Of Purple Elephants Gone Wild and Necessary History Lessons for LAO.

So, despite the rather boringness of yesterday, today was a day of epic fail, epic win, and epic randomness. In all, it was worthy of an Oddessy.

Except...I'm really bad at writing ancient Greek poetry since I'm a normal human age, not immortal/4000 yrs. old. So, instead, I'm going to use a normal blog to write down the epicness of today.

First was the EPIC WIN! This was during the fashion show, even though in general, fashion shows are made of fail and boringness and stupidity. While unbeknownst to the co-host of this fashion show, a young male with no public speaking skills whatsoever, talked on and on about dresses and fashion, and the audience either dying of boredom or seriously questioning him, an enemy was coming. He, in his yellow duct tape and pointed ears, sneaked up to the stage, preparing. Then, without warning, PIKACHU jumped up, landed on the stage, bowled through both co-hosts, jumped around for several seconds, and disappeared behind the curtains, leaving the hosts stunned and totally at a loss.

Unfortunately, we didn't see him again. *sad sigh* But, that once was enough.

Second was the EPIC RANDOMNESS! Some business class decided to make all their students wear these really dumb looking glasses with eyes painted on them, and then these glasses people proceeded to invade and distract many classes, including my history class. Twas quite fun really.

And now...for the EPIC FAIL! LAO NEEDS HISTORY LESSONS!!!! SHE DOES NOT KNOW HARDLY ANYTHING ABOUT WW2!!! SHE MISTOOK EUROPE FOR A COUNTRY AND ONLY CORRECTED HERSELF WHEN I ASKED HER WHAT THE SEVEN CONTINENTS WERE!!! THIS IS SOOOO SAD! SOMEONE PLEASE TEACH LAO SOME PROPER HISTORY!!

Alright, now that that's done, this post is done for the day. I'm off fulfilling debts, and it's about time.

Of Elusive Purple Elephants and First Reviews

Since Caoimhe and I are planning on making a podcast in which we review several different stories on various forms of media, I decided that I'm going to put together a review for the book I'm reading now: "This Present Darkness" by Frank Peretti.

Why? Because as what normally happens in the life of a teenager, there are some days in which thoughts die and happenings just don't happen. Don't worry, I'll search out the elusive purple elephant of randomness tomorrow.

Come to think of it...some of those prom girls probably won't look much better than a purple elephant tomorrow...lol.

Alright, on with the review!

This Present Darkness is a...horror/action/Christian story written by Frank Peretti, geared towards mature young readers and adults. Overall, it deals with issues such as New Age philosophy, prayer, the spiritual realm (from the Christian viewpoint), and to a small extent: family. Frank Perretti develops a compelling plot, and does a very good job making the story increase at a steady pace, reaching a brilliant climax. The story itself is well-written, and the main characters are life-like and believable (for the most part).

However...this guy has bias. Like...bias beyond bias. He uses this story to paint a very disturbing, very unrealistic picture of the New Age philosophy, linking it directly with occultism, eastern mysticism, and Satan-worship. He begins with the assumption that those who read his story (mainly, impressionable, young, church-going Christians) will hate and fear New Age philosophy to a degree similar of how America hated Communism during the beginning of the Cold War. Add to that a plot to take over the world, and he's basically got the story set up to add fear, terror, and hatred of this philosophy.

Now, I'm not saying that I agree with New Age philosophy. I do not. I am a Christian, and have no intention of changing my beliefs. What I'm saying is, is that Peretti is taking it WAY too far. New Age philosophy, as far as I can tell, is simply "agreeing" with everything, to an almost frightening degree. It is this generalized philosphy that says "I believe what I believe, and you can believe what you believe. We'll keep our secrets quiet, and never, ever say that someone is doing wrong." It is this philosophy that silences inidividual beliefs, discouraging our generation from speaking out because no matter what we say, we're all on the right path. I find this wrong, I find this disgusting, and I wish beyond all else that our generation could be taught at least some differentiation between right and wrong. Without that, we are lost.

Anyway, despite all that, I still don't agree with Peretti's viewpoint. There are many many people out there who are influenced by New Age philosophy to some degree. However, of those that do believe in this philosophy, even of those who entirely embrace it, only a very few of those are full-blown Satan worshippers. Peretti portrays that EVERYONE who has to do with New Age philosphy is dabbling in occultic rituals and Satan-worship. In reality, each person who believes this philosophy accepts it to a different degree. These people should be treated with respect, care, kindness and love, not fear and hatred simply for what they believe in.

So, overall, a well-written story, but a very misleading moral.