After finally finishing the great epic known as Star Wars, I have decided to sit down and write up my thoughts about it.
First and foremost, I want to say that I did, in fact, like it.
And now, I will go on to tell you my thoughts in detail. Star Wars fans who take offense at anyone disliking a shred of the movies, you should stop reading this now. No, really. Stop here.
Also, people who don't like/don't care about Star Wars, you can stop here as well.
*ahem*
The amount of worldbuilding that went into those films is mindblowing. Leaving any other aspect out of it, the starships, space stations and other aircraft alone were just... O__O No words, just emoticons. That's not counting the actual different planets, the government, and the variety of species. Hats off for that one, I have to say.
I was pleasantly surprised with the special effects. They were better than I expected, and I have admittedly high standards. Technically, I found the films really quite enjoyable.
Now of course, there are things that I did not love. The lack of females, for one. Yes, I did see that there were some female Jedi, and females on the senate, but I'd have liked to have seen some more female main characters.
I did feel like the amount of OMG LET'S BLOW SHIT UP really overpowered any hope of really getting to know the characters. What I really look for when I immerse myself in a story is a connection with the characters, and when I don't get that, that really bothers me. I feel like I'm missing something, like the characters are still strangers, and I have to say, I still feel like most of the characters in Star Wars really remained strangers.
The exception would have to be Anakin. Despite the fact that I still feel like I could have known him better, I do feel like I knew him well enough.
I can see the massive popularity of Star Wars, for certain. The way that everything is wound up together is really quite amazing. There are MANY stories that don't wrap up their loose ends as well as Star Wars does.
The use of the Imperial March whenever Anakin does anything Dark Side-ish was very, very cool. The dun dun dun, dun da dun, dun da dun is CREEPY AS HELL when you're watching a decent into madness. (And it's also really sad, too. Poor Anakin, you're so mentally broken.)
Also, there was a lot of politics that I think I missed, so I look forward to re-watching them and really understanding the intricacies of what's going on politically in the Star Wars-verse. There's just so much going ON that I think it would take a good three watch-throughs to really catch it all.
I still come back to what I said before, I really missed to really be able to get to know the characters. I want to really delve into the characters, and I feel like that took a backseat to "ASPLODE ALL THE THINGS", "PUT IN ALL THE POLITICS" and "WE MUST HAVE THE BEST STARSHIPS EVAR".
Despite my critical commentary, I did very much enjoy them, and I can't believe that I went 19 years without seeing them.
~Whimsy
P.S. Here's a thank you to my mums for not only buying me the films for my birthday, but also watching them with me, even though Star Wars is not really your "thing". Really, this is more of a thank you for Mum on the watching end, since Nay slept through the whole set of 6 movies. A double thank you to you, Mum, for stifling your running commentary during the fight montages. "oh god...NO R2D2, NO! Run, run, run! He's RIGHT THERE. This is so intense. He's going to die. Don't die!"
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Getting over myself.
Only after I finished my post, I realized that the blog I wrote yesterday was rather long. I think that's fine, though. There are some things that just need to be said, no matter how many words it takes.
As is my established pattern, since yesterday's post was long, this one will be shorter.
The unschooler's conference that I go to every year is coming up, and I've been hiding myself away, practicing my guitar so that maybe I'll actually get up the guts to enter the talent show and play in front of a room of people.
The idea is both terrifying and exciting, so I can't quite decide which feeling is going to win out, although I kind of really want to do it. It's just a matter of convincing myself that I'll do fine, and getting over myself.
In other news, I will be reaching my 100th post on this blog this month! That's a HUGE milestone, one that I never really thought I'd reach. So that's a cool thing.
Anyway, my day is calling me, and I have things to create, books to read, and songs to sing!
Have a splendid day,
~Whimsy
As is my established pattern, since yesterday's post was long, this one will be shorter.
The unschooler's conference that I go to every year is coming up, and I've been hiding myself away, practicing my guitar so that maybe I'll actually get up the guts to enter the talent show and play in front of a room of people.
The idea is both terrifying and exciting, so I can't quite decide which feeling is going to win out, although I kind of really want to do it. It's just a matter of convincing myself that I'll do fine, and getting over myself.
In other news, I will be reaching my 100th post on this blog this month! That's a HUGE milestone, one that I never really thought I'd reach. So that's a cool thing.
Anyway, my day is calling me, and I have things to create, books to read, and songs to sing!
