Category Archives: Identity
But you have to have it! Um…no, really, no
Please be prepared, this might come off slightly in the realm of rant. Some of my friends and I, as well as several of my family members and I have been having an ongoing conversation about the acquirement of “stuff” since … Continue reading
Posted in Daring, Identity, Life, People, Social Norms, travel
Tagged consumerism, downsizing, expat lifestyle, freedom, materialism, minimalism, owning things, peer pressure, people versus stuff, plastic, pollution, shopping for groceries with a bicycle, social pressure, unwanted advertising
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The Oscars and Book Covers
At Starbuck’s this morning, the patron in front of me in line, the two baristas behind the counter, and myself were all discussing the Oscars. None of us had actually watched the awards, though most of us had checked online … Continue reading
Killing Words
The following is a short essay in the form of a story based on my travels. All the places mentioned here are place I have been. Everything, except the conversation, are taken from things that happened in life. I found … Continue reading
Posted in Daring, history, Identity, Life, People, Social Norms, travel
Tagged beijiu, China, disappeared, Elephant Cave, Guangzhou, history, Li River, lies, Lijiang, river, searching woman, truth, words can't say
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Climbing Walls
__________ Photo Credit: Ciara Darren Location: Osaka Castle, Osaka, Japan
Posted in Daring, history, Identity, Life, People
Tagged fun, Japan, man climbing wall, Osaka, Osaka Castle, quotes
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10 Shrines of History, Politics, and Wonder – a.k.a. Museums
Museums throw open the doors to the past, the future, and the facts and opinions we might never otherwise come in contact with. Recently, Knyght and I visit The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. We meant to stay just … Continue reading
Posted in Art, history, Identity, People, travel
Tagged Asian Art Museum, China, Fort Ross, international politics, Japan, Japanese history, MET, Metropolitan Museum, museum, Russians in California, Sanxingdui, South Korea, The Field Museum, The Korean National History Museum, Yashukan museum, Yasukuni shrine
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Show, Don’t Tell: Advice Not Just for Storytelling
More than a year ago, I wrote a post “Modern Myths: The Active Audience, Imagination, and Why I Love Fanvids”. There, I explained a bit about why I enjoy watching fan made music videos and the art that goes into … Continue reading
Posted in Identity, Music, Mythology
Tagged "Take Me to Church", 2015, artistic expression, mashups, multifandoms, Pteryx, reflection, show don't tell
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This Should NOT Have Happened
Yesterday afternoon, as I was getting ready to wrap up at my office, I heard a shriek. Someone said, “There’s been a mass shooting, in Paris.” I put my head back down and kept working. I think a lot of … Continue reading
Speculative Fiction and Tradition
When I first started writing, I kept conflicts, characters and my societies very much politically correct, in as far as I understood correctness. I didn’t bash any races, I didn’t write racist characters and I didn’t mess around with life … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Identity, Relationships in Fiction, Social Norms, Speculative
Tagged social programming, speculative fiction
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Fantasy: The oldest Genre Around
I’ve been writing about fantasy a lot lately. There’s a reason. I keep running into it and I can’t get enough of it. Fantasy is for everyone. No matter where you are in your life, what you do in your … Continue reading
Forbidden Words, Subconscious Decisions
When I was maybe twelve, I ran across a Stephen King book. I don’t know what book it was. I think it was in my grandmother’s mobile home, when she was visiting us one summer. “Don’t read that,” she said. … Continue reading
Posted in Book Reviews, Identity, People, Religion, Social Norms
Tagged Anne Rice, fanfiction, horror, LitGal, Lyn Gala, Stephen King, vampire books, vampires, zombies
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Ciara Darren 