Names, brainstorming

[tarigwaemir]

DeWolfe Apts., on the Feast of Sts. Joachim and Anna

Huh. Apparently, it's my saint day. (My baptismal name is Hannah, after the mother of Samuel in the Old Testament. Yes, it was chosen for its similarity to my Korean name. Hannah doesn't have a feast day in the liturgical calendar, but it's the same name in Hebrew as Anna, who is the mother of the Virgin Mary, and a nun told me that I could take St. Anna's feast day as my saint day.)

Another interesting tidbit: two of my blockmates, who are roommates, have the same name. My own roommate's name is Nan (she's Chinese), and in English, Nan is often a nickname for Anne or Hannah, which means Nan and I have Asian versions of two variations on the same Hebrew name.

I've been wondering whether I have the courage to apply as a facilitator for fan_extension (Tin's latest project: fandom correspondance courses). My plans for August have pretty much fallen through (leaving me sorely disappointed), so I'm now determined to compensate by committing myself to more fandom projects than ever before. ^_^ The problem though is that while I'm good at coming up with courses that I would like to take, I can't think of any that I would be able to teach. Or at least "facilitate". One mad thought did occur to me as I was walking to kendo practice this evening: maybe I could cover kenjutsu in Rurouni Kenshin and other samurai series! But I don't think I've read or watched all that many samurai series, other than Peacemaker Kurogane and the aforementioned Ruroken. Not to mention, kendo != kenjutsu (which is why I'm always kind of nervous when I look over the action scenes in Balance).

A course I would like to take is "Technology and its influence on military strategy in Legend of Galactic Heroes" but alas, I'm still wending my way through the series. Actually, "Technology and its influence on military strategy in mecha series" would be a neat course as well, but I'm not up to theorizing about mecha weaponry.

Ever since rereading Eternal Sabbath, I've been wondering about what the actual function of the ES gene could be and how it could explain Shuro and Izaku's psychic powers. That could be part of a larger course on "Genetic engineering in SF manga" but I can't think of other series that would fall under the heading. -_- (Also, given the size of the Eternal Sabbath fandom, it might be more effective to just post speculations on LJ.)

Hm, what other courses? "Historical background of Monster"? "Theory of alternate universes in CLAMP"? "Magical theory as taught in Hogwarts"? (Or even, "Magical theory as taught by Chrestomanci"? ^_^) "FST-making workshop"? (I wouldn't dare to run this course myself but I would sign up for it in an instant.)

Someone should run "Mandate of Heaven as explored in Ravages of Time". (worldserpent? ^_^) And "Classical music 101 for Nodame Cantabile". "Hindu mythology in manga" (the first series that comes to mind is Tokyo Crazy Paradise, but I'm sure there are others). "Seireitei: a geopolitical study". "Buddhist influence on Korean dramas"...Hey, what about an "AU-writing workshop"?

Okay, I'll shut up and go to sleep.

Yours &c.

Comments

[baka-neko.livejournal.com]

I would so sign up for a AU-writing workshop! What about mythology or world building for supernatural series? Mushishi comes to mind, though I wouldn't know how you classify it.

[troisroyaumes]

Mythology/folklore behind Mushishi would be such a great topic! I would sign up for it in an instant, since I know next to nothing about the subject. (I wonder if tsutanai could be convinced to teach it?) ^_^

[baka-neko.livejournal.com]

Actually, I'd take advantage of the beta stage and do a 'brainstorm' instead. With the AU workshop -- maybe a discussion first? On the definitions and type of AUs we've encountered? Kind of like a fandom-meta wiki topic really. Because I know that my idea of AU does not necessarily match up with what is out there.

[troisroyaumes]

Huh, that's an idea. I guess I never thought that the courses could be offered on a preliminary level (probably because the one course that has been established already--recology--is so super-organized). Hm, I may consider the AU workshop idea more seriously then.

[thisresonance.livejournal.com]

My own name (or, I should say, the name I prefer to go by in RL) is also derived from Hannah (according to Behind the Name (http://www.behindthename.com) it's the French version of Hannah). And, in a strange coincidence, I happened to be born on the feast day of the saint who shares my first name (a name I happen to dislike). I pointed this out to my parents and they were rather surprised since they had no idea - they'd just named me after my maternal great-grandmother...

When I was younger, I had an obsession with names and their meanings. I was always disappointed that my name was so uninteresting and that the person in the Bible who shared my name had such a small (and rather boring) part.

[troisroyaumes]

Oh, wow, an odd coincidence indeed. My birthday's the feast day of St. Matthew...I wonder if that would have been my baptismal name if I had been born a boy.

I like my Korean name, but I was rather disgruntled with my baptismal name (after all, Hannah is best known for praying for a son). I considered changing it at confirmation but alas never did find a female saint interesting enough for a replacement. -_-;;

[worldserpent.livejournal.com]

Heh, I have the same problem... (Although, I doubt I know enough about the Mandate of Heaven to teach a class XD Basically it is just something I wonder about.)

About Hindu mythology in manga, the obvious one that comes to mind is RG Veda by CLAMP. I'd be interested in seeing some stuff on Chinese mythology as well.

[troisroyaumes]

It could be a seminar, where all you have to do is provide discussion questions and readings! ^_^ (Although actually that alone probably require considerable planning.)

Oh yes, RG Veda was the other series I was thinking of but couldn't remember. I haven't actually read it myself but have seen it referenced in TRC.

[worldserpent.livejournal.com]

True, but it helps to know which readings to recommend and such.

Yeah, it does seem like not many people want to sign up as facilitators.

more Hindu mythology

[sub-divided.livejournal.com]

There's 3x3 Eyes. A very long series that only becomes more Hindu-inspired as it progresses.

Re: more Hindu mythology

[troisroyaumes]

Oh, I've heard of it but have only a vague idea that it has something to do with demons. ^_^;;

[team7.livejournal.com]

Those are great ideas for courses! Would you mind re-posting them when I set up a course suggestion thread in the comm? I think that there might be people who'd like to volunteer as facilitators, only they have no real idea re: what to 'teach' XD

Am still holding out hope that you'll agree to be a facilitator though XD Even a mini-course on kendo, kenjutsu and Ruroken will be smashing!

No pressure!~~

[troisroyaumes]

Sure, I won't mind reposting them, especially if it means someone might offer them. XD

Ahaha, I'll have to think further about the kendo course and whether it's feasible. XD;;

[lawnmower-elf.livejournal.com]

...I miss Mommy. **hug**

The LJ comm thing sounds intriguing - I can definitely see you teaching a kendo course (How in the world did you learn all that kendo stuff? We did the third kata just last week and I'm pretty sure Kofi and Chit were getting frustrated...They had to ask Toshimi for footwork clarification, which was pretty funny...)

I'd attend an "AU-writing workshop". ^___^

[troisroyaumes]

Eva! ;_; I didn't reply to your Facebook wall because I thought it would be better to explain to you in person at practice yesterday, but you weren't there. ;_; Sorry, there are financial reasons for why I can't go, and I was terribly devastated about it. Still am, to tell the truth, and trying not to think about it.

You'll be fine though (I think UG will be there, so you shan't have to deal with the males all by yourself), and I know you'll come back, able to beat up all the guys in your year and probably me as well. XD

We did the third and fourth kata yesterday, and Chit and Kofi had to ask Toshimi for help again. It was rather amusing. But I know even less about kendo (I get mixed up on the footwork for the first kata if I haven't reviewed them in a while). Huh...probably another reason why I shouldn't attempt such a course.