Book Review: Embattled Ever After

Embattled Ever After by J.M. Madden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I went back and read my review where I gushed over the first book "Embattled Hearts" in this series. Since then, I've been a faithful reader and have waited patiently to see who would capture Duncan's heart. Sigh. I loved this book. I enjoyed catching up with the characters that have developed through the series, and loved how Madden set the stage for the next series. But I can't recommend this book for everyone. This is a 3rd in the series book that depends heavily on knowing the backstories of the other characters to make the story work. While this was a very enjoyable read, please read the other stories in the series first! That said, I can't wait to see where Madden takes the set up she described in the book, or where she goes with her next writing endeavors.

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Thoughts on Architecture and Consumerism

Several years ago, we read The Maltese Falcon for book club. Since I saw the movie before reading the book, all of the dialogue sounded like Humphrey Bogart in my head while reading. The book ended on the note that there will always be another race for another treasure around the world. It was better for Sam Spade to stay home and not participate, because the end will never justify the means. I felt like this while working in commercial construction. It bugged me on a very fundamental level that I "helped" to build one of those ubiquitous chain restaurants that people flock to, spend their hard earned money on mediocre unhealthy food, while in 15 years the structure will be torn down to make way for something else in the most wasteful way possible. Everything in my architectural and environmental values screamed out against the abomination to our collective humanity, much like most people react to Donald Trump. I found a glimmer of hope. I recently read The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton. In the book (which I bought used from an Amazon bookseller), he espouses the differences between good and bad architecture. While most of this is opinion, and a lot is drawn from the fine arts world concerning balance and construction materials, this book gave me hope that our human failings could be overcome and something amazing could be built. Amidst the backdrop of famous projects, both ancient and modern, de Botton uses verbiage and illustrations from the art world to accentuate his points about the ascetics of having architecture as art in our lives. After working in the desert of urban sprawl, his words soothed my thirsty soul with the idea that our society is not merely comprised of sheep to be led, but that there are those who would build something grand that could last and speak to generations. While this idea intrigues me along with the thought that my children will inherit and inhabit the property that I worked so hard to acquire, I know this to not be the case. Seeing how buildings are built with fast techniques, materials that are cheap and not meant to last generations, and laborers who are more interested in a pay check in the present to support their families, gives rise to de Botton's final idea that bad architecture is a failing of human psychology. The idea that architecture, like art, shows what our society is lacking is a rather shaky argument and perhaps not one seen through the lens of consumerism. The projects that I directly worked with project managers and craftsmen on are not testaments to beauty, but testaments to the almighty dollar and ways for those who are already wealthy to be come wealthier. Sure, they provide jobs, not only to the craftspeople who helped build them, but also to those who will work in the space. The clock is ticking. Soon the newest hot spot with the trendiest decor will be pronounced passe by the people that once lauded them vogue. They will be torn down or remodeled to make way for the next newest fashion. So what was once kind of grand, will now be rubble in a landfill in a few short years. In all, I do not want to contribute to this sort of waste, wasteland, or economy that refuses to conserve. The art that de Botton speaks so highly of is soon forgotten when something different comes along. In the book, De Botton forgets to account for money in his entire narrative. Being in construction accounting, let me assure the gentle readers that cash is the number one driver of why we have ugly buildings, perfectly fine buildings torn down and replaced with new also perfectly fine buildings. Because those who hire contractors for these sorts of projects know that we consumers will flock to their buildings, complete with flashy facades. They can charge money for goods or services. It has a kind of Field of Dreams if you build it mentality that usually works. The flashier the better. But we as consumers flock to these places and don't demand better architecture or quality of food for ourselves or our families. It is this kind of laziness across our society that has caused a sense of complacency with our collective lot. Bad architecture is a psychological failing, driven by money and we as consumers are in fear that if we don't eat at that ubiquitous chain restaurant, then we're somehow lacking as a people. That just isn't the case. We deserve better, and need to demand better. But, like many bloggers, I am a solitary voice trapped in a vacuum of consumerism. I can choose to not eat at that chain, write many more blog posts like this one, yet my message will not be heeded, understood, respected, or otherwise taken to heart when hungry kids are in the back of the car and food is easy. But what I do know, in 10-15 years, that restaurant will not exist. But I will still be here, blogging on about my cat, social issues that I cannot change alone, and other interests that will surly be around in the next decade, along with the bad architecture that accompanies them.

A Fishing Story

It was a bight and sunny morning in the high country. The sun was warm, the air cool. Birds sang and the vista from the bank of the lake showed ragged peaks in the distance. Small white fluffy clouds broke up the endless blue of the sky, reminding everyone that that there was still some moisture in the air but not enough to actually rain. While the rest of the group unloaded an ungodly amount of fishing gear, I rolled out my yoga mat and ditched my sensible shoes and socks. Being useless to anyone because of my voluntary lack of fishing license, I stretched out on the bank and soaked in the the early morning rays. Lulled by the sounds of the birds and the quiet murmur of voices that discussed fishing, meditation soon turned into a nap. The fishermen moved to a shadier and hopefully more lucrative spot, leaving me to my peaceful slumber. It was my exposed toes that proved to be too much. An obese chipmunk wondered into my spot (they're all obese, as they get fed by humans who find these rodents too cute to resist), looking for a snack. Deciding that I was not a normal human and should be feeding the wildlife, the rodent knocked his nose into my toes. The first time the little beast came sniffing, I hardly noticed his presence. The second time woke me up with a start. I never imagined that the nose or face would be so soft, but judging by the fatty chips he probably consumed from others, his fur and nose were luxurious. Being woken up by a rodent looking for a snack was rather startling, and I was awake. Deciding that I had no snacks to share, Mr. Chipmunk darted off into some nearby grass, probably looking for a new mark. After being awoken by the chipmunk, there was no more napping for me. I moved over and "supervised" the underage fisher people. We soon packed up and left the lakeside spot. The ironic thing is that out of the group, I'm the only one who chose not to fish, but got a good story out of the experience.

