OK…these are hilarious. Here is part 2:
***Warning…blasphemy alert for those sensitive to satire about Deity. This one is about Jesus, so it might be particularly offensive to some***
Archive for the ‘Life’ Category
Mr. Deity Part 2: Mr. Deity and the Really Big Favor
Wednesday, January 17th, 2007My “Wicked” LDS Journey Part 8: “Wonderful”
Wednesday, December 20th, 2006This entry is 8th in a series that begins here. For the full effect, click on “Continue Reading” below, find the music player, and play the song while reading the lyrics.
Story Background: Here we see the Wizard’s softer side, and learn that he got swept up (like Glinda) in the glamor of attention. We learn that in his own way, he had (at least in part) noble intentions to help the citizens of Oz. Along w/ the allure of power and security, it’s clear he felt that the ends somewhat justified the means. Thus the deception of the veil.
The program notes also claim, “He holds out the promise to Elphaba that, with him, she can fulfill her subconscious longing to be accepted by a fatherly figure.” I can’t necessarily relate to that part of it, but maybe some of you can.
(more…)
My “Wicked” LDS Journey Part 7: “Defying Gravity”
Wednesday, December 20th, 2006This entry is 7th in a series that begins here. For the full effect, click on “Continue Reading” below, find the music player, and play the song while reading the lyrics.
Story Background: Glinda (she got renamed) would like to see Elphaba conform and also realize her dream as expressed in “The Wizard and I.” But when Elphaba discovers that the Wizard is behind the mistreatment of animals, she must change her dream. She takes a stand. This is her moment when she resolves to follow her new conviction based on her inner moral sense and care for Dr. Dillamond, even though it means social rejection.
(more…)
Contratulations: Man of the Year!
Saturday, December 16th, 2006
To all my esteemed colleagues in the blog and podcast worlds — congratulations on being named Man (Person) of the Year!!!!
We deserve it, dontcha think?
My “Wicked” LDS Journey Part 6: “One Short Day”
Friday, December 15th, 2006This entry is 6th in a series that begins here. For the full effect, click on “Continue Reading” below, find the music player, and play the song while reading the lyrics.
Story Background: Elphaba and Galinda are both given the chance to go together to the Emerald City to meet the great Wizard of Oz. This song conveys their excitement in going to this “magical” and even “sacred” place, to meet the “greatest, goodest man on earth.” And of course, don’t forget parallels between the Oz descriptions and the plans for the LDS Mall. 
The 2nd part of the song is simply an homage to the great and all-powerful Wizard of Oz.
My “Wicked” LDS Journey Part 4: “Popular”
Wednesday, December 13th, 2006This entry is 4th in a series that begins here. or the full effect, click on “Continue Reading” below, find the music player, and play the song while reading the lyrics.
Story Background: This song is 100% plain, pure fun. After the big dance, Elphaba and Galinda become friends. One evening, Galinda offers to help make Elphaba more “popular.” As you may gather, Galinda is a tad bit self-absorbed, and prideful. This scene sets up Elphaba’s eventual rejection of popularity for the sake of principles.
My “Wicked” LDS Journey Part 3: “Dancing Through Life”
Tuesday, December 12th, 2006This entry is 3rd in a series that begins here. For the full effect, click on “Continue Reading” below, find the music player, and play the song while reading the lyrics.
Story Background: A flunk-out from various other colleges, Prince Fiyero struts his stuff when he shows up at Shiz and introduces his philosophy “Dancing Through Life.” In this song sequence, we are introduced to parts of the love triangles in the story: Nessarose (Elphaba’s handicapped sister) longs for the attention of the munchkin Boq (pronounced “Buck”), who himself has been stricken with the charm of the unreachable Galinda (who calls him Bick, Bock…anything but Buck).
My “Wicked” LDS Journey Part 2: “What is this feeling? (Loathing)”
Tuesday, December 12th, 2006This entry is 2nd in a series that begins here. For the full effect, click on “Continue Reading” below, find the music player, and play the song while reading the lyrics.
Story Background: Galinda is the most beautiful, rich and popular girl at Shiz (she also becomes Glinda the “Good” witch at the end of Wicked). Anyway, due to a series of unfortunate events, Galinda is assigned Elphaba as a roommate. They basically represent polar opposites. Galinda is about appearance, popularity–and shallowness. Elphaba represents intelligence, “truth to power”, and the unpopular. This song is about how they felt when they first met. More background on the writing of the song here.
Parallels to My Story: In many ways, I was Elphaba growing up. Because of the divorce, we didn’t have much money, so I could never compete on clothes and appearance. I was super tall and skinny, and not very fashionable to say the least. Also, growing up Mormon in a heavily baptist town isn’t very helpful (the local Baptist church held an annual seminar called “Mormons and other cults)”. I know–”Boo hoo.” Anyway, I also possessed a very high degree of righteous indignation for the “Wicked” around me–those who drank, smoked, did drugs and had sex….and who weren’t Mormon. I truly felt myself superior to them, and in many ways, pitied them. All of them.
Anyway, it’s a stretch, but if anything, this will help you some w/ character development of the relationship between Galinda and Elphaba. It’s also too fun a song to not include.
Music for Life # 08: That’s What the Lonely is For
Thursday, December 7th, 2006Do you ever feel sad and lonely? I’m in Boston right now, away from my family, and I have to admit–my evenings can get quite lonely. Usually when I get this sad/down, I try to understand the meaning of it all–why do I feel this way? So profoundly? So deeply?
This song really helps me to work through things when I’m feeling this way. I’m sharing it in 2 parts—part 1 is a narrative/introduction to the song, and part 2 is the actual song.
The answer (for me) is always very simple–the lonely is there to remind me to act–to figure out a way to do something meaningful and creative to fill the void.
I hope it helps you, too–in your hour of need. I think it’s true (whatever that means).
A Friendly Reminder to Us Bloggers: We’re All a Bit Too Solipsistic
Tuesday, November 28th, 2006
Michael Kinsley of Slate fame (and the co-founder of CNN’s Hardball with Pat Buchanan) wrote a lovely little essay about us bloggers on the Internet called “Why I care.”
It turns out that we’re all solipsists.
I think he’s right. Let this be a reminder to us all. For tonight, put down your keyboard and your brilliant little insight(s), and go spend time some time with a tangible loved one.
As for me, I’ll be right here.