Friday, June 17, 2011
Firefly on the brain.
So I may be the only one lame enough to be on this over the summer but I feel this is something only this class may (or may not) find amusing. Today I was babysitting a 5-year-old and we were watching The Backyardigans. For those who do not spend your time watching Nick Jr., it's a cartoon where these weird animals go on adventures in the backyard. Anyway, in this episode there were aliens in a spaceship and they landed in the wild west. They needed to get their ship fixed and this moose on a horse with a cowboy hat came to the rescue. And because this class has left such a lasting impression on me, the second I saw this I shouted "FIREFLY," frightening the little girl, as well as myself a little bit. So I just wanted to share this with all of you who are still looking at this which is probably no one. Enjoy your summer!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Scratching the Surface
As promised, I went back to the first episode, "Welcome to the Hellmouth." Which, as it turns out, is a two-parter (followed by "The Harvest"), and I couldn't resist watching the second along with the first. The first season is perhaps my least favorite, but like the others, it has its merits. We all have to admit that every story needs an introduction.
Buffy's reaction to Sunnydale is precisely like the one most people have upon their first viewing of a BtVS episode, regardless of where it falls in the trajectory of the show: horror, confusion, frustration. But a few come to regard it with deep affection and love.
After arriving in Sunnydale, Buffy is feeling optimistic, like she's escaped an awful fate. She is eager to begin again. But as someone pointed out to me once, you can't escape yourself, hard as you try and as far as you go. Buffy's identity as the Slayer is, she quickly discovers, just as inescapable. But she denies it until threatened with the possibility that someone she cares about (Willow) will come to harm. She is sucked back in to her role, whether or not she wants to be--there is simply too much at stake (pun intended).
I think the fake bottom in her trunk, filled with the trademark keepsakes of an average teenager's life is especially poignant. Underneath are hidden her less cuddly secrets: cloves of garlic, stakes, vials of holy water. Secrets that, like in our own lives, are less than attractive for others to discover, if we allow them to discover any of it at all. We keep the brighter, happier things on the surface. We appear to be fine and smiling, when inside we have pain, sorrow, hurt.
We keep our darkness buried.
Buffy's reaction to Sunnydale is precisely like the one most people have upon their first viewing of a BtVS episode, regardless of where it falls in the trajectory of the show: horror, confusion, frustration. But a few come to regard it with deep affection and love.
After arriving in Sunnydale, Buffy is feeling optimistic, like she's escaped an awful fate. She is eager to begin again. But as someone pointed out to me once, you can't escape yourself, hard as you try and as far as you go. Buffy's identity as the Slayer is, she quickly discovers, just as inescapable. But she denies it until threatened with the possibility that someone she cares about (Willow) will come to harm. She is sucked back in to her role, whether or not she wants to be--there is simply too much at stake (pun intended).
I think the fake bottom in her trunk, filled with the trademark keepsakes of an average teenager's life is especially poignant. Underneath are hidden her less cuddly secrets: cloves of garlic, stakes, vials of holy water. Secrets that, like in our own lives, are less than attractive for others to discover, if we allow them to discover any of it at all. We keep the brighter, happier things on the surface. We appear to be fine and smiling, when inside we have pain, sorrow, hurt.
We keep our darkness buried.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
...How Do You Feel About That?
I have decided to watch the entire Buffy the Vampire Slayer series (and perhaps throw in Angel and Firefly as well, but I don't want to be overly ambitious) and blog about it. So. Here goes...
Last night I began with season 2 because I think it gets more into Buffy and the Scoobies' relationships and storylines more, with less standalone episodes. I think, to be true to my word, that tonight I'll start with the pilot episode. One must be consistent, after all.
But for now, it's "When She Was Bad," the first episode of the second season.
Buffy takes her inner bitch out for a walk after undergoing experiencing death...and living. As a result she refuses to allow herself the luxury of closeness when she is terrified of it happening again. The dying. The internalization of her distress results in the externalization of those less attractive qualities every person possesses: sarcasm, meanness, anger, and perhaps the worst of all, silence.
Her role as the Slayer, Buffy imagines, implies that she can't need anyone, can't share with anyone, can't rely on anyone, can't can't can't. It's a lie, of course, since her support network is waiting in the wings, eager to help her through any obstacle. But to admit vulnerability would be to admit that she is just that: vulnerable, an emotion that she already feels in a heightened way, complete with dreams and visions of the Master.
The problem is that Buffy thinks she is being strong by keeping everything stuffed inside and lashing out, but instead she is subconsciously giving the Master power by refusing to give her anxiety a name and a voice. In fact, she never truly divulges what is bothering her; Giles guesses only after discussing the situation with Xander and Willow.
It isn't until she crushes the Master's bones with a sledgehammer that Buffy is able to take control of the powerless feeling she's been dealing with. But after being forgiven (silently) by her friends, Buffy is slowly learning that to be a Slayer doesn't necessarily mean to be alone.
Last night I began with season 2 because I think it gets more into Buffy and the Scoobies' relationships and storylines more, with less standalone episodes. I think, to be true to my word, that tonight I'll start with the pilot episode. One must be consistent, after all.
But for now, it's "When She Was Bad," the first episode of the second season.
Buffy takes her inner bitch out for a walk after undergoing experiencing death...and living. As a result she refuses to allow herself the luxury of closeness when she is terrified of it happening again. The dying. The internalization of her distress results in the externalization of those less attractive qualities every person possesses: sarcasm, meanness, anger, and perhaps the worst of all, silence.
