I have been running around a lot lately, and feeling as though I haven't actually gotten anything done. Mostly my last few days have been a flurry of researching different packing methods, hastily cuddling my dog, and saying "goodbye" to one of my best friends. Nevertheless, there is such beauty that I cannot miss it.
Nearly everything has melted and the runoff and flooding has subsided (kinda). The world is green!!! The mountains shimmered in the setting sun, as if breathing in the warmth and light. And more than that, the clouds and the sky! Oh, the sky has been bluer than I remembered. It is more cerulean than a cerulean blue, more live than an electric blue, more illustrious than a royal blue, and the only color coming close to it is, perhaps, azure. The clouds are enormous, dignified galleons and puffy, squat tugboats sailing along in shades of poppy, cerise, violet, and pink. The closer they sail towards the looming horizon the more the setting sun lights them on fire, turning them orange and flame and crimson.
And as the sun leaves our little circle, and the moon takes to the skies, the azure of the sky melts in to iris, then indigo, finally resting into a deep, sultry regalia. The clouds, in turn, become silver and periwinkle, with bruised shadows of iceberg and ceil. The stars glimmer through, winking at our world as if they hold secrets they cannot wait to share, if only we had the language. The breeze twists itself around the aspen trees, making the leaves sing a night-song meant for the stars and the moon, not for me. And the fact that I hear this night-song makes it contraband.
"A still more glorious dawn awaits, not a sunrise, but a galaxy rise--a morning filled with 400 billion suns!"-Carl Sagan
XOXO
7.15.2011
7.13.2011
Do the Jingle!
Tonight I am sitting in the office, watching Iron Man 2 on Netflix. I know that movies, in general terms, are brain gum, especially action flicks. But I cannot help myself, the real world part of me (I know, you didn't think it even existed!), has to ask the silly questions.
For instance, and this one always plagues me, WHAT do insurance companies do when Iron Man, Wolverine, or Michael Bay -ahem, I mean Alien Robots in Disguise- stike? Or what about all these SuperVillains? What would State Farm or All State say if you got on the phone to explain that Gru's huge Villain-mobile blew a hole in the front of your house? Somehow I don't think singing the jingle would help you.
Or, for that matter, would Geiko or Farmers insure your Batmobile or Invisible Plane?
Just some other bits of brain gum to chew on =) Sorry for the short post, I'm getting ready to go to Ireland and have been filling out lots of job applications. I promise interesting news as soon as I have it!
XOXO Do the jingle!
7.07.2011
The Witching Hour, a la Paris
A few nights ago I dreamt that I was in Paris. I went swimming in the Siene (which in my odd dream world was simple a creek flowing between buildings, something I know to be false), and had to stuff millions of folded-up napkins under one of the legs of the Eiffel Tower to keep it from wobbling like a bad table in a cheap restaurant.
Tonight, I watched the new Woody Allen film, Midnight in Paris. From the very beginning, I was enamored with the Paris that Allen presents. 30 second shots of Paris from streets so narrow a car shouldn't be able to fit to the Eiffel tower to people walking in the rain, with the Arc de Triomphe in the background. Cafes and scarves, women on bicycles, men in fashionable suits. Before the plot even began, I knew that if Allen could create this film with the same love he created those simple shots, this would be a triumph.
And it was. Blending fantasy, time travel, science fiction, and historical persona's with a modern, callused, blase attitude toward the antiquated, the film honors the past while showing the important joys of the present, and looking eagerly toward the future. Hemingway, Stein, Fitzgeralds (both F. Scott and Zelda), Dali, Man Ray, T. S. Eliot, and so many others make their characters known, balancing the truths of the people with the love that any good Liberal Arts Major has for them. The strikingly harsh difference between the Artistes and the modern characters forces the audience to realize that all the technology and modernity that is at our fingertips (literally, as I type this is at my very fingertips), is not always a necessity. It helps the viewer to ask what love is, who deserves it, and how is it obtained.
Love is a beautiful treasure, that only the City of Love could ever convey. The French understand something that we Americans are perpetually trying to ignore. There are hundreds of different kinds of love and hundreds of ways it can apply to us. As people we can love our husband or our wife, we can love our lovers, we can love our mortal enemies. The film captures this beautiful, enigmatic idea, challenging the audience to believe that not only is love possible, but it can approach, capture, and ensnare our every fiber at any time, and in any place.
