You know, I really do love my majors. I love talking about history, as evidenced by my travel blog, and I love talking about literature.
About a week ago, I got to combine both of my majors and my Europe experience in a class discussion. We were talking about my new second-favorite poem called Dream of the Rood - the Rood being the cross Christ was crucified on. The poem tells the story of Christ's crucifixion from the point of view of the cross, making parallels between the cross and the believer, and the poem is tear-inducing both for its theology and its literary beauty.
Anyway, as part of understanding the poem, we also read the legend of the cross, from its growing from a seed from the Tree of Knowledge to Helena finding it in Jerusalem. This legend shows up in the frescoes in the Cathedral of St. Francis in Arezzo. When I posted about that, I got an email from a friend (sent by that little Talk To Me box at the bottom) talking about that legend. In her email, she used a phrase I had never heard of, but when I heard it, it gave me a completely new perspective. Seriously, I felt enlightened after seeing it in her email.
Ready for it?
Here it is:
"Biblical fanfiction."
I cracked up the first time I saw it, not because it's funny, per se, but because such a funny phrase fits the story so very perfectly. When we were talking about Dream of the Rood and the Legend of the Cross in class, I mentioned that phrase, and the response was a combination of laughter and comments that sounded like, "Yeah, that's pretty much right!"
I'm so glad my friend decided to share that insight with me, because it gave me a whole new way to look at some long-standing literature. So if you, dear reader, have an insight about something you're reading, be sure to share it with people around you. You never know who might benefit from it! I was hyperbolizing a little bit about feeling "enlightened," but I am not kidding at all when I say that hearing it gave me new perspectives, and I am very grateful for it.
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Kaitie Wade - Tail Lights
You all know how much I enjoy sharing stories about teenagers who take early steps in pursuing their dreams. Well, Kaitie Wade isn't a teenager anymore. She is my age. How do I know this? Well, because we sat next to each other in grade school. As of last February, she is a recording sound artist with one single released, called "Tail Lights." I know nothing about music, so I can't really say any more about Kaitie's song, so I suggest you check out her Bandcamp page. I think you can listen to her song with the right app, and I'm pretty sure it's on iTunes also.
Now I'm wondering if I should find an old picture we're both in and post it here just to embarrass her... (Just kidding. I wouldn't even know where to begin looking.)
Now I'm wondering if I should find an old picture we're both in and post it here just to embarrass her... (Just kidding. I wouldn't even know where to begin looking.)
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Jurassic World
I'm told those are the only decent movies to come out of that franchise. I haven't seen Lost World or Jurassic Park III.
Anyway... I saw Jurassic World (several times) before seeing Jurassic Park. I'm not going to comment on which one was better, per se. I'm just going to say this: Jurassic Park had surprisingly few dinosaurs.
That was my takeaway - really. I think we waited half an hour for the first dinosaurs to show up, and then... well, there weren't many dinosaurs. Even with the scenes with dinosaurs in them, you can't see the dinosaurs! Mostly you can just hear them.
I know for it's time (22 years ago) it was incredible and unprecedented, and the effects on the brontosaurus (bracchiosaurus? The ones with long necks that ate leaves) were fantastic. They were, by far, my favorites.
Okay, one more thing. Having seen JW's velociraptors first, and having freaking fallen in love with them, I was waiting on the edge of my seat for the velociraptors to do velociraptor things. This really got under my skin, because the main scientist guy has this little monologue in the opening about the significance of the -raptor part of their name. Unfortunately, they completely forgot about the veloci- part of the name. Velocity is speed. Being fast. Running like the wind! In JP, they remind me of the beavers in the first Chronicles of Narnia movie. Awkward, slow, and kinda making things drag a little bit. Except for the scene where they jump out and surprise the lady doctor - that was freaking awesome!
Anyway, that was what I liked best about Jurassic World. Once they put the dinosaurs in there, they stay. I think it's safe to say there is a dinosaur in over half the scenes, maybe even two-thirds. The other thing was that the velociraptors were just so freaking incredible! You can feel their power and their hunger in everything they do - they are scary, but in an awe-inspiring way. I mean, wow.
So, if you haven't seen Jurassic World yet, I recommend you do. If you're too young to drive a car, then you should get your parents' permission to see the movie, because there is some language in it and general other things that parents get the say on, But otherwise, it's a good movie, and the dinosaurs do some fantastic things! Needless to say, I really enjoyed it.
To be honest, the first time I went, I went because of Chris Pratt. He's a fun actor and is an outspoken Christian, so it struck me as a completely justifiable splurge, even though I had zero interest in the dinosaurs. The last six times I went, I went for the velociraptors.
Anyway... I saw Jurassic World (several times) before seeing Jurassic Park. I'm not going to comment on which one was better, per se. I'm just going to say this: Jurassic Park had surprisingly few dinosaurs.
That was my takeaway - really. I think we waited half an hour for the first dinosaurs to show up, and then... well, there weren't many dinosaurs. Even with the scenes with dinosaurs in them, you can't see the dinosaurs! Mostly you can just hear them.
