Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Reflection
Blogging is still foreign to me. I'm not the type of person to easily express things about myself, let alone about other things. Making things up are a lot easier when you can make it how you want it to be. When it comes to some subjects I am at a loss of what to say, let alone what I feel my opinions should be. This has been an interesting challenge for myself, though. It's one thing to make up stories, but it is an entirely new field when you must have an opinion. I feel that by that I gain more about what I should think and feel; instead of just taking in information and blindly agreeing. Although, blogging has given me a new perspective about myself, I do not think I'll blog again. It's a nice experience, but I've never been one for blogging.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
The Vampire Armand
The Vampire Armand written by Anne Rice, was published in 1998 by Alfred A. Knopf and has 388 pages. This dark, erotica story follows the life of Armand, a vampire who's lived for 500 years. He was kidnapped from Russia and sold to slavery in Vince, Italy for a life a misery only to be bought by a man with extreme wealth and a fabulous painter, Marius. Armand was then raised in Marius' home for boys who were sold into slavery. After a fatal encounter, he's becomes a vampire forever changing him.
Armand grew up into a young man who looked like an angel, but the wit of a imp. At the beginning I was fond his character. He was snarky, mischievous, always questioning his Master (Marius) in anything and everything just to get a rise out of him. I could tell he didn't like being describe as angel, especially when he yelled at his Master "If I am an angel, paint me with black wings." (pg. 79) Though as the story progress and horrible incidents happened; he become depressed, angry, and cruel. His vigor for describing the world became bleak, and almost terrifying, but I could sense the severe loneliness in his words.
Marius is my favorite character in the book. He is a very old vampire from ancient Rome with superior strength, and passion which all shows in his paintings. His knowledge spans farther then the lands of Russia. Marius plays a large role in Armand's life, being his protector and lover, but after Armand's becomes the cult leader for God and the Devil; he doesn't appear much after til the end.
Armand has two very loyal human companions, Benji and Sybelle. He loves them dearly with every fiber of his being, but fears that he may be corrupting them. They are briefly shown in the beginning of the book, but make a longer appearance by the end tending to Armand after he threw himself into the sun.
There are plenty things from this book that I find very endearing, but also sad. At the end, Armand finds his two companions have been turned to vampires against his wishes. In a rage, he yells at his Master "Why didn't you let them have their lives!" (pg. 379) There are so many quotes to choose from this incident, but Armand demanding to know why couldn't they just live, breath, and die as humans left a big impact on me. It surprised me how much he wanted to keep them "pure" from vampire blood, to have them stay as humans. But after what Armand went through, all the loneliness and the pain from being a vampire, I realized why he didn't want them to be immortal.
Being a vampire is a long, tiring, and sad existence. No matter how much people try to pretty it up. As a vampire, you'll watch your friends grow old, and die. You'll watch life pass by in a blink of an eye, and feeding like a brutal animal. Also, when expose to the sun you burn and crisp like wood, not sparkle like a kindergarten's art project. Loneliness grows stronger, and a bitter resentment for ever wanting to be a vampire lingers with you like a shadow.
Armand's descriptions are insightful and beautifully said, but at times it become tedious and daunting. Skimming through the description isn't a good idea because then I miss what's going on. I just want to get on with the story because the best is reading the exciting fight scenes. Everything in this book is wonderfully descriptive; a clear image is painted in my head. However, I do not think every single thing should be a two page long description about a chapel, or something trivial as a dresser. Granted it does give more dept to the story instead of just imaging what kind of place it is set in; it's a challenge to carry on with the book and I have to sit up so the book doesn't fall on my face when I fall asleep.
Despite all that, it's one of the best vampire genre books I have ever read. Other books gives me an image of a fledgling (a new vampire or "baby vampire") who has yet to begun to realize the cons of being immortal. From The Vampire Armand I feel like I getting the views of a very old, wise, and mature, but lonely person. I can empathize with Armand's feelings when he describes when he loves and hates. I can vividly see when he lashes out, or tenderly gives affections to his many lovers over the decades. Although, living in a body of a young man, I can see the humor and insecurities when he laments about his boyish appearance.
I wouldn't recommend this book to every one. Only to those who do not abhor lengthy books, and implementations of gay relations. But to those who don't mind, I say "Read, read, read." You will not be disappointed if you're the type who like traditional vampires, and descriptive literature. I do suggest you do not read when you are exhausted. It's a wonderful read, but when tired it becomes the lullaby books you fell asleep to as a child.
"If I am an angel, paint me with black wings."
Armand grew up into a young man who looked like an angel, but the wit of a imp. At the beginning I was fond his character. He was snarky, mischievous, always questioning his Master (Marius) in anything and everything just to get a rise out of him. I could tell he didn't like being describe as angel, especially when he yelled at his Master "If I am an angel, paint me with black wings." (pg. 79) Though as the story progress and horrible incidents happened; he become depressed, angry, and cruel. His vigor for describing the world became bleak, and almost terrifying, but I could sense the severe loneliness in his words.
Marius is my favorite character in the book. He is a very old vampire from ancient Rome with superior strength, and passion which all shows in his paintings. His knowledge spans farther then the lands of Russia. Marius plays a large role in Armand's life, being his protector and lover, but after Armand's becomes the cult leader for God and the Devil; he doesn't appear much after til the end.
