The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (an amazing youtube series)

For those who are unaware of the true genius that is The Lizzie Bennet Diaries I will help clear things up. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is a YouTube adaptation of bestselling novel Pride and Prejudice. This brilliant series, created by Hank Green, Vlogbrother, and YouTube sensation; is a 100 episode mini series starring the famous Lizzie Bennet. This series is formatted to where Lizzie Bennet, a college student in her last year of study, begins an internet blog in which we are the viewers. It is created to look completely real, as if Lizzie were just another YouTuber doing her job making videos. As the audience we are able to see and hear about everything that happens in her life, which in a 21st century way, mirrors that of Ms. Bennet's in Pride and Prejudice.

To some embarrassment I must admit that I have not, nor do I plan to read the original novel. While I respect it's significance as a classic, I don't think I would be able to get through reading it without forcing myself. I have seen the original movie, however, and even that I didn't enjoy too well. I understand that time period and for that reason I hate it. I hate the idea that a woman's only purpose is to be pretty and find a husband. Yes, Lizzie Bennet is the main point of rebellion, however, I wish she were more so. This wish of mine is fulfilled in the internet series.

One thing I love about the web series is how relatable the characters are. Not only in the obvious sense of a young women living with her crazy family but also in the format of the series. The series uses all sources of media, Tumblr, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, to create the feeling that Lizzie is an actual person. Each video seems as though you the viewer are directly being spoken to. As if Lizzie is your best friend telling you over video chat how crazy her life has been that day. Through Tumblr Gif's and Memes an entire obsession was created. Since the episodes were aired two per week in between episodes the internet would explode with things like the Meme above. You could, through the internet, keep tabs of all the actors daily making this fictitious series come to life.



The series is also much funnier, in my opinion, than the original. The humor in this series is so much less complex then the book that for my generation I feel it's much more appreciated. If that says that my generation is too stupid to appreciate such literature then so be it. The web series is quirky, clevor, and all around keeps you on your toes until the next episode. It has a beautiful mix of humor, drama, and truly serious situations that make this series not just another YouTube thing.





 

In conclusion... The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is an amazing series. Being an avid YouTuber who prefers it over TV the argument can be made that I am very biased. However, that doesn't change that fact that Hank Green created an amazing series that is worth watching.

The Great Gatsby (Novel)

(spoiler alert..... read the book first... movie later...)

I feel that there is no need for me to explain or try to convince anyone why this book is so great. It is a classic novel that is not only well written but brings to life a view of how wealth and a certain mindset can lead to trouble. The title in itself is a commentary on what truly constitutes greatness. Gatsby was so "great" that the troubles he got into lead to his death... Personally, I never want to be that "great."

If you haven't recently read the book, here's a little something to boost your memory.

In reading this book I noticed how important it is that Nick Carraway is the narrator. Had the narration been done by Gatsby the story would be clouded by the fancies of his own mind. Gatsby is an extremely romantic thinker. His view is that once his love is always his love not realizing that other people move on. Gatsby is one who loves the past but also loves bettering himself for the future. All together his character is one that needs a clear-headed neighbor and narrator like Nick Carraway.

What makes me pity Gatsby is how generous he is with his wealth and how unappreciative most of his guests are. An argument can be made that a man doesn't need all the material things he owns and is therefore obligated to share in his splendor; however, I feel that Gatsby is often taken advantage of. The fact that Gatsby isn't a drinker also makes me question how much he enjoys the company of such boisterous guests. All of this just emphasizes how Gatsby feels the need to surround himself with fun, parties, and all around wealth in order to feel the greatness that he has created.

            Another emphasis of the novel is how corrupt the world of wealth and parties is. At one of Nick’s first parties a man wrecked his car and was too drunk to realize it. A night that was painted in such a dazzling light came to a close in the least flattering way. Throughout the novel there are hints to how unfortunate a life of greatness can be. It’s as if the writer was saying, rich people are just as loud and obnoxious as everyone else as long as you hang out with them long enough. This emphasized when Nick hung out with Tom, Myrtle, and her Sister. The night ended in Myrtle getting punched in the face, not a very civilized way to end a conflict especially for such classy people as themselves. The “classy” people end up being the most gaudy in the end.

This brings me to the movie that I have yet to see. I began reading the book just last week when commercials of the movie were already being played therefore my image of how the characters should look was skewed. That being said my skewed view thinks that the actors chosen seem to look the part. I plan on seeing the movie this weekend and will be back with a post on how good or bad it was.

(On an unrelated note... I have been listening to the movie soundtrack and it's amazing!)

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

         I'm sorry dear reader but I cannot bring myself to summarizing this book. This is due to my fear of spoiling the book as it is a must read for anyone and everyone. I don't care if you're "not a reader," or you only read Twilight, or whatever your excuse may be; you must read this book!!!!! Every sentence makes you think and there are so many amazing quotes within its pages that can be applied to daily life. If this book were a religion I would convert to it as the author's view on how the world works is truly beautiful.

