Saturday, June 5, 2010

Find the Fun!

Oddly, The Wizard of Oz has been cropping up a lot in my life lately. It is one of my all-time favourite movies (as you'll see in the upcoming Dirty Dozen Blog Hop hosted by Alex J Cavanaugh), but it's been popping up all over my life.

I figured fate was telling me something, so I gave in and shared the movie with the students in my class. We'd had a tough week of government testing so I decided they deserved a treat. Almost half the class hadn't seen it before. The movie worked its magic - the kids were enthralled.

This is a movie made in 1939. Not one kid was bored, everyone enjoyed it. When I asked what they like about it, they kind of shrugged, not sure. When one student said, "It was fun," the rest all nodded in agreement.

It was fun.

Fun is important. As adults, it can be easy to forget that. We have all the pressures of the real world surrounding us.

So many bloggers lately seem to be overwhelmed, sad, frustrated, disappointed, worried, apologetic and stressed. I worry about my bloggy friends & I hope everyone can remember that we all do this writing thing because we love it. Because it's fun. Don't lose the fun admist all those pressures. If you're not enjoying it, it's going to show. And, honestly, if you're not enjoying it, why do that to yourself? Find the fun again!

Take a breather, slow down, relax, read, enjoy your family & friends. Find the fun! And if you need some help finding it, take a bit of time and follow that yellow brick road. Really listen to the words - the writing is terrific! Catch those inside jokes and the nuances.

Or just enjoy the Cowardly Lion - he's always going to make you feel better!

On another fun note... On June 10th, I'm lucky enough to be hosting L. Diane Wolfe. She's going to be blogging about writing a series. Make sure you drop by - she's got tons of great advice! :)

70 comments:

Lola Sharp said...

If I only had a brain...I'd be dangerous! ;)

I know, I am one of the stressed out bloggers you mentioned, and I apologize for it. I just hate feeling so behind and like I'm disappointing people. I need to catch up on critiquing for my CP's... etc.

But you're right, *deep breath*, I can only do what I can. :)

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend, my sweet friend!
Love,
Lola

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Very uplifting blog, Here in the UK there has been a contest to find a new Dorothy to go on the West-end stage, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber is remaking the wizard of OZ.

I hope you don't find my poetry negative but I write poems related to my life's experieneces, some are happy others not,

Will look forward to your interview,would not miss it.

Yvonne.

Jemi Fraser said...

Lola - yikes - I'm not trying to make anyone feel worse! It's more than okay to take a break - to take some time. It's impossible to do it all (well, it is for me anyway!)

Thanks - hope you enjoy a relaxing weekend too! :)

Mason Canyon said...

I think you're right. We all get overwhelmed sometimes with everything that is going on. As adults we are suppose to know more, but for some reason we forget to enjoy life along the way. The Wizard of Oz is a great movie. I haven't seen it in some time, guess it's time I find the yellow brick road again. Thanks for the reminder.

Looking forward to Diane's post.

Hope you have a fun day too.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Jemi Fraser said...

Yvonne - I hadn't heard Weber was redoing Oz - he's so amazing, it's sure to be wonderful!

I seem to have hit the wrong note with my post! I may have to go back and edit...

I haven't found anyone's posts depressing - it just makes me worry for them.

I most thoroughly enjoy your poetry Yvonne - you have a lyrical way with words!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Mason - I'm a bit worried I'm worrying folks now, and that's certainly not my intention! I'm hoping to remind everyone to relax and have fun! :)

Enjoy your weekend!

Ann Best said...

Ah, the Wizard of Oz. I was born in 1940, so I saw it not long after it came out (same year as Gone with the Wind). A little neighbor boy went with me and my sister and his sisters to see it. After the wicked witch appeared, he wouldn't look at the screen anymore!

Fun! Yes. This morning I'm rethinking priorities. Family first. Then writing, and blogging. And if the latter aren't "fun" why do it? With the competition out there, changes for publication are slim. It's a hard road to go down. So if the journey down the "yellow brick" road is stressful, and especially if you're losing your grip on what's most important in life, why bother?

Excellent motivational post. Glad I came in to read it.

Have a "fun" weekend.

Susan Fields said...

Isn't it amazing how many kids haven't seen The Wizard of Oz? I think we watched it like once a year when it came on TV when I was a kid. I do remember letting my kids watch it when they were young, though, and the wicked witch scared my daughter so much she had trouble sleeping for a while after that - oops! Bad Mommy moment.

Jemi Fraser said...

Ann - glad you enjoyed it Ann! I completely agree with your priorities - family first. Always!

The rest will fall into place as it will.

Thanks - I hope your weekend is fun too! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Susan - I remember watching it yearly on the TV too. :)

There are some kids scared by the witch or the flying monkeys. I always loved them! Probably one of the first signs I would love science fiction and fantasy :)

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I look forward to Diane's input. Sounds interesting, I'll watch for it!

Jemi Fraser said...

Karen - Diane is great - she knows a lot about producing a great series! :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I am the master of chillin', so don't worry about me.
Thanks for mentioning the Movie Dirty Dozen. My list is almost complete.

Looking forward to Diane's post, too.

