Whispers from the Myth Teller

After jumping through a few hoops, I found myself invited to speak on a panel at Can-Con in Ottawa this past weekend. The panel wasn't exactly what I expected, especially since the topic of it had changed from what I had originally agreed to speak on to a topic I knew virtually nothing about. Rather than bolting, I figured I could wing it just by listening and eventually adding my own two cents, although I had the distinct impression I was flashbacking to my CEGEP days in Seminar class when I hadn't read the material that was to be discussed.

So the topic had changed from "Paganism in Canada Today" to "Pagan influences on Speculative Literature". I know... quite the shift in focus, eh? The panel was to discuss how pagan culture and themes had influenced modern sci-fi and fantasy literature. Of course, we had to spend a good 20 minutes defining paganism, which if we had not reigned it in, could've taken over the entire hour and maybe even part of the next day. The worst part of that panel was when on of the panelists turned to me to ask "So Hobbes... who are your favorite pagan fiction authors?" To this, I completely blanked (although I was tempted to say Gerald Gardner and Aleister Crowley, just for the shock value) and babbled that I didn't read fiction based on the religion of the authors or if the book had pagan themes in it. I could see the audience questioning what the hell I was doing on this panel in the first place, which at that moment was an excellent question.

But as the discussion moved on, I did get some insight on the topic which allowed me to disagree with the other panelists. It was unfortunate that it took almost 40 minutes of this hour-long panel to figure this out, so just as we were getting into the meat of it, the next panel was chomping at the bit to get their talk started.

Personally, I don't think that the modern pagan culture influences mainstream fiction in the slightest. Our community is still too much on the fringe to have that much impact on the mainstreamers, as much as our collective egos would enjoy it.

That's not to say that sci-fi/fantasy literature doesn't employ pagan themes, but I don't think they come from our us. Unlike many other religions that have a central doctrine that radiates outward, pagan culture is de-centred, constantly in flux, and reflects the concerns of the generation. It employs a healthy amount of cultural appropriation which allows its practitioners to explore and incorporate themes, symbols, and traditions from a culture they cannot call their own.

If there are any pagan themes in modern sci-fi/fantasy literature (and there are most definitely), they come from other ethnic cultures and philosophies that are centrally defined by geography, race, and environment. Modern sci-fi/fantasy literature and modern pagan culture both borrow (and at times grave-rob) from these established ethnic cultures and philosophies to define and explore their topics and ideas.

While a pagan can read a book and recognize themes that are common within pagan community culture, those ideas are not coming from a modern, North American, neo-pagan culture, but rather from the same source that the pagan himself is either cherry-picking directly or indirectly from other pagan authors.

Finally caught Superman Returns last night. It was indeed a great movie, for I feared a cheese fest. There were great little tributes to the Christopher Reeves movies and other references to the comic books and other films.

And yes, the character Superman is definitely written as a Christ figure. The Jor-El dialogue is very deliberately written to infer that. Get over it.

The spit curl was a bit much though. In one frame, his hair would be mussed and then in the next, the spit curl snaps into place. And yes, I already recognize the irony of me having no problem with a guy hopping around in blue pajamas, but the spit curl is the thing that bothers me. I'm quirky that way.

One of my favourite moments in the film is when Jimmy and Clark are having a beer in the bar and they are chatting with the bartender. It doesn't sound like much of a scene, but it's significant when you consider that the actor playing the bartender is the *original* Jimmy Olsen from the Superman television series staring George Reeves. It's a meeting of the eras when the two "Jimmys" hug after Supes does his super stuff.

I really didn't like the Luthor character. It was too reminiscent of the Gene Hackman portrayal in the first Superman movie. I guess I've just gotten used to the Clancy Brown version from the animated series. On the other hand, reusing the Brando scenes for Jor-El was brilliantly nostalgic.

So... Impressed I am. I am especially happy how the film turned out considering what it MIGHT have been if Nicky Cage had been cast as Clark Kent in the failed Superman Lives project. If you've got a few minutes to spare, take a listen to what Kevin Smith had to say about Jon Peters (the producer) when he was approached to write the script for that movie.

While driving to TO, sarahcarotte and I were talking about the Serenity charity screening and about our fav characters. I was frustrated that, because the series was over, we would never find out exactly what Shepherd Book was all about (the series hinted he wasn't really a shepherd at all and he did have some kind of Alliance clearance, so he was more than he seemed).

