Star Wars Day

04 May 2014 Leave a comment

by Amy in Rambles Tags: , , ,

Star WarsToday is once again International Star Wars Day. Last year I made a wonderful post about it and my thoughts on the movies, but it was coupled by the fact I was having seriously annoying issues with the last host of this blog, Blog.com, and so there was a slight air of tension about the day and in the post.

The revival of the series, Star Wars VII, is coming along nicely, the first group of actors that will star in it have been announced, the old favourites of Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, and Harrison Ford all playing (presumably) their original parts. There was some immediate controversy however about the fact only one additional woman has been added to the story, something which prompted theories of it being another annoying love triangle plot with the new generation. But there are also theories there are further cast announcements to be made and with no filming having started or clear indication of plot, speculating isn’t doing anyone any good.

I think I am looking forward to the movie if not just to see what they’re going to do with this big time difference. Having rewatched the series last year I came to the realisation that I don’t mind the prequels, being older than I was when I first saw them I can see the flaws, but it wasn’t that badly done that I’m giving up on them. I do reserve my right to avoid any TV show about it because computer generated Stars Wars about the clone wars isn’t my thing, so I am a movie fan and quite happy to be one. Plus possibly a lot of the merchandise which I eye off and add to wishlists I know will rarely be granted.

Only a few hours into this morning I already saw a lot of annoyance and negativity towards Star Wars Day on twitter. Everything from people saying that people who go around saying “May the fourth be with you” will end up alone, or nit-picky people saying it is “the fourth of May, not May the fourth”, even just people saying it is stupid and don’t want any one near them to say it. I don’t understand the dislike, it isn’t technically official, nobody has asked you to participate in the day and commenting on your distaste for what is really a meaningless unofficial day seems to me a lot more effort than you believe it to be worth. Don’t attack people who want to enjoy a fun day and share their love a film series (and subsequent TV, books, comics, cartoon etc etc and whatever else Star Wars format I’ve forgotten), it’s rude, disrespectful and just unnecessary. This goes for other non Star Wars Days as well, don’t belittle someone’s passion just because it isn’t yours, but that rant is not for today.

What I like about this day is not just the play on words, because that is always an awesome added bonus, and not just that I can have more of an excuse to look up images of stormtroopers being parents/enjoying life (seriously Google that because it is adorable!),  but the fact that it isn’t a small “holiday”, I’ve seen booksellers and authors, newspapers and websites all promoting the day, they may not be fans themselves but take part and celebrate it all the same. As I say, I don’t claim to be the biggest Star Wars fan, but at 12:04am when I realised what day it was, I did spent two and a half hours, hours when I should have been in bed (or at least working on my assignments), putting Toby in Jedi robes so that definitely puts me on the scale somewhere.

I may have to go listen to some Aurelio Voltaire Star Wars themed songs now to celebrate since writing this has gotten them in my head. I hope you all have a wonderful Star Wars Day and may the force be with you all.

 

ANZAC Day: Lest We Forget

25 Apr 2014 Leave a comment

by Amy in Rambles Tags: , ,


Ode of Remembrance

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

 

 

As I woke up this morning at 3am to a spectacular thunderstorm outside my window my thoughts soon turned to those who would  be marching today, or attending the dawn services. I felt sad for those who chose to stay home because of the severe weather, and I felt sad for those who would still attend that this day of remembrance would be hinder by the weather, even if it was not as heavy or severe there.

But today isn’t just about the dawn services and the march, and there is a lot of power in ANZAC Day, so much can be said by so little. One of the things that always had the most impact on my was The Ode that is recited at every ANZAC or Remembrance Day. The Ode is taken from For the Fallen, a poem written by Laurence Binyon, an English poet and writer who published it first on September 21 in The Times then later in The Winnowing-fan: Poems of The Great War. The title comes from another of his poems The Fourth of August, and while people know For the Fallen, there are many other excellent poems in his book about the war and impacts from it.

Binyon wrote For the Fallen against the background of the early weeks of war. In September, less than seven weeks since war broke out, there were already severe casualties with a long list of dead or wounded appearing in newspapers. It was from this that the poem came to be, written, according to Binyon,  not long after The Great Retreat (also known as the Retreat From Mons) and the victory from The Battle of the Marne. The Ode comes from the fourth stanza, and is a simple yet powerful message that reminds us what war can bring about, and what it can take away, while still having the power of honouring all those who came before and sadly no doubt will come again.

For those who have fought in our wars, from the ANZACS until now, thank you.

Binyon’s complete poem is below if you’d like to read it.

 

For the Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children
England mourns for her dead across the sea,
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow,
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again,
They sit no more at familiar tables of home,
They have no lot in our labour of the daytime,
They sleep beyond England’s foam.

But where our desires and hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the night.

