IE Chris (FA20)

 Tech Tip: DDG I certainly try to not think about how much of our info Google tracks, so it was nice to use DDG and have a refreshing change. I also used the bang search to pull up stuff instantly from YouTube. It was pretty neat, and I'm definitely weighing the options of throwing it on my Chrome Browser

Rama Goes to Therapy: On the vahana  ride back to Ayodha, it was a tense environment. Rama and Lakshmana, with the help of the ape king Sugriva and Hanuman, had just rescued Sita. Upon rescuing her, she was thrilled to be reunited with her love but Rama had turned cold, for he doubted her fidelity and believed that she had slept with Ravana during her capture. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana sat there in an awkward silence the likes of which had never been experienced by any of them before. Finally, in an attempt to cut the tension, Lakshmana spoke: "So, Sita? How are you holding up?" She sighed, "I'm okay. Though that was certainly not fun to be detained for so long. Thank you for rescuing me." She nudged Rama gently, who was holding the reins on the vahana . "Of course I would rescue you, Sita. You are my wife." Rama replied, though it seemed that his thoughts were diverted elsewhere.  They land in Ayodha and Rama is welcomed back with a true celebration b...

Reading Notes: Sita Sings the Blues Part B link Sita Sings the Blues --- by Nina Paley (Question Copyright) So, I actually ended up watching all of the film last night because it was so enthralling that I couldn't put it down. I got notes on the main plot points last night, but I wanted to jot down some more thoughts about storytelling devices and just give general impressions about the film now that I've had some time to let the content sink in.  I absolutely loved this film. My biggest critique of the Ramayana was how unsatisfying the ending was. I felt this way solely because of how the relationship between Rama and Sita died at the end. While it would be disingenuous and would actually damage the story (in my opinion, I'll get to that in a bit) to have their relationship be magically repaired at the end, it was refreshing to consider things from Sita's point of view. Realistically, it shifted the protagonist from Rama (as it would be in a more traditional rendering ...

Reading Notes: Sita Sings the Blues: video  - by Nina Paley I really enjoyed the opening scene, with the anachronism of the record player. It was also really cool how the lotus petals where used as lilypads in the opening scene.  After the intro, I'm rather confused --- why are there two people in San Fran with a cat? Oh this is such an accurate representation of how loud Tux is in the morning. The animation style is very different here.  The way of using three different narrators is fascinating! Especially when they comically bicker about the details of the storytelling.  They definitely start in the story in media res  though. Rama has already met Sita and he his facing exile at this point. Animation style change, and now it's a musical number, an interesting way to switch narrative method. This is used to tell their time in the forest.  The overlying theme of anachronism as Sita sings the blues is not lost on me.  Their perspective on Rama is intere...