Oh The Places I've Never Been To: Volume 1

One of my adventure-fantatasies that I've been holding on to for a long time is going on a desert road trip.

And I don't just mean a trip to Las Vegas, I mean all those little signs you see along the freeway between Victorville and Las Vegas along the 5 fwy, or along that other  one (the 40??) that goes out to Arizona. The Colorado River is out there, London Bridge is out there, there's even a stupid swimming pool that people are supposed to go on a scavenger hunt for.

(There's so much cool stuff in the mojave desert that I haven't seen just cuz its hot out there, if the car breaks down I will surely die...and I'm terrified to drive on the freeway.)

Some years ago I discovered that there's a beautiful rock/dune formation that's like, maybe ten miles from where I live (if that). People go there from all over the continent to ATV and camp. I've even met people at hospital clinical sites in the inland empire who're all like, "Wow, you're from lucerne valley!" (You don't get that enthusiasm from the residents of other high desert communities as much).

I want to be like those people. I want to see the beauty in the desert and not just look with distain at that empty nothingness between where-I-live and where-I-want-to go.

Today I was shopping the market, and I found this set of books by an indie explorer-author, Bill "Shortfuse" Mann (which totally sounds like a gnome W.o.W name). I talks about places to go in the desert and it has a lot of pictures, which is awesome).

I found out the spring that I drive by on my way to work;  indians used to live there and a justice of the peace guy. And the tree that grows right next to it is called "the hangmans tree".  There's also a ton of places that I've not been to. 

When I checked out through the express lane and the clerk and I got into a conversation about the book and he says something like, "did you hear the dinosaur house got trashed...again?"

I was taken off guard and almost said, "Eeyye did not know that there was such a place as the dinosaur house."

But irl I just said, "No!! Really?"

And he said, "Yeah, the boy scouts renovated it the first time, but its a mess."
Then he showed me page 53, one of the homestead houses his grandpa used to make for people. 

Pretty darn cool!

I wanna go to all of these places, and greatfully this is something I can do. And when I'm done, there are five other volumes of Mr Mann's desert adventures to go through.

Hello,  world here I come ;)

I think a full on desert road trip is still beyond me, but that doesn't mean I can't explore these places.

I basically live in operations central. If I get stuck, I can probably walk home.

Drugs That Effect the Cardiovascular System Part 1 (Simplified as much as is humanly possible)

This post is another that's mostly for personal reference (and amusement). I've tried to put silly pictures so it's "fun" AND "educational". Notes are compiled from Roache's Introductory Clinical Pharmocolgy, supplemented with my own nursing knowledge (and wikipedia). 

If you notice any errors, please bring them to my attention.

Anti-Hypertensive Drugs-
(These are drugs that make your blood pressure decrease)

Video On Antihypertensive Therapy-More Detailed Explanation

• Diuretics:

• Hydrocholothiazide (Lasix), Bumetanide (Bumex), Mannitol (Osmitrol), Spironolactone, Acetazolamide (Diamox)

• Lower the volume of blood circulating in the blood vessels (by making you pee out water and electrolytes).

• Beta-Adrenergic Blockers:

• Atenolol (Tenormin), Metoprolol (Lopressor), Acebutolol (Sectral) and Propranolol (Inderal) 

• Block epinephrine receptor sites (decreasing stimulation of sympathetic "fight-or-flight" nervous system). It makes your heart slow down and your arteries dilate (which is weird, because beta receptor activation makes your arteries dilate anyways) it's kind of like telling the cells in your heart, kidney etc. to chill-out. 

• Calcium Channel Blocker
• 
  Verapamil (Calan), Nifedipine (Aladat, Procardia),  Nifedipine (Aladat, Procardia), Amlodipine (Norvasc), Diltazem (Cardizem)

• Blocks calcium from causing contraction/constriction of smooth muscle (so our arteries don't constrict)
• ACE Inhibitors:
• Benazepril (Lotensin), Captopril (Capoten), Enalapril (Vasotec), Lisinopril (Zestril), Quinapril (Accupril), Ramipril (Altace).

