Greetings and salutations.
As I did last year, I'm putting together one more blog post than I think I'll need, simply because I get home from the conference completely worn out and very, very happy.
So here we are.
At the time you're reading this, it's August 28th. There are just 4 days left until BEDA is over. This month just flew by.
I'm going in for my first read-through tomorrow for Leading Ladies. It'll be interesting to see who else is in the cast, and to get a better idea of my line load and who Aunt Florence is as a character.
At the time I'm writing this, I have to pack up EVERYTHING for the conference that, at the time YOU'RE reading this, I've just gotten home from, far to tired to actually post a blog that makes an ounce of sense.
Now, as I'm writing this, I have roughly five zillion things to do and no time to do them in.
I must run, and I will write to you all tomorrow (for you) and in four days (for me).
I feel a bit like a Time Lord, actually. You think my posts are all linear, but really they're more like wibbly-wobbly posty-wosty...stuff.
Until we meet again,
Whimsy
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Tragic Characters: a post I'd like you to read.
A friend of mine, Sarah (@NotReallyDaria) just tweeted and asked why we're drawn to tragic characters.
I just might have an answer for her.
The reason why I, personally like tragic characters is because I feel sorry for them. That's not the only reason, but I think it helps a lot. It puts your sympathies with that character, and from that point on, you're on "their side", as it were.
We feel bad for the character, and the more crap that gets dumped on them, the more we feel bad for them, and the more we like them. That's why we always root for the underdog. It's not interesting to have a character for whom everything goes right.
Let's take Snape, for instance. He's a tragic character if there EVER was one. Our hearts go out to this poor man for what he's suffered through, and we start to forgive him for the bad decisions he's made. We allow him leniency, because of what happened to him.
I, personally actively dislike characters who are perfect. People aren't perfect, and shouldn't expect them to be. Show the flaws, the not-quite-so-pretty parts. Show that there's more to your character than ingrained goodness, and allow us to feel like she's real. Don't make him a person I can't relate to, give him something that makes me say, "yes. I believe that you exist, if only for a moment, and only on this page".
Characters with tragedy give us even more to sympathize with, and we find them fascinating because of that. We wonder what we'd be like in that situation, if only subconsciously, and we spend our time hoping that they'll be able to get themselves out of whatever pit they're in.
Either that, or we watch as they fall further and further, unable to help and pull the character that we've become attached to out from the horrible mess that they've gotten themselves into. Either way, we can't look away, because we've gotten emotionally invested from the all this crap that was dumped on the poor character in the beginning.
So I think that's why. It's partly that we get drawn to the in the first place, out of pity, or something like it, and then it becomes that we're drawn in. We remain attached.
I hope that answered your question, Sarah.
~Whimsy
P.S. If there's anything that you'd like to hear my thoughts on/topics to blog about, by all means, please leave them in the comments!
I just might have an answer for her.
The reason why I, personally like tragic characters is because I feel sorry for them. That's not the only reason, but I think it helps a lot. It puts your sympathies with that character, and from that point on, you're on "their side", as it were.
We feel bad for the character, and the more crap that gets dumped on them, the more we feel bad for them, and the more we like them. That's why we always root for the underdog. It's not interesting to have a character for whom everything goes right.
Let's take Snape, for instance. He's a tragic character if there EVER was one. Our hearts go out to this poor man for what he's suffered through, and we start to forgive him for the bad decisions he's made. We allow him leniency, because of what happened to him.
I, personally actively dislike characters who are perfect. People aren't perfect, and shouldn't expect them to be. Show the flaws, the not-quite-so-pretty parts. Show that there's more to your character than ingrained goodness, and allow us to feel like she's real. Don't make him a person I can't relate to, give him something that makes me say, "yes. I believe that you exist, if only for a moment, and only on this page".
Characters with tragedy give us even more to sympathize with, and we find them fascinating because of that. We wonder what we'd be like in that situation, if only subconsciously, and we spend our time hoping that they'll be able to get themselves out of whatever pit they're in.
