Ignorant Historian

1.  Where do you like to sit on a plane?

First class!  Okay, they’ve only offered that to me once, when they cancelled my flight.  I was 17.  Yeah, they definitely don’t do that anymore, unless you’re a dignitary or something.

Seriously though, I like to sit as far front as possible (last on, first off).  I prefer seat “A”, the window on the left (when you are sitting down).  I’ve done a lot of experimenting, and I’ve determined that that’s the best seat for me to feel like I have room as my left side is not against some stranger (I’m left-handed).

I also have a trick of changing seats at the last minute.  I frequently fly without someone beside me by doing this!  I have the best of luck…if there is one empty seat on the plane, there’s about a 50% chance it’ll be next to me.

And no, I don’t think it’s because I smell.  Thanks for asking.

2.  What sound irritates you?

Tapping and buzzing noises.  I don’t like the sound of fans in bathrooms.  Any buzzing sound will set me on edge and I will be unable to concentrate on anything else.  And no, I haven’t always been like this (thankfully!), but it would be distracting while trying to concentrate in class the last few years I was in school.

3.  What’s something in your life that just isn’t colorful enough?

My car. Unfortunately, all my options really ran the spectrums of grey, so I went for more of a graphite.  I like my car, but it lacks the zest of my last car that was electric blue.  I’d also love to drive a purple car one day.

4.  What’s a film you were sure you would dislike but ended up liking?

Get Smart.   Saw it with the family when we were on vacation, and I thought it’d be super stupid.  Turned out to be quite funny.

5.  What kind of grades did you get in school?

All A’s until AP Calculus. (Wow, I realize how pretentious that sentence sounds.)  And then in college and seminary I had a good mix of As and Bs (and that one C in a freshman-level class in my major in my last semester), trying to get no more than 1 B a semester.

Due to how little I’ve been reading lately (thank you, summer), it’s taken me a while to finish this book, but I’m so glad I have.  Why?  Because since I opened it, I wanted to share it with you all.  I don’t know if it’s the history major or the teacher within me, but I love to share what I learn, especially when it’s something as fascinating as the rise of Nazi Germany.

I’ve read books set during World War II ad nauseam, and while I didn’t want to pick up another for a while, it got me thinking about the roots of Nazi Germany.  How in the world did someone like Hitler come to power, to murder over 11 million of his own people?  How did people much like me actually vote him into power?

I won’t lie, my fascination with this in part comes from my fascination with the Star Wars series.  Actually, the more I study it, the more I see how George Lucas created the Empire in the type of Nazi Germany.  The scene where the senate votes Palpatine emergency powers and Padme’s comment, “So this is how liberty dies, to the sound of thunderous applause” is easily in my top 5 favorite moments of the series.

Enough Star Wars.  I promise I’m not that geeky.

Milton Mayer, an American journalist and a Jew had the same question about Hitler’s rise to power.  So in the early 50s, he goes to West Germany to interview 10 everyday, former Nazis.  The answers they give him are insightful into human nature and in many cases, frightening.

In spite of what I believed before, these people weren’t hypnotized by Hitler.  It wasn’t chiefly his charisma or his ability to rally the people that drew them to him.  They chose him and his party because they saw him as the only practical answer to communism–the great enemy.

They joined the Nazi party to gain jobs and because they thought that Germany would be better off under Nazism (remember, that the Great Depression of the 30s was as big a motivator for them as it was for them).  And in some cases, they still thought that at the time of their interviews.

It is that motivation that is incredibly scary to me.  Americans seem to evaluate politicians based on what they promise to do for them.  What a poor evaluation criteria, but one you’d expect from a selfish people.

Only one of the 10 Nazis really regrets his party involvement, and he knew it was wrong from the beginning.  He joined primarily in order to be able to help out his friends (both Jews and Jewish supporters), but he rightly argued afterwards that by saving say 300 people is nothing like saving the millions that died because he went along with it.  Sure, by himself he couldn’t have stopped the momentum of the Nazi movement, but if more people had stood up against it, it would have made a difference.

I’m afraid I would have been like him…know that it was wrong, but go along with it because I perceived some greater good. But we know now, 11 million lives is a high cost for any earthly good. Don’t go along with anyone or anything–politician, social activist, or party–just because it’s against a perceived evil.