• Prevent/inhibit the activity of an enzyme that is involved in the synthesis of a potent hormonal constrictor.

• Angiotensen II Receptor Antagonists
  •  (ARBs) Losartan (Cozzar), Valsartan (Diovan)

• Block the potent hormonal vasoconstrictor from it's receptor site

• Human B type Natiuretic Peptides (B-N-P...just like the lab!) :
• Hormone (made in the heart) that dilates veins and arteries (We can make it synthetically as a drug too?)

I don't have a picture of this one so here is a cat:

• Alpha Adrenergic Antagonist 

• Clonidine (Catapres), Methyldopa, Guanfacine
• Blocks receptor norepinephrine (blocking the "fight-or-flight" response that causes vasoconstriction)

(For more info on the difference between alpha and beta receptors: Click Here)

• Direct Acting Periperal Vasodilators
• Hydralazine (Apresoline), Nitroprusside (Nitropress), Minoxdil (Loniten)
• Activates Potassium Channels in the peripheral vessels, preventing calcium from making the vessel contract.

Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs-

There are several different subtypes of drug this classification, and each of them has a different mechanism of action, but but all of them suppress irregular heart rhythms. In general they slow conduction and keep the electrochemical status of the cellular membrane so that it is only stimulated by the dominant pacemaker (and not irritable foci)

(Watch these videos to learn about voltage gated channels)

Class I: The Sodium Channel Blockers (I like to think of them as Membrane Stabilizers)

• Class IA Drugs
• Drug examples: Disopyramide (Norpace), Procainamide (Procanbid), Quinidine (Quinaglute)

• Class IB Drugs
• Lidocaine (Xylocain)

• Class IC Drugs
• Flecainide (Tambocor) and Propafenone (Rythmol)

Class II: Beta Adrenergic Blockers

• Acebutolol (Sectral) and Propranolol (Inderal)

• (Beta Blockers are anti-hypertensive and anti-arrhythmia :P). As I discussed above, these drugs block receptors for catacholamines like epinephrine and norepinephrine, decreasing sympathetic stimulation. They also promote the release of another hormone in the kidneys: renin (which lowers heart rate and blood pressure, also has a membrane stabilizing effect), blocks calcium channels, and also blocks catecholamine caused dysrhythmias. 

• Class III: Potassium Channel Blockers

                                                       

• Amiodarone (Cordarone), ibutilide (Covert). 
• Interfere with potassium conduction at a specific phase in the action potential cycle (see video)

• Class IV: Calcium Channel Blockers

• Diltazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), Nifedipine (Aladat, Procardia), Verapamil (Calan)
• Interfere with calcium conduction at a specific phase in the action potential (see video)

Cardiotonic Drugs-

Just like healthy skeletal muscles, healthy heart muscle has a certain degree of firmness-even when it is relaxing. 

Toned muscles are stronger, they contract more effectively, and they are less likely to experience fatigue when put under the stress of physical activity.

Toned Cardiotonic drugs help flabby heart muscle get toned.

Improving cardiac output, and making it more effective as an organ.

The Cardiotonic Drug Digoxin does this by slowing the heart down.

(Negative Chronotropic Activity)

and slowing the heart's electrical conduction through AV node

(Positive Intropic Activity)

(You'd think it would be the other way around, that more electrical activity would mean a more toned heart, but that's not the case, especially when the electrical activity is not as organized. (A. Fib) An organized rhythm with enough force of contraction to deliver optimal cardiac output is more important then a fast heart rate. Coincidentally, endurance athletes have a lower heart rate for the very same reason: their hearts are toned enough to deliver an adequate cardiac output with fewer heartbeats).

If you are giving a Cardiotonic it's important to remember to check the patient's heart rate before administering and to not give the drug if the patient's heart rate is already bradycardic.

Just for fun, did you know where digoxin comes from?

It's a (poisonous) flower!!!

You know what it does? It makes your heart beat slower (gasp!)

And it is POTENT! The concentration of most other drugs is measured in milligrams, the concentration of digoxin is measured in micrograms.

