Respond to EJ's Blog, Gamer Grrl In Small Doses

[Admin]

Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:30 am

AreaneCreator wrote:

I've sent you the details of how much I loved your blog in email, but I had to post here as well. Beautiful blog, EJ. A mixture of romance, devotion, and life messages. About the little things we do and think and feel for each other that aren't seen. The care one person can have for another. Thank you for sharing this with us. With me. Thank you.

[Admin]

Tue Sep 23, 2008 1:05 am

Mik wrote:

EJ, I was very moved by the use of the poem in your blog. When I read your English version, I wondered what it was to be used for. How unique to utilize a Celestial translation in this way. Beautifully done.

Mik

[Admin]

Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:26 pm

CrisDiMarco wrote:

Luz, more thoughts about the Twilight Books:

“Luz wrote:
I am at the young end of the generation that EJ speaks of in her entry "Breaking Dawn, Katy Perry and the Rape of the Inner Lilith." Though I am not an American, I am familiar with American pop culture as my American foster sister and best friend is an avid reader. She and I just recently had a long conversation about the politics of American sexuality and the Twilight books were high on the list of those discussed not because of "Breaking Dawn" but because of the seeming moral and spiritual deficit at which Bella seems to function, in so much as how she lives can be called functioning. To abdicate so much of oneself for another, including the setting aside of familial loyalty and honesty seems so alien to me but also ill advised in general.

I think EJ's blog will garner the ire of many a staunch supporter of the American First Amendment in the guise of the "it is just entertainment" excuse. But this is much like making the statement that it is fine to watch violent programing because no one was truly hurt. I think that young women flock to these books in the same way that people watch footage of natural disasters. Let us only hope that not all of them will aspire to such (low) ideals.
Luz”


Luz,

How fascinating that you mention the setting aside of familial loyality. I was born here and grew up here. When I turned 18, I was expected to either 1) go to college 2) go to work. In either case, I was expected to leave home because now I was an adult. In my family, it was rare to talk about any family history beyond my grandparents--and unless I specifically asked for stories, they were not a common topic of conversation.

Many Americans whose familes emigrated here during the time that Ellis Island was open wanted nothing more than to forget where they'd come from. They lost their names, their heritage. Their children were anxious to distance themselves from their parents, who were seen as rougher, slower, somehow less than the Americans the children were trying so hard to emulate.

I've read several autobiographies of first and second generation descendents of immigrants who feel lost, cut off, from their heritage and history. It only makes sense that they would feel disconnected from their parents as well.

In the DiMarco clan, family is stressed by some and not as much by others. To Jennifer's mother, Carol, family is everything. We do for our family; we protect our family; we make room for them, help them, make time to do things they need simply because they are family and it is our responsibility to do so. In return, we know that we are not alone, that we are part of something larger--a safety net, if you will. This is not something I experienced in my youth once I moved away from home. I was expected to "make it on my own." Though how I was supposed to do this without the continuing support of an older mentor was a mystery.

If see my experience as the stone dropped into the pond, you begin to have a picture of what I see as the disintigration of the American family. Young people are lacking some of the basic essentials that provide a sense of comfort, security and well-being: We are expected to get on with it and grow up once we reach a certain physical age, regardless of maturity level or experience; there is no town center or town central activity to provide places to socialize and connect; there is, in general, no parent who is consistently in the home--therefore the home becomes a "house" rather than a place of refuge. I could go on... but it seems pretty obvious why these books are so insanely popular with girls and young women. I think most people feel lost and alone and they long for the kind of intense passion these two characters embody--what difference does it make if it hurts, emotionally, mentally, physically? You're still connected to someone.

Thoughts?

Cris

[Admin]

Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:52 am

EJ wrote:

The is an interesting topic, Cris. House as home or as building. And a very Terrapyre topic as well. The idea of the lair. Do Terrapyre parents assume their children will grow up and move out? Oh my gosh, of course not! The idea would put Raws at risk above and beyond the norm. Are they expected to join the fight? Yes. Are they expected to go make their lair? No. They often do, of course, but not at 18. Not at any one age. They do it when they have fellows they connect with and can trust and are ready to stand with.

Likewise, I think of Celestials. They have frog-like (tree frog) behavior modes. Co-sleeping and communal room sleeping. Again family is huge. Even on Earth, their outposts house more than one soldier.

I like how, in your house, Cris, early on, the gorgeous living room that you walk through the front door into, became the children's play room. They sleep in their rooms. They spend their time smack dab in the middle of the home. though. Their toys, their pictures, their everything is the heart of the home. How perfect is that?

EJ

[Admin]

Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:19 pm

Luz wrote:

Encuentre la valor de Dios en cada lágrima, en cada caída de lluvia, en cada suspiro de un amante.

EJ. Please. Come be with us.

Luz and Family

[Admin]

Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:08 am

papa_nurgle wrote:

Hey E.J.
I do not know all of the back story and I will not pretend to, but I do know a thing or two about when life topples from our balancing act and hits the surreal waters that go deep down the rabbit hole. All you need to know is that those of us out here in the ether know you are human. I am not looking for a preacher. I am not looking for a higher moral authority. I am not looking for a judge or jury.

What I see when I invision you is... a person, just blood, bone and flesh. A being who is just as apt at understanding the most sublime of things as creating havoc and pandemonium. A person with great potential, fine ethics, and an unknown history. Make sure as you go through the process of wearing all of these titles that are thrust on you "Grrl Gamer, Author, Artist, Athelete, Game Designer" you also let yourself just be E.J. That person who likes Batz Maru because he is a 'bad penguin', and reads science fiction just for the love of wordplay.

