Storytelling Week 9: TV Talk Show

ELLEN: Welcome, everyone, to today's show! We have a special guest today that I am very excited to hear from. Many of you will not recognize him or may be a little shocked when you first see him, but I promise you that you are in for a treat. Without further ado, please welcome from the heart of India...Ganesha!

The audience begins with loud claps and cheers which then quickly turn into shrieks and gasps when Ganesha walks out with his Indian robes and long trunk. Ganesha simply smiles and sits down across from Ellen.

ELLEN: I apologize for the audience's dismay, but I'm sure this isn't the first time that you have had such a reaction.

GANESHA: Definitely not, so I don't mind at all.

ELLEN: So, Ganesha, for those of us who do not know who you are, could you please give us a little bit of your background?

GANESHA: Well, my dad, Shiva, and my mom, Parvati, had two sons, Kartikeya and me. Kartikeya was always more competitive and athletic than I was, but I had my own set of skills. Once, there was a race between Kartikeya and me, and we had to run around the world three times. He began flying around the world at lightning speed, but I just waited for him to get onto his third lap around. Once he was almost there, I got up, ran around my parents three times, and declared myself the winner. Kartikeya ran around THE world three times. I ran around MY world three times.

ELLEN: Wow. That is a great idea! I think I might use that to make people think that I'm super fit. Now, people still do not know your religious origin. Could you explain a little about why you really are?

GANESHA: I am a Hindu god, son of the God Shiva. Many people say that I am a remover of obstacles or the god of wisdom and learning.

ELLEN: Great! I bet you would be really good at hurdles then. They would just disappear right in front of you.

GANESHA: Well, I was speaking more of spiritual obstacles instead of physical obstacles. People often pray to me before a big project in order to work without running into too many problems. The one catch is that I can't help anyone if they don't ask! Fewer and fewer people are praying to me, so sometimes I am waiting with idle hands for someone in need.

ELLEN: That would be such an amazing life. I would imagine that you get a lot of satisfaction being  able to help so many people.

GANESHA: That's my favorite part about it. I love being able to see how I can benefit others.

ELLEN: That's my favorite part about my job, too. If you had one wish, what would it be?

GANESHA: My one wish would be that more people had faith in me. I want nothing more than to help. All I need is for people to ask.

ELLEN: Thank you for coming, Ganesha. If you could please give one more big round of applause for Ganesha, everybody!

Author's Note: This Talk Show is based off of the god Ganesha and what his abilities are. It also focuses on the feelings that I believe he would have about normal people. It does not go deep into what he does, but tries to discuss the relationship between him and the rest of the world. I tried to make Ganesha's dialog somewhat close to what I would think he would say if he was actually on the Ellen show. The beginning of the story is based off the fact that Ganesha has the head of an elephant and has the audience react to his shocking figure. How I came up with this story is from watching a worldwide broadcast that my church has every six months, and one of the speakers talked about what God thinks of us. My hope is that this story can help people of whatever faith to consider what their Supreme Being thinks about us. There is also supposed to be some comedic relief from Ellen's comments, but I am clearly not Ellen. I also took some writer's freedom in Ganesha's thoughts and words, but have not done any research into what his personality would actually be like.

Title: 7 Secrets Hindu Calendar Art

Author: Epified

Year: 2015

Ellen DeGeneres (image info)

Week 9 Reading Diary: 7 Secrets Hindu Calendar Art

• Ganesha: Different people see God differently
• Hindu beliefs can seem strange to some people, but isn't strange to those who are familiar with the beliefs
• Peoples beliefs vary immensely. What makes a person right or wrong? Does this shape that is important in a person's life?
• In Hinduism, there are many Gods and not a singular God.
• Having no way to understand totality, the Hindu gods form together to give us a sort of understanding of totality in pieces
• Each god represents different things, which gives the ability to look at a particular god for a certain ability or characteristic.
• Some Hindu believers decided to not be married in order to become more dedicated to the Hindu faith. However, the law later changed against this.
• Unlike Greek gods and goddesses, Hindu gods are not continued by succession according to power. They can be present at the same time.
• Ganesha is generally worshipped before the starting of a project. He is the remover of obstacles
• The Hindu gods try to show that they are both abstract and concrete
• Narayan's secret is that whatever dies is eventually reborn.
• Believing that another life will come after this one, makes Hindu believers to not have a sense of urgency because they will always have another life. More pressure is put on other religious beliefs to be better now because you only have one life here on Earth.
• While Narayan sleeps, the world still exists, but no one is aware of it, so it is as if it doesn't exist. There is no observation with out the observer (Narayan). This is the end of the world. Does our world exist when we are asleep?