If the patient has only just started taking the drug, or if s/he has kidney problems, it's important to monitor for digoxin toxicity:

On the EKG:

In Labs:

(Elevated serum digoxin levels)

And other symptoms like bradicardia, drowsy, nausea, vomiting...

If the patient has a massive digoxin toxicity s/he will need the digoxin antidote-

Digoxin immune fab (AKA Digibind).

Here's a website I thought was cool: http://abcmaps.tumblr.com/page/2

Sunday School Dialogue

Volunteer Reader: Moses 1: 12 And it came to pass that when Moses had said these words, behold, Satan came tempting him, saying: Moses, son of man, worship me.

Teacher: "OK..."

Teacher:"so..."

Teacher: "What did Satan want Moses to do?"

M: Moderation

In Biology 101 my teacher explained the metabolic principles involved in the Atkins diet, which was becoming popular at the time. She explained the diet involved in cutting carbohydrate intake, which affected how the body metabolizes calories and uses energy. She explained that the Atkins diet was effective in weight loss, however, it was ultimately bad for your health in the long term.

"Don't do the Atkins, it's not a good idea. I believe in all things in moderation." She concluded.

The sentiment surprised me, because the teacher was obese.

(If this observation offends you...you have every right to be offended. It was the observation of a 15 year old kid trying to make sense of the world around her. I apologize for my thoughts...which I have never before voiced...and ask that you hear me out as I try to explain something that's on my mind.)

It was evident to me that this teacher didn't really know what moderation was. Or, if she did, she ignored the principles of it...which is basically the same as ignorance. I thought,  "Well, obesity isn't good for your health, either."

So which was worse?

1) Excluding a whole food group to get your weight within a healthy range, or
2) eating in excess in the name of "Moderation"?

(Yes, I do realize that some people have metabolic, psychiatric, or other health-related disorders that contribute to an increased body weight and that it is unfair to assume that they are all "eating in excess". I believe those individuals should seek medical attention and that the rest of us should pay VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SAY...)

Lately, I've been thinking of another question:

WHY are those the ONLY two options?????

I think the reason is because they're the only two options people feel comfortable with. We are perfectly capable of cutting things out of our lives completely, just as we are capable of over-indulging ourselves in something that we find desirable. But there is no middle road. We have no concept of what healthy (moderate) behavior actually is.

So, here is a little run down on the term.

The word "Moderation" is an action word, it refers to a process of lessening extremes.

To act within a realm of behavior that is "Moderate" we must be able to define what "excess" is and what "deficit" is.

 Dictionary.com defines moderation as-"keeping within reasonable or proper limits; not extreme, excessive, or intense"


Wikinary defines it as-"the process of eliminating or lessening extremes"


But my personal favorite definition for this word comes from Urban Dictionary- Moderation: A virtue that permits all vices

Some examples of what moderation is NOT:

• An excuse to have another cookie/slice of bacon/soda because you had an apple this morning.

• Sampling a wider array of unhealthy things at the buffet. 

• Moderation is not a justification for stupid behavior because, "Oh, I haven't tried cannabis before."

• Dismissing or cutting people out of a group conversation because they aren't interesting enough. (Or alternatively, keeping your mouth shut when you have something to say because "no one will listen to me anyways".)

It really bugs me how people use this word as an excuse to do stupid things just because they aren't able to control their own appetites for a particular behavior such as eating, gaming, communication, or drug/alcohol consumption.

I watched this video thinking the point was going to be that one type of excess is "better" then the other, but they make a good point towards the end of the video. 

A principle that is important in the practice of moderation is restraint, which is something that I believe Western Civilization (and humanity in general) knows very little about. Moderation means making little choices that seem inconsequential but ultimately have a huge impact our health/well-being, relationships, and even our personality. 

Another principle is awareness. In interpersonal discussion, I've noticed that many people really do have a knowledge deficit regarding healthy behavior, resulting partially from culture they grew up in. 

I've heard people say "It's their choice how they want to live their own lives" but I don't think it is really "their choice" if they don't know any better. 

Here's to knowing better, here's to doing better, here's to being better.

Drifting

 

Four years ago, I got introduced to a science fiction book series about people in big suits fighting aliens.

