Things Worth Writing Home About
Needless to say, I think I’m putting the weblog on an official hiatus following the final book list posting on December 31. I’ve been a bit down lately, feeling quite lonely, and I don’t find myself having all too much to say. So for those few faithful readers who might wonder where I’ve gone, now you know. Wherever I am, it is not here.
Sorry. Blogging hasn’t exactly been high on my priority list lately, but I’m on hold, so I thought it would be a good time to say hello.
It’s been an emotional rollercoaster so far this month. I’d be lying if I said that it’s been easy, but I think it’s letting up a bit. Katie helped me get a Christmas tree on Sunday, which we decorated while making (and drinking) egg nog (don’t pour milk into the whites!) and now my apartment looks magical and festive. My couch comes on Friday which will likely land me in front of the television catching up on the Netflix movies I’ve been sending back without watching. I haven’t done any Christmas shopping yet, but I’d like to. I don’t know what to get for people. I don’t even really know who to shop for. My laptop broke. My iPod broke. My new job is good. I just heard a bird, but I’m inside. I have writer’s block, but need to apply to school by Tuesday. I’ve been sleeping on and off.
And a partridge in a pear tree.
Well, kids. It was a long month. I was sick for most of it, I moved, I changed jobs, I’m falling into an emotionally-suboptimal state. So, I didn’t finish NaNo this year. And I didn’t read a whole lot of books.
Beowulf - I’d actually never read it and thought I should before seeing the movie (which they f’ed up royally). I loved the Christian subtheme, but mostly it was the magnitude of heroism displayed by Beowulf that drew me in. Please, if you plan to see the movie, read the book instead! 5/5
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn - This was stunning. We follow a self-mutilator back to her hometown to investigate the deaths of two young girls where the truth may hit just a little too close to home. Brilliant characters. Brilliant development. Brilliant use of gin and tonic. 4/5
Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel - This book was recommended to me by a friend. I wasn’t a huge fan. It gives an excellent depiction of Zen in anything that we do, but I can’t wrap my head around some of the mystical philosophy. Still, the author felt very relatable in his victories and failures in mastering a fine art and state of mind and overall I’d be inclined to say that this book even gives a decent insight into the foundation — and eventual sustinance — of Buddhism. For me, though, I’ll keep my Jesus 
. 3/5
In a pathetic and desperate attempt to redeem my lousy performance, let me say that I’ve read ten short-story manuscripts, one-and-a-half books of Samuel, random Psalms and NT passages, and the first eighty pages of Jennifer Egan’s first novel. Yes, I’m breaking my rule about not putting a book down without finishing it. I don’t care. The book made me feel like I was having my teeth slowly ripped out of my gums; no aenesthetic, no sympathy. Turns out my NYU professor went to school with Jennifer Egan and had read The Invisible Circus and told me to break my rule and put the book down. I might have ignored him, but the look on his face was too serious. I knew he was trying to do me a favor. I accepted. A waste of reading, maybe. But half a month saved is the important part. See you at the end of the year for the re-cap!
Where to begin except to declare this movie the worst interpretation of honest literature the silver screen has ever seen? Not only was the script atrocious, but the direction bastardized every decent thing about the classic, “unauthored” poem.
In the original text — no matter which translation you read — Beowulf is clearly a fearless hero who has a deep love for his kingdom and his people. He’s also a blossoming Christian, as are many other characters in the poem. And, of course, let’s not forget that Grendel’s mother is supposed to be the most hideous creature to ever walk the planet.
Instead, our director chose to make all of the characters sexually charged, polytheistic frat boys who have nothing better to do than drink beer and make inappropriate jokes. I couldn’t help but audibly express my disapproval when Beowulf proceeds to strip down stark-naked to fight Grendel. Once again, I could not help but groan when Grendel’s mother was gorgeous, nude, and unrealistically seductive.
What follows can hardly even be called “Beowulf”. (Plot spoiler coming up; don’t worry, I’m saving you money and two hours of your life.) Beowulf proceeds to sleep with Grendel’s mother, giving her a new child in exchange for unlimited ruling power so long as she still retains the dragon goblet. Of course, the child turns out to be the dragon which eventually slays Beowulf and we now have a story of a king who gave into his human weakness at the expense of his kindgom. We pick back up the original Beowulf story with the dragon showdown which ends up destroying our hero, but Mother Grendel lives to see another day, again, an artistic decision based on little more than a film crew that was clearly preoccupied with doing what they could to turn a classic piece of literature into a soft-core porno movie.
Still worse was the decision to use this film to berate Christianity rather than celebrate it. The original text celebrates the “new” religion and speaks largely in favor of it over polytheism. The movie, however, shows Beowulf blatently renouncing Christ and Judaism. And let’s not forget the lack of subtlty used for all of the burning crosses. Clearly, our director is not a big fan of church.
In case you still need instructions, don’t see this movie. It’s not even worth the 3-D. Hell, it wasn’t even worth the popcorn.