Two posts in one day. I'm on a roll. (Serious spoilers in this one.)
Tomorrow night I am going to go see "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" with my husband. This is a monumental day, although it was more of a monumental day when the book series actually ended.
It marks the ending of a generational bonding moment really. When people talk about cohort effects in psychology classes years from now, maybe we will be referred to as the "Harry Potter" generation. We were the ones that were young while it came out. We were the perfect age to read the first one, still considered child-young adult fiction, and yet mature enough to read and understand the Deathly Hallows when it came out. Personally, I am glad that I apart of this generation. Harry Potter is so dang amazing.
I don't know how to even express it sometimes, but I think that Harry Potter is one of the most masterfully written book series of all time. I feel this way for several reasons.
Firstly, there is something exciting about reading stories that are monumental. There are plenty of books about everyday life. But Harry Potter is about the eternal fight of good vs. evil. Saving the world from evil is a lot more interesting to read about than breaking up with someone or junior prom. I like reading books that have a real purpose and meaning to them.
Second, I love the intricacies of the series (cannot believe that is a word.) There are so many tiny pieces of this series that fit together so nicely and make the story really seem realistic. J. K. Rowling is the queen of tying up loose ends. I am so impressed with the way she works in little things from the earlier books so they become significant in the last books.
Third, and perhaps I will step into controversial ground here, the symbolism in this book is amazing. Everytime I read the Deathly Hallows, I can't help being reminded of Christ. Yes, Harry is far from perfect and he is not the best Christ-figure in literature, but when he walks into death, willingly, lead by his white-haired father figure, I am reminded of the terrifying and painful sacrifice that Christ made to save us. Not to mention the whole resurrection thing. But I love that something that so many people deem as "evil" and banned it from libraries reminds me of the higher purpose in life.
So tomorrow night symbolizes the end of a long journey for me. From reading the Sorceror's stone in elementary school, to closing the final page of the Deathly Hallows, from watching the first movie, with its awkward children and sub-par visual effects, to experiencing "the motion-picture event of a lifetime" (that just happened to gross $100 million on opening day), it has been a great ride.
I will forever love Harry.
Monday, July 18, 2011
I Like Screamo Music . . .
Yeah, I really do. I am here today to defend it. Because I know the usual labels. "Emo." "Devil music." Etc. But I will tell you why I love it (you meaning the inside of my head because I have no followers.)
When I was younger, right after Britney Spears became a whore and I didn't know who to listen to anymore because I was NOT going to listen to a whore, I was super lost in the music world. I thought that listening to music was fun, there was just nothing out there that I really liked. Except blink-182. But there's only so many times that you can listen to the same album before it starts getting old. And there are only so many times that I can steal my brother's CD before he starts getting really mad.
So began my aimless wandering through the music world to try to find something I really liked. My dad had The Eagles, The Bee Gee's, Pink Floyd. My mom had Queen, Creedence Clearwater Revival. I wanted something that I really loved listening to. It took a while to find it.
High school consisted of piggy-backing off of my friends. They liked popular music. Things with a loud bumping beat and a woman trying to hit every note in an 8 octave range. Mostly it was irritating. I found Green Day but a lot of their stuff is, well . . . questionable. Continual emptiness of the music world.
When I was a Senior in high school, I finally found something I really liked. John Mayer. He fit my mood so well and he sang about things that mattered, much unlike the artists playing in my friend's cars. Okay, so now I have blink-182 and John Mayer. Still only amount to about 60 songs. There has to be more out there, right?
During college, I was introduced to the insanity that is screamo music. By a group of return missionaries, no less. It took some getting used to, but when I was with them, that was all we listened to. And I was finding that I really liked it. I know what you are thinking. . . brainwashing, right? No no
Reasons why I like screamo music:
*Energy: I have never listened to anything that has made me want to get up and move around and wakes me up and want to start punch dancing or something. I just love how excited I get when I listen to it. Its like a legal drug or something. (Yeah, that's me showing off my complete ignorance of the drug world. No worries.)
*Depth: I have never heard such amazing lyrics than while listening to screamo. These people don't just write about sex, drugs, and money (thanks, rap). They have so much to say on the most complicated and deep subjects. No one exemplifies this better than Thrice. Dustin Kensrue is not the immature, idiotic narcissist that other musicians are.