(I even made a blog post about it)

It is not the sort of book series I'd expect to find myself interested in.

It's dark, chock full of it's own mythology and vocabulary (which it doesn't bother to define or explain right away). And the narrative is way intense; even leafing though the first few pages in the bookstore was intimidating as I tried orient myself to the story. However, I found it really rewarding to pick up on themes throughout the series.

After a while, I started to realize, "Wow, these books seem like they're all about fighting aliens, but really, they're are basically about brotherly-relationships."

(And that, dear friends, is how a fangirl is born)

Last month, I wanted to see  a movie because it visually it reminded me of the Warhammer 41K prequel series.

(because, ya know? People in HUGE robotic suits fighting aliens...kinda similar)

I was surprised to find that my reaction after seeing the show was pretty much the same as when I was reading the Horus Heresy series.

"Oh, my gosh! This whole show is all about relationships and getting along with people who are different from you." 

(Note: I realize not everyone cares about these themes in movies or books. Those people who went in to see an action flick (like me) but came out without an appreciation for how this story portrays relationships (not like me), might want to stop here before I fangirl your eyes off.

(Ahem)

Surprisingly, in science-fiction, relationships can actually have have a purpose other then for creating drama.

(^I am looking at this guy) 

Unlike Star Trek (or even Horus Heresy), relationships in this story are not the source of the problem; they are the solution to the problem(s). Emotional ties a are the basis for humanity's survival both on a global scale and an interpersonal scale.

In the story, the only way humans are able to control the Jaegers (giant robots) is to create a neural circuit between the two individuals. This creates a collective consciousness called, "the Drift" That allows them to control the Jaeger.

In the book version, Raleigh (the main character) likens the Drift connection to two people listening to, and enjoying, the same song.

NOT to sex. 

In today's world, sex is primarily associated with the fulfillment and gratification of self, drifting is about a connection between people...whither romantic or platonic in nature.

Drift partners:

• Jaeger Co-pilot teams

Herc and Chuck Hansen (Parent and Child)

I found it interesting how this duo shows affection for each other though caring for their dog, Max, rather then saying "I love you dad/son." Which would sound pretty weird coming from two, tough Australians.

Raleigh and Yancy (Siblings) 

This relationship explores grief at the loss of a family member. When you loose a loved one, you loose a part of yourself.

Raleigh and Mako (Friendship)

Mako and Raleigh hit it off almost instantly. They share the same interests, they have similar life experiences, they communicate in the same ways and they support each other unconditionally. 

Sasha and Alexsis Kaidonovsky 

Married couple, the ONLY romantic relationship in the film. They are flirtatious and work as a team.

Cheung, Hu and Jin Wei Tang

A reminder that relationships are not always healthy, the triplets suffer from Drift-hangover. They finish each other's sentences and play basketball in synchrony. 

While this seems pretty cool (at least to me it does), it makes it difficult for anyone else to interact with them and they beginning to loose their individuality.

• The science team: Hermann and Newt (I'm sorry this next entry is pretty long, I just found it more interesting because these "Drift partners" don't get along at first, and I think that's how it is in life sometimes. We don't have that instant connection, but we can form it over time.)

These two don't pilot a Jaeger, but they do use the drift to mind-meld with a Kaiju (The aliens who want to kill us all) in order to send a bomb to the Kaiju homeworld

(They're basically the heroes of the story, come to think of it.)

At the start of the story, these two character's are archetypal nerds, which kind of annoyed me.

They're antagonistic, selfish, and egotistical (Which is probably why it intrigued me so much; forming a friendship is sometimes difficult merely because of the barriers we create for ourselves.)

Of the duo, Hermann is the more reclusive. He has difficulty relating to people in general and is more comfortable solving logical problems then emotional ones. Even though he has a lot of family-drama going on during the impending apocalypse, he never confides his concerns with anyone. (He does, however, file several complaints about his co-workers disruptive work habits).

Once he enters the drift, however, his mind is open and his whole character arc gets dangerously close to being emo

"numbers are the language of the universe and they will hide me

I can hide behind them because they are never angry they are never wrong

they choose no sides and expect nothing

they are are purely themselves and will never betray me."

