Identity

I remember being underwhelmed by the 2003 suspense film by this title. Good twist at the end tho. Mostly, I want to write about the Game of Thrones finale but that's not really fair to people who haven't read the book... O_o ... who don't want spoilers so I'll hold off on that too.

I love this shirt. Have bought it multiple times for myself and once for my brother. It used to be a great excuse for going to Harrison Hot Springs. When we were up there for the wedding, however, I noticed that the store that sold this shirt is no longer there anymore.

The quiz on the back has garnered comments from strangers... mostly folks who get sucked into reading it while lined up behind me and REALLY want to finish reading it despite the fact I need to move along. 

By the way: Number 10 is a trick question and most people get tricked. So don't feel bad.

When I teach the Grade 10 Socials curriculum, we spend a lot of time discussing identity. It works in the English curriculum discussions too when focussing on voice and motive. I always play this video once (despite it being a beer ad) and sometimes a Tim Horton's or Canadian Tire ad too. Eventually, some smart kid wonders aloud whether "we are what we buy" more nowadays. And I give that kid an "A" most times.

So, in order not to spoil any Game of Thrones stuff, I'll tie this back in to the title with one word and let DANGER:SPOILER discussions ensue in the comments section if it is to be:

REEK

Defining By the Negative

It's sometimes hard to know what something or someone IS right away. It's an easier exercise to eliminate what IS NOT. 

Shirt sourced from RVB - Quote citation: Pvt Donut

Canadians often define themselves as "not American" probably because a general definition of "American" is so widely recognized. I find myself describing myself as "not an English teacher" often (mostly because I balk at claiming to be able to keep up with the amount of work they do -- just not happening). And my fellow teachers often feel it necessary to remind non-teachers (and students) that "teaching" does not equal "baby-sitting" nor does school take the place of social work, counseling, a finishing program, hygiene centre, laundromat, or dating service.

The problem with defining through elimination is that eventually someone wants a positive, affirmative statement of what actually IS. When hour-long television comedies appeared without laugh tracks and with long-game story arcs, the term "dramedy" followed shortly afterwards. When novels of contemporary manners and social foibles became popular in the bookstores and libraries, "chick lit" became a thing. Terms like "bromance" and "pwn", often with esoteric origins, now serve a purpose or become appropriated to fill a definition niche. It may be a previously undefined melded category. It may be a needed superlative. Language is magical because it can be changed and challenged in so many innovative ways. 

Defining by the negative is the first step in giving name to your world but if it's your only strategy, you may end up like the kid who only knows what he doesn't want to eat - grumpy and hungry for something you can't name.

So... how do you define yourself as AND as not?