delete the few words I have ready and respond.
FreeRanger: Wait... Please let me finish what I was saying.
BIGTEETH22: Hurry have to meet someone for dinner,
FreeRanger: I know. That the problem. I need you to stop and realise you can't go through with this.
BIGTEETH22: Don't see why not.
FreeRanger: Well apart from the fact it's wrong, which I'm sure won't sway you. I want you to realise why it's not right. You claim to be an advanced form of the normal human, something greater than the rest of us.
BIGTEETH22: Yes, you all eat meat from other animals, I just draw the line further up the food chain.
FreeRanger: But humans aren't animals. We're your equals.
BIGTEETH22: I've faced the choice, I opted out of your limitations. The rest of the rat racers are all still too timid to try.
FreeRanger: Still look, you pray on these people like some kind of hunter. You say you faced a choice, what choice do they get. And besides why is the decision you made the right one, when you faced that choice should you have chosen to stay with the rest of us?
BIGTEETH22: I live a freer life, how can that be wrong?
I took a second to reply, again my fingers floating over the keyboard.
FreeRanger: You don't live a life of freedom, there's no more freedom in your choice than there is in the one the rest of us made. Come to the group, listen to the others. We understand you and your needs.
BIGTEETH22: I said I'd think about it, alright, but tonight I have a meal to prepare.
FreeRanger: I'm letting you know that this is our final offer, take us up on the invite or... remember we found you. We will take measures. Your actions endanger all of us.
BIGTEETH22: You shit. You think you can scare me? You cowards don't have the balls. Like any other rat racer you think the rules apply. Well I'm outside your control, just accept that.
BIGTEETH22 has logged off.
--
413 Words
Thursday 8 January 2009
The curse
Black clad she shifted through the streets toward the battle damaged ruins of the outer wall. Tightly wrapped linens in the darkest of greys and greens provided her with the camouflage the night required and still gave enough to allow free movement. Over her face a cloth covered her lips keeping her breath from forming a frosty mist in the air. She must not be discovered.
Pothkin had listened carefully to her idea last night and agreed it would provide a decisive victory for the Kings forces. But she made him promise not to tell her husband, Pothkin grumbled and spluttered at this request his first loyalty was to King Phillip but the queen was acting in the interests of the whole kingdom. Keeping secrets from his lord could be seen as treason, and if this went wrong he would be better off with the enemy.
The queen's plan was so simple though. Very little could prevent it from succeeding. But every peasant, craftsman and noble loved and adored Queen Aurora and if her attack on the enemy camp left her captured or worse still killed all moral would be lost. The king would be devastated. She knew all this but hesitated at the wall for only a moment before slipping away across the battle field.
Aurora approached the enemies position and watched, crouching low and hiding from their patrols, stealth was her only defense. Two of the enemies soldiers were near by stamping the cold out of their tired legs. She waited for them to move on before slipping past their perimeter. She needed to get close to the center of the camp in order for this to work, she had spoken with Flora, Fauna and Merryweather asking if the enchantment would still be strong enough and they were concerned but thought it would be. Merryweather explained how she had weakened the curse originally and her husband's kiss had weakened it yet more. By now it would effect a much smaller area.
There was no way to know if the spell would take out the whole camp but if she were able to get close enough maybe she could effect the generals and leaders of the army. She could only hope to cause enough disruption that her husband's men would stand a better chance in the morning.
The glint of a small metal pin on her belt catches the eye of a soldier as she sneaks around a camp fire, four heavily armed men surround her in moments and she drops to the floor cowering. One of the men calls for his captain while the others keep their swords drawn and pointing at her prone form.
The captain orders she be frog marched to a more secure location. All six of them move from her point of capture toward an animal pen. There she is placed in a vacant yet soiled animal cage to be dealt with when the generals awake in the morning. As the captain leaves he misses the wry smile on her face. Her guards ponder what she has to smile about.
As the first light of morning begins to break in the open valley the Queen reaches into her belt and removes a sewing needle. Pulling away her glove she looks around at the already drowsy guards and pricks her finger. A familiar feeling of extreme exhaustion sets into her bones, and her eyelids fall closed as she slouches in the cage then begins to snore as sleep takes her over.