At the start of the story, Hermann is on track to becoming an emotionally distant, authoritative father and husband...Repeating a pattern created by his own parents.

Then he volunteers to co-drift with the Kaiju with Newt, breaking his character mold of detachment and intellectualization, becomes a hero (and also, a better person).

Newt is the POV character.

In the book version, his narrative is written in a rapid, hectic style and it's hinted that he might suffer from a mental disorder. He's impulsive, not a very well grounded individual. The only reason he is able to put his intellect into practical use is because of the positive influence of a family member.

While he openly disrespects Hermann, Newton acknowledges that Hermann is the one person who gives him focus in life and directs his drives in a productive direction.

It struck me that he wouldn't be the easiest person to be friends with, but that he's probably the one who needs it most. 

Death Note: In Review

I was introduced to this series though a podcast I listen to called, “The Narrative Breakdown”. 

“Death Note” was used as an example of how authors can use certain storytelling elements to make a story more interesting.  It sounded intriguing, and after reviewing some christian reviews on content (here) , I decided to give it a try.

I was surprised at the reaction I got from some people when I mentioned I was interested in watching an anime series. One of my sisters said, “Well, just make sure you don't let people know you watched the english-dubed version”.  Apparently “true anime” lovers are opposed to that.

Well, I tested it out on some anime/manga fans, and it's...accurate...unfortunately.

Also, "Avatar: the Last Airbender" is not a true anime series (...apparently), so this is my first excursion into the cartoon-style. 

Anyway, here is my review:

“Death Note” is an animated Supernatural Crime/Thriller series about the rise of a ethically motivated serial killer (called Kira) out to eradicate all evil-doers, and the detective(s) out to stop him.

A lot of the intrigue in this story centers around the two main lead character's trying to outsmart each other. Their intellectual battle brings a lot of tension to the story, even in the scenes with people just standing around asking each other questions

(...and their lips barely moving...because its anime)

there's so much happening under the surface, you—the viewer—really feel like you are watching a fight scene. It's really fascinating to watch. The fact that they are able to do this without it becoming too repetitive or boring is a monumental achievement.

Kudos!+2

Another novelty of this series is its seamless incorporation of fantastical, supernatural elements into a seemingly organic reality. Unlike Harry Potter going to Hogwarts, where you feel you've escaped the real world, you--the viewer--can become convinced that the god's of death (AKA Shinigami) are part of the world...You know, somewhere in Japan, but still...

                                                             (No one will notice...)

The story plays out as you might expect from a crime-thriller, so it still feels rooted in reality. However, later in the series, this becomes a bit compromised as Shinigami take a more active role in the story and do things that it wouldn't actually make sense for them to do. Kudos +1

About three/fourths into the series, the story-line takes a turn from which it never fully recovers. The ending is still fitting, but the means to the end is a bit disappointing.

Kind of changes the moral of the story to "Greed Will Win When Good Won't."  

I am convinced that the storytellers could have avoided this by putting a little more thought into introducing and developing the background characters more effectively. 

 It's like having the last 1/3^rd of your chocolate shake replaced with strawberry.

                                            (Which. Is. UNFORGIVABLE!!!)

(Fortunately, there is a live action version with a better ending! Yay for alternate cannon!!)

Although there is significantly less violence compared to many American crime series (I'm thinking of Criminal Minds), the level of intrigue will likely to make the show an unenjoyable watch for kids. Also, because of the dark ethics, (and because of this) it will probably not be a good thing for an immature teenager to watch.

Do not let your kid's watch this show if you wouldn't let them watch Criminal Minds.

However, if you want something to stave off the boredom, and make you think, this series is excellent.

I would like to thank my incredibly mature 16 year old sister for watching with me!!

Short Stories

I haven't had time to read a novel in a while. So I've been reading a collection of short stories and speeches from books I find randomly.

There are some benefits to reading short stories instead of full length novels. Some of them are just as enticing as a full length novel (...a few of them are more so!), and they don't occupy a lot of your time. Even if they do suck (Which happens...too frequently.) at least you didn't waste a whole lot of time on them.