*Musicality: You can't be an "okay" musician and be in a good screamo band. There is no such thing as DDDD EEEE AAAA GGGG riffs with these guitarists. And I have never heard such amazing drumming in my entire life. I love the complexity and the talent that these bands have. This is especially true with The Devil Wears Prada (approach this band with caution, they are a little wild). "With Roots Above And Branches Below" is one of the most intricate, complex albums I have ever heard. I feel like I could listen to it over and over (like I already do) and find something new about the music that I had missed before.
*Worship: Though this is not true for a lot of screamo bands, a lot of the ones I listen to are Christian bands. These means no perversion and a lot of worshipful, thoughtful lyrics. I can tell that a lot of these bands have come unto Christ and love Him just as much as I do.
I know that many people think that these bands are awful, crazy devil-music. But, at least for the bands I love, that is far from true. The sound is hard and emotional, but there are many bands that are far from devil-worshiping. Don't get me wrong, they are out there.
Just thought I would share my message of how much I love this music and give you some solid reasons why you should, at the very least, not hate it.
When I was younger, right after Britney Spears became a whore and I didn't know who to listen to anymore because I was NOT going to listen to a whore, I was super lost in the music world. I thought that listening to music was fun, there was just nothing out there that I really liked. Except blink-182. But there's only so many times that you can listen to the same album before it starts getting old. And there are only so many times that I can steal my brother's CD before he starts getting really mad.
So began my aimless wandering through the music world to try to find something I really liked. My dad had The Eagles, The Bee Gee's, Pink Floyd. My mom had Queen, Creedence Clearwater Revival. I wanted something that I really loved listening to. It took a while to find it.
High school consisted of piggy-backing off of my friends. They liked popular music. Things with a loud bumping beat and a woman trying to hit every note in an 8 octave range. Mostly it was irritating. I found Green Day but a lot of their stuff is, well . . . questionable. Continual emptiness of the music world.
When I was a Senior in high school, I finally found something I really liked. John Mayer. He fit my mood so well and he sang about things that mattered, much unlike the artists playing in my friend's cars. Okay, so now I have blink-182 and John Mayer. Still only amount to about 60 songs. There has to be more out there, right?
During college, I was introduced to the insanity that is screamo music. By a group of return missionaries, no less. It took some getting used to, but when I was with them, that was all we listened to. And I was finding that I really liked it. I know what you are thinking. . . brainwashing, right? No no
Reasons why I like screamo music:
*Energy: I have never listened to anything that has made me want to get up and move around and wakes me up and want to start punch dancing or something. I just love how excited I get when I listen to it. Its like a legal drug or something. (Yeah, that's me showing off my complete ignorance of the drug world. No worries.)
*Depth: I have never heard such amazing lyrics than while listening to screamo. These people don't just write about sex, drugs, and money (thanks, rap). They have so much to say on the most complicated and deep subjects. No one exemplifies this better than Thrice. Dustin Kensrue is not the immature, idiotic narcissist that other musicians are.
*Musicality: You can't be an "okay" musician and be in a good screamo band. There is no such thing as DDDD EEEE AAAA GGGG riffs with these guitarists. And I have never heard such amazing drumming in my entire life. I love the complexity and the talent that these bands have. This is especially true with The Devil Wears Prada (approach this band with caution, they are a little wild). "With Roots Above And Branches Below" is one of the most intricate, complex albums I have ever heard. I feel like I could listen to it over and over (like I already do) and find something new about the music that I had missed before.
*Worship: Though this is not true for a lot of screamo bands, a lot of the ones I listen to are Christian bands. These means no perversion and a lot of worshipful, thoughtful lyrics. I can tell that a lot of these bands have come unto Christ and love Him just as much as I do.
I know that many people think that these bands are awful, crazy devil-music. But, at least for the bands I love, that is far from true. The sound is hard and emotional, but there are many bands that are far from devil-worshiping. Don't get me wrong, they are out there.
Just thought I would share my message of how much I love this music and give you some solid reasons why you should, at the very least, not hate it.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Middle Place . . .
No, not the lame attempt at a memoir by Kelly Corrigan. The place in between my childhood and my adulthood. Still in school, though working half the time. Still in my hometown, though not living with my parents. Still in contact with some high school friends, but not really.
