Monday, October 20, 2008

Sweating While Sitting Still

THE PLAY WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!
Blackwatch was not the type of play I would have picked out on my own. It translated perfectly onto the stage. The accents didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. The actors were so talented and graceful. I thought it was interesting the way the performed the transformation of the blackwatch through the years.
Now, my issues with the play. WHY THE DANCING, especially the miming after receiving the letters? I didn't get it. What did all the hand gestures mean? I think they did to much dancing for any army who is suppose to be protecting my country, but hey, that could be just me.
The portrayal of the car bombing was incredible. It was quite heart wrenching and you don't get that from just reading the play. This is a play I wouldn't mind seeing it again.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Anticipation is a Killer

Even though like the rest of the class I'm tired of reading about war and the soldier lifestyle that comes along with it, I am anxiously awaiting the play. Even though I am not an avid believer in war for an unjustifiable reason (yes, I'm a lover not a fighter) I think this would be something that I enjoy. I enjoyed reading the play even though it was hard to get past the language to actually visualize actions and stage directions for each character. For the most part, I've enjoyed alot of the readings that we've done in class. I've even recommended them to friends and co-workers.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

The Ultimate Nightmare

"Shooting War" isn't your typical comic book.
After reading it and participating in class discussions, I have come to the conclusion that this is the dark political comic of the 21st century. Lappe views Republicans (mostly McCain) as right-winged nut jobs, who would build a wall that puts The Great Wall of China to shame just to keep out illegal aliens. Liberals are not your typical average working class person in this comic, they only exist in the form of bloggers who comment on terrorists attacks and other unacceptable behavior.
Lappe pokes fun at everythig nuance and seemingly technologically advanced from the bloggers who sit in Starbucks and write about the corporate takeover of America to the disappering souls of "real journalists", who seem to shove out high doses of de-humanization just to get higher ratings. A reader can't help but to feeel that Lappe IS his protagonist, Jimmy Burns. It's apparent that he hates American Apparel and other corprate logos tht are popping up around the world. The fact that he chose to blow up a Starbucks in this comic shows that he longs for the days of the small business owner and mom and pop shops from the past. Where no one person had the bulk of the money and was born into the American Dream, like Paris Hilton and other celebrities who ride the coatails of their family name.
Since Jimmy Burns is suppose to be the "ultimate blogger", Lappe portrays bloggers as egotistical racists and sexists, who feel that everyone wants to hear their opinion. Even though they gripe and moan about the pitfalls of the society in which they live in, they know that it is worst in other places and if they ever dared to step out of the comfort of the laptop and Venti Iced Mocha Latte they would beg to be on the first plane back to their "civilized country".

Breathe

I finally get to breathe after about 2 weeks of running around in circles for work and school. Well, maybe not because I still have to play catch-up and write in the blog which I've been neglecting for so many weeks. This should be fun. :-/