Harry Potter Fever

Ok, so I have a confession…I never actually felt the Harry Potter fever.  Clearly, I was missing something.  And, even though I never tackled reading ALL ridiculously long books, I did give the movies a chance.  I remember when I was in elementary and middle school, the series was pretty much the only “cool” thing to read. 

As I was browsing the net researching Harry Potter fan following, I wasn’t surprised to encounter YouTube videos, merchandise out the wazoo, artwork, and a plethora of other randomness.  But now, the fictional sport of Quiddich has now elevated to an official full-blown sport.  Crazy!  As I watched interviews and clips of teams from not only Florida colleges and universities, I also learned that the sport has spread across the nation, and even internationally.  From my perspective (being an athlete for my whole life) I just can’t see the legitimacy of watching people running around with sticks/brooms between their legs.  I mean, where they get the brooms? A Halloween outlet store?  On the other hand, it’s developed into a pretty intense sport; mixing rugby, dodge ball, and perhaps even basketball.  It's a sport that brings crowds of all kinds- unifying the jock and the nerd.  There definitely is an element of humor and a Quiddich player from Yale said it best, “You can’t take this sport too seriously”.

Once again, our society has iconized the shit out of a mere conceptual idea (just like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Pokemon in the past).  It become a cult and for some a way of life. It's here and it'll be around for years to come. 

Player One

A novel by Douglas Coupland, Player One is one of a series of novels that touch upon the idea that as different as we think out lives are from others, we all share similarities in one sense of another.  The author has an ability to magnify the contemporary; spotlighting in this case “Generation X”.

I actually liked the novel’s unusualness because Coupland has divided the story into five one-hour chunks; purposely dividing the series of events into chapters.   The story introduces us to Four characters converged on a cocktail bar in a Toronto airport.  We meet the bartender (Rick), a pastor (Luke) who has stolen $20,000 from his church; a rather unstable and psychologically screwed up person (Rachel); and a 40-year-old divorcee (Karen) who is meeting a man she contacted online.

Cataclysmic problems of epic proportions are pretty much destroying the world and taking down society with them.  So we’re led to believe that these main characters were brought together for some reason…perhaps a divine hope.  Coupland writes the book from the perspective of the Player One character, which retells the events that the others have experienced in the past and what is in store for them in the future, like an omniscient witness.

I felt that the ending was rather abrupt and was kind of hasty with its conclusion.  I guess overall…not one of the best books I read, although, it was an interesting concept.  I couldn’t help but think that it was reminiscent of the Final Destination movies.

Skyscraper

A novel by Faith Baldwin, we become introduced to Lynn- a bright, ambitious young woman, ready to make a life for herself in 1930’s New York City.  The newly constructed Seacoast Building, a skyscraper teeming with bustling life and epitomizing the wealth, power, and triumph of engineering marvel.  Bound and determined to work her way up in a “man’s world”, Lynn is hungry to establish herself as a capable woman.

I feel like I can relate to this novel, I'm determined to become a successful independent woman, but the reality is that the world HAS in the past and will CONTINUE to be run by men.  I mean, don't get me wrong... there have been great feats accomplished by women in the past, which motivates younger women (like myself) to work hard and…quite frankly give men a run for their money.  

Another reason this book is appealing is the way Baldwin incorporates the element of the struggle between career and love.  Lynn meets a man named, Tom who she met in the skyscraper’s coffee shop.  They fall madly in love for each other, but according to the strict employee conduct policy, any woman who marries will be immediately dismissed.  And, to make matter’s more complicated, we’re introduced to David Dwight- a powerful, charismatic, handsome, womanizer- who gains Lynn’s interest through flattery (and lots of it).  She views him as a fatherly-figure, yet his intentions are purely sexual…(of course!).

Skyscraper delves into the struggle Lynn has to face- determining the course of her life.  Should she abandon her career- a life of independence…or love?

Double Standards

Double standards are considered to be a sort of biased or morally unfair judgment toward a certain group based on the notion that they are unequal in their freedoms.  If a situation is acceptable for one group, according to certain sects of society, may be unacceptable when applied to another group.

