I’m on a news hiatus, but I happened to catch the headline on my google news widget that George Carlin died. It’s sad, because he was actually funny. Comedy is filled with too many un-funny comedians, and George was one of the few I could appreciate.
That being said, I think it’s silly to cry over his passing. I’m not suggesting fans shouldn’t honor him. But why cry over someone who made you laugh? Your last memory of this person will be of crying over him rather than of all the happiness he gave you.
As promised, we are having another RoundTable this month due to various scheduling mishaps on my part. That being said, I’ve planned a “hands on” event this time around. Inspired by Italo Calvino’s book, The Castle of Crossed Destinies, this RoundTable will explore the various levels of storytelling using the tarot. The rules are simple: the storyteller cannot use any words, only tarot cards and some minor gestures. He or she can interpret the meaning of the cards however he or she sees fit. The “readers,” or other participants, try to guess the meaning of the story based only on what they see. This exercise demonstrates the various levels that go into understanding a story, from the teller’s original intent to the actual understanding by the readers. I will be providing a “study deck” based loosely on the Marseilles deck. Anyone is welcome to bring a deck they don’t mind sharing.
We will be meeting at the Book People Cafe on Saturday the 28th at 4:30pm. I made a little table sign with the RoundTable logo that will be on display.
Book People
603 N Lamar
Austin, TX 78703
Please RSVP by the morning of the 28th. I look forward to seeing you there!
I’m writing this post on my blackberry and I wanted to see if it worked.
So, as already mentioned, I somehow spaced on the fact that I originally scheduled the next RoundTable for May 31st. It took the most recent JCF announcement to remind me. Since I have a conflict on this date, I have pushed this RoundTable back to June 7th. We will still have the scheduled RoundTable on June 28, but I am still working out the topic.
This month’s topic: Literary Alchemy
“Literary Alchemy” is a phrase coined - as far as I know - by John Granger, theologian and writer of hogwartsprofessor.com, to describe how one can induce personal transformation through literature, especially Harry Potter. This process of transformation resembles Campbell’s hero’s journey. We are going to explore alchemy, literature and unleashing personal myth through literature (movies, television shows, etc. count, too).
The meeting will be held at the Book People cafe starting at 4:30. I will be there wearing my black JCF t-shirt with the red circle logo on the front.
Book People
603 N Lamar
Austin, TX 78703
Please RSVP by the morning of June 7th.
I look forward to seeing everyone there.