As the stars shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

 

The Australian Fairy Tale Society Conference

24 Apr 2014 Leave a comment

by Amy in News, Rambles Tags: , , , , ,

I discovered the greatest thing this afternoon. I got an email from Sarah Gibson, the filmmaker who wrote and directed the stunning series on ABC and gorgeous website about Re-enchantment, and she was sending out an email to say that her book “Re-enchantment: Ways to Interpret Fairy Tales” was available from the iTunes store for $4.99. That was cool enough, but then, underneath it also had a note to say that Sarah would be speaking at the Australian Fairy Tale Conference on Monday June 9th in Sydney. And I was like, the what now? Now I did not know that there was a Fairy Tale Conference, I thought I had been missing out for years on fairy tale conferences but it seems this is the inaugural year. I am seriously considering going as well; I think it would be wonderful.

The conference is being put on by the Australian Fairy Tale Society with the theme ‘The Fairy Tale in Australia’. The society, which is a national not-for-profit, are focused on “collecting, preserving, discussing, sharing, and creating Australian fairy tales.” according to their website. The conference is being held in Paddington at the Paddington Uniting Church and the standard cost is $95, less if you are a member of the society. The program is also available from the society website where you can see the breakdown of the day plus the special guests. There are a range of wonderful people speaking including Sarah Gibson, Kate Forsyth, as well as a many others.

The conference is on the Queen’s birthday long weekend for those considering going, and at $95 for a day of listening to how Australia plays a role in the creation of fairy tales, it is a pretty good day. You can register your place on the website, as well as check out more about the Society and the conference.

e-flyer

All Your Bits and Pieces Needs
Australian Fairy Tale Society Website
Australian Fairy Tale Society Facebook
Re-enchantment website

 

Also, for those interested in Sarah’s ebook here is some more information.

RE EBOOK COVER 7“Written by Jungian analyst and filmmaker Sarah Gibson and designed by Rose Draper, this eBook presents new ways to interpret fairytales in a visually stimulating and immersive way. Chapters explore the hidden psychological meanings of fairy tales symbols and motifs. They unlock the secrets of the emotional power of fairy tales and why they continue to stir our imagination. The eBook features video, audio, animation and stunning visual design. It showcases re-imaginings by over thirty contemporary artists. Be curious. Be surprised. Be inspired.”

Buy from iTunes

iTunes preview

 

iTunes Preview

 

The price of eBooks: a contemplation

22 Apr 2014 3 Comments

by Amy in Rambles Tags: , ,

ThoughtsI recently saw a post on Facebook by a friend who was ranting talking about why she would not spend $10 on an ebook, and that at that price she would rather buy the paperback. That got me thinking. I will admit I am a victim of looking at the price of an ebook and not buying it because I thought it was too expensive. I’m talking $7.99 or something close to it. I see that as being expensive for an ebook, I think the $2 or $3 area is suitable for an ebook but aside from me saying I think that’s reasonable for a book where I don’t get a physical copy, I can’t really tell you why that is.

It is very interesting how ebooks are viewed differently than paperbacks, or even hardcovers (do they make those anymore or is it just those larger paperbacks which throw off shelf height organisation?). Years before ebooks, hardcover books came out first, you could buy it then for $40 or you could wait months to get the paperback version instead which would be lighter, cheaper, and just better in all kinds of ways. I was never a hardcover fan, they were heavy, hard to hold, and while they stood up on their own they weren’t that special in my opinion. Many of my Harry Potter books ended up in hardcover because you didn’t have the luxury in high school to wait for paperbacks, people would have read it over a weekend and you’d be blocking your ears for spoilers forever. My birthday always seemed to be two weeks after the release of each book and even waiting that short time was tough until I pulled the early present rule due to extreme circumstances. I do remember though waiting about four or five years for the hardcover version of the complete Blinky Bill stories to come out in paperback in a bookshop. That was an exceptionally long time but I waited and it finally arrived. Granted this was different than normal books, it was a large hardcover special edition, bigger than a regular hardcover book. But anyway, I digress.

When it comes to being unwilling to pay high costs for ebooks is it because we feel ebooks are not worthy of being more than a few dollars; that as convenient as they are they are not something that you’d waste too much money on? There are many free ebooks in the world, there are also a mass of 99c ebooks that are promoted to us as “only $0.99” or “under a dollar” and we’re meant to see this as a bargain. As it is, a whole digital book for 99c (unless you’re in Australia and it turns into $1.05 because of mysterious stupid reasons) is a great deal. What else do you get for 99c if not a whole brand new book to read and enjoy? Many others are listed as two, three, four, anywhere up to even twelve dollars and various cents for these digital books. Is it because there is no physical copy that there are limits to what we’ll pay? If we are going to pay $10 or $12 for an ebook we may as well pay $15 or $20 and have a hard copy in our hands that can’t get accidentally deleted or stuck on one device and unable to be shared. Or is it the idea that a book is a book regardless and whether it is $3 or $12 it makes no difference. Yes the printing and publishing costs don’t need to be considered but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other factors or costs involved.