Within a blink of an eye her guards drop their weapons and fall asleep. An invisible ripple flows through the military camp as those at the front of the wave slip away in an enchanted slumber. With one simple needle Aurora, once known as Briar-Rose, has left the way clear for her husband and his forces to defeat their enemies.
-- --
646 Words (Idea slightly stolen)
Pothkin had listened carefully to her idea last night and agreed it would provide a decisive victory for the Kings forces. But she made him promise not to tell her husband, Pothkin grumbled and spluttered at this request his first loyalty was to King Phillip but the queen was acting in the interests of the whole kingdom. Keeping secrets from his lord could be seen as treason, and if this went wrong he would be better off with the enemy.
The queen's plan was so simple though. Very little could prevent it from succeeding. But every peasant, craftsman and noble loved and adored Queen Aurora and if her attack on the enemy camp left her captured or worse still killed all moral would be lost. The king would be devastated. She knew all this but hesitated at the wall for only a moment before slipping away across the battle field.
Aurora approached the enemies position and watched, crouching low and hiding from their patrols, stealth was her only defense. Two of the enemies soldiers were near by stamping the cold out of their tired legs. She waited for them to move on before slipping past their perimeter. She needed to get close to the center of the camp in order for this to work, she had spoken with Flora, Fauna and Merryweather asking if the enchantment would still be strong enough and they were concerned but thought it would be. Merryweather explained how she had weakened the curse originally and her husband's kiss had weakened it yet more. By now it would effect a much smaller area.
There was no way to know if the spell would take out the whole camp but if she were able to get close enough maybe she could effect the generals and leaders of the army. She could only hope to cause enough disruption that her husband's men would stand a better chance in the morning.
The glint of a small metal pin on her belt catches the eye of a soldier as she sneaks around a camp fire, four heavily armed men surround her in moments and she drops to the floor cowering. One of the men calls for his captain while the others keep their swords drawn and pointing at her prone form.
The captain orders she be frog marched to a more secure location. All six of them move from her point of capture toward an animal pen. There she is placed in a vacant yet soiled animal cage to be dealt with when the generals awake in the morning. As the captain leaves he misses the wry smile on her face. Her guards ponder what she has to smile about.
As the first light of morning begins to break in the open valley the Queen reaches into her belt and removes a sewing needle. Pulling away her glove she looks around at the already drowsy guards and pricks her finger. A familiar feeling of extreme exhaustion sets into her bones, and her eyelids fall closed as she slouches in the cage then begins to snore as sleep takes her over.
Within a blink of an eye her guards drop their weapons and fall asleep. An invisible ripple flows through the military camp as those at the front of the wave slip away in an enchanted slumber. With one simple needle Aurora, once known as Briar-Rose, has left the way clear for her husband and his forces to defeat their enemies.
-- --
646 Words (Idea slightly stolen)
Wednesday 7 January 2009
Love Letter
When I see you happiest it shows from the depths of your eyes. Your face glows and your smile melts my spine. I feel proud to know I have brought this joy into your life. But more than anything I feel the love I have for you blossom filling me like the air in my lungs.
Great artists sing of loves conundrums, that puzzle that is solved when two hearts meet. We are that solution, we bring a completeness to life by being together. Like some unanswered question, one neither of us heard, the answer is also as silent. We provide the answer in our embrace. When you hold me in you arms, and when my arms are around you I know all answers. The truth is that all truths are just as mysterious, even our love cannot provide me with an epiphany and make me all knowing, but the illusion comes from the surety and security we share when we kiss.
You are so precious, a true princess in my eyes. As Arthur pined for the grail, and his knights faced their appointed quests, I seek after you. A treasure brought into my life, one I would face all manner of battles and monsters to secure.
I am no shining knight, nor is my steed majestic. I might not have swept you off your feet, figuratively or physically. What I have I offer to you freely. I only seek the brightness of your eyes when I see you happy.
I know you cry, I see tears flow, I empathise when you have pains and doubts. I am aware of how complex or difficult a relationship can be. That is a truth for every couple who ever felt like we do, people have been falling in love for a very long time, it is natural and it is simple. If they can manage it maybe we can to.
Looking into your eyes when we lie together I see love displayed in a vista of emotional experiences. I feel lucky to be the one who is allowed to see that inside you. You've already honoured me so much. Holding you close in those tender times fills the part of me that knows I am only myself. When I hold you, finally, I can be so much more. Those singers and poets say their lover completes them, but I suspect they have it wrong. You make me more than I ever could have been.