Have a splendid day,
~Whimsy
Monday, August 8, 2011
On haters, opinions and Rebecca Black: an important post.
You know what I find absurd? People apologizing for what they like, or being embarrassed that they like something.
In my humblest of opinions, if you like something, you should like it. Revel in the fact that you have found something that brings you happiness, and don't hide.
Think about it. I'm sure you've seen somebody say "Well, I actually like Miley Cyrus/boxed mac 'n cheese-like-product/planking/Twilight/reading books meant for people younger than I am/studying/cheesy horror films/you name it" with a really sheepish expression, like they're about to lose all the "cool points" that they had accumulated, or like suddenly, all their friends will decide that all connection to this Loser-with-a-capital-L must be ceased immediately.
Take a look at that list. Liking ANYTHING on that list isn't causing any harm to anyone.
What really gets me is when people decide that just because they don't like something, EVERYONE in the world is therefore required not to like it. Seriously, what is WITH that?
I may not like Twilight, for example, and I may think that it's a horrible example of a healthy relationship*, but that don't give me the right yo look at someone else and go "Ugh. You like TWILIGHT. You can't like that, it's horrible, and therefore if you like it, you must be stupid!"
I see no problem with having a discussion about why we like certain things, and if you like something that I dislike, I have no right to make you feel like an idiot for liking it.
That respect should go both ways. If I like to listen to Miley Cyrus and dance around like a madwoman, or just listen to Party in the USA while I blog**, then you don't get to look at me with disappointment in your eyes and then make me feel like an idiot because I actually enjoy doing something.
And now we've reached something that really bothers me. People who hate people who like certain pop singers, or people who hate the pop singers themselves for no other reason than that they think that the singer is a "bad singer". I'm going to use two examples. One is Rebecca Black, and the other are the Bieber fans.
Starting with Rebecca, you have a 13 year old girl who made a music video because she wanted to, and because of it's admittedly non-amazing lyrics and the days of the week and having a party, it's fantastically catchy beat, a music video that doesn't rival one that could be created by a pop superstar like Lady GaGa, and the fact that she's young, she gets some of the most horrible hate comments. Just take a moment to scroll through some of the comments on "Friday".
Actually, I'll do that for you.
"which seat can you take? the electric one."
"i cant wait until she stands up in a car on the highway at night....... then i'll drive up and push her.... lololol ;D"
"Sounds like someones strangling a cat."
and the kicker, this little gem that is worse than all the rest put together.
"If you are seriously supporting what this girl is doing, there is something seriously wrong with you. It's like supporting AIDS injections for newborns. Nothing is right or ok about this. And some of you say "oh, but she's trying to make her dreams come true, don't hate." Fuck that! You know who else was just trying to make their dreams come true? Hitler. And look how that turned out. "
Nice, huh? Let's try a Bieber video. How about the official music video for "Baby"?
Okay, I'm scrolling through the comments, and a LOT of the hate that people are spewing is stuff that is so vile, I don't feel okay with having it on my blog, even for illustrative purposes.*** But, I can find a few that I feel I can post.
"Dislike everyone. Lets give this faggot 2,000,000 dislikes. "
"Hey you guys are so mean to Justin, leave HER alone"
"Justin Bieber is standing on the edge of a tower.
95% of all teenager are screaming and hoping that he wont jump.
If you belong to the 5% who eat chips and drink coke and scream BACKFLIP, BACKFLIP then press LIKE!!!!!"
Do me a favor, and take a look at that for a moment. This is what we do to people. We hide behind our screens and our handles, and we say horrible things.
Anyone who DARES to actually enjoy Rebecca or Justin's music is automatically pegged as a stupid fan with no taste. And you know what?
I actually like "My Moment", Rebecca's new song. I make no apologies**** for that. I especially the part where she's essentially saying "You know what, screw all you haters, I'm going to keep doing what I love and keep reaching for my dreams, no matter what you all say." Everyone knows her, she's on talk shows, and she's a household name, and it's all thanks to the people who leave her hate comments. I think that's beautiful poetic justice.
Essentially, what I'm saying is this.
Can we stop hating on people for liking things? Can we stop hiding the things that we like because we're afraid that our friends won't approve? Can we like things unabashedly? Can we enjoy music that might not be the best, technically, but still makes us happy? Can we think about the fact that there are actual people behind the screen names, music videos and pop stars? http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Please?
