Like most people, one thing that I’ve found to move me is music. However, what makes me a little different than a vast majority of my peers is that I like country music. To me, country is a fascinating genre in its ability to evoke different emotional responses through lyrical use. Mixing the satirical with the serious or the romantic with the comical. One such piece that I’ve always found both catchy and fascinating is “Queen of my Doublewide” by Sammy Kershaw.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncGZWQGkNzc&NR=1
In the song Sammy sings about his pursuit of a down home debutante and about how it is the simple (if not hoaky) pleasures in life that makes them happy. At first glance one might think that this is purely meant as a love song, the classic story of a man trying to woo the object of his affection. However, classic of the country music genre, the song also has a humorous appeal.
Country fans and musicians love to poke fun at their own absurdities, this can be seen in the clever lyrical composition of the song at hand. Often times in society using a trailer as a home is rather looked down upon, reflected in such derogatory terms as trailer trash, etc. This song takes that image and puts it on its ear, proposing that living the life of a trailer dweller (though perhaps tacky as represented by the “polyester curtains and redwood deck”, and especially reflected in the music video) can be luxurious if not preferable to other ways of life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuu_i65c-1M&feature=channel
Similar rhetorical usage can be seen in Sammy Kershaw’s, “Vidalia”. Which at first glance is simply a song about a guy in his pursuance of a girl who’s name is a combination of her mother, Violet’s, and her father, Dale’s, names. But again the song has a humorous undertone. For some background info, a vidalia is a type of onion that is particularly sweet and grown exclusively in the Vidalia region of Georgia (analogous to that of the Champagne region of France, I suppose). So it adds to the humor of the piece, supposing that the relationship between a man and an ironically named girl have similar effects as dealing with her namesake.
These and other songs like it are why I listen to country music. Because what better way to nurse a broken heart, or temper the frustration of being rejected, than by adding a little levity to what you're listening to.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Who Reads The Watchmen? Me, That's Who.
Aside from pretty much everything Kurt Vonnegut has ever written, the most influential piece of literature for me has been Watchmen by Alan Moore. First of all, let's set something straight: yes, it is a comic book. But for god's sake, do not let that deter you from reading it. After all, I guarantee you all of your friends will be declaring next March that "the movie wasn't as good as the book," whether or not they have even read it. So do yourself a favor and pick it up, no matter how embarrassing the prospect of buying a graphic novel may be.
In short, the story is of an alternate universe very similar to Earth, although Richard Nixon is now in his fifth term as President. A disbanded group of superheroes who used to protect America are forced to join together once again to solve the murder of one of their former team members, The Comedian. This is a very, very basic plot synopsis, of course.
The novel is effective not so much because it is a comic book, but because it completely goes against genre. I have always enjoyed reading comic books, but up until Watchmen, they were always something I could read if I didn't want to think too hard. Superman is good, Lex Luthor is evil, Superman wins. Not too challenging, but entertaining nonetheless. Watchmen flipped that all on its head, blowing my teenage mind. Superheroes are tortured alcoholics, sexually impotent, or just plain evil. And most importantly, a lot of them don't care about the people they save.
The story could easily have been successful as a regular novel, but its publication as a graphic novel greatly increases its psychological effect. Why describe the vacant eyes of Dr. Manhattan (easily in my top three favorite fictional characters of all time - a man who, as a result of an atomic experiment gone wrong, has powers comparable to God and who grows increasingly removed from and apathetic towards human society as a whole) when they can be shown in beautiful, realistic color drawings? Similarly, the fact that it is "merely" a comic book forces it to be compared to other comic books, not other novels. Dr. Manhattan draws obvious comparisons with Superman, so the reality of his character is made all the more apparent compared to the often two-dimensional alter ego of Clark Kent. Nite Owl and his multitude of gadgets is similar to Batman, which makes his impotence, depression, and weight gain after retirement even more strikingly realistic in comparison.