I am in love with you.
-- --
418 Words
Great artists sing of loves conundrums, that puzzle that is solved when two hearts meet. We are that solution, we bring a completeness to life by being together. Like some unanswered question, one neither of us heard, the answer is also as silent. We provide the answer in our embrace. When you hold me in you arms, and when my arms are around you I know all answers. The truth is that all truths are just as mysterious, even our love cannot provide me with an epiphany and make me all knowing, but the illusion comes from the surety and security we share when we kiss.
You are so precious, a true princess in my eyes. As Arthur pined for the grail, and his knights faced their appointed quests, I seek after you. A treasure brought into my life, one I would face all manner of battles and monsters to secure.
I am no shining knight, nor is my steed majestic. I might not have swept you off your feet, figuratively or physically. What I have I offer to you freely. I only seek the brightness of your eyes when I see you happy.
I know you cry, I see tears flow, I empathise when you have pains and doubts. I am aware of how complex or difficult a relationship can be. That is a truth for every couple who ever felt like we do, people have been falling in love for a very long time, it is natural and it is simple. If they can manage it maybe we can to.
Looking into your eyes when we lie together I see love displayed in a vista of emotional experiences. I feel lucky to be the one who is allowed to see that inside you. You've already honoured me so much. Holding you close in those tender times fills the part of me that knows I am only myself. When I hold you, finally, I can be so much more. Those singers and poets say their lover completes them, but I suspect they have it wrong. You make me more than I ever could have been.
I am in love with you.
-- --
418 Words
Tuesday 6 January 2009
What time is it?
Dear Sir,
I am writing to ask you what time it is? My brother Bill says its a different time in your country and I wanted to know if he's right. He's usually a stinking liar. He always fibs, like the time he said I spray painted the cat or when he said we could to make Dad new glasses out of bits of plastic bottles and he wouldn't know we'd broke them.
But he was really going on about this. It seems stupid, he's stupid anyway. Do you have a brother? I wish I didn't, you can have Bill. He's 9 years old and he thinks he's the boss in our house. Just cus Dad's not here any more.
My Nan says Dad is overseas. You're overseas too, can you say hello to my dad if you see him. He's very tall and strong and wears glasses. He's really nice, he always brings me a toy when he comes home. My favourite toy is a frog, it goes ribbit when you squeeze it. It makes me laugh. Do you like frogs?
I saw a frog once. But it was dead, I didn't kill it. I think maybe Comet might have bitten it. Comet is our cat. She's normally orange but she was purple once. She brings things into the house and my mum screams. She's a good cat, she lets me pet her when I don't pull on her tail. She doesn't have baths, I watched her clean herself, she uses her tongue. Boys can't do that, my dad said its cus I can't lick my elbow. Did you know you can't lick your elbow? Dad says its the same for everyone.
Do you live near Disney land? That's overseas too. Dad says we can go when he comes home. I have seen in on a DVD. It looks brilliant, even Bill said he thought it was cool. I suppose it will be brilliant enough still even if he comes too.
It is nearly six o'clock now and I have to go and get ready for tea. I can lick my hands clean like Comet does with her paws but mum makes me use the sink. Even though I have to use a step. There's a frog on my soap bottle, but he's a picture not a real frog.
Mum said she'll post my letter while I'm at school tomorrow. And anyway its six o'clock now, what time is it where you are?
Thank you.
Peter. Age 6
-- --
419 Words
What time is it?
Dear Sir,
I am writing to ask you what time it is? My brother Bill says its a different time in your country and I wanted to know if he's right. He's usually a stinking liar. He always fibs, like the time he said I spray painted the cat or when he said we could to make Dad new glasses out of bits of plastic bottles and he wouldn't know we'd broke them.
But he was really going on about this. It seems stupid, he's stupid anyway. Do you have a brother? I wish I didn't, you can have Bill. He's 9 years old and he thinks he's the boss in our house. Just cus Dad's not here any more.
My Nan says Dad is overseas. You're overseas too, can you say hello to my dad if you see him. He's very tall and strong and wears glasses. He's really nice, he always brings me a toy when he comes home. My favourite toy is a frog, it goes ribbit when you squeeze it. It makes me laugh. Do you like frogs?