I've complied a list of five of my favorite short stories below.

1) Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe

(No good pictures of this one, Sorry.)

One-Liner Version of The Story: It's about a guy gets invited to his friend's house, and it's scary.

My Take On The Story: Obviously there's a lot more to the story then the one-liner would suggest. Roderick Usher is sick and scared and doesn't want to be alone so calls for his only best friend to come and stay with him. Touched by Roderick's plea, (...or suckered) The Nameless Narrator goes to Roderick's creepy house for an extended stay.

Most reviews I've read about it center around how Mr. Poe used words to create this really, really creepy place (The House). One reviewer commented that the character's should be considered the objects in the story while The House is the real character. 

I disagree.

While that atmosphere was a really cool aspect of the story, I think the coolest part of it is how Roderick and Madeline develop throughout the story. They kind of unravel like a mystery (A mystery that is never fully solved, sadly.).

At the start of the story, the Narrator (and by extension, the reader) doesn't even know Madeline exists.

Roderick's BFF (AKA The Narrator): "Uh, there's this really creepy lady walking over there!"

Roderick: "Oh, yeah. That's my sister."

Roderick's BFF: "You never told me you had a sister!" 

Roderick: "You can't talk to her, she's sick."

Roderick's BFF: "OK."

[Later]

Roderick: "My sister died, we need to take her body to the crypt RIGHT next to my house." 

Roderick's BFF: "OK."

(Later, as Roderick and his BFF pay their respects)

Roderick's BFF: "I'm so sorry about your sister. I never got to talk to her but she looks like she was a...uh....Wowsa! She was a babe! She looks JUST like YOU...I mean...you only a Hot Chick and all."

Roderick: "Yes, we were very much alike.  It's so sad to lose my twin."

Roderick's BFF: "WHAT?? You didn't tell me she was your twin! We grew up together all our school years and your TWIN SISTER never came up." 

Roderick: "Hmmm...his crypt is really creeping me out, how bout we go upstairs and read ghost stories."

Roderick's BFF: "Seems legit."

Because we get a bunch of little hints that there is more going on then what Roderick is telling you, we get to draw our own conclusions about why *SPOILER ALERT* Madeline was buried alive and returned from the grave to take revenge on her murderous brother.*End spoiler*

So here are my conclusions: The Narrator is a dolt and Roderick is lying. The House is not haunted and it is not what's making the Ushers sick. Madeline, Roderick, and their ancestors poisoned the house, made it a horrible palace to be...made it cursed and haunted.  

2) The Smith of Wootton Major by JRR Tolkien

(Picture source: http://browse.deviantart.com/art/The-Great-Cake-366624196)

(Yes, THAT JRR Tolkien. No, there are no Hobbits.)

One-Liner Version: Cake can change your life, ;) fairy-tales are sacred. 

My Take On The Story: 

I think it's pretty masterful how Tolkien crafted this story. 

Tolkien is throwing you (the reader) into a plot, and then gives you the background info as the story progresses. (Kind of like The Fall of the House of Usher, only cooler because we don't get killed at the end.) We (The reader) don't understand the Baker, or his Apprentice at the start. And even though Baker disappears shortly afterward, we continue to learn about him and the kind of life he must have led throughout the story.

The overall message is that there is more to the world then what we see. That ordinary people can be inspired from the realm beyond. And that it is important to recognize the source of inspiration and not mock it.

My favorite character was Prentice. I liked the little hints about his character all throughout the story. He's a teenager at the start, he get's all offended and angsty about the fairy-figurine because *SPOILER ALERT*he feels like his wife is being mocked.*END SPOILER.*

My Conclusion/Recommendation: 

If you're interested in finding out more about Professor Tolkien and how he saw the world, read this short story. It starts out feeling like a fairy-tale, but it's really a story about how important fairy-tales are in developing us as people. Smith recognizes how the gift of the fay-star has blessed him and his family, and *SPOILER ALERT*returns the favor by passing it along to another little kid. *End Spoiler*