Her role as the Slayer, Buffy imagines, implies that she can't need anyone, can't share with anyone, can't rely on anyone, can't can't can't. It's a lie, of course, since her support network is waiting in the wings, eager to help her through any obstacle. But to admit vulnerability would be to admit that she is just that: vulnerable, an emotion that she already feels in a heightened way, complete with dreams and visions of the Master.
The problem is that Buffy thinks she is being strong by keeping everything stuffed inside and lashing out, but instead she is subconsciously giving the Master power by refusing to give her anxiety a name and a voice. In fact, she never truly divulges what is bothering her; Giles guesses only after discussing the situation with Xander and Willow.
It isn't until she crushes the Master's bones with a sledgehammer that Buffy is able to take control of the powerless feeling she's been dealing with. But after being forgiven (silently) by her friends, Buffy is slowly learning that to be a Slayer doesn't necessarily mean to be alone.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Call for papers!
Sigma Tau Delta is hosting our 3rd Annual Literary Conference on October 8, 2011. I have talked with some people from our class and I think it would be a fabulous idea to create a Joss Whedon themed panel to show off the excellent work we did for Dr. H.
Here is all of the info, but if you have any questions, email me (hhallwilliams@gmail.com) or you may direct any questions/comments to the gmail account listed below.
CALL FOR PAPERS
Literary Festival and Conference
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, West Virginia
October 8, 2011
The Shepherd University Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta invites submissions for our third annual “Literary Festival and Conference,” October 8, 2011. Planned events include:
• Conference panels featuring student papers on all subjects related to English studies
• Workshop on creative writing led by a professionals in the field
• Poetry/fiction readings
• Delicious food and other fun events
Papers written for undergraduate courses on any subject related to English studies are eligible for consideration. All critical presentations should be about 15 minutes long (about 8 pages). Creative presentations should be about 10 minutes long. Presenters are encouraged to bring supplementary materials (handouts, power points, etc) to help engage their audience; however these materials are not required.
Critical Paper Proposals: Email a 250 word abstract to alphagammaconferencepapers@gmail.com
Creative Writing Proposals: Email entire work(s) to alphagammaconferencepapers@gmail.com
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: June 15, 2011.
Here is all of the info, but if you have any questions, email me (hhallwilliams@gmail.com) or you may direct any questions/comments to the gmail account listed below.
Think about it... :) It's great professional experience and a great opportunity to showcase your work.
CALL FOR PAPERS
Literary Festival and Conference
Shepherd University
Shepherdstown, West Virginia
October 8, 2011
The Shepherd University Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta invites submissions for our third annual “Literary Festival and Conference,” October 8, 2011. Planned events include:
• Conference panels featuring student papers on all subjects related to English studies
• Workshop on creative writing led by a professionals in the field
• Poetry/fiction readings
• Delicious food and other fun events
Papers written for undergraduate courses on any subject related to English studies are eligible for consideration. All critical presentations should be about 15 minutes long (about 8 pages). Creative presentations should be about 10 minutes long. Presenters are encouraged to bring supplementary materials (handouts, power points, etc) to help engage their audience; however these materials are not required.
Critical Paper Proposals: Email a 250 word abstract to alphagammaconferencepapers@gmail.com
Creative Writing Proposals: Email entire work(s) to alphagammaconferencepapers@gmail.com
DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: June 15, 2011.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Presentation Thoughts
I really loved seeing the presentations this week. All the Firefly people really made me feel like I was listening to a class that I knew nothing about (and that's a good thing!)
I loved Corinne's power pt., and how she was wasn't afraid to break away from the Whedon (I was sad about the lack of Eric Dane though...)
The past week had so many fresh takes on vampires, I laughed a lot and learned a lot.
I feel like these presentations have been a really good representation of all our personalities and the wonderful ability we have to take what we liked, didn't like, and learned from this, and put it into eight minutes of hard work.
I feel really proud to be part of this group, and I hope everyone will enjoy my presentation half as much I have so far.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
"Like My Mask? Isn't It Pretty? It Raises The Dead!"
In the true spirit of that which is me, I have some awesome funny Buffy moments to share:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZymsP11JrIo&feature=related
- Willow has a triumphant moment against Cordelia!
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYr0HMz7SeI&feature=related
- Best moment? Andrew: "Stop touching my magic bone!"
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0pgAC1uwfs&feature=related
Enjoy!!
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZymsP11JrIo&feature=related
- Willow has a triumphant moment against Cordelia!
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYr0HMz7SeI&feature=related
- Best moment? Andrew: "Stop touching my magic bone!"
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0pgAC1uwfs&feature=related
Enjoy!!
Down with the sickness
Though I've had a rough case of senioritis lately, my paper is really looking good. I've had some trouble with sources, but all-in-all I can't complain about it. I have a habit of never taking peer review sessions that seriously since it never really helped me much before, but I found the review sessions we've had in class to be extremely helpful. Not only does it benefit my paper, but its fun to read everyone else's paper and get a feel for their topics.
I'm not the best public speaker, so I am a little worried about the actual presentation segment of our projects. Everyone in the class is very friendly, so I don't think it will be that much of a problem. I just have to make sure that I put the right amount of work in, and make sure my work is up to snuff.
I'm not the best public speaker, so I am a little worried about the actual presentation segment of our projects. Everyone in the class is very friendly, so I don't think it will be that much of a problem. I just have to make sure that I put the right amount of work in, and make sure my work is up to snuff.
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