I have never really gotten into comics throughout any part of my life, or vampire readings for that matter. However, I have taken interest in this Anita Blake series. I am glad we have decided to read this series as a comic book, versus reading it as a novel.
With many comic books, it is common to lose track of where you are supposed to go on the page (right to left, top to bottom, etc.). I believe the illustrations actually aid in the flow of the book, where I know some people have found them distracting. I have noticed there seems to be a color theme throughout each set of pages. With each scene, the color theme is nearly identical. If the colors were juggled around, and scattered throughout the page I believe it would in fact be very distracting. They do a good job of bringing the vampires to the forefront of the page, and really get my attention and drag me into the story.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
"Lusting for Freedom"
Erik Misins
8/5/10
“Lusting for Freedom” – Rebecca Walker
Interesting Quotes:
“For days and nights, I rolled around in bed with my first boyfriend trying out every possible way to feel good body to body.”
- She is searching to find a rightness and a comfort with sharing her body with another person. Searching for more than just skin on skin, but trying to make that emotional connection.
“Judgments like ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ only build barriers between people and encourage shame within individuals.”
- There shouldn’t be a rule or a pre-written path laid out for a girl, or any young adolescent for that matter. People should be free to experiment within their own constraints, as long as they are away of the benefits and more importantly the risks that come along with these decisions.
“I remember his dry penis, both of us looking elsewhere as he pushed it inside of me.”
- A sort of uncertainty, trial and perhaps some awkwardness is displayed here while both of them are learning the intercourse routine together.
“While I learned about my partners; body, I learned that I had the power to make them need me. While I learned how much of myself to reveal, I learned how to draw them out. While I learned that they were not ‘right’ for me, I learned that I was more than what they saw.”
- This is Walker describing her becoming more experienced, more aware of herself and how far she could manipulate her partners, and how she is beginning to realize her partners may only be viewing her as a sex toy.
“Sex could also stand to be liberated from pussy and dick and fucking, as well as from marriage and procreation. It can be more: more sensual, more spiritual, more about communication and healing.”
- Somewhat self-explanatory, but the physical act of ‘sex’ itself can be useful outside of the traditional box that we are framed to live in: wait until you’re married to have sex; only have sex with a meaningful partner; always use protection; in other words, the old school views on sex. Instead, Walker is saying that sex doesn’t have to be looked at as simply penis in vagina. It can be a healing process, a coping mechanism, or the equivalence to a feeling you get when receiving a hug. Why not explore that passion?
“Hiding in shame or running fast to keep from looking is a waste of what is most precious about life: its infinite ability to expand and give us more knowledge, more insight and more complexity.”
- Live life to its fullest. Experiment often, experience what life has to offer in regards to feeling something extraordinary, such as the gratification you receive from sex (the healing, coping, spiritual feeling, etc.). The more we experience, the more we know.
Fledgling Response:
Similar to Walker, Shori from the novel “Fledgling” begins her life somewhat very unaware of herself, lost and confused. Walker, from the age of 11 (very early on in life) begins to start having sex, which is very young by traditional standards. She starts young, and does it often, similarly to Shori. Except in “Fledgling,” Shori kills and eats the first animal that comes her way, and then continues to kill often (Walker pretty much has sex with the first man that came her way, then continued to have sex often).
8/5/10
“Lusting for Freedom” – Rebecca Walker
Interesting Quotes:
“For days and nights, I rolled around in bed with my first boyfriend trying out every possible way to feel good body to body.”
- She is searching to find a rightness and a comfort with sharing her body with another person. Searching for more than just skin on skin, but trying to make that emotional connection.
“Judgments like ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ only build barriers between people and encourage shame within individuals.”
- There shouldn’t be a rule or a pre-written path laid out for a girl, or any young adolescent for that matter. People should be free to experiment within their own constraints, as long as they are away of the benefits and more importantly the risks that come along with these decisions.
“I remember his dry penis, both of us looking elsewhere as he pushed it inside of me.”
- A sort of uncertainty, trial and perhaps some awkwardness is displayed here while both of them are learning the intercourse routine together.
“While I learned about my partners; body, I learned that I had the power to make them need me. While I learned how much of myself to reveal, I learned how to draw them out. While I learned that they were not ‘right’ for me, I learned that I was more than what they saw.”
- This is Walker describing her becoming more experienced, more aware of herself and how far she could manipulate her partners, and how she is beginning to realize her partners may only be viewing her as a sex toy.
“Sex could also stand to be liberated from pussy and dick and fucking, as well as from marriage and procreation. It can be more: more sensual, more spiritual, more about communication and healing.”
- Somewhat self-explanatory, but the physical act of ‘sex’ itself can be useful outside of the traditional box that we are framed to live in: wait until you’re married to have sex; only have sex with a meaningful partner; always use protection; in other words, the old school views on sex. Instead, Walker is saying that sex doesn’t have to be looked at as simply penis in vagina. It can be a healing process, a coping mechanism, or the equivalence to a feeling you get when receiving a hug. Why not explore that passion?
“Hiding in shame or running fast to keep from looking is a waste of what is most precious about life: its infinite ability to expand and give us more knowledge, more insight and more complexity.”
- Live life to its fullest. Experiment often, experience what life has to offer in regards to feeling something extraordinary, such as the gratification you receive from sex (the healing, coping, spiritual feeling, etc.). The more we experience, the more we know.