Either that, or we watch as they fall further and further, unable to help and pull the character that we've become attached to out from the horrible mess that they've gotten themselves into. Either way, we can't look away, because we've gotten emotionally invested from the all this crap that was dumped on the poor character in the beginning.
So I think that's why. It's partly that we get drawn to the in the first place, out of pity, or something like it, and then it becomes that we're drawn in. We remain attached.
I hope that answered your question, Sarah.
~Whimsy
P.S. If there's anything that you'd like to hear my thoughts on/topics to blog about, by all means, please leave them in the comments!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Writing accidents.
My online identity has really became a part of me. You know how I know this? Well, the a few weeks ago, I had a celebration* at my house, and we ask everyone to mark their cups.
So I pick up the sharpie, uncap it and write Whimsy with a florish. And when I say I wrote Whimsy, I mean I wrote it instead of my name. Yes, I have officially become Whimsy, even in my offline life.
I only did it once, but I did it with such confidence, that was what was funny. I did go back, after I noticed and write my given name in front of Whimsy.
Have any of you done that, or something like that?
Still at the unschooler's conference, playing guitar with friends and staying up until 3am playing card games...
~Whimsy
* This was for Lughnassadh, one of the 8 Sabbats on the pagan wheel of the year.
So I pick up the sharpie, uncap it and write Whimsy with a florish. And when I say I wrote Whimsy, I mean I wrote it instead of my name. Yes, I have officially become Whimsy, even in my offline life.
I only did it once, but I did it with such confidence, that was what was funny. I did go back, after I noticed and write my given name in front of Whimsy.
Have any of you done that, or something like that?
Still at the unschooler's conference, playing guitar with friends and staying up until 3am playing card games...
~Whimsy
* This was for Lughnassadh, one of the 8 Sabbats on the pagan wheel of the year.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Whimsy Speaks!
Hello! While you're reading this, I will be off at my annual unschooler's conference.
There's something so affirming about being with people who don't challenge your life, who just support you for who you are, and the conference is one of those places.
This year, for the first time, I will be speaking in front of a whole TON of people. This is both terrifying and amazing. I'm terrified because talking without a script, out in front of a bunch of people is scary.
The panel I'm speaking on is called "Ask a Grown Unschooler", where people can ask me (and some other amazing people as well) questions about what our plans are for the future, what we liked about being unschooled, and anything else they can think of.
Now, as much as I love being onstage (oh, and I do...SO MUCH), it's nervous-making to go up there and be myself. Just Whimsy, no hiding behind a script. I'm sure that says something about me, but I'm just more comfortable with pre-determined words.
So, wish me luck, my friends! I'll be sure to tell you all about the conference when I get back!
~Whimsy
There's something so affirming about being with people who don't challenge your life, who just support you for who you are, and the conference is one of those places.
This year, for the first time, I will be speaking in front of a whole TON of people. This is both terrifying and amazing. I'm terrified because talking without a script, out in front of a bunch of people is scary.
The panel I'm speaking on is called "Ask a Grown Unschooler", where people can ask me (and some other amazing people as well) questions about what our plans are for the future, what we liked about being unschooled, and anything else they can think of.
Now, as much as I love being onstage (oh, and I do...SO MUCH), it's nervous-making to go up there and be myself. Just Whimsy, no hiding behind a script. I'm sure that says something about me, but I'm just more comfortable with pre-determined words.
So, wish me luck, my friends! I'll be sure to tell you all about the conference when I get back!
~Whimsy
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Ready!
Hello, hello, hello!
I have very big and exciting news. My mum has had a scare, recently, regarding her throat and neck, just received the news that all tests are good, and wonderful, and there is no cancer. It's been worrying all of us, and I am so beyond happy that everything turned out well. It's been pretty stressful.
Tomorrow, I am leaving for a conference. Frankly, I'm so excited that I can't stand it, but also a little nervous. I know it's a bit silly that I'm nervous, but firstly, social situations always make me a bit uneasy, and secondly, I haven't seen many of these people in a year, so I get worried about whether I'll reconnect with them.
I'm actually going to be speaking on a panel at the conference this time around, called "Ask A Grown Unschooler". That's also a bit nervous making, but I'm excited too.