The next question I suppose is how an ebook comes to be worthy or their price, what makes one $7.99 or 99c or given for free? I’d say author popularity or pre-existing success has something to do with it, there are no doubt reasons why Matthew Reilly’s ebook version of his new release are $15 and an unknown new author may give theirs away for free or 99c. Ebooks follow the same new release gradual price drop as all others, but the fact that it varies even within a single authors collection is highly curious. Is this due to publication date? size? popularity? Someone out there would know, I however do not.

I know many priced books are made free by authors being generous for their readers, I have snagged a few that way certainly, I’ve even taken a chance on unheard of authors and novels because they are free. I believe I have only paid for an ebook once and that was under $4, and the only reason I did it was because I wanted to read the next in the series sooner rather than later and figured it was not unreasonable in the grand scheme of things. But this is because one – I am a physical over ebook preferer when it comes to buying books, and two – I am not made of money so if I’m going to spend money it I may as well get the format I like best if possible. This does result in me being a library abuser and splurging on rare occasions (like writers festivals and book fairs).

I have no answers to any of these questions, I do not know the inner workings of the ebook industry or why things are what they are. Who knows, maybe authors decide their price, though I doubt Amazon would allow that so I’m  certain that it isn’t the case. But it does get me thinking about it more, something I hadn’t considered at any depth before. I do know that no matter what these reasons are, but at the end of the conversation I am certain that I too would not spend $10 on an ebook, glad to see I’m in good company.

Easter, Fun Facts, and Chocolate

20 Apr 2014 Leave a comment

by Amy in Rambles Tags: , , , ,

Easter

Ah Easter. The day of bunnies, chocolate, and refined restraint on eating the entire day’s loot in one sitting. I know for some Easter is a religious weekend but for me it is about chocolate, four day weekends, and…well there isn’t much else. This is the best time of year because this is the only time that the rare and highly sought after Red Tulip chocolate emerges from its hibernation. The chocolate that only is seen around Easter, but when it comes out it will whip Cadbury’s butt any day. My affection for Red Tulip aside, I am not saying Cadbury is bad, but you can get that in many forms all year round, the Red Tulip experience is a once a year delight. Yes, perhaps its rarity makes it seem more delicious than it is…oh wait, my mistake, that’s completely wrong, it’s a godsend. And not those weird Ferrero Rocher ads where those weird nutty chocolate things fell from the gods, no, Red Tulip rabbits of various sizes with pink and blue waistcoats and bow ties should be falling from the sky not those.

Eggs have always been used for Easter because they represent rebirth and the beginning of life. Something which comes with a lot of images of hatched baby chickens and pastel colours as well. The earliest Easter eggs were not the chocolate kind though. They used to just be painted chicken or duck eggs that were dyed various colours with vegetable dye and charcoal. I recall painting a few blown eggs as a kid, though it was more a paintbrush and random squiggles around it with the odd dot or two. I may have only done it once or twice, I wasn’t overly  fussed about it, and what were you supposed to do with them when you’re done? Display them somewhere? I suppose giving them as gifts as was traditional but that didn’t happen.

Away from the painted eggs, the very first chocolate Easter egg was created by the Victorians in Bristol, England in 1873. It was made by a company called Fry, Vaughan & Co. and instead of being the delicious smooth chocolate we have today, it was bitter dark chocolate with a grainy texture. They also most likely would have been decorated by hand with marzipan and given as gifts by the rich. Much too fancy I think, though those Victorians were an extravagant bunch with their chocolate tastes.  

These were the only chocolate eggs until Cadbury tried to make their own Easter egg a couple years later. Cadbury had been making solid eggs since 1842 but were unable to make finer hollow eggs. Cadbury’s first Easter eggs in 1875 were made of dark chocolate with a plain smooth surface and were filled with sugared almonds, but compared with Fry’s it wasn’t as successful. It wasn’t until the launch of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Chocolate in 1905 that their Easter egg sales improved, and improved tremendously. It was so popular it not only increased the sale of Easter eggs but it also made them a seasonal best seller, something that remains true today. Cadbury merged with Fry’s, Vaughan & Co. in 1919 but still couldn’t produce the quality eggs Fry’s was making. May I say, Cadbury also bought out Red Tulip, along with other companies, in the 80s when they were trying to conquer Australia. Very conquery Cadbury when it comes to other companies and chocolate, very conquery indeed.

So, now you know. While you are all eating delicious chocky eggs, bunnies, bilbys, chickens, or any other chocolate styled thing today you can think that it all started with one Bristol company that brought the Easter egg to the Victorians and subsequently the rest of the world.

Have a wonderful Easter, try not to get melted chocolate on your books, and have a great day!

 

 

 

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