So welcome to the wonderful world of me, thank you for tuning in. Anyway let's start off with the introduction, my name is Kayla and I'm currently enrolled in English 263: Introduction to the Novel - the Irish Tradition. I'm an Art Technology major who has a dutifully cultural crush on the "emerald isle", which is a good chunk of why I'm in this course. I spend a lot of time in front of my computer lately, which works out well for this class in all actuality, however its usually for a less academic reason and a much dorkier one. Video games take up much of my computer time while I'm not being a bigger nerd and reading web comics, by the way I enjoy being a nerd so if you read web comics and play mmorpgs pleas don't take offense. I do take time away from my games to do things like read and draw, both of which I enjoy very much.
Now when I signed up for this class, besides being overly excited about seeing ''Irish Tradition" in the title, I looked at it as a way to expand my current reading selection. Usually when I pick up a novel, especially of late, I'm picking up one of a series, a very long series knowing me. One prime example, and another point of my geekdom, is the Wheel of Time series. When I saw a fantastic world available with powers beyond the human comprehension full of a rich tapestry of history so convoluted that only the author knew what was really going on in the creation of the world I was entranced. Usually that's the way it goes for me, books that take something similar to our everyday world and turns it on its head just enough to look familiar makes me a very happy reader. Also the episodic multi-book story arcs draw me in giving me a chance to not only learn about a character but to learn to love, or just as often hate, a character. It makes me feel like I know a portion of the author every time that I'm given such an in depth view of a character. When it comes to a less fantastic novel I'm bigger on the quirky twisting excitement of novels like Da Vinci Code or The Last Symbol, which take our world and gives us a possibility that most of us have never thought of. Unfortunately this makes it nearly impossible for me to pick a singular novel that I love more than the others. Suffice it to say that I have a handful that I hold dear.
Now this is one of two English classes that I'm enrolled in this semester. The other is actually about the Entertainment Arts and is a lecture/discussion style class, which is more in line with my major. These are also the first two English courses that I've been a part of since I graduated high school, which was not last year. However in high school English was one of my favorite subjects and I took vastly more of them than I was required to. My favorite one had to be British Authors but that's mostly the fault of Mr. Shakespeare and Mr. Chaucer. Now I don't expect those classes to be much help to me in these classes but then again, you never know when some tidbit of 'useless' information will actually come in handy, trust me I know, I'm full of 'useless' info. Take for the fact that I've studied Ireland, its history and mythology mostly, for my own curiosity. I honestly bought the nonessential books just because I was interested in what they had to say. Also, last semester, I was enrolled in Gaelic, the older traditional national language of Ireland. We spent a portion of our time learning about the culture so we understood a little better what we were saying and why. It also helps that I have a bit of Irish in my family background. I'm pretty sure that's where my interest originally comes from.
I will admit, at this time, that I am a member of the online community known as Myspace and I have been for several years. I will also say I have no intention of moving over to the latecomer known as Facebook. As for where else I run around on the net besides the crazy video game chats and forums I can be found on most major messengers as well as a nice little program called IRC. IRC is a constant chat program that is connected to a vast number of severs on which you can usually find someone who wants to talk about something you're interested in. I'm usually on a sever called DarkMyst on which my friends act as moderators. If you have any idea what I'm talking about poke at me and we can see if we know any of the same people. Otherwise I can usually be found lurking around http://www.hulu.com/ catching up on the pop culture that I've missed during the week. All I have to say about Hulu is that that goodness for not needing to fight my family for the record feature on the cable box.
Now a brief interlude with one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite movies starring some of my favorite actors which I believe everyone should have the pleasure of seeing. Can you tell that I really like this movie? (Please note that there is a small amount of swearing in this clip, it is recommended that you watch away from small children.)And if I ever do get the pleasure of going to Ireland to actually explore the country that has stolen at least a portion of my heart I plan on going to some of the more famous locations, as well as the ones that no one ever talks about. One of the most famous in Dublin is a place called Temple Pub, because you can't go to Dublin and not have a drink.
Well that, at least, is a good start to the introductions of who is the me that is not you. Hopefully I'm not too horrible that you never ever want to speak to me again, or read anything that I have to say. Maybe just maybe we'll walk out of this understanding just a bit more about each other, or maybe I'll be reminded why my blogs have never lasted very long in the past. Still thank you for your time and enjoy the rest of you day/night/week/period of time.