Most of all, I'm just happy to be going back. Ready to spend time with my old friends and make new ones. Ready to play cards, Werewolf, Bananagrams, and pick-up-sticks. Ready to stay up late, dance to music, dress up in costumes. Ready to not be judged for my educational choices and background.
I am SO ready for this conference.
~Whimsy
I have very big and exciting news. My mum has had a scare, recently, regarding her throat and neck, just received the news that all tests are good, and wonderful, and there is no cancer. It's been worrying all of us, and I am so beyond happy that everything turned out well. It's been pretty stressful.
Tomorrow, I am leaving for a conference. Frankly, I'm so excited that I can't stand it, but also a little nervous. I know it's a bit silly that I'm nervous, but firstly, social situations always make me a bit uneasy, and secondly, I haven't seen many of these people in a year, so I get worried about whether I'll reconnect with them.
I'm actually going to be speaking on a panel at the conference this time around, called "Ask A Grown Unschooler". That's also a bit nervous making, but I'm excited too.
Most of all, I'm just happy to be going back. Ready to spend time with my old friends and make new ones. Ready to play cards, Werewolf, Bananagrams, and pick-up-sticks. Ready to stay up late, dance to music, dress up in costumes. Ready to not be judged for my educational choices and background.
I am SO ready for this conference.
~Whimsy
The results of auditions, plus what I look like now.
So I auditioned today (and yesterday), and I got a call tonight.
Annndddddd...I'm in the show, playing a old auntie-type lady. Her name is Florence, and the first read-through is Monday. HUZZAH!
This is going to be BEYOND hilarious!
Must go, tons to do, sleep to be had, blogs to queue up in preperation for leaving for the unschooler's conference on Thursday.
SO FREAKING EXCITED, CANNOT SIT STILL.
Because this post is a bit small, I'll leave you with a photo of me, taken today.
Talk to you tomorrow, tootle pip,
~Whimsy
Annndddddd...I'm in the show, playing a old auntie-type lady. Her name is Florence, and the first read-through is Monday. HUZZAH!
This is going to be BEYOND hilarious!
Must go, tons to do, sleep to be had, blogs to queue up in preperation for leaving for the unschooler's conference on Thursday.
SO FREAKING EXCITED, CANNOT SIT STILL.
Because this post is a bit small, I'll leave you with a photo of me, taken today.
Talk to you tomorrow, tootle pip,
~Whimsy
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Week Thirty-Three: Chain Letters
You know those chain photos/comments that go around? The ones that say “reblog/repost this to save yourself/your best friend/your mother from a horrible death/bad luck/a disease”? I want to know something.
How did they realize that reblogging/reposting made them safe? Did the spirit tell them? My god, I’d hate to be on the trial and error tests for that.
“Well, turning around in 17 counter-clockwise circles didn’t work. Too bad about Jim…he was a good one, too. Looks like we’ll try 18 counter-clockwise circles on the next one, poor guy.”
“Nathan, we just got another one dead over here. I think it’s been 146 minutes since he said he didn’t want that peanut butter sandwich, so chalk that on the possible theories list.”
“Angie’s staying strong, and all she’s doing is Tumbling. She just reblogged four things, so we’ll have to look into the correlations between not getting struck dead and cat videos, Karen Gillian photos, Queen lyrics and this one really creepy-ass photo of some face in a closet behind two kids.”
How did they realize that reblogging/reposting made them safe? Did the spirit tell them? My god, I’d hate to be on the trial and error tests for that.
“Well, turning around in 17 counter-clockwise circles didn’t work. Too bad about Jim…he was a good one, too. Looks like we’ll try 18 counter-clockwise circles on the next one, poor guy.”
“Nathan, we just got another one dead over here. I think it’s been 146 minutes since he said he didn’t want that peanut butter sandwich, so chalk that on the possible theories list.”
“Angie’s staying strong, and all she’s doing is Tumbling. She just reblogged four things, so we’ll have to look into the correlations between not getting struck dead and cat videos, Karen Gillian photos, Queen lyrics and this one really creepy-ass photo of some face in a closet behind two kids.”
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