I saw a frog once. But it was dead, I didn't kill it. I think maybe Comet might have bitten it. Comet is our cat. She's normally orange but she was purple once. She brings things into the house and my mum screams. She's a good cat, she lets me pet her when I don't pull on her tail. She doesn't have baths, I watched her clean herself, she uses her tongue. Boys can't do that, my dad said its cus I can't lick my elbow. Did you know you can't lick your elbow? Dad says its the same for everyone.
Do you live near Disney land? That's overseas too. Dad says we can go when he comes home. I have seen in on a DVD. It looks brilliant, even Bill said he thought it was cool. I suppose it will be brilliant enough still even if he comes too.
It is nearly six o'clock now and I have to go and get ready for tea. I can lick my hands clean like Comet does with her paws but mum makes me use the sink. Even though I have to use a step. There's a frog on my soap bottle, but he's a picture not a real frog.
Mum said she'll post my letter while I'm at school tomorrow. And anyway its six o'clock now, what time is it where you are?
Thank you.
Peter. Age 6
-- --
419 Words
What time is it?
Dear Sir,
I am writing to ask you what time it is? My brother Bill says its a different time in your country and I wanted to know if he's right. He's usually a stinking liar. He always fibs, like the time he said I spray painted the cat or when he said we could make Dad new glasses out of bits of plastic bottles and he wouldn't know we'd broke them.
But he was really going on about this. It seems stupid, he's stupid anyway. Do you have a brother? I wish I didn't, you can have Bill. He's 9 years old and he thinks he's the boss in our house. Just cus Dad's not here any more.
My Nan says Dad is overseas. You're overseas too, can you say hello to my dad if you see him. He's very tall and strong and wears glasses. He's really nice, he always brings me a toy when he comes home. My favourite toy is a frog, it goes ribbit when you squeeze it. It makes me laugh. Do you like frogs?
I saw a frog once. But it was dead, I didn't kill it. I think maybe Comet might have bitten it. Comet is our cat. She's normally orange but she was purple once. She brings things into the house and my mum screams. She's a good cat, she lets me pet her when I don't pull on her tail. She doesn't have baths, I watched her clean herself, she uses her tongue. Boys can't do that, my dad said its cus I can't lick my elbow. Did you know you can't lick your elbow? Dad says its the same for everyone.
Do you live near Disney land? That's overseas too. Dad says we can go when he comes home. I have seen in on a DVD. It looks brilliant, even Bill said he thought it was cool. I suppose it will be brilliant enough still even if he comes too.
It is nearly six o'clock now and I have to go and get ready for tea. I can lick my hands clean like Comet does with her paws but mum makes me use the sink. Even though I have to use a step. There's a frog on my soap bottle, but he's a picture not a real frog.
Mum said she'll post my letter while I'm at school tomorrow. And anyway its six o'clock now, what time is it where you are?
Thank you.
Peter. Age 6
-- --
418 Words
Monday 5 January 2009
Dreams that wont fly
Last night I dreamt I couldn't fly.
It was a complicated dream, that took as it's source material many previous dreams.
Normally when I fly in my dreams I am lying on my back and fly feet first through the air, but sometimes I can float just a little above the ground in an upright standing position. When I float like this a foot or so above ground I can spread my feet out like I would on a surf board, occasionally I'll use a floating platform as a means of propelling myself along streets and through buildings. It is exhilarating.
When flying and floating my dream self travels through high streets that amalgamate locations from the cities and towns I am familiar with. I'll descend a hill from one town toward a shopping centre from another, or glide through the halls of a mall filled with stores from every city I've ever shopped in.
Well maybe the credit crunch has got me down, maybe the connection is more concrete than I'd imagine, as last night I dreamt I couldn't fly.
The plot behind the dream was that a reality TV show was being filmed in my local shopping centre and the topic of that show was how some people fool themselves into thinking they can fly. I just stumbled on the show being filmed and saw as a guy with gull wings on his boots failed to take off in front of the crowds gathered around. The presenter explained how common this delusion was and asked if anyone else felt they could fly. I had to step up and show them what I was made of.