But the most important effect Watchmen had on me - and thousands others, I'm sure - is that it took the average, childish comic book and transformed it into a respected medium, one that pushes the boundaries, is able to be self-reflective and self-critical, and that is definitely not for kids. Therefore, it was no surprise to me when it was only one of two graphic novels on Time's list of All Time 100 Greatest Novels a few years ago (the other was Maus, another boundary-demolishing graphic novel about the Holocaust, in which the Jews are mice and the Nazis are cats).
So go on, don't be afraid to pick up a comic book. They're not for kids anymore.
(Full disclosure: while Watchmen is incredibly realistic and culturally important, it does obey the Traditional Comic Book Rules by momentarily including a giant alien squid. So a reasonable amount of suspended belief is required.)
In short, the story is of an alternate universe very similar to Earth, although Richard Nixon is now in his fifth term as President. A disbanded group of superheroes who used to protect America are forced to join together once again to solve the murder of one of their former team members, The Comedian. This is a very, very basic plot synopsis, of course.
The novel is effective not so much because it is a comic book, but because it completely goes against genre. I have always enjoyed reading comic books, but up until Watchmen, they were always something I could read if I didn't want to think too hard. Superman is good, Lex Luthor is evil, Superman wins. Not too challenging, but entertaining nonetheless. Watchmen flipped that all on its head, blowing my teenage mind. Superheroes are tortured alcoholics, sexually impotent, or just plain evil. And most importantly, a lot of them don't care about the people they save.
The story could easily have been successful as a regular novel, but its publication as a graphic novel greatly increases its psychological effect. Why describe the vacant eyes of Dr. Manhattan (easily in my top three favorite fictional characters of all time - a man who, as a result of an atomic experiment gone wrong, has powers comparable to God and who grows increasingly removed from and apathetic towards human society as a whole) when they can be shown in beautiful, realistic color drawings? Similarly, the fact that it is "merely" a comic book forces it to be compared to other comic books, not other novels. Dr. Manhattan draws obvious comparisons with Superman, so the reality of his character is made all the more apparent compared to the often two-dimensional alter ego of Clark Kent. Nite Owl and his multitude of gadgets is similar to Batman, which makes his impotence, depression, and weight gain after retirement even more strikingly realistic in comparison.
But the most important effect Watchmen had on me - and thousands others, I'm sure - is that it took the average, childish comic book and transformed it into a respected medium, one that pushes the boundaries, is able to be self-reflective and self-critical, and that is definitely not for kids. Therefore, it was no surprise to me when it was only one of two graphic novels on Time's list of All Time 100 Greatest Novels a few years ago (the other was Maus, another boundary-demolishing graphic novel about the Holocaust, in which the Jews are mice and the Nazis are cats).
So go on, don't be afraid to pick up a comic book. They're not for kids anymore.
(Full disclosure: while Watchmen is incredibly realistic and culturally important, it does obey the Traditional Comic Book Rules by momentarily including a giant alien squid. So a reasonable amount of suspended belief is required.)
Friday, November 07, 2008
$2 bottles, $4 pitchers, Free Democracy
Presidents come and presidents go, in my lifetime I have seen the rise and fall of four of these leaders. However, this time was different in that I actually got to participate in the selection as opposed to just watching from the sidelines. Even though I did not choose the current president elect, I get to watch the rise of another leader. But what is to become of him, what will my children learn about him in school. Will he be remembered as the first black president? Will he be remembered as the savior of a nation, or simply as a publicity stunt that failed once in office? As of now it is impossible to say, but what I do know now is if I’m ever asked what my thoughts, feelings, and experiences were during the election of Obama, I’ll be able to tell a story similar to this.
It was a pleasantly warm November eve, the autumn leaves were just decending from their zenith, and a majority lied in scattered piles along the sidewalk. Several friends and I were making our way to an east side pub in order to watch the results unfold on CNN (money was tight in those days, and cable seemed to be a luxury better replaced by food, electricity, and other necessities) and perhaps imbibe in some spirits.
