Rant...

So I started a topic last time, and I will attempt to finish it tonight. Star Wars. *sigh*

Now, please don't get me wrong. I really liked Ewan McGregor as Obi Wan Kenobi. I thought that it was cast very well. He had a strong performance, and it would have been better with some good dialogue. I enjoyed Ian McDiarmid as Senator/Chancellor/Emperor Palpetine, and (mainly because he is just cool... I mean REALLY cool) Samuel L Jackson as Mace Windu. But in all reality, these performances didn't save me from disappointment.

Let's just start with the characters. The Phantom Menace begins on a ship with two Jedi on a diplomatic mission. Evidently, the planet of Naboo is in trouble. It is here that we are introduced to a young Obi Wan Kenobi and his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn. After their hosts (the Trade Federation) suspect who they are, they try to kill them by throwing poisonous gas at them, followed by a number of droid soldiers. After fighting their way through all that and escaping to the planet, they befriend a local named Jar-Jar Binks (a problem in and of himself, but I really won't get into that...).

Sounds exciting, right? It was visually appealing, but unlike most stories, the violence doesn't actually show us anything about the characters. It was pretty cgi. But no character development at all.

Anyway, in order for the Jedi to get to the capital of Naboo and let the Queen of the Naboo know that their negotiations went terribly wrong, they have to first talk to the leader of the Gungans (Jar-Jar's race). In this scene, Qui-Gon and Obi Wan save Jar-Jar's hide from punishment (he's been banished, you see). Okay... point one for the Jedi. A generous, compassionate thing to do. They also find out that the way to the Naboo is through the planets core. (Why? That is a problem for when I discuss plot.) Anyway, they get to the capital and talk the Queen into running the blockade to get help from the Galatic Senate. They run the blockade and sustain some damage, so they have to land on Tatooine to get parts to fix the ship.

It is here that we are introduced to Anakin Skywalker. A young boy with amazing reflexes and a talent with technology. He's also sort of a brat. This is my main problem with Anakin. We are supposed to be pulling for him. He is, after all, a slave and has a rough life. (I am not sure how his life is rough, they don't really show that... but I am sure it is.) But it is hard when he is so abrasive. Also, backtracking a bit, the party that ventures forth into town to seek the parts needed are Qui-Gon, Padime (one of the queens handmaidens), and Jar-Jar. WHY Jar-Jar? He's proven to be an idiot... WHY???

On Tatooine, we see Qui-Gon try to pay for his parts with worthless currency, AND cheat on a bet. Is this how the honorable Jedi behave? I guess... We also learn that the Force is not a mystical energy flowing through us, as Yoda explained to Luke, but microscopic organisms living symbiotically with us. WHAT??? But that is plot... not characters.

Anyway... I digress. I challenge each of you to describe the main characters of this movie and their motivations. Not in terms of their jobs or what they wore. But REALLY describe them. Also... Who is the main character? Who do we (as the audience) live through? How are we SHOWN not TOLD of the characters friendships and enmities? Seriously... One of the first things that we learn in creative writing classes is SHOW not TELL. It's much more genuine that way. And what goes for writing goes double for visual arts.

I will continue this in a later blog. I hope this is not too rambly... But I guess that is just how I do. :)

GGC

Intro to Looonnng Rant

I have been thinking about a blog post for the past few days. I have started it and the deleted it about 20 times. I guess I dunno how to get it started and go. So I will just dive in.

This blog was started with the purpose of talking about my geeky self. I have used it for many things, rants and raves, silly fluff, whatever. But there has been something on my mind for a while now. STAR WARS. My son shares my love for the franchise, but is a fan of the prequel movies. That is where we differ. I really couldn't succinctly express why until recently. With the help on an online reviewer calling himself redlettermedia. He said in one hour what 10 years of me talking about them couldn't say. George Lucas got it WRONG. And what a disappointment. Seriously! The Force is an organism? I am supposed to identify with a cold and stoic Jedi order? WHY do I care about Naboo and WHY should I hate the Trade Federation? WHY can't the audience be in on who the villain is? Tooo complicated, toooo impersonal, toooooooooo cgi.

This is obviously just the tip of the ice burg. But I have little time right now, so I will call this the intro and continue my rant on a different day. Just know it is coming. Bring in the geek!

GGC

WARNING: Political content, read at your own peril!

So, as you know if you read my blog, I am a user of social media (specifically facebook, google+, and sporadically twitter). A recent "post if you agree" status update has been the focus of my research skill as of late... Which one? Read on, faithful follower, read on...

"THANK YOU FLORIDA AND KENTUCKY!!!! Florida and Kentucky, the first states that will require drug testing when applying for welfare, effective July 1st! Some people are crying this is unconstitutional. How is this unconstitutional? It's OK to drug test the people who work for their money but not those who don't? Re-post if you want all states to do this"

I read about these laws and proposed legislation and etc. and I feel slightly ill. The reasoning behind these bills is that tax payers shouldn't have to subsidize illegal drug use (true statement) and these measures will save money. What I see is children being forgotten. So, I did some research to educate myself on some of my reservations about it.

