Fantasy, whimsy, violence.

"Sheldon: As I will not be engaging in this nonsense, my choice of beverage is moot but for the record I only drink hot chocolate in months with an R in them.

Howard: Why?

Sheldon: What's life without whimsy?"

~Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper / Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz - The Big Bang Theory

As a young girl I was very into fairy tales... fantasy stories of any kind really which to me was what was found in all the books I read (I freely admit to being a bookworm). I could at any time escape from the ordinary, everyday life into adventure, suspense, action and later on romance, drama, philosophy - the things I've learnt from books are innumerable as are the hours I've spent reading them. As an adult I'm still very much a bookworm and still very into fantasy stories of any kind (I got myself late for work yesterday because I was rereading Nora Robert's Entranced).

A friend of mine took a photo recently of a giant chess set... it brought to mind thoughts of Alice in Through the Looking Glass rather than Ron and Harry in the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone. What is life but a game? What kind of game is life when the players don't play by the rules?  Who sets the rules? How do the players become aware of the rules? Sometimes I feel as though I'm going through my day and everything is so crystal clear that I can understand every little thing that makes up the mystery that is life. Other days there's the feeling of moving through... molasses? very sticky stuff... caught in slow motion and fog. 

There's been a lot of talk (news? discussions? information?) about violence in schools (and out). I wonder about the youth of today ... what do they think about? What do they fill their lives with? Who or what teaches them? I can't believe that their lives are filled with magic or whimsy if they're beating up each other... or engaging in decidedly non-childlike behaviour. I wonder about the parents of these children... the homes... the support systems - it takes a village to raise a child and I think in becoming more of a developed country we've lost that concept. 

I can be grateful that I had (still have) that support... not just from my parents but from the extended family (all the aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents that both mind my business and look out for me). I don't know how to go about promoting such a lifestyle... I've been in some of the secondary schools lately (work, work, work) and the attitudes/behaviour/thinking of these children are completely foreign to me. It's so very different from what I (and friends my age) grew up with. 

Where do we go from here? As a person, a community, a country, the world... It's going to be bad in the future if we do nothing now. What needs to be done? How can we improve?

There's always so many questions.

peace,

Ren

Edited to add:

Got home and found my mom reading this book which a friend of hers brought for her today:

  

Obviously, I must read it when she's done.

Also, if I ever have space for a garden... I'd like a giant chess set... and a labyrinth as well. :)

A fantasy land story ...

"Imagination is the true magic carpet." ~Norman Vincent Peale 

 

Inspired by this statement from a guy friend: "in fantasy land, where corporations were evil and work was punishment, of course I'd be delighted to bring you a joy filled cupcake on my loyal steed"

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Once upon a time in a land not-so-far away, a maiden was doomed to slave for an evil corporation. Each day she arose hoping that it would be the last, but such was her fate that until the time that she (or some other close member of her family) won the lotto she must continue to toil. Weekends offered a brief respite from her punishment though this often led to a dismal Monday morning as the truth of her situation settled in on the maiden.

One day, the maiden learnt of a new and magical place… over the highway yonder… which sold joy-filled cupcakes. These cupcakes were said to boost one’s happiness through its magical chocolate ganache, to increase one’s positivity through its heavenly butter-cream and to raise one’s spirits with its divine deliciousness.

The maiden plotted with her friend to escape the clutches of the evil corporation … just long enough to obtain a cupcake. Alas, it was not to be… at the very moment of escape, the maiden was called upon to use her powers of editing and writing to create documents that would further the work of the evil corporation. The maiden's friend was also thwarted in her attempt as her steed was corralled by minions of the evil corporation. In desolation, the maiden retreated to her cubicle… chained to her desk by the powers of darkness. All hope was not lost however, as the maiden was able to send out a single call for help through the ether.

A wizard, feeling the vibrations in the ether, took note of the call and determined to assist the maiden (and her friend) by journeying forth on his loyal steed, Hoss, to obtain the magical cupcakes. He battled through the fearsome maze known as Cross-crossing and then ventured forth through hordes of crazy Trini drivers. Finally, under the heat of the noon-time sun, he arrived at the magical place. Quickly, he exchanged a few pieces of silver for a box of joy-filled cupcakes and then took the most direct path to the evil corporation.

The wizard soon learnt that it would not be easy to get to the maiden. Calling upon his own powers of charm, he outwitted the Golem at the Gate and made it through to the maiden upon whom he bestowed the box of joy-filled cupcakes...

No more was the Monday miserable... the cupcakes immediately lifted the spirits of those that consumed them... and further, brought thoughts of freedom and escape to that magical place. 

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Of course, none of this took place. I had to work all day. No-one was able to bring me cupcakes though I did get after work with my mom and brother. There's a new cupcake place (open as of last Wednesday) in Price Plaza, Chaguanas... known as the ButterCream Cupcake Bistro Ltd. Very posh... very pretty... very yum... 

Happy Monday all!

peace,

Ren