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Humans vs Mythic Entities it is.
Jan. 16th, 2012 09:27 amFollowing up on my previous post, we seem to be treading the path of Humans vs Powers, as we have the 49ers vs Giants on one side and the Patriots vs Ravens on the others.
Unfortunately, neither of those is a particularly interesting version of that. With the fall of the Saints, the most interesting finale for that story has been removed. Still, we must work with what we have.
Assuming we maintain that story arc, then our two options are 49ers vs Ravens and Giants vs Patriots. Neither is particularly compelling, although the former at least gives us hardscrabble frontierfolk vs Trickster or Death, which isn't too bad. (In terms of real-life story, Giants/Patriots is better given the two teams haven't been back to the Super Bowl since the Giants won, dashing the Patriot's hopes of a perfect season. So that works as a rematch story.)
The human/human option is ok - 49ers vs Patriots at least gives us archetypes from each coast and from different centuries as a rivalry.
If we let ourselves go myth/myth, however, we get Giants/Ravens. You can do that as straight up Norse myth if you want to take the Ravens as symbols of Odin, and Trickster vs Ancient Power is one of the classic recurring themes in multiple cultures. Clearly, that's what we have to root for.
Unfortunately, neither of those is a particularly interesting version of that. With the fall of the Saints, the most interesting finale for that story has been removed. Still, we must work with what we have.
Assuming we maintain that story arc, then our two options are 49ers vs Ravens and Giants vs Patriots. Neither is particularly compelling, although the former at least gives us hardscrabble frontierfolk vs Trickster or Death, which isn't too bad. (In terms of real-life story, Giants/Patriots is better given the two teams haven't been back to the Super Bowl since the Giants won, dashing the Patriot's hopes of a perfect season. So that works as a rematch story.)
The human/human option is ok - 49ers vs Patriots at least gives us archetypes from each coast and from different centuries as a rivalry.
If we let ourselves go myth/myth, however, we get Giants/Ravens. You can do that as straight up Norse myth if you want to take the Ravens as symbols of Odin, and Trickster vs Ancient Power is one of the classic recurring themes in multiple cultures. Clearly, that's what we have to root for.
The Mythopoetic NFL Playoffs
Jan. 14th, 2012 04:58 pmIt's been a while since I've done this, but since I probably will be throwing the World's Most Civilized Football Party this year, I thought I should.
In the NFC we have the Saints vs the 49ers today. Tomorrow we have the Packers vs the Giants.
In both cases we have a very human symbol against a larger than life one. The 49ers as the grizzled explorers/pioneers, and the Packers as simple blue color men of dignity. The Saints, of course, have Holy Beings Touched By God, while the Giants are major players in numerous myths across the globe.
Over in the AFC, we have a similar situation, but with animals swapped in for mythic beings. The Patriots (human archetype) vs the Broncos (mighty stallions with many mythic connotations) and the Texans (human archetype) vs the Ravens (classic trickster and/or death symbol).
That said, what makes for the most interesting matchups down the road? Obviously, we could root for human/mythic all the way down the line, in which case I'd like Packers/Saints and Patriots/Ravens, followed by Saints/Patriots as a battle of Church and State.
Another option is all human, in which case I'd like 49ers/Texans I think, as the battle of Frontier archetypes. (Although Packers/Texans as Urban vs Rural works pretty well, too.)
All mythic leads to some interesting possibilities, but Ravens definitely have to be the AFC representative, then, due to the better mythic history. Ravens/Saints seems the most interesting mythically there.
You could also do all human semi final on one side, all mythic on the other, in which case I'd still want Saints/Patriots as your final.
In the NFC we have the Saints vs the 49ers today. Tomorrow we have the Packers vs the Giants.
In both cases we have a very human symbol against a larger than life one. The 49ers as the grizzled explorers/pioneers, and the Packers as simple blue color men of dignity. The Saints, of course, have Holy Beings Touched By God, while the Giants are major players in numerous myths across the globe.
Over in the AFC, we have a similar situation, but with animals swapped in for mythic beings. The Patriots (human archetype) vs the Broncos (mighty stallions with many mythic connotations) and the Texans (human archetype) vs the Ravens (classic trickster and/or death symbol).
That said, what makes for the most interesting matchups down the road? Obviously, we could root for human/mythic all the way down the line, in which case I'd like Packers/Saints and Patriots/Ravens, followed by Saints/Patriots as a battle of Church and State.
Another option is all human, in which case I'd like 49ers/Texans I think, as the battle of Frontier archetypes. (Although Packers/Texans as Urban vs Rural works pretty well, too.)
