Word of the Day

My friend once told me a funny story about the unforeseen effects of intelligent articulation. He and another friend went to the housing office of Alpine Village apartments to sign contracts for next school-year. While they were speaking with the receptionist about contract procedures, they discovered that all of the paperwork could have been completed online via their website. Realizing that they had made an unnecessary trip to the office, my friend clarified to the girl,
"So, basically our presence here is superfluous?"
She admitted that it was.


{Insert tangental thought that will be related hereafter...}


Alpine Village, as most who live within the BYU "bubble" are aware, has a reputation for being the housing complex of choice for, shall we say....tools and California hipsters. It is basically the richer and more expensive version of King Henry apartments. It is known for being a community of shallow, superficial, fake-baked, bleach-blonde, plastic, dumb bimbos (male and female). Now, I realize that this stereotype is just that––a stereotype. However, most stereotypes derive from some degree of truth, and I happen to believe that this is a generalization that has some validity. This claim is further supported by what happened next in our little anecdote...

{continue main storyline...}

As my friend says this to the receptionist, a "typical" Alpine Villager walks by.
Description: 
Male.
Fake tan.
Wife-beater tank with shorts.
Shoes? Unknown, but probably flip flops, or barefoot.
Expression: Dazed and confused. (I'm using artistic liberty on this one, but I have a feeling its not far from the truth...)

When this anonymous villager hears him say this, he stops and comments, "Woah. Dude. That's a big word. What does it mean?"
"Unnecessary..."
"Tight. Dude. Word. of. the. Day. Pound it!" (holds out his fist for a congratulatory 'pound').

Now, I realize that some people do not have especially expansive vocabularies. And yet, I find myself rather stunned that anyone would be confident (or, maybe just stupid) enough to admit to not knowing a word like "superfluous."If you have seen Pirates of the Caribbean, then you have heard that word. Jack Sparrow says it in reference to the Dauntless. And I have a feeling most people have seen that movie...especially anyone in Alpine Village. Just a wager. So, forgive me if I seem harsh or judgmental, but....reeeeeeally???

But, to be perfectly honest, I don't really care if the kid doesn't know his words. Maybe he's a math guy....maybe. And, even though I think he is an idiot, and perhaps the world could use a few less of them and a few more literates, at the end of the day, I thank him. I thank him for giving me a story to laugh about. Because after my friends told me this little gem of a story, we have since referenced it many times over. So, I guess what I am really trying to say is this: appreciate life for all its little treasures––even the ones that come from the least of these our brethren. Because sometimes those make the best stories, and when it comes down to it, who doesn't love a good story?

So, thank you Anonymous Alpine Village Idiot. Thank you.

...or should I say,

“     P o u n d    I t !     ”

Finding Truth and Identity in Our Past

 

Thomas Allen Harris

While I was browsing through the New York Times the other day, this article really stood out to me. "Mining Memories to Preserve the Past," by Felicia Lee, discusses the work of documentary filmmaker, Thomas Allen Harris in his latest project, "Digital Diaspora Family Reunion." In an effort to make a collective memory of black history through the lens of digital media, the written word and live interaction, Harris has traveled the country searching for people's stories. Delving into boxes of old photographs, sitting down and listening to each individual and family stories, and even creating a website as a forum for discussion and sharing, Harris has created a living history of Black Americans. 


What really stood out to me was the way in which Harris has chosen to portray and document this part of history. He makes the documentary not just as a record of facts, names and events, but it is  personal. He is using today's technology to not only record, but to          express  the stories and memories of the individuals. As an aspiring photographer, and lover of art and media, I am impressed by Harris' ingenuity and creativity in combining new media (film, photography, web, and live presentation) to tell these stories in a way that is not only new, but is engaging and interactive. It brings storytelling to another level, bringing the audience into the story, integrating their own stories and experiences to mold into one evolving tapestry of life...am I getting carried away??




Anyways...

Not only is Harris' project an innovative and intriguing way to document and share history, but it is a testament, I believe, to the continued relevance and value that our roots have in our lives today. So often we seem to forget or neglect our past. We fail to remember that it is not only where we are going, but where we came from that not only matters, but ultimately determines who we are and, indeed, who we are to become. One of my favorite quotes from the article was by Harris, describing his intent and the meaning behind this endeavor, saying,

 “    We take grandma for granted...We need to understand that instead of looking outside ourselves for value, we can look inside.     ”

Family history is not just about finding names to put on a list or add to your family tree. Both the seeking, finding and telling of their stories makes them a part of your story. It's not just about you. And its not just about them. It is a combination––a bringing together of generations, even if they never touch in time, through recording and sharing their stories. As this happens, the gap between people doesn't seem so wide. 

One thing that this has reminded me of is the need to cherish and share with those family members who are part of our time. We share a bond with family that cannot be replicated or substituted. And I have learned that when I truly listen to my family, especially my parents and grandparents, I find that their advice and their stories are not so far off the mark. I have more in common with them than not.  
For example, my grandma always tells me to smile because it brightens both my day and others'. I assume she tells me this every time I talk to her, not because its just a nice thing to do (although it is), but because from her experience in life, it is better to go out smiling than to wear a frown. Now, maybe that is common knowledge, but it seems to me that the world could use a lesson or two in smiling. So, even though it is not always the most natural reaction, or something I always want to do, whenever I remember our chats, I remember that someone out there loves me and wants me to smile. 

Perhaps that is a naive or simple example, but honestly, she tells me that every time we talk so I like to think it's important. And I know that in the future that is what I'm going to remember. The simple things, the little advice given along the way, is what really makes the difference in the end. 
And maybe that's the point. 