There is so much more to this book (and certainly to the discussion) than I can talk about here.  I wish I could quote huge chunks, but that’s just not practical.  I’ll just say that if this interests you at all, pick it up.  I had to order it through Interlibrary Loan, but I’m so glad that I did.  Though it’s printed by an academic press, it’s accessible to any who are at all familiar with World War II in Europe.

I look forward to one day using this book to teach my children about the rise of Nazi Germany (and you bet we’ll watch the Star Wars movies alongside).

1. What’s your favorite science fiction movie? Make it a double feature. What’s your second favorite?

Favorite is probably the new Star Trek. I actually didn’t see it in the theaters (wish I had!), but I really enjoyed it. When picking a second, it’s really hard not to pick Inception since I just saw it and loved it. Instead, I’m going to have to go with a Star Wars…maybe Episode III? Sorry to purists out there, but I prefer the ones actually made when I was alive.

2. Which ethnic group has the best food?

LOVE Mexican food (both real Mexican food and Tex-Mex, though I must admit I prefer Tex-Mex). I could literally eat it every day. Chinese is a close second, but I’m pickier in which kinds of Chinese food I like.

3. What is your favorite Disney princess?

Toughie. Aurora, probably. I’d love her life in a rural cottage with plenty of time to think (and presumably to read).  Or maybe Cinderella.

4. What is America’s gift to the world?

Wow…hmmm. Though we are merely the bearers of this gift and not the originators, I think I’d have to say the Gospel. While it’s also been distorted here–often beyond recognition–America has also been the place God has chosen to incubate the Gospel, and many Americans have been major instruments God has used to spread it. The downside is that Christianity and America are often linked in a way that is highly unflattering to God. May God help us to de-Americanize the Gospel and continue to selflessly share this wonderful gift.

5. Excluding romantic love, when was the last time you told someone you loved them?

This past weekend to sweet little “Abby,” my friend’s 5-year-old girl. I treat her like a niece. She started calling me “Erica” to be silly, so I started calling her “Abby.” Then she started calling me “best friend” and then “sister.” She knows how to wiggle her way into your heart, that’s for sure!

I’m a big fan of romantic comedies, but if I watch another movie where hedonism (the search for pleasure) is the final answer, I might scream.

I already talked about how sex isn’t everything.  Well, on a related point, neither is pleasure.  The adage, “Do what makes you happy” might well define our culture, but that doesn’t make it right or true.

I think for any of us who have tried to follow this (and I think most have at one point or another) find that the pleasures that we seek never fully satisfy, are never enough.  Just like the alcoholic wants one more drink, and Rockefeller, one of the richest men of his time, says that enough money is “just a little bit more,” we want “just a little bit more” of whatever we’ve determined will make us happy.  If it’s someone, we might smother them.  If it’s something, we might poison ourselves or drown ourselves in debt to get it.

Instead of pursuing my own pleasures (and I’m more than willing to admit that I do that all too often), I’d rather seek to obey the greatest commandments:

” ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the great and foremost commandment.  The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” – Matthew 22:37-39

And perhaps I’ll stick to 24.

Photo by mandj98

It’s been a while since I’ve shared with you some quotes…I haven’t done as much reading as I used to!  Chalk it up to summer laziness, I guess.  As evidenced by the two 24 quotes.

“With what we’ve been through in the last 18 hours, I’m sure he’s pulled in 10 different directions.” – Mike Novak
“We were and in some ways still are on the brink of war. I’m the commander in chief. When I call, there is only one direction.” – President David Palmer, 24, Day 2, 3:00 AM

“If you believe not me, read here in this book, and for the truth of what is expressed therein, behold, all is confimred by the blood of Him that made it.” John Bunyan, Pilgrim Progress, p. 5

“I wish people–including me–had a more visceral reaction to reading.” – A. J. Jacobs, The Know-It-All, p. 211

“Li only needed the simplicity of routine to keep her spirit satisfied.” – Gail Tsukiyama, The Women of the Silk, p. 229

“Don’t play dead before you have to.” – Wally Lamb, The Hour I First Believed, p. 75

“Now that I’m sitting in that chair…I’m starting to wonder if I’m the right person to lead this country.” – President Wayne Palmer
“That’s an irrelevant question, sir.” – Tom Lennox
“Excuse me?”
“You will lead this country whether you want to or not. You are the president.” – 24, Day 6, 6:00 AM

“I want to leave a lasting impression on the world.” – Eric Harris’s journal (one of the Columbine shooters)

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed (okay, I’m sure you have), but our society is obsessed with sex.  Sex sells.  ”Adult” content primarily means sex, as if that’s what it means to be an adult.  Even children’s movies can’t seem to stay away from a little sexual innuendo or suggestive content.  Showing two people having sex or implying it is often the easy way out for movie directors, as it allows them to show a connection between the characters without having to work out another way to get that point across.

