A Grimm Future For Hollywood

It's no secret that Hollywood has run out of new ideas. But this fact has become more obvious of late. First vampires, then werewolves, then zombies, and now anything by the Brothers Grimm. The latest fad in film and television is revamping (pun intended) classic fairy tales. There are two movies retelling the story of Snow White coming out next summer alone.

Mirror, Mirror

Snow White and the Huntsman

The first one looks more like a romantic comedy with Julia Roberts playing a role tailor made for her: evil queen. The second looks like another Twilight knockoff. That is partly because Kristen "How-Does-She-Keep-Getting-Work" Stewart is playing Snow White. These movies come flying in on the tail of Red Riding Hood and Beastly and slew of other "modern take on classic fairy tale" movies.
I'm not really excited about any of them. The fact that Roberts and Stewart are involved is enough to keep me away. Far, far away. But I will probably watch them anyway because I am a sucker for fairy tales. But I'm not happy about it. In fact, I'm quite conflicted about this emerging genre. Even TV is getting in on the action:

Once Upon A Time

Grimm

And since I love fairy tales so much, I'll probably end up watching these two shows as well. But it's not something I'm proud of. They are guilty pleasures that I'll hate myself for watching because I am just feeding the machine that is Hollywood as it cashes in on the latest craze. What can I do but try to enjoy the this trend until it ends? So what if the movies are unoriginal and pander to an audience that is desperate to relive its childhood by watching melodramatic, teen angst versions of its favorite fairy tales?

Fluffy White Stuff

It snowed today. First of the season. I had heard a rumor of this happening yesterday. I was not overly excited about it. Snow signifies autumn, which happens to be my favorite season, is over and winter, which happens to last forever in South Dakota, is beginning. 

But when I saw the snow, I smiled. This morning when I looked out my window, I saw the world transformed. It's amazing that after so many years, the first snow never seems to lose it's magic. The world has been given a new coat of paint. All the mistakes that were so obvious and jarring before have now been cleaned away. A fresh slate has been offered to me. New beginnings coincide with a new season. 

Honestly though, this new found optimism is starting to get to me. 

Time Can Do So Much

I glanced around this morning and found that half of November is already gone. When did this happen? October dragged her heals and refused to leave without a fight. November is trying to get out as soon as he can. (and yes, I just gave the months genders. deal with it.) I don't appreciate either. But time never passes the way you want it to. Time speeds by when wish it wouldn't. And when you're waiting for something, time goes by so slowly. (and now I have Unchained Melody stuck in my head. and hopefully yours too.)
But this is an old argument. There is nothing for me to say that hasn't already been said a thousand times before by people far more eloquent than me.
Time might heal most wounds but it also creates new ones by pushing you forward when you'd rather stand still.

Word Art

Typography is something I am really interested in. As a lover of words, it's no wonder that I would be fascinated by the way people put them on a page. In typography, each letter is a work of art.

But these! These are art on a whole different level. All of them are made of simple paper folded and bent into intricate designs. (I feel like there's an allegory for life in there somewhere but I'm too lazy to find it at the moment) 

I've Never Seen So Many People Wearing Capes

Nanocon. A gaming convention. In a small town. In the middle of South Dakota. And here I am, sitting at a booth, selling raffle tickets to help the Drama Club.

"Nanocon is Madison, South Dakota's premier gaming convention."

Madison, South Dakota's premier gaming convention? Really? I'm pretty sure it's the only one for miles. Does it really deserve the moniker of premier? I'm a word nerd. That's my thing. I feel lost amongst all these gaming nerds who use poor grammar and are prone to hyperbolic descriptions of card games.
My life has taken an odd turn of late.

 

Librarian

Guess who got job at the library? This girl! I start today and I couldn't be more excited. It's like a dream job for me. In case you haven't noticed, I happen to adore books. I love reading them. I love holding them. I love organizing them. I love merely being near them.

Even when reading is impossible, the presence of books acquired produces such an ecstasy that the buying of more books than one can read is nothing less than the soul reaching towards infinity. We cherish books even if unread, their presence exudes comfort, their ready access reassurance.
- A. E. Newton

Oh, how I could wax lyrical about the beauty of books forever. Do you know what my dream workplace is? It looks a little like this:

The library at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland: my personal mecca

I feel with this new job of mine, I am taking the smallest of steps toward this literary  haven. Some think being a librarian is the world's most tedious occupation. For myself, it is a dream come true and I only pity those who do not understand the magic that libraries hold.

