Monthly Archives: September 2014

Greek Mythology Summarized by a Smartass

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Nathan

Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods, by Rick Riordan – This oversize volume summarizes the classical Greek myths, starting with the creation of the universe and continuing on through the major gods. It’s all narrated by Percy Jackson, who has a rather … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Greek Mythology, Heroes of Olympus, Mythology, Percy Jackson, Rick Riordan | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Art Thou Thine Art?

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Nathan

Amy recently addressed a subject I’ve thought about every once in a while, that of separating the artist from the art. I tend to think this is generally a good idea. Not that you can totally separate the two, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Authors, Celebrities, L. Frank Baum, Oz, Oz Authors, Prejudice | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Romance of the Mushroom Kingdom

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Nathan

Thanks to Drew’s comments on a 1986 anime based on Super Mario Bros., I decided to watch it myself. Super Mario Bros.: Pīchi-hime Kyushutsu Dai Sakusen!, known in English as The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach, is not that … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartoons, Comics, Fairy Tales, Magic, Mario, Relationships, Super Mario Bros. Super Show, Television, Video Games, VoVat Goes to the Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Dwarf Stars

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Nathan

As I indicated here, the modern concept of dwarfs seems to largely derive from the dark elves of Norse mythology, although they’ve diverged in modern fantasy and fairy tales. These creatures were said to dwell underground in the world of … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Characters, Fairy Tales, J.R.R. Tolkien, L. Frank Baum, Mythology, Norse, Oz, Oz Authors, Ruth Plumly Thompson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Baggins of Fun

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Nathan

Today is Bilbo and Frodo Baggins’ birthday, although I don’t think they’re still alive to enjoy it. Even though they sailed off to the Undying Lands, mortal beings who reach there remain mortal. How long they live is unknown, though. … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, J.R.R. Tolkien | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You’ve Been the Subject of So Many Dreams Since I Climbed Your Torso

Posted on September 20, 2014 by Nathan

I climbed the Statue of Liberty once, when I was probably around nine or so. This must not have been that long after it was reopened to the public in 1986, and it was one of the last trips I … Continue reading →

Posted in Greek Mythology, History, Mythology, Roman, Roman Empire | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Academy of Mutants

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Nathan

Since I’ve been thinking a bit about superheroes recently, I thought it might not be a bad idea to write about the X-Men cartoon from the 1990s, which was how I was introduced to most of those characters. I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Cartoons, Comics, Neko Case, Prejudice, Television | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Luma Park

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Nathan

I haven’t actually played Super Mario Galaxy, and when I saw Tavie play a little bit of it, it looked complicated. I guess it’s just that I’m old-fashioned, and used to seeing Mario in only two dimensions. Nevertheless, I can’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Characters, Mario, Oz, Oz Authors, Ruth Plumly Thompson, Video Games, Zelda | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Reviewing Ann Soforth

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Nathan

Queen Ann and Jodie in Oz: The Complete Ann-Thology, by Karyl Carlson and Eric Gjovaag – I first read Queen Ann in Oz many years ago when Books of Wonder published it, and now it’s been republished with some edits … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Characters, L. Frank Baum, Magic Items, Oz, Oz Authors, Places | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

You Always Hurt the One You Love

Posted on September 16, 2014 by Nathan

Beth sent me a link to this post the other day, and there’s also been a lot of talk about the football player who got in trouble for hitting his kid. I can’t say I’m totally decided on whether corporal … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Current Events, Education, Families, Fundamentalism, Relationships, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment