The making of...

As many of you know, I am in the process of writing a fantasy adventure novel. I was inspired to reconsider the idea after reading the second book in the Twilight Saga series (New Moon) last December. After all, I thought, if Stephanie Meyers could write a book in the first person, using simple language and underdeveloped characters, then, well, so can I. Only, it won’t be so simple (though I WILL try) and the characters will be more developed. So began a journey that has taken me into the highest mountains on earth!

The settings came to me visually, on the wide stage of my imagination. I saw snow-capped mountains covered in thick fog…dark-skinned people dressed in bright jackets and muscular legs. I saw dangerous mountain paths and steep cliffsides. Well…you get the idea J. Next, I looked for pictures that resembled my imaginings. Funny enough, I had already drawn a couple during the beginning of my hobby to DRAW. There, on the first page, stood a picture of Mt. Everest. I don’t know why I drew it, what inspired me at the time, but there it was, staring right back at me. The next picture that caught my eye (a drawing that I had done) was the basilica of the Zurich University (yes, in Switzerland). It was so….telling. After taking a little while to let my ideas percolate, I started making lists. Naturally, I started listing names….names of possible characters, names of exotic places, names of enchanted objects…. And then I discovered the Lord of the Rings Trilogy….

LORT had so many of the things that I wanted to incorporate into my story-the white mountains, the gallant knights, the judicious kings, the evil lord-and so I became discouraged. So I percolated a little more. Finally, I decided to try again. Thus began my journey to creating a kingdom of effervescent proportions! Now how was I going to relate this ancient kingdom to the modern world? After all, my target audience (young adult) needed at least one foot in reality! Hmmm…that was something to think about….

Caged Chinese beggars…a commentary on our times!

The realities of life in China have taken a back seat to the economic woes the Chinese government seems to have eased for countries far and wide. But sometimes, a story slips through that offends the moral fabric of a nation. Such was the case with an article (Chinese Beggars Forced To Sit Behind Bars During Annual Fair) published in the Huffington Post (an internet newspaper) under the section titled “Impact” on Friday, September 21, 2012. In it, the author said that in order to prepare for an influx of visitors (of about 200,000 people) during the Temple Fair, Chinese officials “caged” about 100 beggars so that they wouldn’t be disruptive. There was a lot of talk about why it was deemed necessary and how “humane” it was, but these are HUMAN BEINGS we’re talking about here. Not stray animals or wild chickens or something. This is clearly a human rights violation, in my opinion. It is a SHOCKING testament to the contempt the Chinese government has towards its own people!

Captain Corelli's Mandolin (movie review)

In the age-old tradition of storytelling, Louis de Bernieres weaves a tale of love amidst the threat of violence and senseless brutality. Captain Antonio Corelli, with a company of green Italian soldiers, occupies an idealic Greek island (Cephallonia) upon orders from Mussolini. Since the islanders don’t put up a fight and the war rages on elsewhere, Corelli busies his men by organizing them into an operatic chorale.

 With a duffle bag in hand and a mandolin slung over his shoulder, the Captain lands on the doorstep of the local doctor and demands that he be allowed to set up his headquarters there. Under the suspicious eye of the doctor’s beautiful daughter, the doctor and the captain come to an agreement. Thus begins a tenuous relationship between the three of them that witnesses the many contradictions that inevitably accompany war. Set against the backdrop of rock and sea, director John Madden directs heavyweights Nicolas Cage, Penelope Cruz, John Hurt, and Christian Bale, in this visually-stunning film that explores the themes of cultural diversity, new love, old allegiances, heartbreak, and redemption.

Obama vs. Romney

In his article (Slugfest) in the September 2012 issue of the Atlantic magazine, writer James Fallows asserted that Obama was far more prepared to lead this country than Romney is. However, I didn’t know that when I formed my first impression. You see, right on the front cover of the magazine was a picture of Romney slugging Obama (the standing president of the most powerful country in the world) in the face. This is not only the biggest insult one can make of President Obama, but it also conveys that the American people think poorly of their president. And if his own people don’t respect him, then why should the people of other nations respect him. Or so the thinking goes….  When I finally got around to doing my own “due diligence”, I was partially pacified. But I was still incensed by the image that the pictures portrayed of the president.