         What I will tell you is that the story begins in Spain with a shepherd names Santiago. He has a reoccurring dream and in hopes to understand the dream goes to see a gypsy. After meeting the gypsy and learning very little about his dream he happens upon an old king. The king tells him that his dream is important in reaching his personal legend. The rest of the book entails Santiago’s journey of achieving his personal legend. Throughout his journey he is robbed, he works at a crystal shop, and he meets a girl, Fatima, an Englishman and an Alchemist. Which of these people and which of these experiences are of most value to Santiago you will have to find out. With a unique twist to keep everything exciting this book is truly one of my favorites.

         The structure of the book is unique in itself. There are no chapters only dotted breaks between paragraphs of text. This makes the story seem to never pause keeping the reader interested. The breaks indicate pauses in events within the same day or indicate a day has passed. This makes the whole story flow together naturally as daily life does. An entire year working at a crystal shop is split between just a few breaks. Just as in real life, time passes so quickly and the author depicts this natural passage perfectly. The narrator can't believe that an entire year has passed in a new place, a feeling that many can relate to. The author’s ability to create this feeling is a major reason why the book is engaging from beginning to end.

         In a last attempt to prove to you why this book is so amazing and thought provoking I give you one of my favorite quotes. "When each day is the same as the next, it's because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises." Call me a hippy but any book full of quotes like this is bound to become a favorite of mine. What makes this book so great is it doesn't just tell you a story. It gives you a story and leaves you with new insight into the world. Once the story is over there is still so much that can be thought about. It’s not just a book you read and then leave this book stays with you for years to come.

         The Alchemist is also an international bestseller so if my blog wasn’t enough to make you want to read it then just look at the facts. People have been reading and loving The Alchemist for years so give in to peer pressure and read it yourself!

Once (a new musical)

Spoiler Alert! If you plan on seeing Once and don’t want the ending ruined stay away!

            This Musical is based on the 2006 Irish Musical film Once. The story, set in Dublin,Ireland, is about a Dublin man and a Czech immigrant. They meet one day when the man “Guy” is playing a song on his guitar and the women “Girl” becomes intrigued by his music.

Throughout the story it is clear that the two are falling in love with each other, however, it is all much more complicated then that. Girl has a husband back home; they were not doing very well together which caused her to move to Ireland, however, she still feels loyal to him and hopes they will work out their problems. Guy has a girlfriend who moved to New York a few months ago, he still loves her but can’t help falling for Girl.Throughout the story Guy tries to push his girlfriend out of his mind. He believes that she is living in New York and will have found someone new by now.Girl knows that Guy’s girlfriend still loves him, call it intuition, so she makes sure to never let guy get too close. In the end Guy’s father gives him money to move to New York and pursue his dream of becoming a famous musician.Guy also calls his girlfriend and they plan to reunite. As his last gesture before leaving Dublin Guy buys Girl a piano (what she’s always wanted). Girl finally hears from her husband and he decides to move to Dublin so they can fix their marriage.

            “It’snot a love story, it’s a story about love.” This quote describes the musical perfectly. It’s not about two main characters falling in love forever and always. Guy and Girl never so much as hug throughout the entire musical. Yes the tension is there, but they both know better. Girl’s reluctance to be with Guy is probably tied to her own longing to fix her marriage. Her entire family tells her to leave her husband and be with Guy, as it can be inferred that he is a much nicer and better man then her husband even though the audience never meets him. However, it is clear that she feels obligated to fix the marriage if not for her sake but for her child. This feeling of loyalty to her husband is also a reason why Girl feels that Guy’s girlfriend is still in love with him. She portrays her own feelings for her husband on a women she’s never met and uses them to infer the feelings of Guy’s girlfriend. This inference is proven to be true when Guy finally calls his girlfriend and discovers her excitement at the idea of Guy coming to meet her in New York. All this comes together to make up the theme of following ones heart. Not just following ones impulse as Guy does throughout the Musical but digging deeper to realize what the heart really wants. If Guy never met Girl it is uncertain whether he would have ever realized his true potential and decided to move to New York to reunite with his girlfriend. In a sense Guy couldn’t have done any of it without Girl.

            This brings us to another topic, the one of names. Why is it that in a musical as intricate as this the two main characters have such simple yet peculiar names?  Is it to contrast the complications the two face in figuring out what their hearts want? Or is it to show how simple the solutions to their problems were, they just thought too hard into them? Such obvious names like Guy and Girl serve the purpose of being blatantly simple within a complicated situation. Love confusion aside, the writer reminds us that while a relationship can be difficult, in the end there’s just one guy and one girl. Two people, while a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions, and interactions may happen between them; at the end of the day it’s just two. The simplicity within the names reminds us that the answer to our problems may be clearer then we think, if we take the time to look into what our hearts are telling us. Love is not always as complicated as people make it to be. The heart is a tricky thing, but it will tell you what it wants if you’re willing to listen.

An Epic Particicution!

          When Mr Lindsey first explained the Handmaids Mayday game my initial thought was that of pure apprehension. After playing a different game a few weeks earlier that was based on the lottery, a completely cruel and unfair short story, I had little optimism towards games invented by Mr Lindsey (no offense). However, the Handmaids Mayday game was different and after thorough inspection of the rules I decided to try and get it to work in my favor.