Title: 7 Secrets Hindu Calendar Art

Author: Epified

Year: 2015

Ganesha (image info)

Reading Choices for Weeks 9 & 10

For Weeks 9 and 10, I plan on watching the Epified videos of the Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Hindu Gods and Goddesses (image info)

Blog Ideas

Looking at other peoples blogs makes me realize that I need to step up my game on my layout and design. On Jasmine's blog, I like how the words seem to float up the page due to the white background. On Aysha's blog, I like how her background theme tends to go with all of the images in her posts. I'm not sure if this was intended, but it made me wonder if my images clash with my background. On Saba's blog, I liked the green color scheme, it is a color that can be easily seen in the light but also does not strain the eyes in the dark.

Time Strategies

I feel that the homework strategy that I chose for this class is still the best strategy for my current schedule, but I haven't been following it very well. I have struggled starting off the week (on Monday) to get the first reading assignment done. My week only gets busier from then on, so during this second half of the semester, I need to buckle down and follow the schedule to avoid staying up late on other nights.

I do feel that I have gotten into a fairly good rhythm in my other classes, but adjusting the workload in this class can help my other classes go even smoother. Also, many of my classes have projects due during the second half of the semester, so staying on top of things is a must

Stay Cool (image info)

Week 4 Storytelling: A Wedding in the Heart of Boomer Nation

One day, a Computer Science geek named Rama was walking by the Price building and saw a beautiful Aerospace Engineering phenom and he instantly fell in love. Her name was Sita. He ran up to her and did his best to smooth talk her into wanting to go out with him but ended up talking about how much he loved computer science. Oddly enough, she loved it!

They instantly became best friends, but she said they couldn't be more than friends because her father was extremely traditional and only allowed his daughter to date men that he approved of. Rama stayed positive and exclaimed that he would love to meet her father and was certain that he would make a great first impression. Hesitantly, Sita agreed to set up a time for them to meet.

That Friday night, Rama rang Sita's doorbell, and her father, Janaka, answered. He scowled at Rama and got straight to the point and asked, "What makes you so special that I should allow you to date my daughter?"

Rama, who had used his computer science skills to previously hack into Janaka's computer to know what he liked, exclaimed, "I LOVE THE COWBOYS! GO POKES!" Janaka was surprised at Rama's response considering that everyone in Norman bled Crimson and Cream. Janaka then gave Rama the biggest hug and said, "You are always welcome in this household." No man had ever been allowed entrance to his home because no man was brave or smart enough to confess love for OSU in the heart of Sooner Nation.

Sita and Rama left that evening as happy as could be. They continued their college careers on campus, spending every moment possible together. Their favorite spot was to sneak to the top of the stadium and watch the sunset and then look up and try to find the star alignment of Shiva, Brahma, Lakshmi, and Vishnu.


Towards the end of their last semester, they decided they needed to permanently make their mark at OU so they could always be remembered. All it took was a quick look at each other, and they knew exactly what they wanted to do. They sneaked up to the top of Sarkeys Energy Center with chisels and hammers in hand. Rama then proceeded to chisel out on the top of the roof the words, "I will never leave my dearest Sita, even if she happens to get kidnapped and I accuse her of being unfaithful. Nothing will tear us apart, not even mother earth."


Just as they finished, they heard police sirens! They quickly ran down  the stairs and over to the Bizzell Library before the police could catch them. They climb on top of the library's roof to wait for the police to leave.