I'm sure that up until then I had been floating along as usual. Within the continuity of this dream I knew I could fly, I felt it was common place and I felt sure that I'd be able to set the record straight on the TV show. But when the cameras focused on my I couldn't lift my feet off the ground like normal.
The presenter spoke to camera and they ran footage of me from earlier showing me standing on a poorly maintained polystyrene float. Sliding around on the polished floors convinced I was flying. I felt foolish and disillusioned. The filming ended and the crowd walked away. I sat there feeling low and ruined, the guy with the gull wing boots was there two and seemed equally upset.
I couldn't tell you who he was, the guy with the boots, but I wish him well. When he said good-bye he shook my hand then those winged boots flapped and he just lifted off the floor and flew away.
-- --
465 Words
It was a complicated dream, that took as it's source material many previous dreams.
Normally when I fly in my dreams I am lying on my back and fly feet first through the air, but sometimes I can float just a little above the ground in an upright standing position. When I float like this a foot or so above ground I can spread my feet out like I would on a surf board, occasionally I'll use a floating platform as a means of propelling myself along streets and through buildings. It is exhilarating.
When flying and floating my dream self travels through high streets that amalgamate locations from the cities and towns I am familiar with. I'll descend a hill from one town toward a shopping centre from another, or glide through the halls of a mall filled with stores from every city I've ever shopped in.
There must be some reason why I associate shopping and flying. But let's not examine that too closely.
Well maybe the credit crunch has got me down, maybe the connection is more concrete than I'd imagine, as last night I dreamt I couldn't fly.
The plot behind the dream was that a reality TV show was being filmed in my local shopping centre and the topic of that show was how some people fool themselves into thinking they can fly. I just stumbled on the show being filmed and saw as a guy with gull wings on his boots failed to take off in front of the crowds gathered around. The presenter explained how common this delusion was and asked if anyone else felt they could fly. I had to step up and show them what I was made of.
I'm sure that up until then I had been floating along as usual. Within the continuity of this dream I knew I could fly, I felt it was common place and I felt sure that I'd be able to set the record straight on the TV show. But when the cameras focused on my I couldn't lift my feet off the ground like normal.
The presenter spoke to camera and they ran footage of me from earlier showing me standing on a poorly maintained polystyrene float. Sliding around on the polished floors convinced I was flying. I felt foolish and disillusioned. The filming ended and the crowd walked away. I sat there feeling low and ruined, the guy with the gull wing boots was there two and seemed equally upset.
I couldn't tell you who he was, the guy with the boots, but I wish him well. When he said good-bye he shook my hand then those winged boots flapped and he just lifted off the floor and flew away.
-- --
465 Words
Sunday 4 January 2009
Dominion
I am running late with my writing tonight, though I haven't slept so its still Saturday no matter what the clock says. We had a few people over seeing as the vampire game didn't happen, and as the night started to wind down I was asked to teach a few of the guests a new game.
Dominion is a fast paced card game, flavoured around establishing a mighty medieval kingdom. The game comes in a box and is simply five hundred plus cards. It is the way those cards work together that builds an interesting and dynamic gaming experience.
The game has been compared to Magic and other trading card games, and there are elements shared with that gaming model. It is mainly a resource accumulating game. From the set of five hundred cards each player starts with a ten card deck, and spends a part of each turn adding more cards to that deck. Each player starts with seven treasure cards with which to purchase those additional cards. The other three cards are victory points. Each turn you have a hand of five cards of which some may be treasure, and you get one opportunity to purchase new cards.
Each game has a selection of ten cards from twenty five different action cards, plus six cards that increase your score and provide for more treasure. The ten actions in the game change how often you can buy cards, or increase your spending power, or swap cards. Each of the twenty five different action cards has its own effect on the game, there are ample permutations available and for the foreseeable future every game promises to be different.
Purchase by purchase you add cards to your own small deck, building a strategy and accumulating victory points. By the time you have a deck together enough to get to your treasure cards its time to buy more of the green victory cards. Then its a race until the game ends.
As each player buys up the cards laid out for the game some of the options dry out. If any three piles run out, or if the highest scoring victory card pile empties then the game ends. Whichever player has the most victory cards in their deck at this point wins the game.
