Reading Notes: Anasi and Nothing

The One Ring  Source:Wikipedia

This week I read the short stories of the trickster spider Anansi from the West African Folktales. I am thinking of crossing the story of Anansi with that of Shelob, a very large and very frightening spider from one of my favorite trilogies, The Lord of the Rings. Anansi's tricks are relatively harmless when compared with the single-minded killer Shelob. However, I believe that it would not be all that hard to put a really dark twist on the folktales that would better reflect the enormous predator.


West African Folktales by Barker and Sinclair: Link to the reading online

Reading Notes: Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp

Walt Disney's Aladdin   Source: flickr

I was pretty fascinated by this version of the story. I loved the Disney movie Aladdin when I was growing up, but this had a lot darker tone to it. I think that I might replace the magic lamp with some other "magic object". I was also confused whenever the genie became angry and referred to the roc as his master. I'll do a little research into that topic and maybe use the roc's egg instead of the lamp. I may also use an Aladdin who was rich previous to discovering the object, and the magician may be someone who intends to take over his palace and/or riches. I may decide to start my story many years after the happenings of the other story. A possible setting is Aladdin is an old man and afraid of dying, and the genie can't do  anything for him. He then hears of something which could restore his and his wife's youth. He starts out on a journey and realizes how dependent he has become on the genie to do things for him. If I take this route I may place this "fountain of youth" or whatever I choose somewhere in North Africa or maybe South America.


From Arabian Nights by Andrew Lang Link to the reading online

Growth Mindset

Prior to this post I had never heard of Carol Dweck or her Growth Mindset. To me, it seemed to be just an optimistic outlook on things at its roots. Not to oversimplify, but she mentions looking at challenges as an opportunity to grow in ways that you normally would not in your comfort zone. I think that really requires optimism. I believe that I move up and down the fixed-growth mindset spectrum with each of my classes. In the classes that I wholeheartedly enjoy I will look at a challenge as an opportunity to learn a lot more about something I am interested in. However, if it is in a class which I do not enjoy as much I will sometimes look at a challenge as an inconvenience. I would really like to try and apply a growth mindset for all of my classes this semester. I believe if I take a more optimistic view on classes from Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy to Native American Philosophy I'll enjoy my work and the classes a lot more. Who knows, I may even do better work in these classes.

By Laura Gibbs. Inspired by Bob Dylan's Forever Young. Source:Growth Mindset Memes

Starting the Semester

In order to start off the semester on a good note, I usually look ahead in the courses I'm taking and create a schedule so I know when tests and other important projects are due. Next, I buy a binder where I keep all papers, notes, or handouts I have for that class. 

Source: Flickr

Introduction to a Cotton Headed Ninny Muggins

Hey! My name is Chris Dillahunty, and I'm a senior here at the University of Oklahoma. I am originally from the small town of Mangum, OK. Don't be ashamed if you have no clue where that may be or have never even heard of it before. Believe me, you're not alone. My major is biology, and I hope to one day dig around in peoples' mouths for a living. As you may or may not have gathered from my blog's title, I'm a bit of a nerd. I wholly enjoy every minute of Game of Thrones (yes, even the Arya storyline), and am in the middle of reading the books now. I'm usually opposed to watching a show/movie regarding a book I intend to read before reading said book, but there are just some things that you have to make exceptions for. I am currently a server in a restaurant here in Norman. I laugh at jokes that aren't that funny. Most of my attempts at humor are sub par, and I regularly hear "It's not a good joke if you have to explain it." My hobbies are somewhat typical of a soon-to-be twenty two year old man. I spend a lot of my weekend nights during the school year at Seven 47, although I recommend Logies if you're ever up during the summer and are looking for a good time. Hiking is one of my favorite things to do outside. The physical challenge is a large part of the reason I love it, but the beautiful views, feeling of freedom, and general lack of cell service are nice as well. I consider myself pretty well-versed in most things music. Growing up, I listened to a blend of music from Billy Joel to Barenaked Ladies, the good ol' non-pop country, and most things R&B.

The original cotton headed ninny muggins. Source: YouTube

Reading Options

Source: The Rousing of Achilles

Homer's Iliad

I chose this for my week 2 reading because I have never gotten the chance to read it. I have, however, seen and love the movie Troy. I won't mind getting a bigger picture than what the movie tells.

Storybook Favorites

Secret Life of Titans

The Secret Life of Titans caught my eye because I have had a special place for Greek mythology since I was young. Hercules was one of my favorite movies growing up, and so once I was old enough to do a little reading and find out all of the cool (and sometimes disturbing) things which the Disney movie left out, that's just what I did. This storybook had an interesting way of retelling the old stories which I know or have heard of in a modern setting. The pictures used are quite different as well. If I had to guess, I would say that the houses in the picture are in a seaside town in Greece, although I would have to look a bit more online to be sure. It is very unique, and I look forward to diving into it a bit more.

The Doctor and His Rebels

I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been in a group conversation which happened to stray to Doctor Who once or twice. Despite hearing about how great of a show it is, and being a subscriber to Hulu which frequently advertises the show, I have not taken the time to start it. Maybe after a few of these stories I'll be too intrigued to put it off anymore.

Sea Monsters

A little over seventy percent of the Earth's surface is covered by water. In some places the oceans are miles deep. With an abyss as breathtakingly massive as that, it would be difficult for anyone not to imagine the horrors which could be lying just below the surface. This storybook seems something like a Frankenstein made up stories written by Jules Verne and H.P. Lovecraft, two of my favorite authors. The storybook also uses phenomenal graphics to sell its stories.

A beast, presumably the mythological Kraken, attacking a ship.  Source: Sea Monsters