Book Cravings

Lately I've been craving the comfortable companionship of a good book. Unfortunately, when the schoolyear begins my reading is reduced to academic texts (i.e. textbooks, assigned readings, articles) that are usually pretty dry. Although some of my school books aren't terrible, and I do enjoy reading about history (which is the majority of the books we read for my major), there is no substitute for good fiction. I recently discovered this new book site called goodreads.com which is a forum for readers to connect with other bookworms to share their favorite books, keep track of what they've already read, make a list of books they'd like to read, and stay updated on new book releases. As one who always consults Barnes & Noble or amazon.com for ideas for new books to read, this website is a fantastic tool. I love being able to search hundreds of books by genre, author, ratings, recommendations, book club lists etc. Plus it will help me keep track of all the books I've been planning on reading but have never gotten around to yet. I spent a solid hour the other day when I first discovered the site just looking through the lists of books and different features available. Now all I want to do is go out and find these books and start reading!

Voilà ma poste

Parfois je considère écrire en francais. Parce qu'une partie de moi pense toujours que le francais est charmant, beau, et romantique. J'aime le regarder. En plus, il semble que je sais plus que d'autres.

 C'est comme un secret....

My Life as a Disney Princess

I wish that my life played out like a movie. I watch chick flicks and romantic comedies and all I can think is, "Wow, that is such a great combination of humor, fun, sensitivity and feeling, wouldn't it be great if my life worked out so nicely?" I guess I've always been a little dramatic, and my parents insist that I should have been an actress, but honestly, how can I help but wish my life were a movie? When I saw "Beauty and the Beast" there was no turning back. That movie is the epitome of Disney classics and since the age of two I have considered myself to be Belle. If she were any more real to me my parents would have to be concerned for my mental health--which they very well could be anyways. She's strong, independent, adventurous, caring, forgiving, sacrificing and, of course, beautiful, with an amazing singing voice. Everything I'd like to be. Not to mention she makes friends with talking cookware and lives in an enchanted castle. Seriously, how can one be expected to live a normal life after such a spectacular experience? My two-year-old self didn't stand a chance. Once I saw that movie I was hooked, and I have been a proponent of a Disney-esque life ever since. So can I help it if I happen to find my life below-par in comparison to Belle's magical world? I think not. Whoever is to blame for my life-expectations--Disney, my parents, myself--it doesn't really matter. Because even if I am setting myself up for disappointment due to unrealistic expectations for my life, I am still convinced that the fantastic is possible. I CAN have my fairytale ending. And hopefully an enchanting adventure along the way. What can I say? I am, for better or for worse, a romantic at heart. 

(Which, by the way, seems a little redundant, I mean, where else would I be a romantic? I certainly cannot imagine a romantic at foot...for example). 

An Untitled Piece of My Thoughts

What can you say when there is no material in your life to write about? I've always wanted to write something but I can never think of anything that would be worth writing about. I suppose many an author would gaze patronizingly down their upturned noses--which are stuck in books they wrote themselves--that a true writer can write about anything. They WOULD make it about themselves. Sure, its not WHAT you write about, its about WHO writes it. I would, however, like to modify that statement and suggest that perhaps its not always WHO writes it, but HOW they write it.  This, in fact, is a concept I can appreciate, however much I fail to live up to such a standard. Because it is true, with a degree of talent a person can pen a masterpiece out of even the dullest and most seemingly insignificant parts of life--whether or not its their own life is besides the point. However, I also believe that great stories are inherently great, before the oh-so-mighty writer comes along and decides to put a title and an ownership on the specially-designed book cover. What is misleading is that, behind all the graphics, and the carefully chosen font on the brand new hardcover, is a story which existed before someone decided to put it into words that were violently pressed in permanent black ink onto the crisp pages of a still-unopened book.  And so, in lieu of that belief, I am consistently hesitant to begin writing anything--including this blog post. Because I honestly believe that there are millions of great stories out there, waiting to be found. Waiting to be heard. Waiting to be read. But first they must be written. However, with so much riding on the ability of the author himself, how can I expect to ever measure up to the story? When I sit down to write, I want to ensure that whatever is recorded on the paper, or in the computer, is the best it can possibly be, because I owe that to the story and to those who read it. With so much expectation and pressure (self-imposed or otherwise) it is a wonder I have written anything at all. Yet, here I find myself, crudely clunking down on the keypad, hoping that, somehow, my sorry excuse for an attempt at writing will be rewarded with some far semblance of a real, worthwhile piece of writing.  I know that this is not eloquent, nor fluid in its line of thought, but with my best regards to the reader, it is mine, and that will just have to be good enough for now.

I'm just saying...

I'm not really sure what to write here. Yet, somehow I find myself compelled to write something, anything, even if it doesn't make any sense. I guess that happens sometimes...you just get the urge to write. I wish I had something more interesting to say. Unfortunately it is late and I need sleep, so my brain isn't functioning on a level that is conducive to creating brilliant works of literature--or even just a half-decent blog post. Oh well. This blog is more for me than for anyone who happens to stumble on this site. And since I'm pretty sure that number is quite minimal, I feel I can share a secret with the void. I am going to try to write something this summer. I haven't really written anything fictional in years, except for a tidbit assignment for school here and there. I guess I've forgotten how much I enjoy storytelling. And when I try, I'm actually not too bad at it either. So, I've decided to attempt writing something. We'll try to start out small and see how it goes. I guess I was hoping this blog post would turn into something worth reading...obviously not, so we'll have to try again later. And I'll make a more serious attempt when I'm more coherent and have more time. I'm still working on the subject of my future "story" or work of writing, as I'm not entirely sure of the genre or type of writing I'm attempting either. Clearly I have a good start. Well, since this is a blatant waste of cyber-space I'm going to end this entry before I really embarrass myself. Until next time...whenever that will be since my pattern of entries is like New England weather--predictably unpredictable.