Of course, one of the main problems with this presentation of sexuality is that by-and-large, what is presented and promoted is sinful: sex outside of marriage, lusting, etc.  Not that that isn’t bad enough in and of itself, but there’s a greater issue.

The problem with this message isn’t just that it is fuels lust, but that it gives a false picture of what matters.  Believe it or not, life’s not about sex.  I’m sure sex is great and all (don’t confuse being a virgin with being asexual), but it’s not the end-all be-all even in it’s proper context, marriage. No wonder there are more and more people that are addicted to pornography.  They’ve been sold the idea that the good life=sex and they’ve bought it.

My message quite simply is, life is not about sex.

Photo by mikebaird

First of all, the scoreboard:

Jen 90%
(she’s very proud to have won…she’s a bit on the competitive side)
Elizabeth 80%
(I’m impressed…but I guess you have the benefit of knowing me in RL and my blog)
Dori 70%
(some of these were particularly easy for her…but others weren’t)
Amanda 70%
(not bad…better than I did on yours!)
Dana 60%
(I’m actually surprised on this one…but I guess the little stuff tripped you up!)
Liz 60%
(Good job!)
G. Zoe 50%
(You weren’t as bad as you thought!)
Sleepy Jane 50%
(not bad for mostly guesses!)
Iva 30%
(no, I want unfriend you!)
Francesca 30%
(because you picked the wrong person to copy off of!)

And now, the answers:

1. What nickname did my family give me?
a.  Ronni
b. Bubby – or Bub, for short.  I have no idea how this got started, but I’ve been told I’ve had it since I was born.
c. Short Stack
d. Ronni Jon

2. How many boyfriends have I had?
a. 0
b. 1
c. 2
d. 3 – a very long time ago

3. Which reality show do I not watch?
a. American Idol – I watched part of one season, but after watching SYTYCD, it’s a whole lot more boring.  This is a hard one, because I don’t know that anyone but Dana knows that I’ve watched Survivor at all!
b. So You Think You Can Dance
c. Survivor
d. The Amazing Race

4. What country would I live in if I couldn’t live here?
a. Turkey – love this place
b. Australia
c. Mexico
d. Italy

5. What’s my favorite sport to watch?
a. Major league baseball
b. College basketball
c. College football – Boomer Sooner!
d. Professional golf

6. What is my favorite non-Pixar Disney movie?
a. Beauty and the Beast
b. Little Mermaid
c. Sleeping Beauty
d. The Emperor’s New Groove – I enjoy most of the princess movies, but this one beats all for sheer entertainment value.  Hilarious.

7. What is my favorite sport to play?
a. Volleyball
b. Tennis – though I rarely do it.  It’s hard to find someone who is as bad as I am yet still knows the rules.
c. Basketball
d. Softball

8. If I had to eat the same type of food everday for a month, which would I choose?
a. Mexican – yum, yum, yum.  I miss good Mexican (Tex Mex, really).
b. Italian
c. Chinese
d. Milk and cereal

9. Which is NOT a pet peeve of mine?
a. Others using the same knife as me to spread butter – I’m not a germaphobe.  Yes, the other three things really bug me, just ask anyone who’s lived with me!
b. Doors being fully opened/closed
c. Light in the room while I’m sleeping
d. Things being symmetrical and/or at right angles

10. If I had to, which movie would I be most likely to quote word for word?
a. Legally Blonde
b. one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies
c. one of the Ocean’s movies – Ocean’s 12 specifically, though I have a good grasp of the other two as well.
d. Enchanted

And a bonus question:

If I didn’t have to worry about making a living, I would want to be:
a. A dancer
b. A writer – Not that surprising, I know.  I’d also like to teach, though.
c. A teacher
d. A musician

You know those quizzes on Facebook about how well you know someone?  I avoid all such things over there, but I thought it’d be fun over here.  Are you game?  Answer the following multiple choice questions in the comments, and I’ll reveal tomorrow the true answers!