In every instance where this game has been demonstrated I've seen it prove popular. Every house hold that has tried it has followed up with a speedy purchase of the game. So far I have seen it grow from one box a friend brought over to a game our local community has embraced five times over. We are never far from a box of Dominion. It fires our imagination and fulfils our gaming needs.
In short this is a good game and one we'll no doubt keep playing most of the way through 2009.
If I'm wrong you'll probably hear about it here.
-- --
485 words
Dominion is a fast paced card game, flavoured around establishing a mighty medieval kingdom. The game comes in a box and is simply five hundred plus cards. It is the way those cards work together that builds an interesting and dynamic gaming experience.
The game has been compared to Magic and other trading card games, and there are elements shared with that gaming model. It is mainly a resource accumulating game. From the set of five hundred cards each player starts with a ten card deck, and spends a part of each turn adding more cards to that deck. Each player starts with seven treasure cards with which to purchase those additional cards. The other three cards are victory points. Each turn you have a hand of five cards of which some may be treasure, and you get one opportunity to purchase new cards.
Each game has a selection of ten cards from twenty five different action cards, plus six cards that increase your score and provide for more treasure. The ten actions in the game change how often you can buy cards, or increase your spending power, or swap cards. Each of the twenty five different action cards has its own effect on the game, there are ample permutations available and for the foreseeable future every game promises to be different.
Purchase by purchase you add cards to your own small deck, building a strategy and accumulating victory points. By the time you have a deck together enough to get to your treasure cards its time to buy more of the green victory cards. Then its a race until the game ends.
As each player buys up the cards laid out for the game some of the options dry out. If any three piles run out, or if the highest scoring victory card pile empties then the game ends. Whichever player has the most victory cards in their deck at this point wins the game.
In every instance where this game has been demonstrated I've seen it prove popular. Every house hold that has tried it has followed up with a speedy purchase of the game. So far I have seen it grow from one box a friend brought over to a game our local community has embraced five times over. We are never far from a box of Dominion. It fires our imagination and fulfils our gaming needs.
In short this is a good game and one we'll no doubt keep playing most of the way through 2009.
If I'm wrong you'll probably hear about it here.
-- --
485 words
Friday 2 January 2009
Fairy Tales
The really good happy ever after stories all contain a lesson or a moral. In general all the popular fairy tales are aimed at girls. At the center of these stories the message is loud and clear – You are a princess and if you only believe in true love your prince charming will come.
I always saw their origins as starting around a camp fire, some old gypsy grandmother telling the wee children a story of magical adventure, of dragons and witches and princes and damsels in distress. The story would entertain the little ones, but just at the edge of the fire light some older girl, probably in her mid teens just in ear shot is hearing the wisdom of the story. Maybe the details are being carefully reshaped to connect in some way with the troubles in her life.
Trouble with controlling maternal figures, longing for the boy of your dreams, worries about your future, wishes that time would stop or simply continue without you; all these plots are investigated in the fairy tales we all know. Each story carries a truth.
Sleeping Beauty shows that no matter how long it takes true love will set you free. In Cinderella we find that no matter how bad things are it could always be worse, and in case you think things can't get better even Cinderella got to go to the ball. Snow White teaches you can count on your friends and that jealousy and envy can make you do wicked things. In the story of Rapunzel the damsel in distress, locked away from the world, finally finds an escape through a man willing to go to extraordinary lengths to be with her.
In short each of our princesses needs to learn patience. As Diana Ross tells us “you can't hurry love” There are other lessons to teach after all the Big Bad Wolf is still out there threatening to gobble up Red Riding hood, though these days it is less likely to be an actual canine in the woods.
All these stories are as important today as ever they were. The Disney studios have taken on the mantle of the fireside storyteller in today's world. Thanks to the Brothers Grimm we have a rich heritage of fantasy and adventure to draw lessons from. Think how attitudes might change if the meanings behind the fairy tales were made more apparent.
Children need to hear the stories but they also need to recognise the lessons.
-- --
417 words
I always saw their origins as starting around a camp fire, some old gypsy grandmother telling the wee children a story of magical adventure, of dragons and witches and princes and damsels in distress. The story would entertain the little ones, but just at the edge of the fire light some older girl, probably in her mid teens just in ear shot is hearing the wisdom of the story. Maybe the details are being carefully reshaped to connect in some way with the troubles in her life.