Gender roles and the notion of a double standard pretty much go hand-in-hand.  It’s only been in the last century that the line between roles has become blurrier and blurrier.  Back in the day, men had certain expectations; usually primordial such as hunting, using weaponry, and maintaining an elevated status either within a community environment or domestic.  And in addition, women were expected to demonstrate a level of submissiveness in order to serve and fulfill the needs of her spouse. 

Although, thanks to Women’s Liberation (and a series of other events throughout the decades), the limitations that obstructed women to pursue any activity or act a certain way are pretty much obsolete now.  But, I feel that there will always be some kind of resentment from both parties toward each other.  When women start to take part in “masculine” activities such as serving in the military, men begin to feel as though their position has become feminized in a way.  In addition, people tend to negatively question the sexual orientation of a woman and stereotype.  Lastly, I think it’s the exact same way for me when they participate in women’s activities; people label them as “gay” or assume that they’ve become feminized.

I feel that at this point, standards have morphed so much that I still wonder why the notion of the double standard still exits.  The times are constantly changing and it seems like the most absurd of concepts have somehow become acceptable eventually.

Marshall McLuhan- The Medium is the Massage

Considered one of the most controversial and original thinkers of our time, Marshall McLuhan is additionally regarded worldwide as the “father of communications and media studies” as well.  As he was witnessing the development of technology, he formulated observations that were intuitive and thought-provoking; thus concluding that as society’s values and norms tend to change because of the technology, and its then that we realize that there are indeed social implications of the medium.

The cleverness of the presentation of the context made it easy to follow and understand…(and it was a refreshingly condensed book as well.)  The art and style has a fresh and modern appeal, even though it was printed in 1967, and yet it has a quirkiness that’s rather humorous in a way.

So, overall McLuhan REALLY DID know what he was talking about.  The book is even more relevant to today than it was back in the day, making it more relatable now that the computer is become the ultimate gateway to the “global village”.

Federico Fellini

The three movies I chose to watch were, La Strada, 8 ½, and La Dolce Vita, all conceived by the brilliant and artistically driven, Italian director- Federico Fellini. 

Fellini, arguably considered one of Italy’s greatest directors, blended the art of personal expression with fantasy and dreams.  Fellini’s is able to tackle the issue of humanity’s struggle for identity and our reason for living. His surrealistic approach to filmmaking has reserved his place in film history; inspiring other directors to respectively cite from his acclaimed films. 

La Strada explores the soul’s eternal conflict between the heart and mind.  It a film full of visual imagery-- with the assistance of dramatic camera angles and beautifully composed shots.  We follow the “relationship” of a carnival strongman, Zampano and his assistant, Gelsomina.  Zampano is actually a pretty rotten person—constantly demoralizing and abusing her.  Her innocence and weak-mindedness is no match for his dominance and so she just puts up with it without question.  Fortunately, the films protagonist is a kind and gentle clown that sees Gemsomina’s situation and wants her to leave Zampano.  Through a series of pranks-- driven with an underlying malice by the clown to the strongman—leads us to the climax of the story, which ends in despair and tragedy. 

8 ½  is an autobiographical portrayal of Fellini’s personal life; through a visually stunning landscape of the subconscious. But it is also an indelible image that shatters any preconceived illusion of "typical" elements in a Fellini film.  The 8 ½  is a “symbol” for his artistic transition, in which the subtle forms and religious iconography of his earlier films have been replaced by specifically composed and exaggerated, hyperbolic imagery, which was to become his signature, “Felliniesque” style. This novel is an introspective journey about Guido Anselmi (Marcello Mastroianni), a successful film director who takes a holiday at an exclusive health spa in order to overcome a creative dry spell. But Guido appears to be narcissistic and self-indulgent, preferring to spend his time chatting with wealthy resort patrons and arranging trysts with his oversexed mistress, Carla, than actually spending the time to formulate ideas for his next film. He begins to lead a life of excess instead of undergoing physical (and psychological) cleansing and purification. And, unable to derive inspiration from his chaotic environment, he immerses himself in the distraction of childhood memories and indulgent fantasies.  Including conversing with an emotionally inaccessible father, and reciting the magic words to a hidden treasure.  In essence, Guido is searching for balance: between childhood traumas and idealism, the sensual and the intellectual, artistic integrity and commercial success. Inevitably, Guido is as much a reflection of Fellini as he is of ourselves: striving for greatness, only to achieve the ordinary and familiar... with episodes of momentary abstraction in between.

