I've been so busy the last 2 weeks, I've barely had time to breathe let alone blog. I still am crazy busy, but I thought I'd take the time to reflect today because it's my birthday.
Yes, I'm getting older. I hope gooder (lol).
I've been thinking about my life and I'm satisfied with it for the most part. I have 3 wonderful kids, excellent family support, true-blue friends, a job I love, and I'm finally on track to finish my education like I should have 15 years ago. All in all, I'm not doing too bad.
Upon reflection though, I realize that I've almost lost 2 important virtues: patience and belief in people. On the one hand, less patience is good because I've finally realized that I can't wait for people to change. People only change if it's worth it to them, not me. And less patience means I'm not willing to put up with crap. You do shit, I'm out of there! Especially if you're not adult enough to acknowledge the crap you've done and try to make amends.
As for belief in others, I feel that I was too naive before. I still think that people are inherently good and trustworthy, but I'm less likely to ignore suspicious actions. I used to refuse to even entertain the idea that people I know and trust could act dishonorably or cruelly; now it doesn't even make me bat an eye. In other words, I believe what people show/tell me about themselves. For example, if you show/tell me that you're a liar, I don't think that our friendship will change you, or that you even want to change... I certainly don't think that any talk/lecture/nagging from me will make you see the error of your ways.
See what I mean? I believe what people show/tell about themselves, which makes me believe less in people generally.
I think that the most serious side effect of my virtue deficiency (yes, I know how that sounds, but get your mind out of the gutter! lol) is what some may regard as arrogance. I don't think I'm arrogant, I just know what my strengths are and I also know what pisses me off. I really can't stand people who put up a front. Believe it or not, it's not that hard to psych out fakers. All I have to do is compare them to my real friends, because they're the gold standard in genuineness. Isn't that how analysts tell counterfeit money from real money? They study the original so they're able to spot a fake.
I don't think that acknowledging my strengths makes me arrogant. Willfully disregarding them is false modesty.
False modesty = knowing my strengths but pretending I don't have any; vs
Real modesty = knowing and acknowledging my strengths, and realizing that everyone has strengths. I don't think I'm better/worse than anyone else. I am comfortable enough with myself to let others have the limelight without malice. I'm not afraid to take the limelight if/when it's necessary.
Most important = I acknowledge my many weaknesses and am working on them.
I guess that proves that I'm not lamenting my loss of patience and belief in others. It's a (normal?) symptom of growing up (I guess).
Anyway, I'm soooo looking forward to this new year. I have 5 major goals this year. I'll let you in on 3 of them:
- get my B.Ed. I mean get the certificate in my hand. Graduate!
- learn to drive. I know it's shameful at my age, but better late than never;
- lose some weight. I'm already on a diet, but I need to kickstart my exercise program.
I'll announce the other 2 when I get them. Don't want to jinx it (lol).
The most important idea in this movie is the universal question of ‘being’ as posed by Shakespeare’s Danish prince, Hamlet, in his famous soliloquy, “To be or not to be?” Though Hamlet was debating whether or not to commit suicide, the speech has meaning that transcends Hamlet’s despair. It has become the mantra for everyman’s questioning of his higher purpose, the existential angst of finding out who one really is and then growing into that ‘best self’. The film’s title “Avatar” proves that this is the overarching idea. Naturally one asks, what does the word ‘avatar’ mean? Moreover, what connotations does the name bring to an understanding of the film? There are three definitions worth considering:- The word avatar comes from Sanskrit, meaning “a form of self”. It is used in Hinduism to indicate a ‘manifestation’ of a deity in human form, most often associated with Lord Vishnu. For example, it is believed that Buddha is an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
- The word can also mean ‘embodiment’, a new personification of an old idea. For example, Barack Obama can be said to be the avatar (embodiment) of Martin Luther King’s dream of equality for all races.
- In the context of MMORPGs (massively multi-user online role-playing games) and the internet in general, an avatar is the computer user’s virtual alter-ego – his/her online representation of him/herself, whether through a 3-dimensional model, or through a 2-dimensional picture or icon. In either case, the avatar is not necessarily how the user looks or behaves in reality, but how he/she wants to be perceived. It is common for one’s avatar to embody the most valued aspects/features of oneself, as well as characteristics that one wishes to have (e.g. less weight, more hair, different skin colour, popularity, more intelligence).