Hannah said...

I'm a master in the art of leisure.

I'm like Alex, no worries!

:) And if I'm stressing it is almost never about writing. Writing is my way of venting and extremely therapeutic.

Thanks for the love though and the reminder to breath deep and think sweet.

Renae said...

Great post! We need to remind ourselves to relax and go with the flow!

BTW you would love Kansas! We have more Wizard of Oz trinkets than you would know what to do with!

Stephanie Thornton said...

I'm thinking my daughter might be old enough to watch that one now. She has the pop-up book and loves it. Quite the classic!

Rosalind Adam said...

There's another element to the writing v. stress issue. Sometimes there's so much stress going on in the rest of our lives that a retreat into writing is the best place to go. It's a sad fact that life can't always be fun but thanks for the reminder to go out and look for it.

Lindsay said...

Great post.

I noticed too how there is a lot of stress around the blogosphere. I think finding the fun is a great idea. After all, that is why we like to write isn't it? The fun? The excitement of creation etc.

I love the Wizard of Oz (even though the flying monkey's scared me when I was little). I think I may have to watch it tonight now and take a breather. I'm still putting my hands over my eyes at the moneky bit though. lol.

Jemi Fraser said...

Alex - good to hear! Chillin' is always good :)

I'm getting closer on my list, but I keep changing my mind!

Jemi Fraser said...

Hannah - yay - another chillin' expert!

I'm like you - the writing is my fun time - so far it doesn't cause stress at all :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Renae - thanks :)

I'll have to visit some day (okay that got my brain singing.. :)) - I'd love to see the land - and the trinkets too!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Stephanie - it really is a classic. I've loved it from a really early age! Hope she likes it!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Rosalind!

I find writing a stress-reliever and not a stress-builder too. Although seeing as I have no deadlines, there's only me... I wonder what it'll be like if (when!) I have that added pressure.

Jemi Fraser said...

Lindsay - thanks :)

I wonder if it's something to do with the time or year or the changing weather or just life.

Enjoy the movie. I always thought the flying monkeys were cool, but I know they creep out a lot of people! :)

Anonymous said...

Lovely post. Thank you for the reminder. It's so easy to get caught up with blogging and lose sight of what it's supposed to be for: fun.

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

Looking forward to Diane's visit (2 for one what a bargain).

Our family must the the odd ones out. I didn't like the OZ movie, my kids didn't and only 2 grandchildren out of 6 cared for it. (That's not unAmerican is it?)

Maribeth
Giggles and Guns

Jemi Fraser said...

Sandy - you're so welcome! I hate seeing people sad and depressed. I hope everyone has a great weekend of relaxation and fun!

Jemi Fraser said...

Maribeth - Diane's post will be great!

My sister doesn't like Oz either - she doesn't like any fantasy at all actually. So you're not alone! :)

Buttercup said...

We do need fun. I went out and bought new makeup today -- long overdue -- and such fun. I had a great time. "Wizard of Oz" is one of my favorites. I remember it was shown once a year when I was growing up and that night was always a big treat.

Jemi Fraser said...

Buttercup - I totally agree - watching it once a year only made me love it more! Same thing with Sound of Music :)

Courtney Barr - The Southern Princess said...

Jemi this is something I have in mind to approach on my Monday Memos post this week...its true there seems to be a great deal of 'frazzled folks' out here sometimes. I know that I can get that way but I do work hard to keep my head, keep my cool and remember how great the ability & opportunity to write is.

Keep smiling sweetheart! It is always a pleasure to stop by!

Visit My Kingdom Anytime

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks so much Courtney!

I worry about folks when they're so stressed and frazzled. We're all working so hard, but it should still be fun! My life has been crazy-nutty-over-the-top busy this week. So writing and blogging are my fun :)

Al said...

Oh the fun of Wizard of Oz.
I still remember the excitement (and I must admit fear) of the when I first watched it. It was the 60s and I was very young.

Jemi Fraser said...

Al - there are a lot of people who are afraid (or at least remember the fear) of the flying monkeys and the witch. My mom thought it was so odd that I liked them so much :)

Lisa_Gibson said...

Auntie Em! Auntie Em! Love the munchkins, love Glenda the Good Witch, oh and especially love Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Ah, good times. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Lisa - good times indeed!

Judy's rendition of Rainbow is glorious - such a voice!

And the witch is amazing - love when she melts :)

Laura S. said...

Ooo, love this post! The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite movies, too. I still have all the dolls! I got them when I was 4. The Wicked Witch scared me, though! I'd be fine playing with her during the day, but I refused to keep her in my room at bedtime, lol. I've read the first book a few times but not the others. I should get on that and read them all!

You're so right about keeping the writing fun! Writing is such hard work that it's hardly worth it if you can't find the fun and passion in it.

Jemi Fraser said...

Laura - you have dolls??? I'm so jealous right now! I read the first & maybe the 2nd book once upon a time. You're right - it might be a good one to reread in the summer. :)

Writing is hard work - but I hope it's also a lot of fun!

Shannon said...

I love the movie and I have a 1952 printing of the story. One of my favorites!

Anonymous said...

I watched the movie at least six times, but I'd love to see it again.