I know for it's time (22 years ago) it was incredible and unprecedented, and the effects on the brontosaurus (bracchiosaurus? The ones with long necks that ate leaves) were fantastic. They were, by far, my favorites.
Okay, one more thing. Having seen JW's velociraptors first, and having freaking fallen in love with them, I was waiting on the edge of my seat for the velociraptors to do velociraptor things. This really got under my skin, because the main scientist guy has this little monologue in the opening about the significance of the -raptor part of their name. Unfortunately, they completely forgot about the veloci- part of the name. Velocity is speed. Being fast. Running like the wind! In JP, they remind me of the beavers in the first Chronicles of Narnia movie. Awkward, slow, and kinda making things drag a little bit. Except for the scene where they jump out and surprise the lady doctor - that was freaking awesome!
Anyway, that was what I liked best about Jurassic World. Once they put the dinosaurs in there, they stay. I think it's safe to say there is a dinosaur in over half the scenes, maybe even two-thirds. The other thing was that the velociraptors were just so freaking incredible! You can feel their power and their hunger in everything they do - they are scary, but in an awe-inspiring way. I mean, wow.
So, if you haven't seen Jurassic World yet, I recommend you do. If you're too young to drive a car, then you should get your parents' permission to see the movie, because there is some language in it and general other things that parents get the say on, But otherwise, it's a good movie, and the dinosaurs do some fantastic things! Needless to say, I really enjoyed it.
To be honest, the first time I went, I went because of Chris Pratt. He's a fun actor and is an outspoken Christian, so it struck me as a completely justifiable splurge, even though I had zero interest in the dinosaurs. The last six times I went, I went for the velociraptors.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
School ~ Senior Year
Well, I'm settled (sort of) back into school for my senior year. I totally lucked out with some of my classes - so far, I think I'll have a TOTAL of fifteen-ish pages to write, not counting my English thesis. I really hope it stays that way, so I can dedicate more time to my thesis.
I haven't been at WLC since last December... this is a really strange feeling!
I haven't been at WLC since last December... this is a really strange feeling!
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Survey
If you read my blog, please, please, please leave a comment answering the question I am about to ask. It is a question that is very important to me, both as a writer and as a reader. So even if you've never left a comment on my blog before, please answer the upcoming question. If you can answer it with one or two sentences, that would be even better, and if you want to go longer, type your heart out!
Here is the question:
Have you ever related or closely connected to a character with whom you had many significant differences?
Here is the question:
Have you ever related or closely connected to a character with whom you had many significant differences?
What I mean is this: if you're a girl, was there ever a boy character you've felt you related to really well? If you're a computer wizard, have you ever felt close to a book character that was technologically challenged? If you're a human, which I'm assuming most of you are, was there an animal in a book you thought you could see yourself - or the version of you that you wanted to be?
If you know what I'm talking about, please leave a response on the blog, or if you'd rather, please email me at darkwoodsbooks@aol.com. This is important to me as I begin work in earnest on book 4, and most likely final, in the Darkwoods series.
Friday, June 12, 2015
How Eclipse Could Have Been Good
Yes, I know, I'm behind on my Travel Blog posts. I'll get back to those Sunday-ish. Moving on.
Really quickly, here's my review of New Moon: it was remarkably enjoyable except for the parts that included Edward. Moving on.
I thought about just doing a plain old review of Eclipse, the third book in the Twilight saga. The thing is, I don't think that would really do justice to the book, or rather what the main problem is (in my opinion).
I think it's the general consensus that Eclipse is the worst of the Twilight novels. The story doesn't make a lot of sense, the love triangle is obnoxious - no, not the Edward-Bella-Jacob one, the other one - and Bella is, of course, completely useless. Edward is bland and boring, and Jacob took a nose dive in interest. But I think the main problem with the book is that it could have been really good. It could have, in fact, been a very powerful story with a very powerful message. It could have completely undone the legitimate complaint with the series in general, that the Bella-Edward love is based in perfection rather than perseverance.
The general plot is that the evil vampiress is gathering an army of new-made vampires in an attempt to overwhelm the Cullens and the werewolves. Although, since this is a love story, that's more of a subplot. The love story focuses on Bella being older than Edward, much to her dismay. She wants Edward to turn her into a vampire so she can be young, or near his age, forever. But she's also struggling with a part of her having feelings for Jacob. She even has to admit that she loves Jacob too. Of course, in the end, she chooses Edward, and Edward promises to make her a vampire soon after they get married. That's the general plot, anyway.
During the book, two specific things happen. The first is that Rosalie, Edward's adopted sister, tells Bella that she doesn't know what she'd be giving up if she gave up her human life. She tells Bella that there are parts of being human she will have to live without, forever - most notably, having a child of her own.
The second is that, as Bella kisses Jacob, she has a vision, of sorts, of watching herself grow up, of watching years passing "and meaning something as they passed." She saw Jacob and her children running into the forest. In other words, she saw what she would give up if she let Edward turn her into a vampire.
So, what's the problem? The problem is that the two events teach Bella nothing. By the end of the book, Bella is still freaking out that she's almost two years older than Edward, as if that's the most important thing she has to worry about. She's still pestering Edward to turn her into a vampire as quickly as possible.