When is my life going to start? When am I going to get out of here? When am I going to spend more time picking up toys and changing diapers than painting my nails and shaving my legs? When am I going to get a job that pays more than $7.50/hour? When will I leave what is still my childhood/adolescence and enter adulthood.
Step 1: Get married. Check.
Step 2: Graduate from college. So close!
Step 3: Attend graduate school. Nooooo! I don't wanna!
Step 4: Have a baby. Yikes.
Step 5: Move to where our life will be, wherever Jacob can get a good job. Wait, what?
Step 6: Start a career. No thanks.
Step 7: Buy a house. With what money?!
Step 8: Live your life. Finally
When is my life going to start? When am I going to get out of here? When am I going to spend more time picking up toys and changing diapers than painting my nails and shaving my legs? When am I going to get a job that pays more than $7.50/hour? When will I leave what is still my childhood/adolescence and enter adulthood.
Step 1: Get married. Check.
Step 2: Graduate from college. So close!
Step 3: Attend graduate school. Nooooo! I don't wanna!
Step 4: Have a baby. Yikes.
Step 5: Move to where our life will be, wherever Jacob can get a good job. Wait, what?
Step 6: Start a career. No thanks.
Step 7: Buy a house. With what money?!
Step 8: Live your life. Finally
Friendship is . . .
. . . I don't know. Can't think of a word that encompasses it all. Probably because the state of friendship varies so much from person to person, friendship to friendship. I have been thinking a lot lately about those people that were such a large part of my life a few years ago, and what in the crap happened to them.
I hate losing touch with people. But sometimes I feel like its inevitable. I can't think of a single person that I remained friends with for more than 6 or 7 years. Why is that? Maybe its that people can't stand being around me after that long. I don't know. It bothers me.
Someday I very much hope to track down some friends that will actually stick with me. Not these people who are "fair-weather" friends. There when things are fun and exciting. Disappear when your world is falling in. Why can't people just be consistent? Why can't people "be there for you?" People can't be bothered, I guess.
People change. This is nothing new. One person in particular was stalwart and amazing when I first came to know her. She was valiant and strong in her convictions, fearlessly honest, and knew where her priorities were. Where is she now? I don't know. Somewhere far away, making half-hearted suggestions that we should "get together sometime" (could a statement be more vague?). Married to a guy she shouldn't be married to because her mind is fleeting and she doesn't care what she does anymore. She's not responsible for anything. I don't even know her anymore. This is why I don't really follow through on the "getting together" suggestion.
Even some of the friends I have managed to stay in contact with, I am bewildered by. Who are you? Do I even know you? You weren't like this when I knew you.
So now I am here. My best friend is my husband. My next closest friend is hundreds of miles away with very limited contact. When my husband is working, I clean the house, watch The Office, and read Harry Potter. Hoping one day I will find someone who is actually worth getting to know and actually worth inviting over. Someone who won't leave when the trauma comes, when I am sobbing, when I need them most.
I hate losing touch with people. But sometimes I feel like its inevitable. I can't think of a single person that I remained friends with for more than 6 or 7 years. Why is that? Maybe its that people can't stand being around me after that long. I don't know. It bothers me.
Someday I very much hope to track down some friends that will actually stick with me. Not these people who are "fair-weather" friends. There when things are fun and exciting. Disappear when your world is falling in. Why can't people just be consistent? Why can't people "be there for you?" People can't be bothered, I guess.
People change. This is nothing new. One person in particular was stalwart and amazing when I first came to know her. She was valiant and strong in her convictions, fearlessly honest, and knew where her priorities were. Where is she now? I don't know. Somewhere far away, making half-hearted suggestions that we should "get together sometime" (could a statement be more vague?). Married to a guy she shouldn't be married to because her mind is fleeting and she doesn't care what she does anymore. She's not responsible for anything. I don't even know her anymore. This is why I don't really follow through on the "getting together" suggestion.
Even some of the friends I have managed to stay in contact with, I am bewildered by. Who are you? Do I even know you? You weren't like this when I knew you.
So now I am here. My best friend is my husband. My next closest friend is hundreds of miles away with very limited contact. When my husband is working, I clean the house, watch The Office, and read Harry Potter. Hoping one day I will find someone who is actually worth getting to know and actually worth inviting over. Someone who won't leave when the trauma comes, when I am sobbing, when I need them most.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Europe was . . .