All mythic leads to some interesting possibilities, but Ravens definitely have to be the AFC representative, then, due to the better mythic history. Ravens/Saints seems the most interesting mythically there.
You could also do all human semi final on one side, all mythic on the other, in which case I'd still want Saints/Patriots as your final.
Sherlock - Non Spoiler
Jan. 11th, 2012 03:51 pmI watched the first of the new series of Sherlock, and haven't yet watched the second. I'm not sure I like it. It feels like its trying too hard now, and I'm not sure why. There was nothing particularly wrong with it (except maybe the first and last scenes) but it didn't quite sit right.
It's back to work and I keep glancing at interesting things but don't have time to write. So you get a link dump from tabs.
(One of my 2012 quasi-resolutions is to set up a proper reading system. I will solicit "you should be reading these" suggestions, as well as asking what to use to manage them.)
Carbon nanotubes create wearable sensors. This kind of thing has been kicking around for a while, and seems to really getting to the point where smart clothing could be pretty commonplace.
From Obsidian Wings, some useful German words we could use in English:
Verschlimmbesserung, noun [from Verbesserung (improvement) and Verschlimmerung (deterioration/worsening)]: intended improvements or upgrades that end up making everything worse. Verb form: verschlimmbessern
kaputtreparieren, verb ("kaputt" + "repair"): repair or tinker with a thing to the point that it becomes broken.
The Occupy Movement (and I'm still iffy on whether I like that term, but it seems to have stuck) has been fascinating to watch, although why anyone is surprised they are having some of the problems they are having surprises me. The fact it exploded quickly and that it pretends to be non-hierarchical almost guarantees some form of these "do any of you realize you didn't invent social justice movements or protesting" moments.
Barbie trashes her dreamhouse.
The two types of sloth may be an example of convergent evolution. (Also, Sloth babies are cute)
Add this parasitic fly to the list of possible causes of colony collapse disorder. (Also, do not read if the whole "larva then eat their way out of the insect's head" thing is going to bother you.)
Three New Hampshire republicans have proposed a bill that says “All members of the general court proposing bills and resolutions addressing individual rights or liberties shall include a direct quote from the Magna Carta which sets forth the article from which the individual right or liberty is derived”.
A reminder, correlation does not mean causation, although it allows you to imply all kinds of things.
I was going to write something about the Hugo Schwyzer dust up over the holidays, but since I always thought he was a douchebag anyway...
(One of my 2012 quasi-resolutions is to set up a proper reading system. I will solicit "you should be reading these" suggestions, as well as asking what to use to manage them.)
Carbon nanotubes create wearable sensors. This kind of thing has been kicking around for a while, and seems to really getting to the point where smart clothing could be pretty commonplace.
From Obsidian Wings, some useful German words we could use in English:
Verschlimmbesserung, noun [from Verbesserung (improvement) and Verschlimmerung (deterioration/worsening)]: intended improvements or upgrades that end up making everything worse. Verb form: verschlimmbessern
kaputtreparieren, verb ("kaputt" + "repair"): repair or tinker with a thing to the point that it becomes broken.
The Occupy Movement (and I'm still iffy on whether I like that term, but it seems to have stuck) has been fascinating to watch, although why anyone is surprised they are having some of the problems they are having surprises me. The fact it exploded quickly and that it pretends to be non-hierarchical almost guarantees some form of these "do any of you realize you didn't invent social justice movements or protesting" moments.
Barbie trashes her dreamhouse.
The two types of sloth may be an example of convergent evolution. (Also, Sloth babies are cute)
Add this parasitic fly to the list of possible causes of colony collapse disorder. (Also, do not read if the whole "larva then eat their way out of the insect's head" thing is going to bother you.)
Three New Hampshire republicans have proposed a bill that says “All members of the general court proposing bills and resolutions addressing individual rights or liberties shall include a direct quote from the Magna Carta which sets forth the article from which the individual right or liberty is derived”.
A reminder, correlation does not mean causation, although it allows you to imply all kinds of things.
I was going to write something about the Hugo Schwyzer dust up over the holidays, but since I always thought he was a douchebag anyway...
Pretty much what the title says.
"[They] talk about YA, and trying to live an artists life, and Star Wars, and experimental films, all art all the time and the mysterious shirt (which I still have) that always caught my eye."
Go check it out!
(Also, happy 2012, everybody.)
"[They] talk about YA, and trying to live an artists life, and Star Wars, and experimental films, all art all the time and the mysterious shirt (which I still have) that always caught my eye."
Go check it out!
(Also, happy 2012, everybody.)
