Week 1: Obligatory Self-Intoduction

     Perky girl: Hi everybody, my name's Elizabeth!

     Bored class: Hi Elizabeth.

     No, not kidding. I had a professor make us all reply like it was an AA meeting, one of the strangest days ever - topped only by the last class where he spent the whole time saying personalized goodbyes to each and every student.

     Anyway, onwards. I'm an English Major here looking into grad schools for next year, so I'll probably become a college professor myself. More fun and flexibility there (as one of my teachers last year once said, "I loved college so much I just never left.")

     Um, most relevant info is my status as an unrepentant nerd. Like, mega-nerd. I don't do math but comic books? BBC Sherlock? Firefly? Disney? Obscure movies like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes? Oh yes, I've seen them all. I'm also really big into Supernatural and Doctor Who, and recently got hooked on Castle. I also have a twitter and a tumblr (careful, if you don't have a tumblr already I highly suggest it, but it's kind of a black hole and you may never re-emerge again. Also, watch out - when stressed I compulsively reblog Tom Hiddleston. Slightly obsessed, I will admit it).

(Wouldn't you be? He's PERFECT! Web Source: HiddlestonDaily)

     Nerdom aside, I'm snobbishly well-read and enjoy stuff like Dante, Virgil, and Homer. I also finished Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde recently and have declared it my new favorite book. I'm kind of a classics connoisseur you might say. Speaking of which, I am OBSESSED with Shakespeare. I think he's God's gift to mankind and I have a lot of fun gathering different versions of them to compare like David Tennant's Hamlet, Patrick Stewart's Macbeth, Kenneth Branagh's Macbeth, The Hollow Crown with Tom Hiddleston which is a take on four different plays, and of course, who can forget the king of them all? Monty Python's subtitle selection on the DVD of The Holy Grail that reads: Henry V, for those who do not like this movie. It is literally lines from Henry V that fit what's happening in the movie. I couldn't find it, or I'd post a link.

     Not really sure what else to say. I enjoy most movies but can't do horror, I spend most of my time reading or on tumblr, oh! I'm writing some books currently; hopefully one of them will get published in the near future. Uh, other fun facts:

     I'm usually compared to a T-Rex (no, not sure why).

     When friends are giving out designations like "Which Disney princess are you?" they'll give other people stuff like Belle, Esmeralda, Kida, me? I get Ursula. Every. Single. Time. Oh well, Ursula rocks.

     Think I finally hit word count (yay!) so here's a wonderful video that made me laugh so hard I cried (title sounds bad but trust me, it's fine [aka. not porn] and totally worth it once you get to the end):

(Sexy Pool Party by BriTANickdotcom)

Week 1: My Storybook Favorites

     One storybook that immediately caught my attention was Norse Giant Perspectives. I am a HUGE fan of Norse mythology (yes, it did start because of the recent Thor movies and Tom Hiddleston's perfect acting and perfect face and perfect everything, don't judge me) and I just love the special attention paid to the Jotun (Frost Giants) here. Anytime I read something I always want to know more about what isn't really talked about much (like how pureblood society isn't discussed much in Harry Potter even though it's mentioned all the time) and this way of going about it was super cute. The style was very conversational and easy to read, and the phonetic spellings were effective without being irritating. The story had an innate sense of warmth for being about icy giants, and the transitions between stories was handled beautifully. 

     Another one that grabbed me was HGTV: Homer and Garden Television. It started with a pun, how could I resist?! Greek Mythology done in the style of one of my favorite TV channels? And it was so accurate! Plus, who could resist the America's Next Top Model rip-off that was a perfect summary of Paris' terrible actions that made the Trojan War start? It was a highly entertaining read and made me giggle extravagantly. 

     The last is my favorite - Hotel California. One of the best songs ever written, as the theme for a horror story? Yes please! It starts out slow before erupting in ghosts and blood, with a truly chilling turn at the end that doesn't quite fit with the theme but feels completely natural and right. All the subtle nuances found in these limited-word count works spell a novel all in themselves, and the tone of the story remains consistent throughout without turning one-note. It was a very good read overall and definitely a story worth recommending to people!

Week 1: Un-Textbook Selections

     This is quite possibly the coolest thing I've ever seen, and I'm super excited to look at all of the options! It seems like this will be a wonderful class chock full of great stories. I'm ready to get started already! Hey, don't laugh at me, English Major here.

Weeks 2-3: I took nothing but classic mythology and Arthurian Romance one semester, so I'll probably read some Ovid since I haven't had the chance to read him yet. I've also heard a lot about Aesop's Tales and haven't gotten to read them either, so I'll probably choose one of those too. I've heard a lot of good things and I'm looking forward to finally getting my hands on them.

Weeks 4-5: This choice will be much harder, mainly because I've only read Arabian Nights and The Ramayana. I love mythology, and as a friend and I are basing some stuff in a book we're writing together off an Egyptian goddess I'll probably look into the Egyptian stuff. But there are also Persian fairy tales, which looks neat, and who can resist werewolves? Plus Khasi folktales looks neat, and the Twenty-Two Goblins just looks like an absolute blast! Ugh, I may have to go back and read some of these once the semester is over and I have a bit of a break.

