So I've focused myself on Neil Gaiman's mythologies. I'm a little worried that this is a huge topic, but I'm finding it difficult to narrow myself down to just one of his books, because I don't want to eliminate any of the myths, and so many of his books (like the Sandman graphic novels) cover many different mythologies at once.
According to our course readings, the first three of the 8Ws are Watching, Wondering, and Webbing.
My watching occurred while I was reading Neil Gaiman's works, and it led me to choosing this topic. I also am constantly observing the students at school and seeing their fascination with mythology as well. So this is a topic that interest me, but also, I can use part of it to help my students, since some of Gaiman's works are for younger readers and they enjoy stories about myths.
My wondering led to webbing with last week's assignment. I'm going to have to re-create the rest of that web, because it didn't save properly after I finished it. I wondered about what I was able to identify and what I would need to research further. I created a web to begin to identify terms I would be able to search for.
Showing posts with label watching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label watching. Show all posts
Monday, September 12, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Getting Started
I've had such a hard time getting started on this project, mostly because I just can't decide what to focus on. The idea phase of a free-range project always stumps me. It's hard keeping an open mind and wondering a bit when I'm feeling like I NEED to choose a topic because I NEED to get started. So. Wondering a bit...
I could do astronomy. It's always a topic that fascinates me, and I'd love to get my telescope out and working again - especially with the amazing view of Jupiter we should have next month. I even have a thorough list of resources that I developed last semester as part of my reference class. It's definitely a topic I could lose myself in for quite a while.
Another thought is gardening, particularly patio gardening. I'm in an apartment, so I don't have much space for greenery. However I've got my two potted rosebushes that seem to be needing a bit more help, especially with the colder weather coming. I wonder what I need to do for them...but I also am not sure how invested I can be in such a project.
Mythology might be a direction, as well. I enjoy reading and hearing mythology and stories built around mythical ideas and beings. I've recently started reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Like many of his novels, it delves deeply into mythology, and this time, I'm finding myself not recognizing many of the references (I'm not even quite sure which culture he's pulling from this time). I found myself in a similar situation with Odd and the Frost Giants (also Gaiman) last spring, although I did have a minute bit of familiarity with Norse myth. It's certainly worth consideration.
Finally, the storms hitting the east coast have me wondering about how the Outer Banks have been doing. My family spent so many summers down there when I was younger, that I feel attached to the strip of islands. I also know they have a very rich history...one I know very little about and might be interested to find out more.
In the end, I feel I'm still no closer to getting started, but at least I have a few ideas written down. Maybe I'll take a small venture into each of these and see what sparks my attention. Perhaps it will be something completely different.
I could do astronomy. It's always a topic that fascinates me, and I'd love to get my telescope out and working again - especially with the amazing view of Jupiter we should have next month. I even have a thorough list of resources that I developed last semester as part of my reference class. It's definitely a topic I could lose myself in for quite a while.
Another thought is gardening, particularly patio gardening. I'm in an apartment, so I don't have much space for greenery. However I've got my two potted rosebushes that seem to be needing a bit more help, especially with the colder weather coming. I wonder what I need to do for them...but I also am not sure how invested I can be in such a project.
Mythology might be a direction, as well. I enjoy reading and hearing mythology and stories built around mythical ideas and beings. I've recently started reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Like many of his novels, it delves deeply into mythology, and this time, I'm finding myself not recognizing many of the references (I'm not even quite sure which culture he's pulling from this time). I found myself in a similar situation with Odd and the Frost Giants (also Gaiman) last spring, although I did have a minute bit of familiarity with Norse myth. It's certainly worth consideration.
Finally, the storms hitting the east coast have me wondering about how the Outer Banks have been doing. My family spent so many summers down there when I was younger, that I feel attached to the strip of islands. I also know they have a very rich history...one I know very little about and might be interested to find out more.
In the end, I feel I'm still no closer to getting started, but at least I have a few ideas written down. Maybe I'll take a small venture into each of these and see what sparks my attention. Perhaps it will be something completely different.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)