I recently read a blog entry from one of the Sisenwains' dear family friends, Ben, who is living abroad for the year in Punta Arenas, Chile. I visit his blog once every couple of weeks (he has a to-the-point style that gives you a neat snapshot of all that's happening in his life there and, although I am far too prissy and girly to do what he's doing, it's awesome to live vicariously through him)! I made one such visit early this morning, and once I got there, I knew I was in for a treat - his blog was twice (or three or four) times as long as his usuals. It was there, in his entry that I found the title for this current one of mine. At the end of several of his detailed, self-professed "rambling" paragraphs, he would restate the phrase "Such is the joy of _______." Sometimes, these joys didn't seem very joyful at all (to me - Ben seemed to almost relish the pitfalls of camping in windy, rainy, snowy weather)! Such is the power of positive thinking!
So...with all that joy that Ben provided me in that blog entry in mind...and with 2010 barreling to a close (two weeks left, I'm in shock!), I thought I would take some time to recount moments of joy (and moments of "what're you gonna do?!") that have happened in Jeff's and my life. The goal is to do this in installments, as there is much about a year to review (especially when it's been this year), but I hope you enjoy what I'm calling the "Such are the joys of..." series, coming soon to a blog near you!
I love this, Lauren - super that Ben inspired you and super that you're doing this review.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read it.
(By the way - I've been thinking about you and will email very soon. Re: your address, I was dimwitted - I had it all along... it did save in my google address book. Thank you though!!)
Que tal chica! I'm happy you enjoyed my post enough to blog about it! How cool? But now i feel obligated to share my inspiration for the "such are the joys" post.
ReplyDeleteI like to read. A lot. And sometimes i like to try to imitate some of the authors i read. Often i fail miserably, but i still have a good time trying. Such are the joys of blogging.
So, the literary technique i was using by repeating the "such are the joys" line is called a leitmotif - a recurring theme associated with a particular person, place, or idea. In particular such a theme should be clearly identified so as to retain its identity if and when modified on subsequent appearances. I was attempting to switch back and forth between sincerity and sarcasm. Worth nothing, the leitmotif is probably a more common practice in music composition, but is also used in literature, theater, and cinema.
Vonnegut and Virginia Woolf were able utilize this technique much better than me, but you don't get good at something without practice. Such are the joys of blogging. Hope you and yours are well. Happy holidays!
Ben--I do believe that leitmotif is used pretty regularly in literature as well. As an English major, I studied multiple leitmotifs from various authors (including Ms. Woolf herself).
ReplyDeleteIt has been almost eight-ten years since I've done so (and since this literary, musical, and cinematic technique is all but lost on seventh and eighth graders, I find myself oh-so out of practice)!
I am much more the queen of "Where do you put a comma?" and "How do you write a complete sentence" today than I am of the "Now, what does this leitmotif show us about _____?"
Thank you for bringing the leitmotif back into popularity--I may feel even more inspired as to create a leitmotif of my own on this blog (one day!)
Thank you so much!