Weeks 6-7: I'm not really sure which ones I want here. I've read a lot from each, though reading the Jamaican Anansi stories would be neat, just to see how they compare. And I love Japan, so I might look at that mythology just to see how different it is. Although, the Tibetan Folktales looks neat too.

Weeks 8-9: The Inuit stories would be really neat to read, and the hero-stories section will be a nice selection from a lot of different peoples. It's neat to see how the definition of a hero changes from culture to culture. I might chose the hero legends, or creation/origin stories (because those are ridiculously fascinating), or magic and monsters (because come on, they're super fun).Ugh, another one I'll really have to think about.

Weeks 11-12: Welsh and Celts - awesome! I love these cultures, and I've already spent a semester on Arthurian Romance. Although I will admit, Faerie Queene looks hilarious. Especially since I love the BBC show Merlin and will probably make comparisons to that characterization of Merlin in my head.

Weeks 13-14: Read Inferno already, it's The Aeneid copy and pasted with Christian values thrown in. I enjoyed Purgatorio much more. Likewise I've read a lot of Grimm tales. I might pick Andersen and the Decameron as they're also ones I've heard a lot about but not read yet. If it looks like a busy week, I'll do Heptameron instead of Andersen. Maybe Russian folktales, cuz I'm sure they'd be really cool. In Soviet Russia, folk say tales of you!

Week 1 Storytelling: The Pretty Maid With a Club

“Where are you going, my pretty maid?"

"I'm going a-milking, sir," she said.

"May I go with you, my pretty maid?"

"You're kindly welcome, sir," she said.

"What is your father, my pretty maid?"

"My father's a farmer, sir," she said.

The court was all a-twitter, this fine merry day in May. There had been feasting and games aplenty, and soon the main event would begin. Jousting was to be the game, and the prize was knighthood. It was open to all, peasant and noble alike. All you had to do was to knock the Crown Prince off his horse.

Of course, no one was really expecting a peasant to win - this was the Crown Prince. He was the greatest jouster in all the land, even those beyond. And most peasants could barely afford a horse, much less a proper shield and lance! However, it was quite gallant of the King to offer the opportunity, and it made the lower class even more grateful for the benevolent rulers, and so the court allowed this strange faux pas to pass without comment.

As the day wore on, one maid in particular was standing near the jousting arena where the contestants stayed. Her faded green dress was of lesser quality, but laced tightly and looked quite fetching. Despite her obvious peasant status the ladies of the court took notice and began to gossip about her. She wasn't as pale as a lady should be (a saddening side-effect of working outside all day) and her shoulders were much too wide, but her dark hair was pulled tightly in a proper bun and her crystal green eyes were enchanting to see. Perhaps she was here to capture the attention of some wealthy knight and to improve her status by marriage - she was such a pretty maid, the court concluded, such a pretty maid indeed. It would be quite wonderful if a lower knight chose her for a bride, even if her only dowry was her beauty.

The pretty maid was largely forgotten - though always watched from the corner of wandering eyes - as the hours grew long. Their Crown Prince was tireless as he continued to unseat challenger after challenger. It was his last challenge of the morn before the tournament broke for a feast when the maid was seen picking up one end of a large branch. Curious, the court began to turn their attention to her as the maid deftly placed the thick wooden piece upon her broad shoulders and strode forward.

“What is the meaning of this?” the Queen cried. “Surely such a pretty maid would not consider participating in such a sport!”

With a slight bow taken with care not to dislodge the stick, the maid meekly replied, “This tournament is open to all who make the journey, is it not?”

“We keep our word,” the King declared, “but the prize is knighthood and not an advantageous marriage.”

“If the Prince asks who am I to decline?” the maid stated with calm. “Yet I seek no ring but those that make up a suit of mail.”

The King debated with his advisers as the crowd proclaimed shock amongst themselves, and yet could find no reason to bar her. And so he turned to decree, “You may participate as is your wish. Would you accept our gift of lance and shield?”

“I shall hold neither, my King, until I have earned that right.” Defiantly, the maid planted her stick upon the ground as a knight would his sword. “I need naught else but that which I have.”

The court whispered again, and yet no fault could be found. Surely the Crown Prince would simply ride by and not strike a maid. It would be alright; a story to tell during laughing dinners in years to come. And so the stage was set, and the Crown Prince took his post. The maid hitched up her skirts with rope, widening her stance as the crowd gasped for the audacity she had to show such skin. A moment passed, and then the drum did sound. The Crown Prince kicked his horse into a run and lowered his lance. The pretty maid grasped her long branch like a club and hefted it high. The Crown Prince bore down on her. She did not move.

Finally, the Crown Prince shifted his lance so that it would miss the maid as he rode on by. Yet as he drew close, the maid shifted her weight and with a mighty heave swung her branch at man and horse.

With a loud clang and a startled cry, the Crown Prince, prepared for a blow, nevertheless fell from his horse and hit the ground with a mighty sound.