Contes SLAMtastique Storytelling - Tonight, Monday the 12, at 7pm - Suggestions
Dec. 12th, 2011 01:32 pmA Reminder, I am the featured storyteller at tonight's SLAM storytelling competition.
http://www.documentia.ca/slamtastiq
Join us for our third evening of SLAMTelling
Joignez-nous pour notre troisième soirée de Conte de Slam!
Shaika Cafe
5526 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, Quebec
Deuxieme lundi de chaque mois, 7pm // Second Monday of each month, 7pm
Prochain Slam: 12 décembre 2011
Next event: December 12th 2011
Cinq juges, cinq minutes, des contes incroyables! (lisez les regles)
Five judges, five minutes, incredible storytelling! (read the rules)
Conteur invité / Featured Teller: Laurent Castellucci
http://www.documentia.ca/slamtastiq
Join us for our third evening of SLAMTelling
Joignez-nous pour notre troisième soirée de Conte de Slam!
Shaika Cafe
5526 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, Quebec
Deuxieme lundi de chaque mois, 7pm // Second Monday of each month, 7pm
Prochain Slam: 12 décembre 2011
Next event: December 12th 2011
Cinq juges, cinq minutes, des contes incroyables! (lisez les regles)
Five judges, five minutes, incredible storytelling! (read the rules)
Conteur invité / Featured Teller: Laurent Castellucci
A collection of things I've read/seen over the last little while.
A ranking of Earth-like and habitable worlds we've discovered. This came out before the recent confirmation of Kepler 22b as highly Earth-like.
From a few years back, but since Andrew Sullivan brought up The Bell Curve again, some discussion on what "heritability" means in this context and why g is a statistical myth.
And just in case the whole whitewashing of Akira wasn't enough, it looks like Tom Cruise will play the lead for the adaptation of All You Need is Kill. Because in a novel where one of the three lead characters is not white, you better make that sucker white for the movie. :/
A ranking of Earth-like and habitable worlds we've discovered. This came out before the recent confirmation of Kepler 22b as highly Earth-like.
From a few years back, but since Andrew Sullivan brought up The Bell Curve again, some discussion on what "heritability" means in this context and why g is a statistical myth.
And just in case the whole whitewashing of Akira wasn't enough, it looks like Tom Cruise will play the lead for the adaptation of All You Need is Kill. Because in a novel where one of the three lead characters is not white, you better make that sucker white for the movie. :/
As already mentioned (and repeated below), I am the feature teller this Monday. I'm pretty sure I'm telling the Devil at the Crossroads, and possibly something involving a Dragon and 5-coloured Silk. Anyone have any suggestions for something else I should tell?
The third evening of Montreal's bilingual storytelling Slam is this Monday!
http://www.documentia.ca/slamtastiq
Join us for our third evening of SLAMTelling
Joignez-nous pour notre troisième soirée de Conte de Slam!
Shaika Cafe
5526 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, Quebec
Deuxieme lundi de chaque mois, 7pm // Second Monday of each month, 7pm
Prochain Slam: 12 décembre 2011
Next event: December 12th 2011
Cinq juges, cinq minutes, des contes incroyables! (lisez les regles)
Five judges, five minutes, incredible storytelling! (read the rules)
Conteur invité / Featured Teller: Laurent Castellucci
The third evening of Montreal's bilingual storytelling Slam is this Monday!
http://www.documentia.ca/slamtastiq
Join us for our third evening of SLAMTelling
Joignez-nous pour notre troisième soirée de Conte de Slam!
Shaika Cafe
5526 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, Quebec
Deuxieme lundi de chaque mois, 7pm // Second Monday of each month, 7pm
Prochain Slam: 12 décembre 2011
Next event: December 12th 2011
Cinq juges, cinq minutes, des contes incroyables! (lisez les regles)
Five judges, five minutes, incredible storytelling! (read the rules)
Conteur invité / Featured Teller: Laurent Castellucci
The third evening of Montreal's bilingual storytelling Slam is next Monday!
http://www.documentia.ca/slamtastiq
Join us for our third evening of SLAMTelling
Joignez-nous pour notre troisième soirée de Conte de Slam!
Shaika Cafe
5526 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, Quebec
Deuxieme lundi de chaque mois, 7pm // Second Monday of each month, 7pm
Prochain Slam: 12 décembre 2011
Next event: December 12th 2011
Cinq juges, cinq minutes, des contes incroyables! (lisez les regles)
Five judges, five minutes, incredible storytelling! (read the rules)
Conteur invité / Featured Teller: Laurent Castellucci
http://www.documentia.ca/slamtastiq
Join us for our third evening of SLAMTelling
Joignez-nous pour notre troisième soirée de Conte de Slam!