Time is not as linear as we would like to believe, so if you have not yet seen this film, for whatever reason, Turn off the Computer And GO!
XOXO, love on!
Tonight, I watched the new Woody Allen film, Midnight in Paris. From the very beginning, I was enamored with the Paris that Allen presents. 30 second shots of Paris from streets so narrow a car shouldn't be able to fit to the Eiffel tower to people walking in the rain, with the Arc de Triomphe in the background. Cafes and scarves, women on bicycles, men in fashionable suits. Before the plot even began, I knew that if Allen could create this film with the same love he created those simple shots, this would be a triumph.
And it was. Blending fantasy, time travel, science fiction, and historical persona's with a modern, callused, blase attitude toward the antiquated, the film honors the past while showing the important joys of the present, and looking eagerly toward the future. Hemingway, Stein, Fitzgeralds (both F. Scott and Zelda), Dali, Man Ray, T. S. Eliot, and so many others make their characters known, balancing the truths of the people with the love that any good Liberal Arts Major has for them. The strikingly harsh difference between the Artistes and the modern characters forces the audience to realize that all the technology and modernity that is at our fingertips (literally, as I type this is at my very fingertips), is not always a necessity. It helps the viewer to ask what love is, who deserves it, and how is it obtained.
Love is a beautiful treasure, that only the City of Love could ever convey. The French understand something that we Americans are perpetually trying to ignore. There are hundreds of different kinds of love and hundreds of ways it can apply to us. As people we can love our husband or our wife, we can love our lovers, we can love our mortal enemies. The film captures this beautiful, enigmatic idea, challenging the audience to believe that not only is love possible, but it can approach, capture, and ensnare our every fiber at any time, and in any place.
Time is not as linear as we would like to believe, so if you have not yet seen this film, for whatever reason, Turn off the Computer And GO!
XOXO, love on!
7.06.2011
Vroom Vroom!
For some, it is the gateway to the mountains, skiing, biking, rafting, fun, and something "more." For others, it is the link to museums, shopping, food, theatre, and something "more."
The drive from Denver to Steamboat Springs is unparalleled. Driving up I-70, the road scales, dips, curves in ways that seem to defy the laws of physics. The mountains rise up around you, but not in the imposing way of sky scrapers, but as though they are holding up the sky, opening up and inviting you. The trees, even as they are dying (darn beetles!!!), create an interesting and stark backdrop to the intensity of the roads. The aspens and wildflowers provide relief to both the living and dying evergreens.
Towns speckle the mountains, popping up where the slopes can create choice skiing, snowboarding, biking, and the rivers provide exceptional kayaking, tubing, and rafting.
Visually, the drive from Steamboat to Denver is the same. With one glaring difference. Instead of going to an outdoor fun, there is a different type of fun that is being sought after. Cultural elements, theatre, dancing, museums, art shows, music, and shopping are the order of the day.
A completely different vibe radiates from the city than Ski Town USA. Both are important and both are exciting. However the truly important part is the drive. Most drivers keep their windows up and their A/C on high. I like the windows down and the tunes cranked. The smell of the mountain air, whether you are coming or going, is invigorating. Sing along to the radio! It doesn't matter if you have the voice of an angel or if your singing makes the cats yowl in reply. You are on the open road, the music is playing, the wind is running through your hair, the sun is beaming in through the windows.
My favorite part about driving in the mountains is that there are turn-offs everywhere. Picturesque landscapes are no longer confined to rectangular frames on walls; rather they surround you, encouraging, even begging you to experience them. So get out of the car! Pick some of the wild flowers growing along the edges. Take pictures.
XOXO The drive is the important part.
The drive from Denver to Steamboat Springs is unparalleled. Driving up I-70, the road scales, dips, curves in ways that seem to defy the laws of physics. The mountains rise up around you, but not in the imposing way of sky scrapers, but as though they are holding up the sky, opening up and inviting you. The trees, even as they are dying (darn beetles!!!), create an interesting and stark backdrop to the intensity of the roads. The aspens and wildflowers provide relief to both the living and dying evergreens.
Towns speckle the mountains, popping up where the slopes can create choice skiing, snowboarding, biking, and the rivers provide exceptional kayaking, tubing, and rafting.
Visually, the drive from Steamboat to Denver is the same. With one glaring difference. Instead of going to an outdoor fun, there is a different type of fun that is being sought after. Cultural elements, theatre, dancing, museums, art shows, music, and shopping are the order of the day.