The pretty maid placed the stick upon her broad shoulders once more, looking as if she had done a task no more strenuous than fluffing a pillow as the court and crowd went silent with awe. Finally, the Queen turned to the King and silently implored him to keep his vow to her - no maid would marry after such a display, no matter how pretty her face.

"Say, will you marry me, my pretty maid?"

"Yes, if you please, kind sir," she said.

"What is your fortune, my pretty maid?"

"My face is my fortune, sir," she said.

"Then I can't marry you, my pretty maid!"

"Nobody asked you, sir," she said.

_________________________________________________________________________________

The rhyme included in the tale is a cute little nursery rhyme that I found quite amusing. I took inspiration for the pretty maid from Camilla, a warrior princess in Virgil's The Aeneid. I also looked at old Arthurian Romance staples for the jousting tournament. It's a bit unrealistic, I know, but hey, that's what artistic license is for.

The Nursery Rhyme Book edited by Andrew Long (2008). Web Source: The Project Gutenberg EBook

Photo: Brienne of Tarth from Game of Thrones season 3 episode 7. Source: The Bear and the Maiden Fair Review. 

Week 1: Unexpectedly Favorite Place

     This summer I went to a city I'd dreamed of since the summer before sixth grade brought hopes of Broadway to my eyes. I have (obviously) since given up on that dream and moved onwards to a new one, but it turns out I might just end up there despite myself. I visited the famous city of New York, New York this summer and came to a startling realization:

I was absolutely in love.

     Now, this was NOT the plan. I grew up in Oklahoma, and though a majority of my time was in Norman (with a few years in Broken Arrow scattered throughout) I still very much consider myself a bit of a country bumpkin. I never had the urge to 'go to college and get out of this tiny town!' I figured I'd probably live my whole life in Oklahoma, and I was okay with that. Honestly. I really do love this state. But then I went to NYC, and something just happened. 

     The roads are so dirty they turn to mud when it rains, you can see the smog all over, it's loud, it's rude, it's noisy ALL THE TIME, you feel like you need to bathe after walking around, even the stair rails inside are dirty, you're constantly accosted with fliers and buckets and tour guide offers and I just wanted to leave and the moment we touched down in Oklahoma I wanted to go back. 

(NYC skyline as seen from Battery Park

Photo taken by yours truly)

     First of all, the buildings. No, guys, you don't understand. Seriously, the BUILDINGS. I am an architecture nerd at heart and if it wasn't for the amount of math it required, I probably would have pursued that major. The buildings in New York are exquisite, and such a lovely hodge-podge of classic and modern styles. So many buildings had highlights of red or green lined about and it was just so quaint. 

(A neighborhood street in NYC, around Lexington Ave

Photo once more by the fabulous moi)

     Lots of streets had these adorable apartments that were super cute and lined with green window panes and staircases and so lovely with the window plants! It was all so Spider-Man, and I want to live in one of these cute things (even if they all do have basement levels - weird!) Lots of things about New York reminded me of super heroes, but that's probably (definitely) because I'm a geek who's been in love with the recent slew of Marvel movies which, coincidentally, happen to have scenes in New York. 

(The strange Red Stairs from Spider-Man 2! 

And I'm standing where Captain America stood when he came running out after he woke up!

Picture from 42nd and Times Square, taken by me again)

     We got lost in China Town, wandered all over lower Manhattan on foot, successfully navigated the subway system, and had a wonderful time. Of course, even if I hadn't loved the trip, it would have all been worth it simply because of one thing: 

(Kenneth Branagh as Macbeth, shown here

Photo by Johan Persson)

MACBETH!!!!!

     Starring the premier Shakespearean actor of our generation, alongside Doctor Who star Alex Kingston with a host of other fantastic people in the most revolutionary theater production yet. My favorite actors in my favorite play - I would have crawled to New York and sat on a rafter to see this thing. It was an intimate setting, with the actors right there at the bottom of the wooden bleachers you sat in as they poured their hearts out nearly face-to-face with the audience. The stage was minimally set, and right away you entered their world. You stood outside the doors to the old drill hall turned stage and declared your clan (given based on seating arrangements) before the cloaked guard rang a bell and stated "Welcome Lochaber, enter but remain on the path, and beware of witches." 

     The doors opened to a mist filled moor, and another cloaked man with a torch led you along a small stone path to your seats. It was like exiting the wardrobe into Narnia - the moment those large doors parted you entered another world. And when everyone was seated, the witches sprang from the moor to run to the pagan altar (mirrored on the other side by a Christian altar) to proclaim Macbeth's coming with their speech on thunder, lighting, and rain. And as if by summons there was thunder, there was lightning, there was rain (it rained INSIDE the theater!), and twenty men in kilts and battle armor burst into the now-muddy space in the middle with a war cry and began to slaughter each other with real swords that sparked and clanged. 

     It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life - this is how Shakespeare should be done. And because of their willingness to search out and bring new life to the usual way of doing theater and their love of the strange and the all-encompassing that allows such genius to flourish, the New York Arts Armory has truly become my favorite place on Earth.