In Florida, they DID think of the children. Slightly. The recipient who has just tests positive for drug use can name another individual to receive benefits on behalf of their children. Hmmmm.... No problem there. Right? The ADDICT is allowed to name this individual. Not an independent case worker from CPS or a child advocate appointed by the state. Shouldn't these children be placed in a foster home? Perhaps BEFORE their parent is dragged off to jail (ok... I didn't read about follow up on this, but that is another reservation I have about this law... there seems to be little follow up).

AND what happens to the addict here? Are they arrested? Sent to rehab? What? I can find nothing about what the consequences are BESIDES losing government benefits. Either option is costly at best, ineffective at worst. Jail? Well, they can eat there. Hell, depending on the prison, you can even get your drug of choice there. But how does this give us a better situation than we have? No rehabilitation is guaranteed. Rehab? Costly. And if a forced rehab, again no guarantee of success. There IS a problem that needs to be addressed here... But taking welfare away alone is not addressing it. It is IGNORING the problem and allowing it to continue. I wish I had an answer here. I do not. Addicts are gonna be around as long as humans walk the earth, not just to illegal drugs, but to alcohol, gambling, etc, etc, etc.

I have also looked into the numbers of said laws. It saves taxpayers money, correct? It's not all that easy. The following blog entry was the easiest break down of the numbers that I found, but all of my research into practical numbers supports his math:

http://my.firedoglake.com/thingscomeundone/2011/01/18/the-true-cost-of-kentuckys-drug-testing-everyone-on-welfare/

I did not go into all my opinions and feelings on this matter. It seems that if I do, I seem ignorant. Here I will say what I feel. I am safe in my own blog. :) I am against it. I feel that we live in a society and we have a responsibility to those who don't have a voice (for instance, children). I also feel in order to create a world that I would be proud to hand over to my children, we have to help those who are vulnerable better themselves and strengthen themselves (in this case, drug rehab??). In my expressing my opinion I do not feel that I expose my ignorance, but I feel that I share a piece of myself with you. If you feel as though you need to tell me that my opinion is wrong, so be it. I will never do that to you. Opinions are wonderful. No matter what side you stand on them.

GGC

The moon...

I was sitting outside looking up at the moon tonight. It was so very pretty, framed by the branches of the trees in my front yard. Pretty damned amazing, actually. It actually really made me feel small. And by proxy, my problems became small. My life became (if briefly) nothing to worry about. Therapy in the sky, if you will. I think that I will take up meditation again. It was relaxing, I slept better, and it helped organize my thoughts.

It also made me want to dig out my copy of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance that I never could quite get through and actually read it outside under the huge starry sky. And then read more and more and more. I, however, live in Indiana. This may be a problem come late October. Lol! But I want to read many deep books. Philosophy, Eastern AND Western religion, and etc. Under the sky I saw tonight would be truly the best place for it. Anything is possible under that moon and them stars, even understanding Kierkegaard.

Anything is possible under them stars. It was beautiful. The evening is just cool enough. I wanted to (also) put that (at this point) imaginary book down and dream about the possibilities that Life should bring me. (you know, for my birthday or something...) A perfect wedding to my guy. A perfect proposal before that. A perfect vaca with my family. A way to help my son go to MIT (HIS choice). To truly be the best supportive parent my little boy needs right now. A truly great steak. A perfect fruition of my plans for my future. All of these things seem very close and very possible under that sky.

But then, I have to go inside. That is where all the work I need to do to achieve my goals need to be worked out. I feel slightly overwhelmed... But that is okay. I know I can do it. I can do all the work I need to to get there. I have already started.


But... I really needed tonight to remind me that I can do anything. I need more nights like this to re-energize that drive.

That moon lent me some of it's energy tonight, and now I will sleep well and get through the next act.

GGC

Not sure how to feel...

Just for the record, I know that I am overweight. I like food. I am lazy. BUT I have GREAT hair. I need to live in a culture where that is where beauty is measured. NOT my weight. I do envy heavy girls who feel comfortable in their own skin. If I had the confidence that I see other overweight girls have, I would be happy. Maybe, then, I would loose some of the extra weight and be healthy. It's a vicious cycle, really.

"Why," you ask, "is she talking about this?" I had a talk today with people along these lines. This conversation upset me at times. I think that a guy's perspective on the inner workings of a woman always upsets me. ESPECIALLY when the guy is dictating to ME how a woman feels.

No, not all heavy women who wear "inappropriate" clothing (I put that in quotes because that is up to the beholder...) go home and cry about how they look. In fact, I would think it would take no small amount of confidence to wear an outfit that showcases your curves when you have a lot of them. Otherwise, it seems like an odd thing to choose to do.