On that starry night, Rama got down one one knee on top of the Bizzell Library and proposed to his beloved Sita. She screamed with excitement and of course said yes. Their wedding ensued and they had a Sooner wedding. The entire University was invited including David Boren, Boomer the mascot,  Baker Mayield, Buddy Hield, and many others. The grass was painted red with a small circle of orange where the forgiving Janaka stood. In the South Oval when the Sooner bells began to ring, they were pronounced husband and wife.

Author's Note: This story is based on Rama and Sita's wedding in the Ramayana. In the original story, Rama sees Sita for the first time when he is with his brother and instantly falls in love. When he inquires her father about what must be done to be with Sita, her father stays that one must pull back Shiva's bow in order to prove his strength. Rama not only pulls back the bow but breaks it in half! Sita and Rama can finally be together and they are able to get married. Their wedding is filled with food, singing, and dancing all through the night. The entire kingdom is pleased with the wedding because they suspect that Rama will soon take his father's throne. I changed the locations and facts in order to have the events take place on OU's campus. I chose it from the suggestion and liked the idea. I thought it might be entertaining to have the Ramayana and OU collide and how the two can be mashed together. I also wanted to provide some comic relief and throw in a few references to the real Ramayana story. The comedy is meant to highlight some of the more questionable actions that some of the characters do in the Ramayana.

Rama and Sita (image info)

Based on:
Author: Nina Paley
Title: Sita Sings the Blues
Year: 2008

Week 7 Storytelling: Neighborhood Gossip

GOSSIP GIRL 1: Psst! Hey neighbor! Come here...

GOSSIP GIRL 2: What is it this time? You already got me in trouble for telling Rama that Sita was unfaithful to him. You caused them to split up!

GOSSIP GIRL 1: I know...sorry, but this time I have real news! I found out that Dhritarashtra isn't actually blind!

GOSSIP GIRL 2: That isn't true. Have you ever looked into his eyes? You can tell that he is not faking it by how foggy his eyes are!

GOSSIP GIRL 1: Yes, I have seen his eyes, but that isn't the reason why they are foggy. It is actually because one day, the Sun God, Surya, appeared to Dhritarashtra, and when he looked directly into Surya's eyes, Dhritarashtra's eyes instantly changed colors. It's just like how your eyes burn when you look directly into the sun! Except, the only difference is that he didn't go blind! It actually gave him the ability to see through anything!

GOSSIP GIRL 2: That is one of the most ridiculous things that I have ever hear, but it might just ridiculous enough to make sense! Maybe that's why he is always walking around with his eyes closed! He must feel like he is invading people's privacy when he has his eyes open. Do you think Gandhari knows?

GOSSIP GIRL 1: There is no way that his wife would walk around blindfolded everyday if she knew that her husband wasn't actually blind.

GOSSIP GIRL 2: That's a good point. So does this mean that Dhritarashtra actually knows what his children look like? They are hideous! I get creeped out every time I walk by one of those devilish creatures. I couldn't imagine having to see them every day!

GOSSIP GIRL 1: I thought he had been acting strange lately! That is why he has been spending so much time alone lately. He can't stand to be surrounded by his kids.

GOSSIP GIRL 2: Do you think that we should tell Gandhari? I feel like she has the right to know that her husband has been lying this whole time?

GOSSIP GIRL 1: As much as I dread to tell her, it is our responsibility.

(Gandhari enters)

GOSSIP GIRL 1: Gandhari, there is something that we need to tell you. Dhritarashtra isn't blind and we can prove it.

GANDHARI: What do you mean he isn't blind? I think I would know if my own husband could see or not.

GOSSIP GIRL 2: I know it is hard to be believe, but trust us. Follow us, and we'll show you.

(Dhritarashtra enters)

GOSSIP GIRL 2: Pay close attention, Ghandari. I will throw this golden cufflink at Dhritarashtra and it will be his natural instinct to catch it. Listen, and you will hear him catch it.

Gossip Girls 2 throws the cufflink and hits Dhritarashtra square on the nose without moving an inch.