In all three understandings, one’s avatar connotes one’s ‘best self’. I posit that all three meanings are relevant to understanding this film in its deepest sense.
The avatar that we first encounter in the film is the virtual alter-ego. Using advanced drag and drop computer technology, the mind of the protagonist Jake Sully is transposed into his Na’vi avatar while his human form lies in a pseudo-comatose state. It is in this manifestation of himself, this avatar, that Jake becomes his ‘best self’.
As a human, Jake is disfigured, physically and emotionally. He is no stranger to violence, whether perpetrated upon or by him: he returned from combat as a paraplegic, confined to a wheelchair, and his twin brother was murdered “for the paper in his pocket.” One can infer that Jake Sully knows violence and death so well that th
By: hazelann,
on 5/15/2010
Blog:
Friends With Pens
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
Add a tag
Here's a story I wrote for my Short Story course. Comments/critique welcome....
SIGN OF THE TIMES
“Yuh see dat sign outside there? That is the sign of power, meh boy. Yuh know what I mean? Is the power to heeeeal you seeing there. When a man or woman coming with they problems and ailments, dat sign is like water to their thirsty soooouls, boy. Yuh understand what I saying?”
The apprentice nodded eagerly and his mentor discerned the bright light of complete devotion shining in the young man’s eyes. He smiled as his young charge turned toward the imposing sign that had adorned his yard for the past fifteen years. He was particularly proud of the sign: not having had the option of formal schooling - had he been given the opportunity, he was sure he would have been the brightest in the class; and he was doubly sure that even in his unschooled state, he was ten times brighter than those rich fools who came to him for spiritual guidance - he was glad that he could acquit himself in such a scholarly manner. It would have devastated him to be classed with the idiots and pyah-pyah obeahmen who ply their trade to the poor and powerless.
Though the paint was flaking in a few places and the red colour of the lettering was not as brilliant as the day he painted it freehand, Uncle Popo still felt pride and vindication that he had so elevated himself to be advisor of the rich and powerful. He felt the power surge in him anew. Today he felt especially compelled to share his thoughts.
“Yuh eh see dat sign boy?” Uncle Popo asked with pride and expectancy. The apprentice contemplated the sign as if it held the secret to life and his own future. It read:
0 Comments on Sign of the Times as of 1/1/1900
By: hazelann,
on 5/14/2010
Blog:
Friends With Pens
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
Add a tag
This event almost passed me by! Luckily I saw it just in time. Jodie Ansted of the Mummy Mayhem blog had this terrific idea that today should be a makeup-free day. I totally dig that!
Jodie, I see you on the no-makeup thing, and I'll go one better: No combing hair!
So here's my awful pic. Not having much shame, I'm not too embarrassed to publish this online. It's for the greater good I figure....
Awful! You can't say I didn't warn you....
By: hazelann,
on 5/14/2010
Blog:
Friends With Pens
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
Add a tag
We've got an opening for group members. If you're a YA/MG writer looking for a critique group, you may have a place with us.
You may be who we're looking for if:
- You're a dedicated, serious writer;
- Preferably, you write multicultural books, but 'regular' YA/MG books are quite fine;
- You're prepared to submit your work for critique;
- You're prepared to critique the work of other group members regularly;
- You can fit right in with a bunch of crazy, fun-loving writers from around the world.
If you're interested, read our membership guidelines first, then take part in the short story contest. You may be lucky enough to 'win' membership in our group as well as a $50 Amazon.com gift card.
Download the entry form here.
Welcome! Welcome!
Friends with Pens is a small group of wordsmiths who write young adult stories and novels. We support each other through the joys and frustrations of writing. Our diverse backgrounds are reflected in the stories we write. We call it a celebration of world cultures. An embarrassment of riches indeed!
We'll be posting regular updates about the stories we're working on, as well as other info that may help other aspiring writers. You're welcome to visit as often as you wish: our door's always open.
.jpeg)