Trouble with controlling maternal figures, longing for the boy of your dreams, worries about your future, wishes that time would stop or simply continue without you; all these plots are investigated in the fairy tales we all know. Each story carries a truth.
Sleeping Beauty shows that no matter how long it takes true love will set you free. In Cinderella we find that no matter how bad things are it could always be worse, and in case you think things can't get better even Cinderella got to go to the ball. Snow White teaches you can count on your friends and that jealousy and envy can make you do wicked things. In the story of Rapunzel the damsel in distress, locked away from the world, finally finds an escape through a man willing to go to extraordinary lengths to be with her.
In short each of our princesses needs to learn patience. As Diana Ross tells us “you can't hurry love” There are other lessons to teach after all the Big Bad Wolf is still out there threatening to gobble up Red Riding hood, though these days it is less likely to be an actual canine in the woods.
All these stories are as important today as ever they were. The Disney studios have taken on the mantle of the fireside storyteller in today's world. Thanks to the Brothers Grimm we have a rich heritage of fantasy and adventure to draw lessons from. Think how attitudes might change if the meanings behind the fairy tales were made more apparent.
Children need to hear the stories but they also need to recognise the lessons.
-- --
417 words
Thursday 1 January 2009
New Years Resolutions
There are so many areas of need, so many projects that require attention and support. We all have so much spare time and how do we use it? As one year passes and another begins we set our selves a challenge, we define new years resolutions and we try to stick with them. Whether we aim to attend a gym, eat more fruit, drink less beer, or write more often, we set our hearts and minds on a noble end.
Yet how noble? We expect these wishes and plans to improve our lives, that they will make a difference in how we live and change things for the better. Most of us fail and give up rather than continue on for the full twelve months, with research showing that only twelve percent of our new years resolutions actually stick till the end of the year.
I know that last year's plan to write four hundred words a day failed, and I don't know how well that goal will be met this year. With these basically selfish goals failing on an annually repeating cycle how can we hope to effect any realistically worthwhile changes.
I suggest that for your next round of resolutions or personal improvement goals you set ones that benefit other people. Suggestions might include – host more gatherings, cook a meal every week for a none family member, once a month give time to a local charity or shelter, help elderly neighbours deal with their recycling each week.
What difference will this make? Well even if you stop doing this part way through the year at least for a short while you improved someone's life a little. If you doing good makes you feel better about yourself, and you even enjoy helping in this way then maybe you'll be able to stick with the plan.
Yes it all sounds like liberal hippy do-gooder nonsense, but this is the human race and we need all the help we can get. Who am I suggesting should go out and do these things? Me, I am just as likely to read this and shrug off my responsibility to help as any of you. So if I sound preachy and in your face I hope you'll realise the face I'm getting into most is my own.
And if you beat me to it; If you were looking for ideas as to what new years resolutions you might try out and picked something like the above; I wish you all the best. Also I wish you a Happy New year.
– – –
427 Words
Yet how noble? We expect these wishes and plans to improve our lives, that they will make a difference in how we live and change things for the better. Most of us fail and give up rather than continue on for the full twelve months, with research showing that only twelve percent of our new years resolutions actually stick till the end of the year.
I know that last year's plan to write four hundred words a day failed, and I don't know how well that goal will be met this year. With these basically selfish goals failing on an annually repeating cycle how can we hope to effect any realistically worthwhile changes.
I suggest that for your next round of resolutions or personal improvement goals you set ones that benefit other people. Suggestions might include – host more gatherings, cook a meal every week for a none family member, once a month give time to a local charity or shelter, help elderly neighbours deal with their recycling each week.
What difference will this make? Well even if you stop doing this part way through the year at least for a short while you improved someone's life a little. If you doing good makes you feel better about yourself, and you even enjoy helping in this way then maybe you'll be able to stick with the plan.
Yes it all sounds like liberal hippy do-gooder nonsense, but this is the human race and we need all the help we can get. Who am I suggesting should go out and do these things? Me, I am just as likely to read this and shrug off my responsibility to help as any of you. So if I sound preachy and in your face I hope you'll realise the face I'm getting into most is my own.
And if you beat me to it; If you were looking for ideas as to what new years resolutions you might try out and picked something like the above; I wish you all the best. Also I wish you a Happy New year.
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427 Words
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