Shaika Cafe
5526 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, Quebec
Deuxieme lundi de chaque mois, 7pm // Second Monday of each month, 7pm
Prochain Slam: 12 décembre 2011
Next event: December 12th 2011
Cinq juges, cinq minutes, des contes incroyables! (lisez les regles)
Five judges, five minutes, incredible storytelling! (read the rules)
Conteur invité / Featured Teller: Laurent Castellucci
Cecil In New York!
Dec. 5th, 2011 08:16 pmTwo Readings in NYC this Week of her new novel FIRST DAY ON EARTH!
Detail here
12/7 - 6 PM
TEEN AUTHOR READING NIGHT
at Jefferson Market Branch NYPL
425 Avenue of the Americas
with/
Cecil Castellucci, First Day on Earth
Margie Gelbwasser, Inconvenient
Andy Marino, Unison Spark
Julia Mayer, Eyes in the Mirror
Marie Rutkoski, The Jewel of the Kalderash
Delia Sherman, The Freedom Maze
12/8 at 6 PM
BOOKS OF WONDER
18 West 18th Street
Great Teen Reads
with/
CECIL CASTELLUCCI First Day on Earth
DANIEL NAYERI Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow
PAUL GRIFFIN Stay With Me
ANNA GODBERSEN Beautiful Days (Bright Young Things Series #2)
Detail here
12/7 - 6 PM
TEEN AUTHOR READING NIGHT
at Jefferson Market Branch NYPL
425 Avenue of the Americas
with/
Cecil Castellucci, First Day on Earth
Margie Gelbwasser, Inconvenient
Andy Marino, Unison Spark
Julia Mayer, Eyes in the Mirror
Marie Rutkoski, The Jewel of the Kalderash
Delia Sherman, The Freedom Maze
12/8 at 6 PM
BOOKS OF WONDER
18 West 18th Street
Great Teen Reads
with/
CECIL CASTELLUCCI First Day on Earth
DANIEL NAYERI Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow
PAUL GRIFFIN Stay With Me
ANNA GODBERSEN Beautiful Days (Bright Young Things Series #2)
http://www.thelocal.se/37594/20111127/
To the uninitiated, the annual saga of whether or not the goat survives intact until Christmas Day, has become a tradition of Yuletide in Sweden.
The giant straw goat, which has been erected in the town's main square, Slottstorget, every year since 1966, undergoes a battle against the elements and local arsonists every year, which splits loyalties in the town.
Half of the people take pride in the giant animal, while the other half take equal pride in attempting to burn it down. To date, the goat has been burnt down more times than it has survived the Christmas period.
To the uninitiated, the annual saga of whether or not the goat survives intact until Christmas Day, has become a tradition of Yuletide in Sweden.
The giant straw goat, which has been erected in the town's main square, Slottstorget, every year since 1966, undergoes a battle against the elements and local arsonists every year, which splits loyalties in the town.
Half of the people take pride in the giant animal, while the other half take equal pride in attempting to burn it down. To date, the goat has been burnt down more times than it has survived the Christmas period.
Gluten-free Moustache Cookies
Dec. 2nd, 2011 12:04 pmSo hey, those came out pretty well.
Mind you, the first batch was somewhat lacking in cohesion. On the plus side, this artist loved that I made tasty "abstract expressionist" cookies.
Mind you, the first batch was somewhat lacking in cohesion. On the plus side, this artist loved that I made tasty "abstract expressionist" cookies.
Cecil in New York!
Nov. 30th, 2011 09:29 pmThe fabulous Miss Cecil will be wending her way to New York next week with some events in the city.
Details are here.
She's also involved with the Magick4Terri fundraising (and you should be, too) and has some writing on Occupy and activism you should check out.
That is, of course, while you are all buying her books as stocking stuffers, because they are awesome.
Details are here.
She's also involved with the Magick4Terri fundraising (and you should be, too) and has some writing on Occupy and activism you should check out.
That is, of course, while you are all buying her books as stocking stuffers, because they are awesome.
Jedi of more than one sort
Nov. 30th, 2011 01:20 amThere were many Jedi at PhilCon
Some were significantly more badass than others. Oath-taking levels of badass, one might say.
Others were badass in a more bitey way.
This can lead to arguments.
Vulcans find all this fascinating.
Some were significantly more badass than others. Oath-taking levels of badass, one might say.
Others were badass in a more bitey way.
This can lead to arguments.
Vulcans find all this fascinating.