On a side note, *SPOILER ALERT* Tolkien doesn't tell us the circumstances of Alf's banishment to Wootton, we don't know if it was by choice or because he needed to learn a lesson. However, because his first reaction to being re-instated as King of Fay was to say "Boy-ah!" to the guy who bullied him his whole life, I think it was probably a bit of both. Perhaps Prentice and the Queen of Fay were in a bad way, and he left to sort things out. *SPOILER ALERT*

3) Snow White and Rose Red

(WHY HAS NO ONE MADE A FILM OF THIS YET????????????????? It should totally look like this:

)

I keep reading in other people's reviews of this story (how else am I supposed to talk to people about these stories, no one I know has read them!) that say this is the most random fairy-tale ever. 

UM. HAVE YOU READ The ORIGINAL GOLDEN GOOSE STORY? Because this seems WAY less random to me. And it has a cool point.

One-Liner Version: (For me) Two sisters try to help people and it doesn't always work out, but helping others is always the right thing to do.

My Take On The Story: 

These two deserve to be Disney princesses! 

"They often ran about the forest alone and gathered red berries, and no beasts did them any harm, but came close to them trustfully."

(Does this not sound familiar?)

Here's another interesting note about the nature of the two should-be-disney-princesses: 

"Snow-white was more quiet and gentle than Rose-red. Rose-red liked better to run about in the meadows and fields seeking flowers and catching butterflies; but Snow-white sat at home with her mother, and helped her with her house-work, or read to her when there was nothing to do."

So, we have two princesses...two different types of women, who love and value each other. DISNEY ARE YOU LISTENING????

ANYWAY

....Two sisters repeatedly try to help an ungrateful, greedy Lizard Person...sorry...I mean dwarf and his adversary, a Gentlemanly-Bear (who actually turns out to be a prince...oh, and he has a brother too!) 

*ahem* 

Eventually it is revealed that the Dwarf is a sorcerer who has trapped a prince in bear-from, Snow White and Rose Red free the prince who is then re-united with his brother (Who is also a prince). Then Snow White and Rose Red each marry one of the princes. 

My Conclusion: 

OK so maybe it is a little random, it's a tale I think a lot of people who like sarcastic psudo-fairytales could actually appreciate this real one.

I mean, come on!  It's about two sisters making their way in the world and still trying to be good people.  Just make it a Disney movie already!

4) The Loathly Lady (Geoffrey Chaucer's The Wife of Bath's Tale)

This is my favorite of Chaucer's Tales!

One-Liner Version: A determined woman can have it all. 

My Take On The Story: (Note: There area a bunch of different versions so this little review will probably be a composite of what I can remember about them.)  In this story, King Arthur needs a woman's insight in order to defeat an evil-Knight. A very smart, but extremely ugly woman agrees to help but only if she can marry one of the knights of the Round Table. After some hesitation, he agrees and is triumphant over the evil-knight. The ugly woman returns to the court and is honored by the king, queen and the knights. They come to know her as a wise, intelligent, cunning and charismatic woman. One of the knights feels duty bound and agrees to marry her. 

After their wedding, right before they are about to go to bed together, the knight starts crying (That's just sad right there.) The ugly woman explains that she doesn't want to be ugly...she is cursed, she can be beautiful, or she can be an intelligent and wise.

She gives him the choice. "Which would you want me to be?" 

The Husband-knight thinks about it for some time, but can't decide what he wants. Ultimately, he defers to her judgement.

"I think you should choose." He says.

What does she choose????

(DRUMROLL!!!)

...........................................................................................................................................

(She chooses both, silly!)

She chooses the to be both beautiful and intelligent (...because that somehow is allowed by the curse...but only if he defers to her. Go figure.)

They live happily ever after...

My conclusion:

I think that Knight really, really wanted like...a normal looking wife. I mean, maybe he got to know her her personality and charisma a little bit before they got married but that's not what induces a guy to marriage (it may be what keeps a guy in marriage though). By giving him the choice, the ugly wife made him recognize that his judgement was not infallible. If he tried to control her for either end, he would regret it later.