DHRITARASHTRA: Ouch, my nose! I think it is broken! Who threw that!?

GOSSIP GIRLS 1 & 2: OOPS!

DHRITARASHTRA: Why can't I smell? Will I ever be able to smell again?

The Gossip Girls walk away in shame, realizing that their own gossip had spiraled out of control.

Dhritarashtra and Ghandari (image info)

Author's Note:  This story was loosely based off of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. This story is meant to show how gossip can get out of control, making other believe in something that is false and can end with negative consequences. This happens far too often in the world today with judgments being passed prematurely. The phrase "innocent until proven guilty" never seems to apply during day to day life when it should. My motivation to write this story is to provide a reminder that it is not our place to judge others, especially if we do not know whether or not it is true. The Gossip Girls are fictional characters, but the story is based on Dhritarashtra and Gandhari and how she blindfolds herself in order for Dhritarashtra to feel like he is an equal in their marriage. The Gossip Girls are inspired from the TV Series Gossip Girl. I haven't watched it myself, but have heard about it. This story style came up on the randomizer. I thought it would be fun to write a story about two girls that gossip back and forth, cause their gossip to go to extreme measures, and directly hurt other people due their false gossip.

Title: Epified Mahabharata
Author: Epified
Year: 2016 

Week 7 Reading Diary: Epified Mahabharata Pt 2

Title: Epified Mahabharata

Author: Epified

Date: 28 January 2016

• Not really sure why Karna wasn't able to train. I know it is something to do with what he is, but not sure really why.
• If Karna could simply lie about who he was. What really is the difference about the different "races"?
• There are too many names of different characters to keep them sorted in my head.
• It seems to me that every male character wants to be king, and every female character just wants to be married.
• I have noticed that any time there is a person in someone's way, they just decide to kill them off. Does anyone ever get punished for murder?
• It is also very repetitive in the fact that one person does something wrong, and then they are generally cursed with a curse that will ruin their lives.
• Most of the kings and royalty tend to have more than one wife, so why shouldn't Draupadi have 5 husbands? It's only fair...I guess..
• Pretty crazy how quick they seem to have built Indraprastha. 
• Many of the men seem to fall in love with the same woman too. 
• Draupadi agreed with the 5 brothers to rotate each year from one to the next. I'm sure there was all sorts of jealousy going on when she changed husbands. If the brothers failed to do so, they would be forced to go into exile for the next 12 years.
• Not sure that it's fair for Arjun to go to exile for 12 years, when he accidentally saw his brother presumably sleeping with Draupadi.

Draupadi and Her 5 Husbands (image info)

Week 7 Reading Diary: Epified Mahabharata Pt 1

     Title: Epified Mahabharata

Author: Epified

Date: 12 April 2015

Everyone seems to fall in love when they are at a river. Funny coincidence

·         How is it possible for Shantanu to watch as Ganga downs 7 of his kids? I would drown her!

·         Did Devavrata question why Ganga kept him from his father for so long?

·         He fell in love again by the water! A fisherman’s daughter

·         Shantanu didn’t have very much luck the first time he fell in love, so why is Devavrata so quick to give up his promise that he will never get married when he doesn’t even know if Ganga’s second marriage will be any better than the first?

·         I like how Bhishma’s first reaction to go and find the king a wife is to go kidnap 3 princesses instead of just find someone who is willing.

·         Why is Amba rejected when she was simply kidnapped and never gave herself to anyone?

·         Why was Parshurama so upset with Bhishma when he would not marry Amba, when it was simply because Bhishma and made a vow to never marry.

·         So if Vyasa’s wife didn’t love him and didn’t want to sleep with him, was it a form of rape?

·         The three sons of Vyasa have a rivalry for the throne.

·         Is it not a little too much to blindfold yourself just because your future husband is blind too? It would probably be more helpful if she used her sight to help her husband live a more normal life.

·         Kind of a strange sequence to hug a God and then have a son appear in your arms randomly.

·         Sending her son away in a basket on a river is similar to the story of Moses.

Leaving with Bhishma's son (image info)