How could it have been good? My theory: it could have been good if Bella had learned something - most especially, if she had learned something about what was really important in life. There are multiple ways that Bella's maturation could be shown, but I think the best way would be for Bella to say at the end that she would still marry Edward, but she didn't need to turn vampire right away. First, she could have kids, experience a few years as a human and learn and grow some more. That's the upside to being human. The upside to being a vampire? She looks Edward's age for forever.
I'm not saying her life would only have been worthwhile if she had decided she wanted kids, but she is such a static character and such a shallow character throughout the book. On the other hand, think how powerful the story would be if she came to the realization that how she looked - that, when you boil away the complex-sounding adjectives, was her primary concern throughout the book - was not the most important part of her relationship with Edward. Deciding she wanted a child would give her a complexity and a maturation that, as a book character, could only make her better. More importantly, it could have made Edward and Bella's relationship a depiction of how there are more important things in the world than how you look.
Really quickly, here's my review of New Moon: it was remarkably enjoyable except for the parts that included Edward. Moving on.
I thought about just doing a plain old review of Eclipse, the third book in the Twilight saga. The thing is, I don't think that would really do justice to the book, or rather what the main problem is (in my opinion).
I think it's the general consensus that Eclipse is the worst of the Twilight novels. The story doesn't make a lot of sense, the love triangle is obnoxious - no, not the Edward-Bella-Jacob one, the other one - and Bella is, of course, completely useless. Edward is bland and boring, and Jacob took a nose dive in interest. But I think the main problem with the book is that it could have been really good. It could have, in fact, been a very powerful story with a very powerful message. It could have completely undone the legitimate complaint with the series in general, that the Bella-Edward love is based in perfection rather than perseverance.
The general plot is that the evil vampiress is gathering an army of new-made vampires in an attempt to overwhelm the Cullens and the werewolves. Although, since this is a love story, that's more of a subplot. The love story focuses on Bella being older than Edward, much to her dismay. She wants Edward to turn her into a vampire so she can be young, or near his age, forever. But she's also struggling with a part of her having feelings for Jacob. She even has to admit that she loves Jacob too. Of course, in the end, she chooses Edward, and Edward promises to make her a vampire soon after they get married. That's the general plot, anyway.
During the book, two specific things happen. The first is that Rosalie, Edward's adopted sister, tells Bella that she doesn't know what she'd be giving up if she gave up her human life. She tells Bella that there are parts of being human she will have to live without, forever - most notably, having a child of her own.
The second is that, as Bella kisses Jacob, she has a vision, of sorts, of watching herself grow up, of watching years passing "and meaning something as they passed." She saw Jacob and her children running into the forest. In other words, she saw what she would give up if she let Edward turn her into a vampire.
So, what's the problem? The problem is that the two events teach Bella nothing. By the end of the book, Bella is still freaking out that she's almost two years older than Edward, as if that's the most important thing she has to worry about. She's still pestering Edward to turn her into a vampire as quickly as possible.
How could it have been good? My theory: it could have been good if Bella had learned something - most especially, if she had learned something about what was really important in life. There are multiple ways that Bella's maturation could be shown, but I think the best way would be for Bella to say at the end that she would still marry Edward, but she didn't need to turn vampire right away. First, she could have kids, experience a few years as a human and learn and grow some more. That's the upside to being human. The upside to being a vampire? She looks Edward's age for forever.
I'm not saying her life would only have been worthwhile if she had decided she wanted kids, but she is such a static character and such a shallow character throughout the book. On the other hand, think how powerful the story would be if she came to the realization that how she looked - that, when you boil away the complex-sounding adjectives, was her primary concern throughout the book - was not the most important part of her relationship with Edward. Deciding she wanted a child would give her a complexity and a maturation that, as a book character, could only make her better. More importantly, it could have made Edward and Bella's relationship a depiction of how there are more important things in the world than how you look.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Marta's Checklist for Today
In which I get to sorta-kinda brag about my adventures today.
1. Registration for Fall
There are few feelings quite as satisfying as being six time zones ahead of your school on registration day. Whereas most of the other upcoming seniors/Honors students had to wake up at 7:30 am, I just had lunch and registered at 1:30 pm. Good times! Very relaxing. Okay, not really, it was pretty frustrating because I had a lot of trouble deciding which core American history I wanted to take, but I decided to go with the class covering 1865-1945. Then there's my required theology, one of my capstone projects (yikes!) and Medieval Literature. I'm really looking forward to that last one!
2. Get trip to Portsmouth sorted out
I thought I'd finished this yesterday, but no... After putting out its final end-of-semester schedule, they revised it again, moving my one exam to the same time as my flight to London, whereas before it had ended five hours before my flight. I was not happy about this - but, fortunately, the registrar had been prepared for something like that, and I get to sit the exam in the morning anyway. *sigh of relief*
That was pretty much my day after class. This next week is my last week of classes, and then I have break for one week (during which I will be in Croatia, so expect some updates from that!!!!) and then a week and a half of exams, and then I'm off to Portsmouth... Then, eventually, home. It's back to Alaska National for my summer job, and I will have a list of fairs and events I'm going to be at this summer.
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