Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Picturing Royal Cupcakes

So I'm feeling much better, today, having taken my yummy drugs and gotten a lot of sleep last night. Of course, I had very bizarre dreams about THIS book, which I finished last night. It was lovely, and intriguing, (if a little pretentious) and a GREAT story, right up until the end. Where the author was like, "And then you guess what happens."

Um.

No.

I like my endings with a neat little bow, please. But what was really irksome was the fact that she makes you feel guilty for feeling that way... just a few chapters from the end the snobbiest, brilliant character in the whole story criticizes Americans for their lack of creativity by not liking books that have ambiguous endings.

Well, I am here, representin' for the ol' red, white, and blue. A little ambiguity is one thing. To make every character disappear and leave a young (albeit genius) girl alone to fend for herself with no hint as to how it turns out for her is just copping out on the author's part, in my opinion.

I am not a novelist. (Yet.) But I DO know that endings are very hard. I like to write and write and write and it's often very hard to make all that writing tie together with some sort of "conclusion." "purpose." "tidy bow." "What have you." And when the author lays out a nice plot, with lots of climactic points and then says, "and off she walked towards the parking lot... The End" that leaves me hanging just a little too much.

But maybe that's just me.

On another topic, we met with some potential photographers for our wedding last night. I really liked them a LOT, they're expensive, but I think we want to make photography a priority in our wedding budget. What do you all think?

Also: how do folks feel about videographers? We weren't that attached, we thought that maybe we could spend that money on just a nicer photography package, but the photographers last night actually recommended we get a videographer, too, even if it took away from THEIR final paycheck! That's quite a recommendation. (They are newlyweds, themselves.)

Huh.

I'd be interested to hear what other people think. My neighbor has made the most compelling argument FOR, so far. She said they watched their video a couple times, put it away on the shelf, and didn't bring it out again until they had kids. Now it's their daughter's favorite movie, and she watches it all the time. (She's 7, I think?) I never even thought about future Funasauruses and Princess Jr.s wanting to watch that kind of thing.... But maybe it'd be worthwhile?

Chew on that, get back to me, I'm going to run get some lunch. Let me know if I can pick you up something. I realize we may live far apart. But I will send you lots of imaginary cupcakes. ... I like red velvet with vanilla frosting, myself. (But NOT cream cheese. Just plain, vanilla frosting.) Or chocolate. Chocolate of any kind, really. Imagine that.

Ciao, bella.

2 comments:

Lisa Pulliam said...

I have watched my video more than looked at my pictures. Especially when I get older and loved ones have died off, I'll want to see them up and about again. Morbid? Maybe.

To me, video was just as important as photos. And more people have wanted to watch our video than look at the pictures. I like it because it catches candid moments and funny things that you just don't get with a posed, still picture. If you have the finances for it, I think it's worth it.

And I totally agree with you about an ambiguous ending by the way. I need it spelled out otherwise I won't read that author again. Unless it's ambiguous because there's a sequel. Then I'm ok. No burnt buildings or smashed cars.

Andrea Frazer said...

I feel that photos are more important than videos because you can display them. However, like Lisa, I like the idea of video for future viewings. My dad died a few years back, so it's awesome to see him on video. But I wish we didn't spend 2 grand on it. I say spend all your money on photography, then get a friend to videotape. Do you really need the slow mo ballad of Celine Dion and Andre Bocelli at the beginning, while the Funasauraus does the Fonzi thumb up and you pretend you're happy to hike your dress up to show off the last minute garter belt purchase (that wasn't even a purchase but given to you from your guy friend's halloween costume from 1992?) I don't think so.)