(This next part is purely my opinion)>>>I don't care what the "Ugly Woman" professes in the story, she "cursed" herself. If you want a man to love you for your intellect, you have to prove to him how smart you are. She definitely proved that. Kudos, My Loathly Lady!

5) A Scandal in Bohemia by Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle

(http://humon.deviantart.com/art/Irene-Adler-and-Godfrey-Norton-291687052)

One-Liner Version: Irene gets what she wants.

My Take On The Story: Unfortunately, no film adaption I've seen quite captures the remarkable Irene Adler as well as the original short story. They focus on the fact that Sherlock becomes enamored with her (kind of) and invent a love story for the two.

Irene is not a villainess. She's been an "Adventuress", living life for the kicks (sing at the opera, travel the world, hang out as consort to a powerful political figure.) And now, she's finally met the right man and she's ready to settle down. 

Blackmail is just the practical thing to do...

She doesn't got head-to-head with Sherlock in this story...she doesn't need to. She's too busy getting ready to be married! 

My conclusion: Sherlock might have come to idealize her, but the feeling was not reciprocated.  She "Found a better man than him." in her husband Godfrey. 

Here are a few more good short stories that I like (But don't worry, I won't talk about them), here they are:

• Some Words With A Mummy by Edgar Allan Poe.

• I Am A Zombie Filled With Love by Isaac Marion.

• I Sing the Body Electric by Ray Bradbury (actually this is a collection of short stories, my favorite is the one where the woman gives birth to the baby who looks like a blue pyramid...I'm serious! It was really good!)

Enjoy!

What's Doctor Who?

It all started a little under two years ago now. When I re-started a Tumblr account and frequenting Pinterest....Then some people I've met in real life start whispering, "Doctor Who."

Me being the inquisitive person I am...

Made the dreaded mistake...

I asked the question...

THE QUESTION THAT MUST NEVER BE ANSWERED!!!! OR SILENCE WILL FALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!

Me: "What's Doctor Who?" 

Response from internet people: "OOOOOHHHHH GUUUURRRLLL U DONt kNOOWWW??" 

Me: "Well, yeah. I don't know. What is it?" 

Internet People: GUURRRRLLL!!!!!

Me: 

                                                     I shouldn't be here :(

^ This response was only slightly better then the response from humans in the wild. (Which is usually a blank stare, or they look away dismissively. Presumably because I don't worship at the Altar of the Fandom-God)

                                     You thought I was kidding, didn't you? Ha! I wish.

Now that I've watched most of the new series, I'd like to get the truth out there so curious people like me can get some straight answers without getting shunned by friends (or attacked by the fandom-mob).

• Doctor Who is a television program. It fits firmly into the Science-Fiction/Drama category. 
• It's made by British people and most of the actors are British  (its' actually a laugh to see how they think of other countries, particularly America, in some of the episodes)
• It's a fun show. Along the lines of the old-school Star Trek and Twilight Zone. If you've watched LOST (I have) you won't have any problem understanding the time-travel aspect of the show.  Lots of adventure, mystery, intrigue. Some humor and silliness. 
•  It's a fairly clean program. (Especially when compared to American programming counterparts) More on this below.
•  It has its thought provoking moments. Like "Star Trek", "Twilight Zone" and "LOST" there is frequently and emotional solution to a complex scientific problem. Self-sacrifice is praised and hope a midst adversity is a big theme. 

A few other things you should know:

1) If you watch the show, and find it's not your style that's OK.

2) If you watch the show and don't like it when the writer/director/actors change, you don't have to continue watching the show. And you certainly don't have to go on Tumblr and complain about it how "horrible" it's gotten when it's really just a matter of your opinion. (Though I certainly won't stop you, I just feel it's a waste of your time.)

3) Doctor Who is a mostly family friendly program. But that doesn't stop mild swear words and violence from occurring. Also issues relating to various types of sexuality are frequently explored.

I'd recommend pre-viewing it before allowing children to watch. Even though there isn't a lot of explicit stuff, some of it is intense. If you wouldn't let your kid watch Twilight Zone, I wouldn't recommend letting them watch Doctor Who.