So amazing. I can't believe that at only 21 I got to go to Europe and experience some of the most amazing sights the world has to offer. We were so lucky to be able to take the opportunity now when we are young instead of waiting until after our future kids have grown up (i.e. 30 years from now). And what a great chance for us to have five weeks, just Jacob and I, to be with one another more than we have in the past six months!
Vienna is one of my new favorite cities. I can't quite explain why. Yes, it can be a very wicked place. Smoking, racy advertisements. But there is something about it there that I just love. It is probably the architecture. People back then (1500's - 1800's) definitely cared more about the exterior of their buildings than American builders do now. And although I can't say that I believe in what the Catholic church teaches, they sure do make some beautiful cathedrals. Vienna is chuck full of them. Stephansdom, Karlskirche, Votiv kirche, St. Peter's . . . they were all so beautiful. I also had the opportunity to get to know Vienna really well. Their U-Bahn system is amazing, and gave me the opportunity to go anywhere in the city I wanted to go. It easily began to feel like home, and while we were visiting Prague, I referred to Vienna as home. I definitely want to go back there someday.
I very much enjoyed the food offerings of Austria and Germany. Man-o-man, Wiener Schnitzel is so good (no, not the American fast food chain; they've got it ALL wrong). European Fanta is crazy good. I couldn't imagine that using real fruit juice could make a drink so much better, but it does. The Turkish people are definitely doing something right with Döners. They are so good, even if I get it "nur fleisch." And while in Germany, I have never experienced such amazing sausages. Münchener Weißwurst, Nürnberger wurst, and the Coburger wurst were some of the most delicious things I have ever put in my mouth!! The Coburger wurst is roasted over pine cones and gives it the most crazy awesome flavor. Even just thinking about it is making my mouth water.
Germany is very beautiful. Vienna is a lot of concrete, but i got to see so much green while I was in Germany. Rolling hills of green green green. Coming back to Utah made me feel like I was wearing brown sunglasses. (Don't get me wrong, I still love Utah). Rothenburg was a great place. It felt and looked just like you would think an old-fashioned, little German town would look. Nürnberg was one of my favorite cities we visited. Besides their crazy awesome sausage, the buildings there are so beautiful. It reminded me a lot of Vienna. Bamberg was also very cool (besides all the drunk teenagers). We walked up the big hill to a cathedral and palace that overlooked the city. We had an amazing view of the red-shingled houses and the stormy atmosphere added to the effect.
Coming home was bittersweet. Yes, I will miss the places I have seen and I will miss the food. But there is something about being home and being back in routine that feels nice. It is also nice to wash my clothes in a washing machine instead of in a sink, by hand.
All in all, the best vacation I have ever been on. I got to spend my first anniversary in one of my favorite cities, and it was wonderful to spend so much time with my sweetie.
Vienna is one of my new favorite cities. I can't quite explain why. Yes, it can be a very wicked place. Smoking, racy advertisements. But there is something about it there that I just love. It is probably the architecture. People back then (1500's - 1800's) definitely cared more about the exterior of their buildings than American builders do now. And although I can't say that I believe in what the Catholic church teaches, they sure do make some beautiful cathedrals. Vienna is chuck full of them. Stephansdom, Karlskirche, Votiv kirche, St. Peter's . . . they were all so beautiful. I also had the opportunity to get to know Vienna really well. Their U-Bahn system is amazing, and gave me the opportunity to go anywhere in the city I wanted to go. It easily began to feel like home, and while we were visiting Prague, I referred to Vienna as home. I definitely want to go back there someday.
I very much enjoyed the food offerings of Austria and Germany. Man-o-man, Wiener Schnitzel is so good (no, not the American fast food chain; they've got it ALL wrong). European Fanta is crazy good. I couldn't imagine that using real fruit juice could make a drink so much better, but it does. The Turkish people are definitely doing something right with Döners. They are so good, even if I get it "nur fleisch." And while in Germany, I have never experienced such amazing sausages. Münchener Weißwurst, Nürnberger wurst, and the Coburger wurst were some of the most delicious things I have ever put in my mouth!! The Coburger wurst is roasted over pine cones and gives it the most crazy awesome flavor. Even just thinking about it is making my mouth water.