La Dolce Vita is a film that defined society as abrasive and legitimately through the creative psyche of Fellini.  The story is about a frustrate writer, who is reduced to tabloid journalism in order to make ends meet.  He spends each evening in “Via Veneto” (the venerable hotspot for people who want to be seen).  Vicariously awaiting the next scandal, party invitation, or even a sexual proposition.  Although his nights are spent with different women, in which there he experiences fleeting happiness, he is still consumed with self-doubt; unable to fully enjoy his success.  Then he finds himself caught up in a hubbub spectacle of a false sighting of the Virgin Mary.  Fellini takes advantage of the visual use of stairs as a way to not only allow the characters to transition from scenes, but to help us as the viewer transition as well.  Such as the decent to the prostitutes flooded basement apartment, the climb to the church tower, and the walk to the public fountain.  Lastly, it’s interesting that the film begins and ends with the same incident, where Marcello, unable to hear the cryptic message, returns to “his distraction” (perhaps still dreaming of attaining the “sweet life”).

Lolita

First and foremost, I have to state that this was contextually one of the more challenging stories that I’ve read in a long time.  Written by Vladimir Nabokov, the controversial subject matter was completely off-putting; yet, I found myself becoming intrigued in a way.  To be honest, if it wasn’t for the beautifully composed and well-written narrative, I would’ve said, “screw it” and disregard the novel altogether.  It’s actually rather difficult to place this novel in a specific genre, though; but I guess the best way to describe it would be a “psychological adult tragedy” in the form of a memoire.  And, rather than a typical “love story”, I would describe it as it being a “lust story”

“She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock.  She was Lola in slacks, she was Dolly at school.  She was Dolores on the dotted line.  But in my arms she was always- Lolita.  Light of my life, fire of my loins.  My sin.  My soul.”   

This is the first and probably one of the most memorable quotes from the entire story.  The source of this quote comes from a man named Humbert Humbert, who happens to be the narrator as well.  In his memoire, Humbert tells us of his background beginning from his early adolescence in Europe- where he explains of his childhood romance (resulting in tragedy) that impacted him for the rest of his life- to his emigration to the United States, where we further follow his development and maturation into adulthood and so on.  So perhaps, one of the most interesting aspects of the novel is the multiple names given to Lolita by Humbert.  The way he fantasizes about her tells us that no matter what stage she is in her life; she’ll always be his little Lolita. 

Lolita play different roles in this novel, but I feel that H. H. certainly went through different transitions and took on different roles and experiences in his life as well.  Humbert, as scholarly and as well educated of a man he’s portrayed himself to be, there’s one profound flaw; and that is…he never truly grows up.  He’s completely aware of the fact that his immoral feelings towards young girls are wrong, as he states in this passage:

“All this I rationalize now.  In my twenties and early thirties, I did not understand my throes quite so clearly. While my body knew what it craved for, my mind rejected my body's every plea.  One moment I was ashamed and frightened, another recklessly optimistic. Taboos strangulated me.”

Yet, the intense emotions that boiled within as a youth impacted him so greatly, that he was never really able to move beyond the experience.  So, when he met 12-year-old, Dolores, his instant infatuation escalated to pure obsession.  So, this would be considered the first and major stage of his life.

His development and transitions from an innocent love-struck youth (ex: the romance with Annabel) to a manipulative (yet charming) man (ex: his young adult years), then a “father figure” who provides and nurtures Lolita from the world (ex: his relationship with Dolores "escalates" after he marries her mother), and then lastly we’re led to believe that maybe he’s indefinitely in love once again (ex: his desperate search for her for 2 years AND the mirrored romantic feelings he experienced as a young boy);  thus bringing him back full circle.

Well, I've conclusively decided that this novel- as disturbing at it may be- honestly was a remarkable book.  And I mean not in the sense of the "it was the greatest book", but it was noteworthy and it was truly that which was worth remarking about.