I also find it infuriating when a guy says to me (when caught ogling a "hot" chick) "She WANTS me to look." Really? Pick your jaw up. She is picking up her keys that she just dropped. Not putting on a show for your amusement. Also, for the record- talking to a woman's chest is NEVER flattering, it's just creepy and demeaning.

Besides having GREAT hair, I am smart, I am kind, I have opinions (I know you think that is cute *sigh*) that are based on things that I have read/seen/experienced. You should really consider pulling yourself into THIS reality (you know, the one where women are PEOPLE), it ain't so bad.

Now,to go back to my initial confession, those of you who know me may be saying to yourselves, "But she is very pretty," or you may be saying "Yeah, that girl is FAT." I tell you it doesn't really matter. You can tell me you think I look good. I will smile and say "Thank you." Because that is what you DO. You accept compliments in the spirit they were given. This does not mean that I agree with you. But don't worry, I don't cry in my pillow about it. I am just telling you how I feel.

GGC

Conspiracy!

I'm just gonna jump right in here... The Robert Langdon novels by Dan Brown are FICTION, people! They are WELL WRITTEN fiction. But please notice that they are STILL fiction.

I just spent my evening watching a documentary called Cracking the Da Vinci Code. And weirdly enough, I did NOT remember that I had legs. I did NOT walk away. Now I would like my evening back. It was so very disappointing. It lacked ANY sort of evidence to support their theories. Sure, the figure next to Jesus in The Last Supper looks like a woman, and yeah, it looks as though there is a disembodied hand holding a dagger. BUT, does this mean that Mary Magdeline is Jesus' wife and the mother of his children? NOT EVIDENCE!

Most of the "evidence" in this documentary was similar in nature. I like to watch/read/listen to off beat theories in history. I like a good conspiracy as much as the next person. But really??? Support your arguments. We learn that in middle school/ high school/ college. SUPPORT YOUR ARGUMENTS!

This blog is in no way slamming on Dan Brown. I enjoy the Robert Langdon novels a lot. They are so compelling. Just frustrated by the documentary is all.

GGC

WINNING!

So... I have been holding out on each and every one of you. I have been keeping a secret for some time now, and it's long past time that I let it out. So... here is my confession: I am a goddess. No really. I wish you would stop laughing and let me explain... :)

I haven't written a whole lot about it here, but I do game. Like game as in role playing games. Yes, I really AM a geek. If this surprises you perhaps you missed the name of my entire blog... But I digress... I have been playing a game called "Hellfrost" for about a year and a half, maybe two years with a group of friends. Hellfrost is a fantasy setting with a Norse feel to it. Oh... and a magical ice age is descending. In it, I play a cleric (or priestess, if you will) to a goddess of animals and plants (Eoster). One of my advantages is an animal companion. My character chills with a big dire wolf named Gulbrandr. And wolves and dogs have been pretty abundant in the story of my character.

I know... BORING. You just needed to know all that before I told the actual story. About six weeks ago, I was talking to the game master (or "GM) and asking him how I could use an animal trapping (a trapping, for those of you who don't know, is how a spell looks or more to the point how it is cast. Trappings flavor how magic looks in the mind's eye during game play) for a spell I could learn. Our GM is fairly active on an online forum for Hellfrost on which the creators of the setting can answer such questions. So, he took it to the forum for suggestions. He got a few that were pretty interesting. He shared in this post that my character seems to be specifically in tune with canines.

Fast forward about two weeks. I am sitting at the coffee house with some friends when my phone rings. It's my GM. I (of course) answer (did I mention that he is also my boyfriend? ;) ).
He tells me Wade "Wiggy" Williams (the writer for Hellfrost) contacted him because he wanted to make a minor goddess of canines. He wanted the GM to talk to me to see if I would give permission to use some variation of my name for this new goddesses name. I told my GM that (duh!) that would be awesome and hung up the phone. Then I proceeded to geek out for the next week or so.

The goddess has been written up and is a part of a free PDF supplement available online thru Triple Ace Games. Her name is Ellanhere, a minor goddess under Eoster. For those of you who don't know me personally, yes, that is parts of my first, middle, AND last names. And for all of you reading, no, we are not entirely sure how it's pronounced... :)

And THAT is how I became a goddess. Now... Where's my tribute?

GGC

ANNNNNND... I'm back!

After a long absence, I am back to the world of the interwebs and especially the self-centered art of blogging. :) Hi, y'all!

After a good holiday season and a bout with extreme fatigue, I am back to the grind and extremely ready to work my @ss off this year. I will be committing to blogging once a week again. I will be also posting more creative posts here... and sharing my experiments with homemade beauty products and crafts. I will also be throwing in a few photos and stories from my life (real or imagined...) I hope to not bore you completely. :)

A short comeback... But I gotta get ready for this week... Perhaps I will post another this week even. Lol!

GGC