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
Saturday 24 January 2009
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.
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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.
– – –
427 Words
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