Grades in.

Just got my grades.

I completely overloaded myself this semester, but I made it. I think my grades are good enough to get funding for next year. *crosses fingers*

I've moved from an A and A+ average my first two quarters, to an A- this one. Average for the year: 3.86

3.8 -- English Composition
4.0 -- Asian History
3.4* - That horrible Intercultural Communication class
4.0 -- Tutoring

Next year is going to be harder. I have my tougher courses, math in particular.

I've eased in after a 15-year absence from school with my best subjects. I'm not making the mistake of taking such a heavy load again. It cost me. That Intercultural Communication should have been an A, if I'd turned in all the work. And the English Composition grade was hurt by my attendence the last two weeks as I desperately tried to catch up on everything else.

You know. This is still better than I did as a kid. 3.4 was normal for me because of all the work I wouldn't turn in because it wasn't "perfect."

For all that it's been tough this quarter... I love school. :D


*Deserved - I had to choose between not turning in one assignment here or not doing two Asian History assignments. It was no contest.

On the value of fluff.

Time and again I see fluff maligned, and it is time to put a stop to this.

Why does fluff persist? Why do people seem to enjoy it so much?

Because "fluffy" or "happy" stories are inherently satisfying. Even though, like any happy situation, you're left wanting more. It works because of that sense of satisfaction; fluff has a "tonic note" where it all works out in the end and the plot's resolved.

But calling an interesting, complex plot with a happy ending "fluff" is like calling a compelling erotic story "porn." There's a world of difference between the two.

The classic "fluff" can be icky-sweet because:
1) there's never any doubt how it will end, and
2) the plot twists are predictable.

Now a story clearly moving towards a happy ending, which has devious plot twists, clearly does not deserve this disdain.

The best sort of "fluff" has an interesting plot that in the end strikes a chord within the reader. It can have a powerful resolution even without a tremendous amount of angst. The strength of "fluff" is just like the strength of a fairy tale: by the end, in a good story, you've managed to say something that's true.

Truth doesn't have to be dark or unhappy. Happy doesn't mean shallow.

The Old English tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight has a happy ending, but it's powerful, because Sir Gawain passes a test of character. Even if we know, as Sir Gawain is approached by the Green Knight's wife again and again, that he was likely to pass. At the resolution, you have the same respect the Green Knight has for Gawain.

Tolkien called this sense of resolution or satisfaction the "eucatastrophe," where for a moment you can see beyond the story.

I believe that "fluff" can have a lot of meaning and go beyond the superficial emotional torrent of many angst stories. It's the underlying meaning that gives any story its strength.

Icarus

While I do not accuse Prillalar's drabble of being fluffy, it is kissing, and quite lovely

*scratches head* So it's declare yourself a BNF day, hmm?

So we can declare ourselves a BNF now?

I thought I already did that.

Oh well. Whoops. I guess instead, I'll un-declare myself a BNF.

That's it, I'm not BNF. Nobody reads this journal, nobody gives a damn about these stories, I'm unnoticed, invisible ...

*plink* gone.