WS
Hello Kayla,
ReplyDeleteAs I am looking through the blogs just to see what others are saying, this particular blog caught my attention. Unfortunately, I do not play online role-playing games and in fact have very little in common with the interests you have listed, but I do enjoy comics, spend a large quantity of time on Hulu, and lastly, the reason I felt I just had to comment on yours, I LOVE "The Boondock Saints!" I still have not seen the sequel, and am extremely jealous if you have had the opportunity.
Also, I would like to compliment your style of writing. I enjoyed reading what you had to say. I also decided to take this class because I have very little experience with reading. Not because I do not like it, but because I have a hard time staying interested in whatever I am reading. I hope that through mandatory that it will expand my vocabulary and I will learn that I am interested in topics or genres that I would have never otherwise known about.
Furthermore, on Sarah's blog I noticed that Colleen commented that Joyce "constructs" the city of Dublin in his book in "The Portrait of the Artist," and my guess is that's the book that you will enjoy the most since that is the city you mentioned you would like to visit the most. To be honest, I do not know much about Ireland or the Irish culture, but by how you make it sound, it makes me excited that I took this course.
You seem to have a lot of interesting "useless tidbits," of information and I look forward to reading more of your blogs.
Hi Kayla!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you on your reasonings for choosing this course. I really find myself wanting to expand my reading horizons, but it's always difficult for me to just choose a random book and go with it. It's a painstakingly long process trying to pick out what I want to read, even though I feel that there are SO many I SHOULD. This is a good way to get some new types of literature under my belt and maybe open up a whole new spectrum of choices. (actually, that may even make things HARDER for me when it comes time to pick a novel...)
I also enjoyed your description of the types of novels you like and how the worlds draw you in. I found myself syncing my thoughts with yours as I read and wish I would have been able to express my ideas as well as you have. I tend to get drawn into series as well, for the same reasons. It just gives you so much time to form attachments, and then it's so sad when you finish the last book because you just want to read more!
I love that you took a Gaelic course last semester, that sounds so interesting! I might have to look into that and put it on my list of classes for the future! I'm sure it formed a great base for you for this class (as well as your private studies into this subject)
I have found that "useless tidbits" can be more helpful than you would have ever imagined. I like to pull a few out every now and then. I'm sure you'll have lots to share us over the next few weeks!
Hi Kayla,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog. I think it's awesome that you've take Gaelic, it's a language I want to learn. I've looked at the "self taught" language CDs at Barnes and Noble for years, but have yet to buy them. Maybe I'll have to look into the course you've taken.
My husband is very into MMORPG, particularly WOW, so I'm very familiar with video games. And understand the joy people get out of playing video games. I think that you and my husband have a lot in common. I was interested in the series you were talking about the "Wheel of Time" so I asked my hubby and he said he has read the series and said it was great (and long). I may have to take a look at this series.
Finally, I just wanted to say your picture of the Temple Bar brought back memories for me. I was able to visit it a few times when I was in Ireland and the Temple Bar area in general. It's really kind of the "night life" area of Dublin, so we spent some time there and had fun. One of the things I found amazing is that the area had these cobblestone streets and older looking buildings. I thought it was all original only to find out that it was not and it was designed this way to give a nostalgic look. Interesting. You should definitely visit that area when you get to go there.
Hi Kayla,
ReplyDeleteSimilar to Jason, I also enjoyed reading your blog. You have a really engaging writing style! I'm so excited that you have taken a class in Gaelic. I audited a couple of semesters of Irish here at UWM when I first started my PhD, and it helped me understand the literature on a much more complex level. If you're interested, I would love to recommend this writer to you, Mairtin O'Cadhain and his short story collection _Road to Bright City_. He originally wrote in Irish. I love his stories because he draws his metaphors from Irish mythology and culture. Sadly, because he's a short story writer, we won't be reading him this semester.
I LOVE The Wheel of Time series. I actually started reading that series when I first traveled to Ireland. It was a real "journey" of sorts along the west coast, and it was a great series to indulge in while on the road. I still haven't quite found WOT's equal. I started reading Terry Goodkind, but I couldn't get into his writing style. Do you have any suggestions of other good sci-fi/fantasy series?
I think it's so cool that you play RPG. I have to abstain while finishing my PhD. Those sorts of games have a way of sucking me in (and spitting me out!). If you're interested, maybe you could consider exploring these games for your online artifact or final creative project and looking for the way in which they draw upon Irish mythology and literature in their narrative structure.
Welcome to the class, and I look forward to working with you this semester!
Colleen