Awe

Perspective is a force of thought more powerful than the events themselves that compose our reality. In order to nourish this perspective, to help cut the human crystal so that it shimmers in a thousand and one ways, to transcend the meaning of life – it is important to be left in awe. Regular, small miracles are easier to  stumble over and not appreciate (like that breath you just took) – but some moments in life help redefine your existence… and the awe I felt as I basked in the shadow of the poet-master that I had come to idolise was inexplicable. He towered over me, slight angst, slight spite – but blatant inscrutability: Dante Alighieri, master of The Divine Comedy. 

His towering statue in Florence, Tuscany helped me realise how very insignificant my life is. Yes, this sounds like it is taking a turn towards the self-imposed Inferno – but, I pray you, listen. Perspective is the salve to all our meaningless issues. There are cities, people, microcosms linked through roads and skies that function regardless of whether you’re on your university’s merit list, or whether you fit into a size 8 pair of jeans, or whether you’re experiencing the pangs of unrequited romance. Ages pass, worlds and words spin around – and you are but a golden fleck on the ceiling of the Vatican Museums.

This awe:  this feeling of tininess before figures so beautifully painted on the ceilings of the Vatican, this feeling of bewilderment before the perfection of Michelangelo’s  David create that trembling wonder that makes life worthwhile. See how small you are, and revel in the amazement the universe has in all its crooks and corners. Inspirations spews unparalleled from joy, and the ecstasy I have seen in the Sistine Chapel, the years that I have felt (quite illegally) in fading tapestries and carved stone pillars… the eternal marble I have slid upon have captivated my very soul. 

Rome, Florence and Venice have stolen me. Bewitched me in ways I could not comprehend through your juxtaposition of rich history alongside Mercedes and racy motor bikes while greying women beg, clasping onto their rosaries. 

Where will life take you? Will you find a place to fall in love with… or come to find Stockholm Syndrome on your front porch? The elixir of eternal youth, truly, is made of proportions of curiosity, excitement, fascination, rapture and awe. The more you see, the more you thirst. The more art I saw, the more I wanted to know: who painted it, what did it mean, what did the people think of it, what meaning did it have to me? 

Layers and layers reveal themselves as time slides on and the world shyly comes to bear itself to you. 

Fabulous Fantasy Fiction Holiday Reading List of Amazing Fantasy

With the holidays sprawling ahead, some of you bookies must be looking forward to laying on the sofa with a great read. For those of you that see Fiction as a reading genre, not a club on Long Street, here’s 5 great fantasy fiction reads you need to get down to this holiday!

                                                                                                                                                                 

1.       The Hobbit – J.R Tolkien                                                                                                

Getting into the Middle Earth buzz, don’t let yourself get left behind as ardent fans rave about the similarities between book and movie. It’s a quick, interesting read filled with activity and great narrative. Great for both young and old, there is a classical tinge to the tone it has been written in.

Bilbo Baggins, a casual Hobbit that is fond of minding his own business, is thrust into the adventure of a lifetime quite unwillingly. Expect goblins, eagles, shape shifters, treasure and – naturally – a dragon waiting at the end of it all.

2.       The Belgariad – David Eddings

Mature fiction begins with David Eddings : he is my favourite author and the master of words. This is a series of 5 books:  Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician’s Gambit, Castle of Wizardry, Enchanter’s End Game.

These five books, although bearing simple chess related titles, comprise an elaborate, elegantly told story about Garion, an orphaned farm boy and his quest alongside his aunt Polgara as they pursue the Orb of Aldur : an orb fashioned with a living soul.

“Long ago, so the storyteller claimed, the evil God Torak sought dominion over all and drove the world to war. Now the one talisman keeping this sinister force from seizing power has been disturbed--and no one will be safe. . . .”

3.       A Song of Ice & Fire – George R.R Martin

Otherwise known as “A Game of Thrones”, the book series is as equally riveting as the televised one. A rugged amalgam of romance, pillaging, sword bound violence and lust for power find their way to the pages of A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons.

