Kate.

I Am A Wizard.

2009-03-17T17:46:00.000-07:00

So. While I've been extremely busy and productive at work recently, some of the things that take up my time are essentially busy work that doesn't require my full focus which is why I generally have something more stimulating going on in the background. Yes, I'm a victim of the times. Anyway, yesterday I got onto Hulu (love, love, love!) and browsed through their films only to come across "We are Wizards," a documentary more or less about Harry Potter fandom. Bands Harry and the Potters, Draco and the Malfoys make regular appearances throughout this film as well as the Hungarian Horntails which is fronted by a seven-year-old boy.

What insights did this film give me other than the view into the mystic, fantasy, underworld playground that is Harry Potter "fandom?" It encouraged me to follow my dreams and to delve into my creative self, whatever obstacles may arise. And more importantly, it made me want to be a parent. And an awesome parent, like the ones shown here who give their children every possible outlet to create and to explore - never turning down their dreams and aspirations, while at the same time teaching them to love their brother.

So yeah, this documentary not only gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling (like all things Harry Potter), but it inspired me to encourage creativity and admire beauty of creation itself. Check it out.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/62149/we-are-wizards

Pick up a newspaper.

2009-03-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

I spend about 3-5 hours each day just sifting through the news for my job... perhaps that's why this excerpt hit home.

"Yes, logical exercises. Why, to maintain this theory of the regeneration of mankind by means of the pursuit of his own advantage is to my mind almost the same thing ... as to affirm, for instance, following Buckle, that through civilisation mankind becomes softer, and consequently less bloodthirsty and less fitted for warfare. Logically it does seem to follow from his arguments. But man has such a predilection for systems and abstract deductions that he is ready to distort the truth intentionally, he is ready to deny the evidence of his senses only to justify his logic. I take this example because it is the most glaring instance of it. Only look about you: blood is being spilt in streams, and in the merriest way, as though it were champagne. Take the whole of the nineteenth century in which Buckle lived. Take Napoleon--the Great and also the present one. Take North America--the eternal union. Take the farce of Schleswig-Holstein.... And what is it that civilisation softens in us? The only gain of civilisation for mankind is the greater capacity for variety of sensations--and absolutely nothing more. And through the development of this many-sidedness man may come to finding enjoyment in bloodshed. In fact, this has already happened to him. Have you noticed that it is the most civilised gentlemen who have been the subtlest slaughterers, to whom the Attilas and Stenka Razins could not hold a candle, and if they are not so conspicuous as the Attilas and Stenka Razins it is simply because they are so often met with, are so ordinary and have become so familiar to us. In any case civilisation has made mankind if not more bloodthirsty, at least more vilely, more loathsomely bloodthirsty. In old days he saw justice in bloodshed and with his conscience at peace exterminated those he thought proper. Now we do think bloodshed abominable and yet we engage in this abomination, and with more energy than ever. Which is worse? Decide that for yourselves."

- Notes From the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Heavenly Father loves me.

2009-03-09T18:09:00.000-07:00

My Heavenly Father loves me and leads me by the hand and that is why I'm so happy! :D .....

A poor - torn heart - a tattered heart -

by Emily Dickinson

A poor - torn heart - a tattered heart

That sat it down to rest -

Nor noticed that the Ebbing Day

Flowed silver to the West -

Nor noticed Night did soft descend -

Not Constellation burn -

Intent upon the vision

of latitudes unknown.

The angels - happening that way

This dusty heart espied -

Tenderly took it up from toil

And carried it to God -

There - sandals for the Barefoot -

There - gathered from the gales -

Do the blue havens by the hand

Lead the wandering Sails.