Once we entered , we found our place at the bar, figured out the cheapest drink specials, and began to watch the events unfold. I remember states changing color, the bizarreness of a newscaster talking to a hologram, and the sweet taste of a newly discovered cheap beer. I remember Obama’s commanding lead, McCain’s decreasing optimism, and a pretty outrageous Jon Steward/Corbert show. But what I remember most of all is the people; from red necks to hippies and professors to hobos, to me the people were the truly memorable occurrence of that night. Like the aged, long-haired, graduate student/TA, who compared the current election atmosphere to that of the 60's. To the very inebriated McCain supporters, who stumbled in after hearing of his certain loss. To the dirty wino, with the strangely new and expensive looking Ipod around his neck, who talked to me about his apathy for elections.
So the night went on; bottles turned to pitches, pitchers to mixed drinks, and mixed drinks turned to shots. The next morning (OK it was afternoon), my friends and I discussed the happenings of the night before. We realized that however different we all are, by the end of the night we all still had the same leader and expected leader that still has a big job ahead of them. So maybe when my children ask me about the day Obama was elected president, instead of telling them of his strengths or weaknesses, I can tell them how the election made me realize that elections are meant to bring a country together, rather than separate it into shades of red and blue. Then maybe, just maybe, I can leave out the part about being in a drunken stupor.
It was a pleasantly warm November eve, the autumn leaves were just decending from their zenith, and a majority lied in scattered piles along the sidewalk. Several friends and I were making our way to an east side pub in order to watch the results unfold on CNN (money was tight in those days, and cable seemed to be a luxury better replaced by food, electricity, and other necessities) and perhaps imbibe in some spirits.
Once we entered , we found our place at the bar, figured out the cheapest drink specials, and began to watch the events unfold. I remember states changing color, the bizarreness of a newscaster talking to a hologram, and the sweet taste of a newly discovered cheap beer. I remember Obama’s commanding lead, McCain’s decreasing optimism, and a pretty outrageous Jon Steward/Corbert show. But what I remember most of all is the people; from red necks to hippies and professors to hobos, to me the people were the truly memorable occurrence of that night. Like the aged, long-haired, graduate student/TA, who compared the current election atmosphere to that of the 60's. To the very inebriated McCain supporters, who stumbled in after hearing of his certain loss. To the dirty wino, with the strangely new and expensive looking Ipod around his neck, who talked to me about his apathy for elections.
So the night went on; bottles turned to pitches, pitchers to mixed drinks, and mixed drinks turned to shots. The next morning (OK it was afternoon), my friends and I discussed the happenings of the night before. We realized that however different we all are, by the end of the night we all still had the same leader and expected leader that still has a big job ahead of them. So maybe when my children ask me about the day Obama was elected president, instead of telling them of his strengths or weaknesses, I can tell them how the election made me realize that elections are meant to bring a country together, rather than separate it into shades of red and blue. Then maybe, just maybe, I can leave out the part about being in a drunken stupor.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
The Most Influential Novel For Me Was - What? New Topic? Crap.
Here I was all ready to post this week, and right before I started typing I got an emergency e-mail alerting me to change the topic to the election. So I'm just going to wing it.
Did you know Barack Obama was elected to be the 44th president last night? Apparently he was!
The second I got out of class on Tuesday, I raced home and kept CNN on all day. My roommates and I tried to do our homework, but mostly focused on that damn magic wall Wolf Blitzer is so fond of. We anxiously glanced back and forth from the clock to the TV, awaiting the minute the first polls would close.
But first, CNN had to BLOW OUR MINDS when they started conducting interviews via hologram. Holy crap. I swear, our reaction to the futuristic interview was almost bigger than Obama's victory.
Holograms or not, the instant the polls in the east closed, our homework was pushed aside and we spent the rest of the night glued to the TV as Anderson, Wolf, and their enormous room of 6 million people with computers tried to make sense of the sheer volume of numbers and "CNN Projection" graphics being thrown at us.
Of course, it quickly became apparent who would win, and before even half the states had been called, CNN already played out a hypothetical situation in which McCain would win every single remaining state, excluding California, Washington, and Oregon, and he still would not have enough to win. We were ecstatic, so we felt free to turn over to Comedy Central to watch Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart interpret the results, clearly enjoying themselves and the way the election was going.
In fact, the first time we heard the phrase, "Barack Obama has been elected president," was from Jon Stewart's mouth. Which is a perfect indication of the way the political culture has been transformed, I have to say. The Daily Show team then performed some antics about what they were going to do with their lives now that the election was over, but we were too thrilled to care.