Armand has two very loyal human companions, Benji and Sybelle. He loves them dearly with every fiber of his being, but fears that he may be corrupting them. They are briefly shown in the beginning of the book, but make a longer appearance by the end tending to Armand after he threw himself into the sun.
There are plenty things from this book that I find very endearing, but also sad. At the end, Armand finds his two companions have been turned to vampires against his wishes. In a rage, he yells at his Master "Why didn't you let them have their lives!" (pg. 379) There are so many quotes to choose from this incident, but Armand demanding to know why couldn't they just live, breath, and die as humans left a big impact on me. It surprised me how much he wanted to keep them "pure" from vampire blood, to have them stay as humans. But after what Armand went through, all the loneliness and the pain from being a vampire, I realized why he didn't want them to be immortal.
Being a vampire is a long, tiring, and sad existence. No matter how much people try to pretty it up. As a vampire, you'll watch your friends grow old, and die. You'll watch life pass by in a blink of an eye, and feeding like a brutal animal. Also, when expose to the sun you burn and crisp like wood, not sparkle like a kindergarten's art project. Loneliness grows stronger, and a bitter resentment for ever wanting to be a vampire lingers with you like a shadow.
Armand's descriptions are insightful and beautifully said, but at times it become tedious and daunting. Skimming through the description isn't a good idea because then I miss what's going on. I just want to get on with the story because the best is reading the exciting fight scenes. Everything in this book is wonderfully descriptive; a clear image is painted in my head. However, I do not think every single thing should be a two page long description about a chapel, or something trivial as a dresser. Granted it does give more dept to the story instead of just imaging what kind of place it is set in; it's a challenge to carry on with the book and I have to sit up so the book doesn't fall on my face when I fall asleep.
Despite all that, it's one of the best vampire genre books I have ever read. Other books gives me an image of a fledgling (a new vampire or "baby vampire") who has yet to begun to realize the cons of being immortal. From The Vampire Armand I feel like I getting the views of a very old, wise, and mature, but lonely person. I can empathize with Armand's feelings when he describes when he loves and hates. I can vividly see when he lashes out, or tenderly gives affections to his many lovers over the decades. Although, living in a body of a young man, I can see the humor and insecurities when he laments about his boyish appearance.
I wouldn't recommend this book to every one. Only to those who do not abhor lengthy books, and implementations of gay relations. But to those who don't mind, I say "Read, read, read." You will not be disappointed if you're the type who like traditional vampires, and descriptive literature. I do suggest you do not read when you are exhausted. It's a wonderful read, but when tired it becomes the lullaby books you fell asleep to as a child.
"If I am an angel, paint me with black wings."
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
PBS Culture Shock
As an artist and a gamer, I have to say games can be a form of art. Art
generally is a silent story, and games are louder versions of it. When I
come across game in form of pictures, I see it as art because I know
someone had to design, color, and publish it. Which is what most artist
do with paintings. To say if I find some of the images offensive or not
really depends what the theme is in the picture itself. If robots fight
each other than I am not offended, or find it hard to vote it being on
their homepage because the picture is base on fantasy.
Most of the quote didn't deter me,
but when the question "What if you knew the Columbine killers loved
playing violent video games?" it left me to ponder. I know Columbine was
a big tragedy, and I feel for the loss of those kids. It makes me angry
to think the Columbine killers could possible went on a murder spree
because they were playing violent video games. Everyone one should know
the difference between reality and fantasy. Video games are for
entertainment and a stress outlet, not a guideline to massacre.
Obviously, it's illegal to hurt
people, and there is sometimes where all of us get angry and frustrated.
We turn to video games to release the tension we feel. We can put our
frustrations into these fantasy worlds.
Cartoon Analysis
I decided to choose the picture on page 53 of Rowdy yelling his disdain
for Junior. I choose it because I feel the picture is a form of
punishment on himself (Junior). He knew that Rowdy was going to be
greatly hurt that he was switching schools. He knew that he was Rowdy's
only friend, and Rowdy must have felt abandon, his only life line
keeping him from being alone was going away. So the only way he could
make amends was drawing a picture of his best friend loathing him.
Six Word Memoir
I want to ride an ostrich~.
One of the things on my bucket list is to ride an ostrich. I WILL DO IT. I MUST. It beckons me.
Sample Advertisements
The first ad I chose was Visa.
I chose this ad because I believe the hook is the midriff, and the
exposed tattoo. I don't think I would know what the ad was about if the
logo and the card wasn't present. I guess using Visa to get a tattoo is a
vice, hence the baby devil tattoo. This ad is definitely targeted for
the younger generation, since tattoos is one of the things people spend
their money on. I can see this ad being used is a magazine for people
who are into tattoos, but I can't see it in Good Housekeeping. If
the tattoo was in a different location it would still sell, but
probably wouldn't catch the attention like showing off a midriff would.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Success?
In a lot of ways money can equal success, but I believe that can be only the tip of the iceberg what success mean to others people. For me, success is accomplishing all my goals, it means I am doing what I love and earning a living off of it. What I want it to mean for me is being happy with my life and with myself. Parts of success is being able to live comfortably too. I don't need a lavish life, but I wouldn't mind not having to worry about bills and making rent.
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