I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.
- Jorge Luis Borges

 

My Life Is My Own Again

The play is done and suddenly the days have more hours in them. I have time to accomplish things. I have time to relax. In all honesty, I've been doing more of the latter in the past few days. I need to do decompress.
October was a stressful month to say the least. Not just with the play and school, but with life. So much personal drama went down I can't even begin to inventory it all. Everything seemed to be happening all at once. There were stunning highs and the crippling lows. What does one do when they happen at the same moment? Can a person's emotions be in two places at once?
But today marks the start of a new month. I'm not going to let the roller coaster that was October keep me from going forward into the future and enjoying these last days of 2011.

And now I'll leave you with a song that both amazing and pertinent:

Owl Cupcakes and Pumped Up Kicks

There is one thing I have wanted every year for my birthday. It's not something one can ask for though. It would defeat the purpose of the entire thing. Yes, the one thing that I have always wanted is a surprise party. And this year, the 21st year of our dear Jamie, my fondest wish was granted.
It was a Wednesday so I was not expecting a party at all. Everyone was busy with homework, work, and other things. I was planning on a quiet evening watching a movie with my best friends Molly and Martha. This is what I had been lead to believe.
When I walked into the room, my two friends quickly directed my attention to the table which held the most beautiful birthday cake (though it really wasn't a cake) I had ever seen:

They were owls! I loved them so much! 

But they were just a diversion. As soon as my attention was fixed on them, my friend shouted the code word, "Monkey Slut!" (if you don't understand reference, that's ok. I did and that's what counted.) And suddenly, people appeared from under desks, behind curtains, and out of closets. I screamed like a little girl. Partly out of shock but mostly out of joy. Joy that I had finally been given a surprise party.
And then we ate owls and danced to Foster the People. It was an epic night and I loved every moment.

I'm Not Much Of a Gamer

But this mouse is awesome and I want it.

It's called the Chameleon and it is the most beautiful mouse I have ever seen. It's a mouse, a game controller, and a remote control. I don't know how efficient this device would be, but the idea of it is amazing.  I love how many new devices are now being made to multitask. Best of all, this design is sleek, attractive, and it comes in red. It's the perfect blend of design and functionality. Or should I say multifunctionality?

Greek Myth Has Taken Over My Life

This semester, I'm in a class entitled, "Classical Myth and Media". I was incredibly excited to be taking such a course, for, as most of my friends know, I am a huge lover of mythology. I have been studying it independently for years now. I've read hundreds of articles on the internet, purchased several books on the subject, and watched dozens of specials on the History Channel. 

One of my favorite programs. Pity it only lasted 10 episodes...

So naturally I was looking forward to the class. Alas, I was only to be disappointed, but that is story for another day...
Besides my mythology class, I am taking a course on world literature. And wouldn't you know it, we're now reading the Iliad and the Odyssey in that class too. So at the moment, I'm getting a double dose of Achilles's rage and Odysseus's exploits. I've read both epic poems before so this all mostly review for me. But I still love it. I love anything to do with mythology. And I love being able to talk about with other people and not feel like a complete dork whilst doing so. I feel like all the time I spent reading up on the different pantheons and mystical creatures was not a complete waste of my youth.

If you happen to be in the area,
come and see the play  on  Oct 27, 28, 29!

Also this fall, I am participating in a production Metamorphose. This play consists of several different Greek myths adapted for the stage. I'm loving it, of course. No only because I adore Greek Mythology, but also because I love theater (see post below).
So between the two classes and the play, one would think I would have my fill of mythology. But they would be wrong! For those crazy ancient Greeks keep popping up everywhere. In my sociology class, we were discussing Freud. And that man had a lot to say about Greek myths. In my mass communications class, I had to make a business card for a famous literary figure. Who do you think I chose? Athena of course! My favorite of all the gods and goddesses.
You must be thinking, "So what, is this supposed a post complaining that Greek Mythology won't leave her alone?" Quite the contrary. I am utterly thrilled to be surrounded the stories and characters that I love everywhere I go. I'll be sad when it ends and I have to go back to being a closet mythology addict.