Germany is very beautiful. Vienna is a lot of concrete, but i got to see so much green while I was in Germany. Rolling hills of green green green. Coming back to Utah made me feel like I was wearing brown sunglasses. (Don't get me wrong, I still love Utah). Rothenburg was a great place. It felt and looked just like you would think an old-fashioned, little German town would look. Nürnberg was one of my favorite cities we visited. Besides their crazy awesome sausage, the buildings there are so beautiful. It reminded me a lot of Vienna. Bamberg was also very cool (besides all the drunk teenagers). We walked up the big hill to a cathedral and palace that overlooked the city. We had an amazing view of the red-shingled houses and the stormy atmosphere added to the effect.
Coming home was bittersweet. Yes, I will miss the places I have seen and I will miss the food. But there is something about being home and being back in routine that feels nice. It is also nice to wash my clothes in a washing machine instead of in a sink, by hand.
All in all, the best vacation I have ever been on. I got to spend my first anniversary in one of my favorite cities, and it was wonderful to spend so much time with my sweetie.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Life is unfair . . . sometimes . . .
I don't know why I can't focus on writing my essay. I guess I just want to write other things. This is why I am here.
Life can be so dumb sometimes. And really unfair. I really dislike it when people don't suffer the consequences of their choices; the suffering gets deferred to someone else. Like me. I am not saying that I am suffering, trust me, I love my life. But I do have to deal with the issues of someone else because they won't man-up and do it themselves.
Once upon a time, I dated a guy who turned out to be a jerk. That ended in the most ugly way imaginable and I am still suffering the emotional consequences of his . . . jerkiness. But I will have you know that he is the one who destroyed our relationship. I mean, really, obliterated it. Stuck a hand-grenade in the middle of it and ran. And yet, I am the one who's still cleaning up after it.
(I don't know why I am being so secretive about the details, it's not like anyone reads this.)
Anyway, I find it incredibly annoying that even though I am the one who was hurt by everything he did to me, I am still the one cleaning up after him. I am the one who doesn't get invited to things because he might be there.
He's the one who still talks crap about me to our friends. He's the one who runs away from me when he sees me. He's the one who has so much hatred for me. He's the one who left me dying, face down on the floor.
Personally, I think he is the one who should sit at home when everyone is out having a good time. He should be the one dealing with the consequences of his own decisions.
But I am just a little bitter.
Just a little.
Life can be so dumb sometimes. And really unfair. I really dislike it when people don't suffer the consequences of their choices; the suffering gets deferred to someone else. Like me. I am not saying that I am suffering, trust me, I love my life. But I do have to deal with the issues of someone else because they won't man-up and do it themselves.
Once upon a time, I dated a guy who turned out to be a jerk. That ended in the most ugly way imaginable and I am still suffering the emotional consequences of his . . . jerkiness. But I will have you know that he is the one who destroyed our relationship. I mean, really, obliterated it. Stuck a hand-grenade in the middle of it and ran. And yet, I am the one who's still cleaning up after it.
(I don't know why I am being so secretive about the details, it's not like anyone reads this.)
Anyway, I find it incredibly annoying that even though I am the one who was hurt by everything he did to me, I am still the one cleaning up after him. I am the one who doesn't get invited to things because he might be there.
He's the one who still talks crap about me to our friends. He's the one who runs away from me when he sees me. He's the one who has so much hatred for me. He's the one who left me dying, face down on the floor.
Personally, I think he is the one who should sit at home when everyone is out having a good time. He should be the one dealing with the consequences of his own decisions.
But I am just a little bitter.
Just a little.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Some people are just so . . .
This is not a cynical post, which the title may have led you to believe.
I am very excited now. I get excited when humanity shows me its still humane. I get excited when people show me they know how to be people and not animals.
I am grateful for grateful people.
That is all.
Is that so bad?
I enjoy those people who take the time to acknowledge the things that other people do for them.
I enjoy those people who surprise you with a bit more support and follow-through than you were expecting.
Some days, people disgust me.
Today is not one of those days.
I am very excited now. I get excited when humanity shows me its still humane. I get excited when people show me they know how to be people and not animals.
I am grateful for grateful people.
That is all.
Is that so bad?
I enjoy those people who take the time to acknowledge the things that other people do for them.
I enjoy those people who surprise you with a bit more support and follow-through than you were expecting.
Some days, people disgust me.
Today is not one of those days.
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