As always, remember to pick the BEST answer, some of these are tricky! Some answers might be able to be found on my blog. Even if you’re taking shots in the dark, I’d love to see what impression you have of me.

1. What nickname did my family give me?
a.  Ronni
b. Bubby
c. Short Stack
d. Ronni Jon

2. How many boyfriends have I had?
a. 0
b. 1
c. 2
d. 3

3. Which reality show do I not watch?
a. American Idol
b. So You Think You Can Dance
c. Surivivor
d. The Amazing Race

4. What country would I live in if I couldn’t live here?
a. Turkey
b. Australia
c. Mexico
d. Italy

5. What’s my favorite sport to watch?
a. Major league baseball
b. College basketball
c. College football
d. Professional golf

6. What is my favorite non-Pixar Disney movie?
a. Beauty and the Beast
b. Little Mermaid
c. Sleeping Beauty
d. The Emperor’s New Groove

7. What is my favorite sport to play?
a. Volleyball
b. Tennis
c. Basketball
d. Softball

8. If I had to eat the same type of food everday for a month, which would I choose?
a. Mexican
b. Italian
c. Chinese
d. Milk and cereal

9. Which is NOT a pet peeve of mine?
a. Others using the same knife as me to spread butter
b. Doors being fully opened/closed
c. Light in the room while I’m sleeping
d. Things being symmetrical and/or at right angles

10. If I had to, which movie would I be most likely to quote word for word?
a. Legally Blonde
b. one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies
c. one of the Ocean’s movies
d. Enchanted

And a bonus question:

If I didn’t have to worry about making a living, I would want to be:
a. A dancer
b. A writer
c. A teacher
d. A musician

I love to read.  That’s nothing new.  Many of you read, too.  There’s two major reasons why we read: to learn and to be entertained.

Yet, even the reading for entertainment requires discernment.  Though I’m just a baby fiction writer (“embryo” might be the better term…a complete novel has yet to be birthed), I know that part of why I write is to express my worldview.  Even if that wasn’t my obvious goal, my worldview is bound to work itself into the piece.  Even the more entertainment-only authors still express a worldview.

That’s why I don’t buy arguments for books like The Shack that say, “It’s just fiction” as if that’s code for “no thinking allowed” or “for entertainment purposes only.”  I imagine William Young would take offense if you were to tell him that it was a great story but nothing more.  I don’t want to speak for him, but I’m pretty sure he meant there to be a deeper purpose behind his writing than just a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.  It’s the same thing for many other books and authors, though it might not be as clear.

Lest you TV-watchers and movie-goers think you’re in the clear, these forms of media are also excellent conductors of worldview.  Possibly more so, since we tend to be in a more passive position (rather like a sponge) when we’re imbibing them.  I love these types of visual entertainment, but I also enjoy parsing them a bit.  I listen for key value statements and look for stereotypes.  The world of a show or movie is often what the creator makes it…is there a part of reality that has been written out?

When I see these things, I ponder them, and when I have a young, captive audience, I’ll point them out, too.  Thankfully, Lana didn’t mind me pausing the movie to point out something…like how often the Star Wars characters entreat each other to look to their feelings for validation (more often on the dark side, but both do it) as if that was the final source of truth.

So what do you think…do you think fiction can just be fiction?

Photo by swruler9284

My comfort clothes:
My PJs: oversized flannel pants that my mom makes and old t-shirts (pretty much wear them any time I’m at home)

My comfort foods:
Diet Dr Pepper (not technically a food, but so true)
Chocolate chip ice cream with chocolate syrup
Mashed potatoes
Fried rice
Chicken noodle soup

My comfort movies:
Enchanted
Ocean’s 12
27 Dresses
10 Things I Hate about You
not really a movie, but it’s on DVD: Gilmore Girls

My comfort books:
The Chronicles of Narnia series
Pride and Prejudice
Little Women
Sense and Sensibility
Ender’s Game

Comfort activities:
Reading in my reading chair or outside
Looking at my flowers
Watching TV with my parents, leaning on my dad
Driving alone in my car, singing and dancing to something fun (more often than not, Maroon 5)
Spending time journaling, reading my Bible, and praying, laying my heart out before God

HT: The Seamstress of Avalon