A completely different vibe radiates from the city than Ski Town USA. Both are important and both are exciting. However the truly important part is the drive. Most drivers keep their windows up and their A/C on high. I like the windows down and the tunes cranked. The smell of the mountain air, whether you are coming or going, is invigorating. Sing along to the radio! It doesn't matter if you have the voice of an angel or if your singing makes the cats yowl in reply. You are on the open road, the music is playing, the wind is running through your hair, the sun is beaming in through the windows.
My favorite part about driving in the mountains is that there are turn-offs everywhere. Picturesque landscapes are no longer confined to rectangular frames on walls; rather they surround you, encouraging, even begging you to experience them. So get out of the car! Pick some of the wild flowers growing along the edges. Take pictures.
XOXO The drive is the important part.
7.04.2011
Happy Michael Bay Day
Well, it's come and past, another year of celebrating our country-dom! Recently I began to wonder what the difference, if any, was between patriotism and nationalism. Turns out, not that much. Patriotism is being proud of being a citizen of your country for no reason other than you are a citizen of your country. Nationalism is that except with political elements expressly included, essentially. If you really want to know more you can wikipedia that on your own.
As you can imagine, I spent the day with my own special brand of dysfunctional family :) (is there any other kind?). We watched the parade through downtown Steamboat Springs, CO, and since there was a gentle breeze and no humidity to speak of, it was a rather bearable temperature. Promptly following was lunch at Sweetwater Grill (very tasty but don't go with more than 10 people otherwise they seem to get frazzled and forget peoples entrees) followed by a jaunt to Pearl Lake for a quick dip. Then drinks and fun at a friends house, dinner at Rex's, gelato at Ciao Gelato. The day culminated in fireworks that would make Michael Bay very very proud.
Steamboat had the biggest fireworks display in the state of Colorado this year, and dominated the scene for the surrounding states, too. Sitting on a porch, watching the sky and my friends and family's faces light up as if they were in the daylight was nothing short of resplendent. Even with all the drama, all the tourists, all the small and large annoyances, I will always be transfixed by a stellar fireworks display. Fifteen minutes of pyrotechnics that felt like one enormous finale, I was captivated by this years explosions. The sound ricocheted off the mountains, rolling around our valley like thunder.
It was perfect.
I have seen fireworks in 2 cities that should out shine ours, Boston & Chicago. Both had such huge numbers of people that it was miserable to find a decent view. Chicago's fireworks were, well, pathetic. You know the fireworks that people sometimes smuggle from Wyoming into Colorado. The ones that are great compared to the dinky little ground based ones but are nothing compared to real fireworks? Well, those are the fireworks I saw in Chicago. Sorry, Windy City, but that was one "eh" display. Boston, you had an amazing display. That I watched on TV because the number of people combined with unfortunately timed rain caused me to flee inside to "watch" the broad cast of it. I have every faith that if it weren't raining that year I would have been so completely blown away I would have to try to make ours seem as good.
So, is there any negative about the Steamboat fireworks? Well, yes. The music they insist on choreographing the fireworks to. Sure, it's a country radio station, and yes, country music artists will never be in short supply of blindly patriotic (not that there is any other kind) songs, but there is a reason Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture is so freaking great! That song is build for explosions (Michael Bay, please never use it in a movie. It would make me cry). Or Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries! That would be an amazing piece to bring together with fireworks!
Still, in a town that has fireworks every week for no apparent reason, this year's Independence Day pyrotechnics went above and beyond what we could have expected!
Bum buh-buh bum bum, Bum buh-buh bum bum, Bum buh-buh bum bum, Bum bum bum bum!
(That is, obviously, Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries, hehehe)
XOXO... "Jamie Want Big Boom" (Jamie Hyneman, Mythbusters)
As you can imagine, I spent the day with my own special brand of dysfunctional family :) (is there any other kind?). We watched the parade through downtown Steamboat Springs, CO, and since there was a gentle breeze and no humidity to speak of, it was a rather bearable temperature. Promptly following was lunch at Sweetwater Grill (very tasty but don't go with more than 10 people otherwise they seem to get frazzled and forget peoples entrees) followed by a jaunt to Pearl Lake for a quick dip. Then drinks and fun at a friends house, dinner at Rex's, gelato at Ciao Gelato. The day culminated in fireworks that would make Michael Bay very very proud.
