Well, I’m happy that this 365 Days worth of Squee is off to a great start. I’m in the middle of unpacking my library, stumbling on the books I’ve been pulling together for my alternate history novel, when I realized something.
I am very lucky.
I say this again: I am very lucky. I have had some *great* educators over the years, from an American history professor I had to the T.A. who was studying Viking archaeology. In college, what did I know? Not much. I didn’t really fully understand cultural appropriation, Western imperialism, or how history books I’d read were so one-sided–I was too inexperienced to I think. Suspected? Yes. Years later, *now* I understand some things about these pretty heady topics, because I’ve intentionally put the time in to find various perspectives for a lot of reasons, both personally and professionally.
The truth is, I love history because there’s so many powerful and emotional stories there–some that make me cry, laugh, get angry, scratch my head, throw my fist in the air, and drop my jaw with amazement. I could be wrong, but I’m of the mind that empathy can be learned by understanding the atrocities of the past and listening to the voices who dared to speak of them so we don’t repeat these events in the future. I see that history is a lot more complex and real than what it often gets distilled into, and I reflexively want to find out more from both sides–even if it makes me uncomfortable–so I have more stories to read and, by way of research, more stories to tell.
This has been a transformative squee, brought to you by thinking about what inspires me.
12/365
- Mood: I’m… Getting… Better!
Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Working on my second cup.
Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: STILL yping like mad!
In My Ears: Fish tank.
Game Last Played: Age of Reckoning: Kingdoms of Amalur
Book Last Read: The Crimson Affair by Lilith Saintcrow
Movie Last Viewed: Good Morning, Vietnam
Latest Artistic Project: My cat ate my Halloween decorations
Latest Fiction/Comic Release: Last
Latest Game Release: Hunter the Vigil: Mortal Remains
What I’m Working On: Primarily tie-in games work, original comics, and novels.