I then spent the rest of the night celebrating while attempting to contact my sister, who was in Grant Park in Chicago watching the next president speak LIVE (a futile attempt, since everyone in Grant Park was trying to use their cell phones at the same time so no one could get service).
Overall, it was a great night, and I rewarded myself by skipping all my classes today.
Did you know Barack Obama was elected to be the 44th president last night? Apparently he was!
The second I got out of class on Tuesday, I raced home and kept CNN on all day. My roommates and I tried to do our homework, but mostly focused on that damn magic wall Wolf Blitzer is so fond of. We anxiously glanced back and forth from the clock to the TV, awaiting the minute the first polls would close.
But first, CNN had to BLOW OUR MINDS when they started conducting interviews via hologram. Holy crap. I swear, our reaction to the futuristic interview was almost bigger than Obama's victory.
Holograms or not, the instant the polls in the east closed, our homework was pushed aside and we spent the rest of the night glued to the TV as Anderson, Wolf, and their enormous room of 6 million people with computers tried to make sense of the sheer volume of numbers and "CNN Projection" graphics being thrown at us.
Of course, it quickly became apparent who would win, and before even half the states had been called, CNN already played out a hypothetical situation in which McCain would win every single remaining state, excluding California, Washington, and Oregon, and he still would not have enough to win. We were ecstatic, so we felt free to turn over to Comedy Central to watch Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart interpret the results, clearly enjoying themselves and the way the election was going.
In fact, the first time we heard the phrase, "Barack Obama has been elected president," was from Jon Stewart's mouth. Which is a perfect indication of the way the political culture has been transformed, I have to say. The Daily Show team then performed some antics about what they were going to do with their lives now that the election was over, but we were too thrilled to care.
I then spent the rest of the night celebrating while attempting to contact my sister, who was in Grant Park in Chicago watching the next president speak LIVE (a futile attempt, since everyone in Grant Park was trying to use their cell phones at the same time so no one could get service).
Overall, it was a great night, and I rewarded myself by skipping all my classes today.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Everyone Not in Frank The Platypus Sucks
In approaching our research projects, I am not nervous in the slightest about the open-endedness of it all. Instead, it excites me. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do a project for class on anything I want. It's so much better than the other project I'm working on currently - an essay arguing that philosophers are better than sophists. SNORE.
When the projects were first announced, and the rules - or lack of rules - established, I had almost too many ideas. Should we do a movie for the university? A small novel? Should we campaign for Obama by ironically campaigning for Palin? What about writing a song? Didn't the song "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" by Vampire Weekend start out as one of the band member's senior thesis? Am I asking too many rhetorical questions in an assignment for a class that repudiates the use of rhetorical questions?
I have a few ideas swirling around in my head, and one that I'm particularly keen on. (As if I would share it with you so you could steal it.) The challenge now is to force the ideas to settle down and calmly line up against a brick wall, so we can execute them one by one until only one is left alive. And then it's safe to assume that the lone idea will be uncooperative, seeing as all of his friends were just murdered by us, so the really difficult task is to get him to work with us in a friendly manner so that our research project will make everyone else in the class sob when they realize they are inferior.
This is a competition, right?
When the projects were first announced, and the rules - or lack of rules - established, I had almost too many ideas. Should we do a movie for the university? A small novel? Should we campaign for Obama by ironically campaigning for Palin? What about writing a song? Didn't the song "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" by Vampire Weekend start out as one of the band member's senior thesis? Am I asking too many rhetorical questions in an assignment for a class that repudiates the use of rhetorical questions?
I have a few ideas swirling around in my head, and one that I'm particularly keen on. (As if I would share it with you so you could steal it.) The challenge now is to force the ideas to settle down and calmly line up against a brick wall, so we can execute them one by one until only one is left alive. And then it's safe to assume that the lone idea will be uncooperative, seeing as all of his friends were just murdered by us, so the really difficult task is to get him to work with us in a friendly manner so that our research project will make everyone else in the class sob when they realize they are inferior.
This is a competition, right?
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