Like many people, Jayne was my favourite character, but for character development reasons. Jayne could've been written as a simple thug, with no other reason to be on the ship except when heavy things needed to be lifted or if someone needed to be shot. Self-centered and money-hungry, it would be easy to weite him off.

But in the Serenity movie, Jayne shows an unexpected amount of loyalty and caring for his fellow shipmates. When the ship is crashing through an atmosphere, it's Jayne that makes sure everyone is strapped in before he straps himself in. When the crew is struggling to decide if they should try to sneak past the Reavers, it's Jayne that quotes Book in saying "If you can't do the smart thing, you can at least do the right thing."

But what is truly masterful about all those moments is that there's no attention drawn to them. They simply pass as quiet little moments that have no bearing on the storyline at all, except to those who take the time to notice them.

Now THAT'S the fine art of storytelling at its best.

I just got back from seeing Wil Wheaton at a presentation at Melange Magique. I couldn't stay long, but he had interesting things to say about the acting/voice acting world. He is a good speaker, enthusiastic, and passionate about his work.

I bought one of his books (a collection of short stories) and one of the MPRC volunteers is going to get it signed for me. I was impressed with the number of people who turned up for the presentation and books signing (about 60), especially considering it's the middle of a Thursday.

Tonight is the Serenity screening. There's something fun about watching a movie with a bunch of dedicated fans.

I have recently decided that I must explore the musical experience known as They Might Be Giants.

Does anyone have a suggestion on which of their albums would be a good place for me to start this exploration?

For the amount of times that the Future Shop staff has screwed me over and pissed off my friends, I would love to pull off this prank in one of their stores (or several of them):

The Improv Everywhere Mission: Best Buy

The thought of a BestBuy employee running around yelling "Thomas Crown Affair!" makes me giggle.

And the stunt they pulled off at the Strand Bookstore begs a repeat performance at a Chapters bookstore somewhere in Montreal (they had 60 people leave their bags with their cell phones inside behind the counter in the shop and then synchronized another 60 people outside to call those phones at the same time).

Ooooh... my mischievous gears are grinding...

I finally realized that, as a paid member, I can change my layout! So here's my first go at it. I think it's a little too busy and I'd rather have the icon on the left than the right.

Also, the banner at the top of the page is blue. I have an orange banner I could use until I come up with a proper banner, but I can't figure out how to change the blue one.

I'm supposed to be working right now.

This just reminds me that I'm so far behind in my Battlestar Galactica episodes. Everyone around me is whispering, trying to make sure they don't spoil it for me. I've got a friend who has taped them, but I need to find some time in my schedule to watch them (it won't be this week!).

Battlestar GalacticSimpsons

My birthday weekend was fantastic (I so didn't deserve all that attention)! Thursday night (the actual day), we went out to the ComedyWorks and went for pints after. Friday, we gorged on Sushi at ODaki on St. Laurent/Duluth (the Cooper building). Saturday night, we went to see friends sing in a choir in Old Montreal, followed by chow-downs at The Keg. And Sunday, I was kidnapped and driven to an unknown location for a surprise BBQ with friends.

My thanks to all who put this together and managed to stop by to spend this celebration with me. You all rock.

Remember when I told you all about the Montreal Pillow Fight last week? I didn't go because it was raining and I figured no one would show up with soggy pillows.

It turns out that I was wrong! Many people did show up and Pillow Hilarity ensued! Drat! Such a missed opportunity.

Fortunately, sfllaw was there and took photos to immortalize the event. You can see the photos of it at sfllaw Flickr site.

I wonder if you could turn a Pillow Fight event into a charity-based event?

As I get sicker and sicker (I'm gonna be feverish tonight, I just know it), I had a thought which is actually two stray thoughts that tripped over each other in a drunken stupor:

There should be a Google Azeroth (similar to Google Earth). Each World of Warcraft server would automatically take a snapshot of the Azeroth landscape once a day/week/month. Then you could pick the server you were interested in and zoom in on the landscape to see you are your buds fighting the good fight in World of Warcraft.

Tell me that wouldn't be cool. Tell me I rock in a geeky kinda way. You know you want to.