~Whimsy
* Hint: I do think that.
** Hint: I do, in fact do that.
*** Here is where I find a bunch of swastika graphics in a whole pile of youtube comments. I am genuinely confused.
**** Rachel, here's looking at you. I can't type no apologies without thinking of you.
In my humblest of opinions, if you like something, you should like it. Revel in the fact that you have found something that brings you happiness, and don't hide.
Think about it. I'm sure you've seen somebody say "Well, I actually like Miley Cyrus/boxed mac 'n cheese-like-product/planking/Twilight/reading books meant for people younger than I am/studying/cheesy horror films/you name it" with a really sheepish expression, like they're about to lose all the "cool points" that they had accumulated, or like suddenly, all their friends will decide that all connection to this Loser-with-a-capital-L must be ceased immediately.
Take a look at that list. Liking ANYTHING on that list isn't causing any harm to anyone.
What really gets me is when people decide that just because they don't like something, EVERYONE in the world is therefore required not to like it. Seriously, what is WITH that?
I may not like Twilight, for example, and I may think that it's a horrible example of a healthy relationship*, but that don't give me the right yo look at someone else and go "Ugh. You like TWILIGHT. You can't like that, it's horrible, and therefore if you like it, you must be stupid!"
I see no problem with having a discussion about why we like certain things, and if you like something that I dislike, I have no right to make you feel like an idiot for liking it.
That respect should go both ways. If I like to listen to Miley Cyrus and dance around like a madwoman, or just listen to Party in the USA while I blog**, then you don't get to look at me with disappointment in your eyes and then make me feel like an idiot because I actually enjoy doing something.
And now we've reached something that really bothers me. People who hate people who like certain pop singers, or people who hate the pop singers themselves for no other reason than that they think that the singer is a "bad singer". I'm going to use two examples. One is Rebecca Black, and the other are the Bieber fans.
Starting with Rebecca, you have a 13 year old girl who made a music video because she wanted to, and because of it's admittedly non-amazing lyrics and the days of the week and having a party, it's fantastically catchy beat, a music video that doesn't rival one that could be created by a pop superstar like Lady GaGa, and the fact that she's young, she gets some of the most horrible hate comments. Just take a moment to scroll through some of the comments on "Friday".
Actually, I'll do that for you.
"which seat can you take? the electric one."
"i cant wait until she stands up in a car on the highway at night....... then i'll drive up and push her.... lololol ;D"
"Sounds like someones strangling a cat."
and the kicker, this little gem that is worse than all the rest put together.
"If you are seriously supporting what this girl is doing, there is something seriously wrong with you. It's like supporting AIDS injections for newborns. Nothing is right or ok about this. And some of you say "oh, but she's trying to make her dreams come true, don't hate." Fuck that! You know who else was just trying to make their dreams come true? Hitler. And look how that turned out. "
Nice, huh? Let's try a Bieber video. How about the official music video for "Baby"?
Okay, I'm scrolling through the comments, and a LOT of the hate that people are spewing is stuff that is so vile, I don't feel okay with having it on my blog, even for illustrative purposes.*** But, I can find a few that I feel I can post.
"Dislike everyone. Lets give this faggot 2,000,000 dislikes. "
"Hey you guys are so mean to Justin, leave HER alone"
"Justin Bieber is standing on the edge of a tower.
95% of all teenager are screaming and hoping that he wont jump.
If you belong to the 5% who eat chips and drink coke and scream BACKFLIP, BACKFLIP then press LIKE!!!!!"
Do me a favor, and take a look at that for a moment. This is what we do to people. We hide behind our screens and our handles, and we say horrible things.
Anyone who DARES to actually enjoy Rebecca or Justin's music is automatically pegged as a stupid fan with no taste. And you know what?
I actually like "My Moment", Rebecca's new song. I make no apologies**** for that. I especially the part where she's essentially saying "You know what, screw all you haters, I'm going to keep doing what I love and keep reaching for my dreams, no matter what you all say." Everyone knows her, she's on talk shows, and she's a household name, and it's all thanks to the people who leave her hate comments. I think that's beautiful poetic justice.
Essentially, what I'm saying is this.
Can we stop hating on people for liking things? Can we stop hiding the things that we like because we're afraid that our friends won't approve? Can we like things unabashedly? Can we enjoy music that might not be the best, technically, but still makes us happy? Can we think about the fact that there are actual people behind the screen names, music videos and pop stars? http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Please?