First of all, it is not easy to get into a boxing ring to slug it out with someone. That takes courage and confidence, both of which President Obama has in spades, and for good reason. He has LIVED the immigrant life in different parts of the world and flourished in spite of it! He graduated from an Ivy League college (Harvard) with a law degree. He took leadership roles in his community and worked as a civil rights attorney in his hometown of Chicago. In addition, he taught courses in Constitutional Law for a local law university, and he served three terms in the Illinois Senate. He won a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2004 and held it until he officially began his campaign for U.S. President in 2007.

President Barack Obama is a man who has fought battle after battle, bravely. His early defeats made him stronger, pushing him towards ultimate success. This is not the story of a man who needs your sympathy. No, this is a man who deserves your respect and support. He has proven himself time and time again. And yet, putting a picture of him being slugged in the face on the front cover of a respected periodical SHOUTS disrespect and defamation. I am appalled at the magazine’s audacity and disappointed in their otherwise moderate stance on reporting the news.

It is my opinion that the head of the magazine should issue a formal apology to the President. After all, if he had printed such a thing in some other country, he would have been arrested, jailed, whipped, or worse!

Wisconsin Shooting

Racism, a belief that race is the primary determinant of human characteristics and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race, is what propelled a dishonored army veteran to vent his personal frustrations out on an ethnic minority in their place of worship. On August 5, 2011, a U.S. veteran named Wade Michael Page stormed a Sikh temple in Wisconsin and opened fire in one of the worst hate crimes committed on American soil. Thereafter, the gunman sustained fatal injuries during a gun battle with first responders on the scene. Of the six people who were killed, four of them were Sikh priests.

Incensed by this senseless massacre, the Hindu American Foundation, which was founded in 2003 by a group of Hindu Americans who were discontent with the political status of all Hindu Americans within the American diaspora, reacted with this:

Dharma traditions--the Hindus, Buddhists,  and Jains --hold non-violence (ahimsa) and peaceful co-existence as paramount values. It is a cruel irony that Sikhs, donning the turban as among proud symbols of a spiritual mandate to serve humanity as defenders of dharma against all onslaughts, find themselves sought out and victimized like this. We, at the Hindu American Foundation, join all Americans in shared shock, disbelief, and outrage over today’s tragic events that unfolded at the holy gurudwara, or Sikh temple, near Milwaukee, Wisconsin earlier today.

United States President Barack Obama, the first African-American to ever hold this office, cited this incident as an act of domestic terrorism. Broadcasted nationally, the President issued the following statement:

Michelle and I were deeply saddened to learn of the shooting that tragically took so many lives in Wisconsin. At this difficult time, the people of Oak Creek must know that the American people have them in our thoughts and prayers, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who were killed and wounded. My Administration will provide whatever support is necessary to the officials who are responding to this tragic shooting and moving forward with an investigation. As we mourn this loss which took place at a house of worship, we are reminded how much our country has been enriched by Sikhs, who are a part of our broader American family.

How to Defend Against a Creature of the Night

Hello everyone. Sorry I haven't posted earlier, but ... life kinda got in the way. I wanted to let you all know about a great little show coming up today (Saturday, August 11, 2012). It is a one-hour show created for ages four to adult in mind. Following the recent pop culture themes of vampires and werewolves, this show revolves around how you can protect against such creatures from invading your life. It is being put on by the production company of some new friends that I have made, who have worked in the entertainment field for "ages"! The show goes by the same name as the title of this post, and it will be held at Your Space Studio at 4120 Franklin Blvd. (Near Sutterville Rd.). Tickets are between $4 and $6. If I manage to see it, I will post more about it later. Til then, have a nice one!

Welcome to my blog!

Good morning! And welcome! It has taken me a while to post this entry because I was trying to decide how to write it. I started this blog at the beginning of July (2012) to share my passions for writing and cultural anthropology. Cultural anthropology, you ask? Yes…the study of cultural variations in humans who live in different parts of the world, including their beliefs, values, customs, traditions, and other social and cognitive constructs. As I approach the subject, I will write about places I’ve lived, people I've met, possible tourist destinations, intercultural comparisons, American subcultures, cultural identities as portrayed by Hollywood, popular personalities from all walks of life, and the like. If you are interested in such things, return often and add to your own cultural treasure trove. Or, if you are more outgoing, post a comment. If you present a question, I will do my best to answer you. In any case, we will both grow from the experience…. Until next time, have a great day!