Fledgling Response:
Similar to Walker, Shori from the novel “Fledgling” begins her life somewhat very unaware of herself, lost and confused. Walker, from the age of 11 (very early on in life) begins to start having sex, which is very young by traditional standards. She starts young, and does it often, similarly to Shori. Except in “Fledgling,” Shori kills and eats the first animal that comes her way, and then continues to kill often (Walker pretty much has sex with the first man that came her way, then continued to have sex often).
Monday, August 2, 2010
Twilight
This is the first time I have read the Twilight book. I have seen all three movies that have been shown in the theaters. Surprisingly unlike most guys, I have actually found interest in this book and the movies, more so the book. Compared to the first movie, I feel this book really gets to the audience about the passion that Bella has for Edward. It is difficult for a book to portray an image so vividly, especially with the caliber of imagery that is presented with this storyline.
As for the story itself, I previously referenced in my post about "Near Dark" about how vampires are an over-exaggeration of how us as humans act in real life. This story is certainly very deep, and Stephanie Meyer does a good job in bringing vampires to a positive light. In most vampire stories, vampires burn, catch on fire, and usually focus on the dark side (death). With this story, it focuses on love and bridging together a love life between a human (Bella) and a vampire (Edward).
I find it interesting how the female in this story (Bella) is portrayed. Coming from a woman writer reaching out to a female audience, I find it interesting how Meyer portrays Bella throughout the book. Bella's character is very dependent, she has a very low self-esteem, and more or less lives her life through Edward. She has nearly no personality, loses interest in her everyday friends, and only seems to be interested in the gorgeous out-crowd, almost portraying a real-life 'gold digger' or materialistic girl in human society.
With this being said, why is Bella such a role model for young girls? I believe this is also aided by Edwards' weaknesses, his ways of bowing down to Bella's every needs and falling into her hopeless ways. Yes, every girl wants to fall hopelessly in love with a man and feel completely at his mercy and have him worship the ground you walk on. Problem is, this isn't reality. Guys want the same thing, just not a Bella.
As for the story itself, I previously referenced in my post about "Near Dark" about how vampires are an over-exaggeration of how us as humans act in real life. This story is certainly very deep, and Stephanie Meyer does a good job in bringing vampires to a positive light. In most vampire stories, vampires burn, catch on fire, and usually focus on the dark side (death). With this story, it focuses on love and bridging together a love life between a human (Bella) and a vampire (Edward).
I find it interesting how the female in this story (Bella) is portrayed. Coming from a woman writer reaching out to a female audience, I find it interesting how Meyer portrays Bella throughout the book. Bella's character is very dependent, she has a very low self-esteem, and more or less lives her life through Edward. She has nearly no personality, loses interest in her everyday friends, and only seems to be interested in the gorgeous out-crowd, almost portraying a real-life 'gold digger' or materialistic girl in human society.
With this being said, why is Bella such a role model for young girls? I believe this is also aided by Edwards' weaknesses, his ways of bowing down to Bella's every needs and falling into her hopeless ways. Yes, every girl wants to fall hopelessly in love with a man and feel completely at his mercy and have him worship the ground you walk on. Problem is, this isn't reality. Guys want the same thing, just not a Bella.
Near Dark
I thoroughly enjoyed the film "Near Dark" that we watched in class. It is interesting how vampires are portrayed in many different ways. With this movie in particular, it is interesting to compare your typical "vampire" to a normal human being and the ways that they both go about their lives.
I feel that a vampire is an exaggerated interpretation of how we as humans interact. We look at vampires as a very driven, passionate and aggressive 'creature.' I believe we are the same way. We all have a drive to be loved, to pursue a desire that is within us. For vampires, it is blood. Blood for them fulfills not only their basic physical needs such as food and energy, but also some sort of an emotional connection to their world. In the movie "Near Dark," when Mae bites into Kaleb to satisfy her physical need in food, she also seems to make a connection to Kaleb in doing so. Similarly to how we humans interact by taking a loved one out to dinner to satisfy our physical need for food, Mae takes Kaleb out to hunt to eat. In both situations, there is an emotional connection involved as well. For us, dinner usually turns into an evening at home, and a romantic scene. Same with Kaleb and Mae. They both become closer to one another throughout this process and become emotionally attracted to each other.
We look at vampires as different, however I simply believe it is an exaggerated representation of how we go about our lives on a day-to-day basis.
I feel that a vampire is an exaggerated interpretation of how we as humans interact. We look at vampires as a very driven, passionate and aggressive 'creature.' I believe we are the same way. We all have a drive to be loved, to pursue a desire that is within us. For vampires, it is blood. Blood for them fulfills not only their basic physical needs such as food and energy, but also some sort of an emotional connection to their world. In the movie "Near Dark," when Mae bites into Kaleb to satisfy her physical need in food, she also seems to make a connection to Kaleb in doing so. Similarly to how we humans interact by taking a loved one out to dinner to satisfy our physical need for food, Mae takes Kaleb out to hunt to eat. In both situations, there is an emotional connection involved as well. For us, dinner usually turns into an evening at home, and a romantic scene. Same with Kaleb and Mae. They both become closer to one another throughout this process and become emotionally attracted to each other.
We look at vampires as different, however I simply believe it is an exaggerated representation of how we go about our lives on a day-to-day basis.
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