~Whimsy
* Hint: I do think that.
** Hint: I do, in fact do that.
*** Here is where I find a bunch of swastika graphics in a whole pile of youtube comments. I am genuinely confused.
**** Rachel, here's looking at you. I can't type no apologies without thinking of you.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Week Thirty-One: Reasoning.
Because of my general madness and the combined forces of two separate blogging challenges, I've decided that my Sunday posts in August will be both my BOW'11 post for that week, and my daily blogging challenge that BEDA presents.
Since I'm still working my way through watching all the Star Wars movies, I feel like I can't properly talk about that, as of yet.
Here we are, at the end of the first week of BEDA. Oh my flipping WOW did this week go by fast. Was that just me, or did August first just happen YESTERDAY?
I really haven't much time to write because of sign language lesson tonight and the fact that I still have MANY superheroes and -villains to create!
Have a charming day.
~Whimsy
Since I'm still working my way through watching all the Star Wars movies, I feel like I can't properly talk about that, as of yet.
Here we are, at the end of the first week of BEDA. Oh my flipping WOW did this week go by fast. Was that just me, or did August first just happen YESTERDAY?
I really haven't much time to write because of sign language lesson tonight and the fact that I still have MANY superheroes and -villains to create!
Have a charming day.
~Whimsy
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Stuffed Superheroes
If there's one thing I really love, it's creating things.
There is really NOTHING nicer than deciding to create something that wasn't there before.
Now, I really don't care what you're creating, weather it's words on a page or music from an instrument, whether you are drawing, painting, dancing, sewing, editing together a video...you name it, if it's creating something, there's just nothing better. When you're at the end of your project and you say to yourself "I made that. There's something in this world that wasn't there before, and I made it happen"...I love that.
I'm in the middle of creating things right now, actually. This year, for the first time ever, I will be SELLING something at the Unschooler's conference that we go to.
My brainchild is this: I'm making a whole pantheon of superheros and a pantheon of supervillians, all of them with their own story, and each of them is made into a cuddly little stuffed plushie. There will be 20 in all, and I'm really proud of my little squishies. I'll post photos when I have one or two finished. ^__^
Question of the day: What do YOU love creating?
~Whimsy
There is really NOTHING nicer than deciding to create something that wasn't there before.
Now, I really don't care what you're creating, weather it's words on a page or music from an instrument, whether you are drawing, painting, dancing, sewing, editing together a video...you name it, if it's creating something, there's just nothing better. When you're at the end of your project and you say to yourself "I made that. There's something in this world that wasn't there before, and I made it happen"...I love that.
I'm in the middle of creating things right now, actually. This year, for the first time ever, I will be SELLING something at the Unschooler's conference that we go to.
My brainchild is this: I'm making a whole pantheon of superheros and a pantheon of supervillians, all of them with their own story, and each of them is made into a cuddly little stuffed plushie. There will be 20 in all, and I'm really proud of my little squishies. I'll post photos when I have one or two finished. ^__^
Question of the day: What do YOU love creating?
~Whimsy
Friday, August 5, 2011
Come Along, Rory.
I wrote this song for a friend of mine as a sort of a prize for guessing my name in a weirdly Rumplestiltskin challenge. ^__^
I'm (very) proud of how it came out, to the point that I want to share it with all of you. (Also, sharing music is nervousmaking.)
It's from Rory William's point of view, and it contains spoilers ALL THE WAY THROUGH Series 6.1 of Doctor Who.
I do hope you like it, and feel free to leave a comment or tell me what you think!
I'm (very) proud of how it came out, to the point that I want to share it with all of you. (Also, sharing music is nervousmaking.)
It's from Rory William's point of view, and it contains spoilers ALL THE WAY THROUGH Series 6.1 of Doctor Who.
I do hope you like it, and feel free to leave a comment or tell me what you think!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
I'd really like you to read this. ^__^
Before I go any further, this moth I'm going to have some post that I really want you to read...some posts that I don't want to get lost in the flood of BEDA posts. If a post is one that I'd really like you to read, I'll make sure the title is letting you know that.
This post is one of those posts that I'd really appreciate it if you'd read.
I'll start with a question.
Have any of you read "The Gospel According To Larry"? It's a phenomenal book, one that's really thought provoking, raising some very interesting questions about anonymity.
