WOW _ Word of the week #3

  WOW - Word Of the Week #3

This word came up in my recent readings on gods, mythologies (mainly Greek and Norse) and when I looked up its meaning, found that the sound of the word doesn't reflect the 'weight' of its meaning. Or is it just me? 

Here's the definition:
                                          #3

Tutelary

 derives from the Latin noun tutelarius, meaning "guardian." "Tutelarius," is composed of the word tutela ("protection" or "guardian") and the suffix  "-arius," that implies belonging and connection. The words tutelage and tutor have the same roots "Tutelary" can be an adjective or noun referring to a power (such as a deity) who acts as a guardian, like a deity or a spirit.

1: having the guardianship of a person or a thinga tutelary goddess

2: of or relating to a guardian
I was actually surprised about its relation to the word tutor. I have been working as a tutor for many years, but had never looked at its deeper meaning until I came across this word. But I guess I shouldn't be as the work as a tutor can be seen as guardianship of knowledge and of the passing on of that knowledge.

Tutelary -Dragon - guardian spirit

When I searched for images on the internet, I found dragons amongst deities. Smaug was the guardian of the Dwarves' mountain full of gold and riches. My son made this beautiful dragon, which I call Æthelflæd (yes, named after Lady Æthelflæd of Mercia, warrior ruler of the 10th century), who, now that I'm thinking about it, was also a guardian in her own right. I love it when it all comes together like this!

>What kind of intriguing tutelary can you think of?<

Leave your comments below:-)

WOW - WORD OF the WEEK #2 Pareidolia

Here is a fun word that describes a fascinating phenomenon that every writer should consider as a writing prompt. One way or another, I dare say, everyone has experienced what it describes. Last but not least, photographic history is littered with pareidolia. 

So, what is it? 

Slice of a pear's core - or a very angry face!

#2

Pareidolia -

 From the Greek words para (παρά, "beside, alongside, instead [of]" — in this context meaning something faulty or wrong) and the noun eidōlon (εἴδωλον "image, form, shape" — the diminutive of eidos. More here. 

It describes the tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern (Merriam Webster Dictionary). 

Pareidolia describes an imagined pattern or a meaning (can be audio as well) where none really exists. Especially seeing (human) faces in nature or everyday objects (see below picture of mine - not brilliant but an original:-) 

:-)  the smiley face is another example!

A classic example that's been talked, written and sung about a plenty is of course the "man in the moon" and the internet went hot for a while when people saw the "face of the devil" in the smoke of the burning twin towers. And, of course, we probably all smiled back at the "smiley face" on a morning toast. 

Picture credit: Author 2019

Let's test you for a second: Do you see a face (e.g. Koala? Owl)) here then your brain is experiencing the psychological phenomenon!

Pareidolia is considered a subcategory of Apophenia (another interesting word). Pareidolia has been mentioned and observed in the context of psychology, art (Leonardo Da Vinci's notebook mentioned it as a creative device), computer programming, religion. It is also an  attempts to explain the paranormal, such as a "shadow person", a popular literary feature and object of history and folklore - a tradition that is well and alive in today's fantasy genre.

Apparently, in 2004, a ten year old cheese sandwich sold for $28,000 online, because it was perceived to have the image of the Virgin Mary burned onto it and according to pareidolia science, evolutionary psychologists argue that the phenomenon of Pareidolia was advantageous to our ancestors. 

> Have you experienced pareidolia? Do you use it in your writing or as a stimulus to get started? <

Leave your comments below:-)

Weekender Books - December 2018

Weekender Books - December 2018

This post is a belated December weekender book list - the holidays were nice and relaxing and filled with activities away from my laptop, including reading lots of books! This is why I'm a bit behind with my writing, but I'm back now and so I want to share some of my December reads with you. 

I have decided to do a YA list, to keep it a bit more coherent than my eclectic reading habits.

In these books, food and family play a big part as a framework while tackling difficult themes such as drug dealing, addiction, absent fathers, very present grandmothers (at least in two of these books) and death --

all told with uniquely Australian, contemporary voices. 