The story, simplistically, tells of an array of character’s pursuit for dominion of the Iron Throne, and power over the kingdoms in a fascinating fantasy dimension. Each chapter follows a different character, making for interesting reading as you put the pieces of each perspective together in Westeros.

“In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the North of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall…”

4.       The Black Magician Trilogy – Trudi Canavan

Ah, these fantasy writers do love their series, don’t they ? A feminine outlook on fantasy, The Magician’s Guild is split into:  The Magician’s Guild, The Novice and The High Lord.

This story follows a young street girl that possesses skill to shock masters of magical discipline, where in a fit of rage she is able to pierce a barrier protecting a master and consequently renders him unconscious.

So begins a race to capture and contain the Guild’s worst fear: an untrained magician being on the streets.

“She must be found, and quickly, before her uncontrolled powers unleash forces that will destroy both her, and the city that is her home…”

5.       Green Rider – Kristen Britain

No, a Green Rider is not someone closely affiliated with Green Peace. In this world, a Green Rider is an elite, almost legendary messenger to the King. Entrusted with a secret message to be passed on to the king as a Green Rider takes his last breath, follow Karigan G'ladheon through four novels: Green Rider, First Rider’s Call, The High King’s Tomb and Blackveil. While galloping through these, beware the “shadow man,” and never, ever read the letter passed to you. It’s for your own safety.

“Ride! the voice commanded.
            The buildings of a village were a smear they left behind. Two arrows, she knew, sang behind her and would not stop till they found their mark.”                                                                                       

   

A Story of The Reacher & The Settler

This is how some friendships and relationships end:  routine forms, and someone tries to break that routine. 

There’s usually a reacher and a settler: a reacher instigates the friendship, reaching out and the other person will reciprocate or reject. Over time, a pattern is established: one person usually texts the other person first, plans outings and is basically the catalyst for communication. This could either be the initial reacher, or the settler may assume this role after warming greatly to the reacher.

Things go wrong when the reacher beings to get tired. Tired of chasing, tired of being the one saying “Hi,” first, tired of being the one to plan and pursue. This is what happens when the balance of things is thrown out. When the reacher withdraws, hoping the settler will notice and start reaching back out AND NOTHING HAPPENS, that’s when disappointment kicks in.

The settler, so wrapped up in routine, either waits for the reacher or assumes the reacher no longer wishes to communicate. Pride or indifference takes over and the settler leaves the reacher waiting or eventually forgets the reacher altogether. All the reacher probably wanted was a little confirmation that they’ve been missed, wanted a little encouragement from their friend, wanted to know their friend is still thinking of them and other silly little emotional things that mean so much in the long run.

The reacher is left alone, waiting in vain, and begins to feel the weight of the entire friendship, eventually overthinks and explodes.  And dies.

The reacher must learn to be happy alone. 

Which is hard.

So, either enjoy your own company, find mutual reachers… or explode.

Jeff & Britta

In one of the later episodes of Community, season 1, the blonde what’s her face – Britta – publically tells Jeff that she loves him. For a fleeting moment I thought this would all work out, Bollywood style, and that Jeff would find his heart, reciprocate the love and they’d leave together. 

When that didn’t work out, and instead Jeff stormed out, for a moment I thought he was a jerk.  A giant, callous, jerk. Yet, like most times, my initial reaction isn’t necessarily a fair one. It got me thinking about drama, public declarations and even intimate declarations.

By calling out a massive I LOVE YOU at this public function, Britta had unfairly placed Jeff in limelight that he didn’t want. We do that, sometimes. Put people in awkward, inescapable situations. Especially when it comes to sharing feelings. How do you politely hurt someone by saying you don’t want them in that way? A giant slap in the face can be found in simple declarations of love or affection.  What’s the right way to respond? What’s the wrong way?  

Declaring it in public can make it 10 times worse. It’s unfair to everyone involved. The lover hears an answer tailored for a thousand ears, and the receiver feels pressured. It’s no surprise Jeff walked away.