India Drummond said...

I loved this movie as a kid! I find it sad how many of these old flicks I adore, but the ones I've managed to get my teen son to watch, he just finds boring!

Theresa Milstein said...

Oh government testing!

I love "The Wizard of Oz" too. It was extra special to me because it came out the same year my parents were born and it was always shown on TV right around my birthday.

Imagine my surprise when the "fun" was ruined in college. We studied the book to learn how it was a commentary on the government and industry at the turn of the century:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonderful_Wizard_of_Oz

I'm glad it could just be fun for your students!

Jemi Fraser said...

Shannon - yay - another fan!

You're so lucky having that print - that's a real collector's item :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Medeia - it is one of those movies I can watch again and again! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

India - that is sad. I always had my kids watch The Wizard once a year when they were little. My daughter still loves it -- my son, not so much :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Theresa - I hate when people ruin perfectly good movies and books by over-analyzing them!

You can hear the political statements - especially from the Wizard/Carnival man - but they can be easily ignored or laughed at. I'm definitely not going to think too deeply about it - I need my fun! :)

Helen Ginger said...

My daughter does not like the movie. She was fairly young when she saw it on TV one time and it scared the bejeebies out of her. She still won't watch it.

Straight From Hel

Aubrie said...

The Wizard of Oz is a great movie! My favorite character: the straw man. And I do have to remind myself to have fun when I write.

Jemi Fraser said...

Helen - It seems to be an instant love or fear with that movie. We had a local production of the WoO a while back and I sat beside a family with very young kids. I was worried for them. The little girl next to me (4 years old??) was enthralled - she kept saying things like, "the witch and her funny laugh should be next, right mommy?" Maybe she'll grow up to write fantasy. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Aubrie - yay - another fan! I've got 'We're off to see the wizard' stuck in my head today - and it's driving me and my family nuts!

WritingNut said...

Aw - this is a great post! I know I'm definitely one of those bloggers. Thanks for the reminder.

You're right - that's why we started writing in the first place, because it's fun and we loved it :)

By the way, I love that movie... now "we're off to see the wizard" is stuck in MY head!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks WN - I hate when I see folks so down about things that should be fun!

Sorry about the song - but I know how you feel - I'm still driving my family batty with it :)

Shelley Sly said...

Great movie! I'm glad the kids appreciated it, even though it's way before their time. I've got the song in my head too. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Shelley - it's one of my fave movies :)

We're going to be breaking out in song all around the bloggy-verse soon :)

Jean said...

That's the problem, I've been taking a step back and enjoying other things in life and my blog is being neglected! The makeover I planned in January still hasn't happened, but oh well! I see you gave yours a make over. Very nice, Jemi!

Beth Zimmerman said...

Jemi,
What a wonderful and delightful post! Thank you! I know that I'm one of the overwhelmed and stressed out bloggers that you spoke of. Life is sometimes not easy. I've often called myself a Tigger in search of my inner Eeyore. :) I will now add getting myself back on the "yellow brick road" to the list of positive thinking steps I need to take in my approach to life! Thanks for your friendship and encouragment!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Jean - I like the new look too - although there are a few things in this format that don't work properly. But I'm scared to try changing it again!

I'm glad you're enjoying other things - real life is most definitely to be lived :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'm looking forward to it, Jemi!

And I'll try to cheer myself up a bit.

Jemi Fraser said...

Beth - it's hard when real life is overwhelming. I hope people can find a balance and keep it all simmering and not boiling over.

And welcome to my walk on the yellow brick road - it's a great place to be :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Diane - I always find you cheery! Your blog is full of smiles :)

Can't wait till the 10th!

Talli Roland said...

What a great reminder, Jemi. It is so easy to get caught up in all the stresses surrounding writing and to forget to just enjoy it!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Talli - it is fun - and I think we've got to remember that. :)

Faith E. Hough said...

I love Wizard of Oz, too. :) My three-year-old just saw it and she has abandoned princess gowns for a gingham dress--carrying her toy dog around in a basket!
Great point about fun!! I really think that is the only way to keep from going crazy with a dream like writing!

Jemi Fraser said...

Faith - yay - another fan!! :)

I bet your daughter knows the words to some of the songs in no time!!

You're so right - writing is hard, getting published is harder. We need to have fun!

Tahereh said...

so, so true, Jemi. thanks for the reminder :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Tahereh - you're welcome - it's so easy to get overwhelmed - hopefully people can relax a bit :)

Arlee Bird said...

The Wizard of Oz is still one of my all time favorite movies --it is a standard by which I measure other movies. I doubt whether it could ever really show its age.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Jemi Fraser said...

Arlee - I totally agree - it's such a terrific movie. I think it's timeless, really. The kids who had seen it knew all the songs, the kids who had never seen it, smiled the whole way through too. :)

notesfromnadir said...

You're right, writing is supposed to be fun. If it gets to be too tiring then it's time to step away for a little while & catch this great 1939 MGM musical! How wonderful that you were able to share it w/ your class. Every generation needs to see this! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

NFN - I agree completely! This is such an amazing movie - everyone needs to see it and love it!

Thanks so much for dropping by! :)