Here they are:

Inside The Tiger - by Hayley Lawrence

Song In The Dark - by Christine Howe

The First Third - by Will Kostakis

Inside the Tiger - by Hayley Lawrence (Penguin Books, 2018)

The story's unusual and contemporary theme and voices are not often heard of in YA - they explore the intersection between good and bad decision making and the 'ripple effects' of ones actions in a very fresh and relatable 21st century Australia and its Asian neighbours. Privileged, but emotionally isolated Bel writes to inmate Micah, who is on death row in a Thai prison. What starts out as a school assignment, develops into empathy and care, but ends up in a misadventure in Thailand, utter heartbreak and the decision to love at the same time. Great contemporary Australian voice.

😢😢😢✊✊

Recommendation: A must read when in-need-of-a-bigger-picture-than-my-own-life's misery-pick-me-up. Thought provoking.

Song In the Dark - by Christine Howe (Penguin Books, 2013)

At the surface, this is a story about addiction told through the interplay of relationships of the protagonist Paul, a nineteen year old drug addict and dealer. Howe weaves an intricate pattern of voices and feelings through Paul's mother, his absent father, his grandmother and his own pov, in a poetic, empathetic style. Paul is not a bad guy, but his drifting through life hurts other people and ultimately himself. The harsh, violent and destructive effects of his actions make this a difficult read at times, but the beautiful contemplations and imagery in this book about the redemption found in music and the ocean - of love and hope. A touching, beautifully written portrait of a life on the cusp of being  lost, perhaps forever, to the vices of very contemporary temptations.

                              😣😨😮😊😌

Recommendation: A tonic for those days when one is in an unforgiving and judgemental mood. 

The First Third - by Will Kostakis (Puffin Books, 2013)

This hilariously clever story entrenched in Greek kitchen philosophy was a book that made me laugh out loud at every turn, but only to realise at the end that this story is a serious take on profound losses and ends (death) and on how to turn them into beginnings. Bill is a sensitive boy who tries to mend his family - on bidding of his dying grandmother: finding a man for his lonely mother, reconnect with his long lost dad and get his unhappy brother back home. The book is a wonderful portrayal of family dynamics and ties, as well as the wonders of friendship. The ease Kostakis writes cerebral palsy, homosexuality and food into his characters without jarring the story is fabulous and admirable! A brilliant contemporary snapshot of an Australian story.   

                              😆😍😍😜😳   

Recommendation:  A feel-good-belly-laugh-kind-of-read that restores faith in family bonds and friendship.   

WOW - WORD OF the WEEK #1 Tsundoku

Word collector should have been my 'middle name' - as in Freddy-The Word Collector-Iryss. If you are into words, too, then join me on my weekly hunt for the WORD OF THE WEEK, which I will post on my blog, starting today!

Word's out on Wednesdays. Feel free to comment or send me YOUR word!

#1

Tsundoku (Japanese: 積ん読) - is acquiring reading materials but letting them pile up in one's home without reading them

I first read about Tsundoku here, in an article by Katherine Brooksin the Huffington Post, where she writes that 'book hoarding is a well documented habit.' It certainly is one of mine. 

...Here is one pile...

I'm excited that there is a word for something I constantly feel bad about - my unread stacks of books! 

...and there's another!

Here is a snapshot of my own, private Tsundoku -- books I have bought over the past five years or more (not even including the ones from last year, 2018, which are on my 'current' books-to-read-list!).

The word Tsundoku and the fact that it does exist - for rather sad reasons, no matter how you look at it - inspired me to sort the books into two new 

piles, thinking it would encourage me to dust them off and start reading. 

And believe it or not - it works! 

So far, I have managed to read four in the pile on the right and one and a half books in the one above. 

My new rule is read 50 pages into the story, then decide if I'm IN or OUT. 

(Sorry, dear authors, if this seems tough love, but this way I get quicker to the books that hook me and which I might review on my blog.)

As mentioned in a previous post, a friend told me if I'm not hooked after 50 pages, I can put it aside or give it away - guilt-free!

So, the plan is, one way or another, I will work my way through them over the coming year. 

*Please, dear authors, in case you come across this and see your name/book in the pile, it's not your book, it's me! Sometimes I buy books in life's-too-busy-for-reading periods and then they just pile up!

>>Do you keep books for years on your book shelf, hoping one day you'll read them? How do you deal with Tsundoku?<<

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