LiL irish Boi . . . College Graduate
I nearly mentioned being in a country-tinged college rock band on the last page. Well, see, I DID attend university . . . a small one . . . a REALLY small one . . . 800 students small. It took me an extra year or two to finish up (not really getting into why. We'll leave that a mystery for now, shall we?) but by the time I did, I musta really learned my stuff.
The Shan Man chose History as his major, Literature as his minor, although the minor didn't take so well on official papers, he earned a TON of English credit hours anyhow. When I began school, I thought I was gonna be this hot shot business major, be an accountant or even an entrepreneur or something. No such doing. After a semester and a half I switched to an English major. Read alot of middle english like Beowulf and Chaucer. Then I switched again to History. Had a lot to do with a couple of most excellent professors at the school. They LOVE the subject so much I fell in love with it myself.
My two favorite eras of history, since I was a wee laddie, have always been Ancient Egypt and the European Middle Ages. I still adore those periods and have since added the American 1920s, Classical Japan, the American Revolutionary War, and most recently Russia and the former Soviet Union (pre-Red all the way up through the Cold War and into modern hours). Unfortunately for me, my school offered NO classes about either Japan OR Russia. But my absolute favorite professor is as passionate about Russia as I may become someday so maybe I'll go back for some private tutelage (Not like THAT, you cheeky monkeys! Legitimate individual study. Sheesh!). Didya know that instead of saying "break a leg" in Russia, performers will wish each other to "go to hell"?? That is just AWESOME!
Ok, on to the Literature portion of today's exam . . .
Just kidding, no test this week. But take notes anyway. Ya never know about the future!
I've been reading since before I could read for myself. My parents (well, at least my mom) read to me every day. If YOU have children, please do the same. All they can do is thank you for it later. Babar the elephant king is a good story. So is Corduroy the bear. But enough about picture books. Let's get to the meat!
I will always love Shakespeare. Ever since I was forced to trudge through Romeo and Juliet at age 14, I have been in love the Bard's words, his themes, his style, his passion, his dedication, his everything. The Tempest has become my favorite comedy (check out Ariel the wood nymph. Now HE's an awesome fairy!), and Hamlet my favorite tragedy ('to be or not to be?' Good lord, just act, man, before everyone you know is dead!). Don't let anyone ever let you hate Billy Shakespeare because you think he is wordy or thick or old-fashioned. The dude was totally hip to the hop. Sex, murder, love, revenge, humor (of both the toilet and clever variety), have I mentioned murder? or sex? sword fights? nudity? magic? Try to recall that Shakespeare wrote plays for the common folk. They HAD to be raunchy and exciting or no one would show up at the theatre. Just like Saturday Night Live or any pointless action/horror flick today. But the Bard never gets us off without thinking. Even if the intelligence goes over your head, the swordfights and sex will keep you coming back for more. Ok, enuff of my you-must-adore-Elizabethan-Theatre-just-because-I-do rant. . . LOL
Modern writers are also good. Its not just the oldies that get to me. Don't worry. J.R.R. Tolkien wrote in the first part of the 20th century. Lord of the Rings. Ever hear of that one? Yes, it was a book first. Hard to believe I know, but it's true. It's even better than drooling over Elijah Wood, Billy Boyd, Viggo Mortenson and Ian McKellen for over 9 hours. Trust me. Read it. You'll thank me later. AND you'll actually know what in the hell those elves and hobbits and rangers are even DOING up there in Middle Earth! That ain't just any ol' gold band, folks. Return of the King in theaters December 2003! Be there!
J.K. Rowling draws heavily from Tolkien to write her seven book series, Harry Potter. Word is book 5, The Order of the Phoenix, will be released in June 2003. At least we can enjoy the first two films in the meantime.
The best book I have read in a LONG time has been Christopher Rice's A Density of Souls. I just finished it the middle of July 2002 and I cried, I laughed, I cried some more, I screamed, I solved the mystery, but the story still surprised me. COMPLETELY! I'm gonna buy my own copy and read it again as soon as possible. Check out the book yourself. You won't be sorry. He's as dark as his vampiress mother Anne, but with a completely different style and angle.
copyright 2002� Shan, a few rights reserved here and there. And may the luck o' the irish be with you!