          The game we played in class was based upon the classic novel The Handmaids Tale written by Margaret Atwood. In this game 3 classmates would start as Eyes, 3 classmates would start as Mayday Rebels, and the rest of the class would start as Handmaids; with no one having knowledge of the roles of the other classmates. There was a day and night to this game. During the day classmates would talk and try to figure out who was what without giving anything away. During the night is when first the rebels would wake, while everyone else closed their eyes, and would chose one person they thought was a Handmaid to either liberate or ask to join them. Afterward the Eyes would wake and try to kill someone they thought was a rebel; an accidental kill of a Handmaid would cause both that Handmaid and the Eye to be executed. There is also room for a Particicution during the daytime in which all classmates could randomly vote to kill someone once per day. What made this game more interesting was the room to receive project points. A liberated Handmaid would receive 20 points,with an additional 20 points if they become a Rebel and survived. All surviving Rebels would receive 20 points. If all rebels were killed then each Eye would receive 20 points and each still living Handmaid would receive 10 points.

          When we played this game in class I was given the role of Handmaid. I knew that all I had to do was get liberated and I would receive 20 glorious points towards my project grade. This was my plan, however, I had little control over it and for 5 long days and nights nothing happened. Other people were possibly liberated, killed, or became Rebels, but I was still a trapped bored useless Handmaid. The next night is when things got interesting. Before night fall I made sure to remember who I sat next to and Madry just happened to be the only person sitting to the left of me. I then closed my eyes and listened closely as the Rebels chose their person who then left the room. When it was the Eyes turn to chose someone I heard Madry get out of the desk to my left and then sit back down right before night was over. The next day is when I got courageous. I knew Madry was an Eye so I decided to make the game more interesting and hold the first Particicution. Out of the blue I said, "Hey guys lets Particicute Madry!" At first people were reluctant but after plenty of peer pressure and truly obnoxious behavior the class agreed and sadly Madry was gone. The next night I was liberated and like the greedy Handmaid I am, I fled to Canada to ensure I would receive 20 points.

          This game made it horrible clear how greedy of a person I am when it comes to grades. I knew that if I didn't get Madry executed she could accidentally kill me or the rebels would lose and I would receive 10 points instead of 20. While I did feel bad for causing Madry to lose the chance of getting points In the end anything that would help insure my 20 points was worth it.

          Relating this to the book makes me realize how much of an "every man for themselves" kind of person I am. If I were a Handmaid in The Handmaids Tale that somehow got liberated I doubt I would have the courage to become a Rebel and try to save others. Then again, If I were a Handmaid, becoming a Rebel would be a matter of life or death for me and many others. In this case maybe I would try to save others as I have found that I am the kind of person who speaks out when something is unfair. It is impossible to truly put myself in such a horrid situation and I hope that I never have to. I would much rather play a game involving project points then deal with other peoples survival.

Lerpent or Langel?

Lion or Lamb? Angel or Serpent? In simpler terms are you violent or not a liar of not? These are my thoughts on the subject of placing others in these catagories and ultimately placing myself.   

         How I place someone as being a Lion or a Lamb is by their morals not necessarily their ability to do or not do something but whether they think about it. If someone is physically incapable of murder but wants to murder innocent people for no reason I would consider them a lion because their morals are as such. They don’t feel that murder is wrong and would commit it if they were given the opportunity. A lamb on the other hand would not be able to even fathom the idea of murder let alone go through with it. Those are of course two extremes and there are thousands of areas in between where people can fit on the lion to lamb scale.

        Personally I feel I belong closer to the lamb side of the two as I would never murder someone unless under extreme circumstances. I am not a violent person and tend to avoid conflict. When choosing where to place myself I was a little apprehensive on calling myself more of a lamb as I feel that lambs can be pushovers. In movies and books the lamb character is weak, wimpy, and all together not very interesting. There is not a story I know of where the main character is a lamb and I think it’s because, plainly put, lambs don’t make very good stories. I, however, am in fact a lamb. Yet unlike most I believe I would be a great main character in a story as there is a lot more too me then just my lamby label. I am not a violent person but I am no pushover either, I will never let people walk all over me as I do in fact have a backbone. I just don’t like violence, it’s as simple as that; I am proud to be a lamb.

         Placing someone on the serpent versus angel scale I feel is much simpler. A person is either a liar or isn’t, yes people lie in different quantities, for different circumstances; however, it’s pretty black and white. I placed myself on the angel side, as I don’t lie very often. I’m not putting myself on this high horse of extreme honesty oh no, just looking back on things I rarely lie. The only times I can recall of lying is when I’m helping someone keep a surprise or the occasional harmless white lie. Other then those I’d rather be honest; call me a wimp but lying stresses me out…

         So I guess what this exploration into my inner wimpy honestness has told me is that, no I would not make an amazing main character in a novel or movie. No I can never be a courageous super hero. No I will never be a spy, however, I’m rather content with all these facts. I am an honest non-confrontational lamby angel and am proud of it!