Hillary Is A Victim

I have another blog post in the works about the representation of women and the Bechdel Test. But that can wait. This is about the national election. Specifically, the presidential election. This is the the reason why I can never vote for Hillary. She is a victim. By her own agency, she has stayed in an unhealthy relationship with a known victimizer. We know all about Bill's transgressions. There was an unprecedented impeachment trial that we all had to live through in the '90's where his debauchery was on full display. Thanks to that media circus, we know Hillary is the victim in infidelity. And still she chose to stay. When I pointed this out to someone, they wrote it off as the Clintons' "dynastic aspirations." That's double speak for "I'm going to trade my soul to the Devil for untold riches and power." Or, "I'm going to tout feminist ideals and the dream of becoming a world leader, but not live by my soundbites." Sounds hypocritical to me. When I say this to people, and point out her flaws, I get one of two marriage responses: "Marriage is what you make it" and "We don't know what goes on in other people's marriages." BULLSHIT!!!! Lets break this down: 1. "Marriage is what you make it." I am so sick of this line. Marriage is not what you make it. It is what both parties contribute. If a party is cheating in a marriage, then the marriage is crap. There is nothing one can do to control the actions of someone else! How many times to we tell children to "control yourself" and "you are the only one you can control. Don't hit people." Same logic here, people. Only instead of getting "hit" by a spouse, you get cheated on, which is kind of worse than being hit. Hitting is an assault charge. Infidelity isn't prosecutable (except in North Carolina). Seriously, Hillary made a great marriage to a man that would humiliate her on a national stage. 2. "We don't know what goes on in other people's marriages." This is true. We don't. Usually. Unless someone shares. Like the media circus that surrounded the Clinton impeachment trial which everyone has seemed to forget about. We do know what went on. I felt humiliated on Hillary's behalf that everyone knew about the famous BJ in the oval office with some co ed that managed to snag an internship. It was gross. It was demeaning to everyone. It tainted the whole image of the presidency. We do know. And we aren't proud of what happened. If Hillary isn't strong enough to leave Bill in the dust, then what good are all of her works and accomplishments? Because she failed to accomplish it on her own. Would it have been easy? No. Divorce never is easy, even people who amicably decide to call it quits. But then she really would have been a role model. As it stands, she is an example of "what not to do."

Book Review: I and Thou

I and Thou by Martin Buber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have yet to write a book review over a philosophical text. I will attempt to do so, but probably not do the work justice. If someone is reading this review and wondering if they should read this book, let me give a couple of warnings. It is tedious reading. I consulted my dictionary app (because we don't have real dictionaries anymore) more times than I want to admit to. I stopped and reread passages that were convoluted and that I failed to comprehend. I probably lit up some critical thinking areas of my brain that have lain dormant since college. Despite all of these challenges, this book is worth the read. The philosophy, once grasped as best as one can, fits with lessons from yoga. Biblical references are there, but do not beat one over the head with the Bible. There is a certain beauty to the ideas that Buber wants to share with the world, but I cannot comprehend why he used arcane German in which to communicate this. Translations of the arcane can only lead to misinterpretation. If anyone in the Goodreads community knows why, please drop me a comment and explain it. I would highly recommend this book despite the challenges.

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Thoughts on the Bechdel Test

What is the Bechdel Test?  It is a simple feminist test to see if women are represented in movies.  You can find a video that does a great job of explaining it here.  The problem I have with this test it that it is aimed at movies and popular entertainment.  I love X-Men, Star Trek, Star Wars, and just about anything sci-fi.  To have two women in a story arc filled with digital magic and a story arc set around saving some sort of world or going on some sort of quest would destroy the whole movie.  Women aren't necessarily  represented in sci-fi.  Is this an issue? Yes.  Would having "Captain America: Civil War" be better if it passed the Bechdel test? Ummm. No.  Why?  Because I'm there to see a move about two bros battling it out over good and evil with lots of special effects thrown in.

The Bechdel test does have a point.  Where are the women?  In supporting roles. Just not superheroes.  If we want movies that pass the Bechdel test, then we as a public must demand that they be made.  This is where it becomes a circular argument, because these demands need to be made with our pocketbook.  Boycott movies that don't have women!  What?  Um....no.  Why?  Because I'm not giving up my sci-fi movie watching.  Because at their heart, they're good movies in the vein of the epics of yore. I offer up the timeless classic of Beowulf as not passing the Bechdel Test.  Even in ancient times, our stories are comprised of gratuitous violence and no named women having a conversation about a topic other than a dude.  Or in the Arthurian Legends, there's action and romance.  Still doesn't pass the Bechdel test, but does have one selfish woman who wants two men.  Something in our human natures, even in these old stories, wants to be entertained by the fictional possible while impossible in real life.  In entertainment, we want to hear the juicy gossip that we don't give ourselves permission to indulge in with our neighbors and coworkers.  We want to know that someone has power and control over the environment and will use violence to change society, protect our villages, or otherwise go on a crusade or quest. We want the story arc to know the fictional world is safe.  Having a conversation between two named women in the middle of this would break the laws of storytelling, and also ruin the experience of the big budget box office smashes that I've come to adore.  Is this to say that we should abandon the Bechdel test?  No.  Women should fight and be considered equals in society.  Women should carry on and go about their business of making the world better for our daughters.  But just leave my stories alone. Because I know they are fictional.