If you haven't read it (and you should read it), it's by Janet Tashjian. Go find it.
In the meantime, I'll tell you the basic premise of the book. Josh Swensen, a teenaged blogger gains a HUGE following for his anti-consumerisim blog, thegospelaccordingtolarry.com, a website that actually exists. However, Josh is writing anonymously, under the pseudonym of "Larry". Eventually, there's a huge movement to find out who this "Larry" is, and things get very interesting from there...
I won't spoil it for you, don't worry.
The reason why I'm talking about Larry is because his story is part of why I've chosen not to give out my birth name on this blog. (The other reason is, of course, for personal protection. I don't want a knock on my door that leads to a phone call to the police. You all know how much I hate phones.)
I don't have delusions that my tiny blog will become a worldwide phenomenon, but the idea that Josh has people who read what he says and care about what he has to say just because of the power of his words, not because of who's saying them...that's the most interesting part of the book for me. If Larry had given anything away about who he was, his message would have been changed by nothing other than people's perception.
That's why my blog won't link to any other of my online haunts anymore. I'd like you to enjoy what I have to say purely because of what I'm saying, not because of who's speaking. Sort of like Larry.
Unlike Larry, I've told you things about me. You know details of my life, my past, my future, and you even can see a fairly clear photograph of me.
For me, when I'm writing these posts, I want you to get to know me. I want to get to know all of you. But I want to do that without having those weird stumbling blocks of awkwardness that happens so often (for me, at least).
This is pure, unadulterated ME, behind these words. Clearer than I could be in person.
That leaves me with a few questions for you all:
What are your thoughts about pseudonyms?
Would/do you use one?
Have you read The Gospel According To Larry?
Lastly, thank you for taking the time to get to know an odd girl with a computer. Every one of you makes my day, whether you comment, subscribe to my posts, or just READ what I have to say.
~Whimsy
Postscript:
I realize that I didn't mention the people who read this blog who are my friends and family members. You know who I am, but I hope that reading my blog lets you get to know me a little better, or that you enjoy my quirky writing blurbs. Thank you all, as well.
This post is one of those posts that I'd really appreciate it if you'd read.
I'll start with a question.
Have any of you read "The Gospel According To Larry"? It's a phenomenal book, one that's really thought provoking, raising some very interesting questions about anonymity.
If you haven't read it (and you should read it), it's by Janet Tashjian. Go find it.
In the meantime, I'll tell you the basic premise of the book. Josh Swensen, a teenaged blogger gains a HUGE following for his anti-consumerisim blog, thegospelaccordingtolarry.com, a website that actually exists. However, Josh is writing anonymously, under the pseudonym of "Larry". Eventually, there's a huge movement to find out who this "Larry" is, and things get very interesting from there...
I won't spoil it for you, don't worry.
The reason why I'm talking about Larry is because his story is part of why I've chosen not to give out my birth name on this blog. (The other reason is, of course, for personal protection. I don't want a knock on my door that leads to a phone call to the police. You all know how much I hate phones.)
I don't have delusions that my tiny blog will become a worldwide phenomenon, but the idea that Josh has people who read what he says and care about what he has to say just because of the power of his words, not because of who's saying them...that's the most interesting part of the book for me. If Larry had given anything away about who he was, his message would have been changed by nothing other than people's perception.
That's why my blog won't link to any other of my online haunts anymore. I'd like you to enjoy what I have to say purely because of what I'm saying, not because of who's speaking. Sort of like Larry.
Unlike Larry, I've told you things about me. You know details of my life, my past, my future, and you even can see a fairly clear photograph of me.
For me, when I'm writing these posts, I want you to get to know me. I want to get to know all of you. But I want to do that without having those weird stumbling blocks of awkwardness that happens so often (for me, at least).
This is pure, unadulterated ME, behind these words. Clearer than I could be in person.
That leaves me with a few questions for you all:
What are your thoughts about pseudonyms?
Would/do you use one?
Have you read The Gospel According To Larry?
Lastly, thank you for taking the time to get to know an odd girl with a computer. Every one of you makes my day, whether you comment, subscribe to my posts, or just READ what I have to say.
~Whimsy
Postscript:
I realize that I didn't mention the people who read this blog who are my friends and family members. You know who I am, but I hope that reading my blog lets you get to know me a little better, or that you enjoy my quirky writing blurbs. Thank you all, as well.
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