Steamboat had the biggest fireworks display in the state of Colorado this year, and dominated the scene for the surrounding states, too. Sitting on a porch, watching the sky and my friends and family's faces light up as if they were in the daylight was nothing short of resplendent. Even with all the drama, all the tourists, all the small and large annoyances, I will always be transfixed by a stellar fireworks display. Fifteen minutes of pyrotechnics that felt like one enormous finale, I was captivated by this years explosions. The sound ricocheted off the mountains, rolling around our valley like thunder.
It was perfect.
I have seen fireworks in 2 cities that should out shine ours, Boston & Chicago. Both had such huge numbers of people that it was miserable to find a decent view. Chicago's fireworks were, well, pathetic. You know the fireworks that people sometimes smuggle from Wyoming into Colorado. The ones that are great compared to the dinky little ground based ones but are nothing compared to real fireworks? Well, those are the fireworks I saw in Chicago. Sorry, Windy City, but that was one "eh" display. Boston, you had an amazing display. That I watched on TV because the number of people combined with unfortunately timed rain caused me to flee inside to "watch" the broad cast of it. I have every faith that if it weren't raining that year I would have been so completely blown away I would have to try to make ours seem as good.
So, is there any negative about the Steamboat fireworks? Well, yes. The music they insist on choreographing the fireworks to. Sure, it's a country radio station, and yes, country music artists will never be in short supply of blindly patriotic (not that there is any other kind) songs, but there is a reason Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture is so freaking great! That song is build for explosions (Michael Bay, please never use it in a movie. It would make me cry). Or Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries! That would be an amazing piece to bring together with fireworks!
Still, in a town that has fireworks every week for no apparent reason, this year's Independence Day pyrotechnics went above and beyond what we could have expected!
Bum buh-buh bum bum, Bum buh-buh bum bum, Bum buh-buh bum bum, Bum bum bum bum!
(That is, obviously, Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries, hehehe)
XOXO... "Jamie Want Big Boom" (Jamie Hyneman, Mythbusters)
7.02.2011
Genre Checklist: Fantasy...
Genre is a simple concept. Non-fic, fiction, YAF, biography, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, graphic novels, self help, classical, westerns, romance. The list goes on and on, with a million other options in blending and combining any of them.
So, the quandry comes when readers insist upon not using common sense while reading. I often come across review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and generally across the web that, while valuable, often forget exceedingly important details about genre.
Take YAFF, or Young Adult Fantasy Fiction. If we break this down it is part YAF and part fantasy. If you break it down further, look at Fantasy. Fantasy is seeped in magic, paranormal, and supernatural. So why is it that so many readers never seem to remember that fantasy is just that, fantasy?
Therefore, here is a checklist, straight up, as reminders on what fantasy combined with YAF is:
1. Magic. If you have any problem with a plot that uses magic as a BIG HUGE plot device, then all I can tell you is: BACK AWAY FROM THE FANTASY BOOK!
2. Supernatural/paranormal. Don't like ghosts, witches, trolls, and made up alternate realities? Then step away from the fantasy section.
3. If you think that there is anything weird about alternate realities that lead to other alternate realities or iridencent rocks that hold people's souls, colors that don't exist (in our world, at least) or words that are "made up", then you should probably just go back to something more straight edged.
As for the young adult fiction part of this...well, that is another post for another time!
XOXO, Happy Reading!
So, the quandry comes when readers insist upon not using common sense while reading. I often come across review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and generally across the web that, while valuable, often forget exceedingly important details about genre.
Take YAFF, or Young Adult Fantasy Fiction. If we break this down it is part YAF and part fantasy. If you break it down further, look at Fantasy. Fantasy is seeped in magic, paranormal, and supernatural. So why is it that so many readers never seem to remember that fantasy is just that, fantasy?
Therefore, here is a checklist, straight up, as reminders on what fantasy combined with YAF is:
1. Magic. If you have any problem with a plot that uses magic as a BIG HUGE plot device, then all I can tell you is: BACK AWAY FROM THE FANTASY BOOK!
2. Supernatural/paranormal. Don't like ghosts, witches, trolls, and made up alternate realities? Then step away from the fantasy section.
3. If you think that there is anything weird about alternate realities that lead to other alternate realities or iridencent rocks that hold people's souls, colors that don't exist (in our world, at least) or words that are "made up", then you should probably just go back to something more straight edged.
As for the young adult fiction part of this...well, that is another post for another time!
XOXO, Happy Reading!
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