When I was doing theatre, I always wanted to play the antagonist, the 'bad guy'. Well for one reason I am not handsome enough to play the leading man, and my breasts are not big enough to play the ingenue. The real reason though is because the villian lasts to the end of the show and because by playing the villian, you got to break the rules of society and it was okay. It was a great way for me to let all of that repressed Matthew go in a controlled environment. I took that ideal and moved it over into my RPG playing, my writing and more. Let those things you do well be your safety valve.

Remember when you are out that and life spins out of control, you still have your friends. Like they told Sarah at the end of Labyrinth ... "Should you need us, we will be here." We will be here.

[Admin]

Tue Oct 14, 2008 3:55 am

CrisDiMarco wrote:

Why Stephen Hawking is Wrong

Sisko: Why do you keep bringing me here?
Wormhole Aliens: You bring us here.

I think we expect time travel to be like getting on and off an airplane. If Hawking expects us to physically, literally, travel back to an earlier time (e.g. the new TV show Life on Mars), then he probably won't see any "time travellers."

But how often do we travel back in time to something painful, something confusing, something puzzling in an our efforts to make sense of our "past" and therefore our "present?" How often to we relive an amazing experience, either through storytelling or just in our own minds?

How far must we evolve before we can literally make our reality whatever we choose? That we could see--much as the Cylons of BSG can--whatever we choose to see when we walk the blank corridors? Are we already capable of this? Is this ability stored in our grey matter with all the millions of moments of our lives which are all archived exactly as they occurred?

"What will your heaven be like?" my son asks me.
"I want to swim among the stars."
"But you'll come home at night, won't you? Because you're in my heaven, Mama."
"Of course I will. Every night."

I've been to his heaven--and to mine. And yet, somehow, I am still alive.

Cris

[Admin]

Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:04 am

CrisDiMarco wrote:

“EJ Angel wrote:
I like how, in your house, Cris, early on, the gorgeous living room that you walk through the front door into, became the children's play room. They sleep in their rooms. They spend their time smack dab in the middle of the home. though. Their toys, their pictures, their everything is the heart of the home. How perfect is that?”


I have lived away from my mother and sister for more than 30 years. My mother became and ill and died while I was "away." My sister drifted out of my life--maybe forever. I spend all but about 5 hours a day with my kids. I don't see why that should change when they're 18. How arbitrary is that?

I have never experienced love the way I have since my children were born. It's unconditional and joyous and pure. I don't ever want that to change. I'll happily do whatever it takes to keep them here for as long as I can.

Cris

[Admin]

Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:57 pm

Mik wrote:

After your Sunday blog, EJ, I was struck by the very thing you seem shy to share: your humanity. Though I know very little about your life outside of Mardi Gras and outside of the beautiful work you have done with the Celestial language with me, I cannot imagine you other than human. Unlike so many others who head brands and market themselves, you seem to say first and again: "This is who I am. Come with me if you please. I am interested in learning who you are, too."

After today's blog, however, I have another thought: When are you coming to dance in Moscow? I'm sure I can get you into our club.

Mik

[Admin]

Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:20 pm

Brianne wrote:

I love thursday blogs.

=]

And, you *do* rock.

Brianne

[Admin]

Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:31 am

EJ wrote:

Matt, Mik, Cris and Luz, thank you sincerely for your support. I honestly don't know what I would do without this community. I know it will all be okay if we all work hard enough.

Brianne? Glad the sneaky Thursday blogs work for you

All the email I get about the blog is great and all, but the comments here are my constant encouragement. Thank you.

EJ

P.S. Blog News! The "Living Word" (the Terrapyre prayer book designed by Brianne that ships to the authorized vendors this month) includes five blogs! Woot! *blush* Totally honored...

Also! Jennifer reports that the complete published collection of blog essays ("Gamer Grrl in Small Doses") will be "sold" at *cost* -- literally for no profit! -- as well as be available as a printable PDF. How much does that rock? A lot!

[Admin]

Sat Oct 25, 2008 10:06 am

Brianne wrote:

“EJ Angel wrote:
Also! Jennifer reports that the complete published collection of blog essays ("Gamer Grrl in Small Doses") will be "sold" at *cost* -- literally for no profit! -- as well as be available as a printable PDF. How much does that rock? A lot!”


That rocks my tiny little world, EJ. Literally.

=D

[Admin]

Sun Oct 26, 2008 7:22 am

EJ wrote:

I was really very pleased, too It meant so much to me that she was willing to do that *sigh* She's my immortal Tyger hero

EJ

[Admin]

Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:32 am

CrisDiMarco wrote:

There is one constant that I find in all the blogs that both awes and inspires me. It is simply this: Before I met EJ, I had never met anyone whose belief system and mine meshed so completely, never known anyone who could articulate some of the frustrations I'd felt and the dichotomies I'd observed. Someone whose faith is so strong and so pure that she can bring people of wildly different backgrounds together and make us all feel included and valued.

I aspire to have the same clarity of purpose and faith.

Thank you, EJ.

Cris

[Admin]

Mon Nov 17, 2008 7:22 pm

AreaneCreator wrote:

I adored today's blog, Angel. Even if you were pulling out all your stops against "the church". I found it inspiring, romantic, and so very, very true in so many ways. You always seem to know what is in my heart and, as Cris mentioned, know how to voice so many things I can't. Thank you for this gift of seeing so many of my feelings in print. Thank you