Crossroads

I feel like now I have begun this blog and I am already listing ideas for future posts I should make a note of why I am starting this.

Firstly it was because I wanted to do some freelance work and I believe this is a great way to showcase any talents I have. Also, I like writing. It's a simple yet complicated reason. Writing is something I have loved for years. I wrote a novel when I was 12 about a young rich girl who falls in love with a boy from the wrong side of the tracks and runs away with him. It was awful but I wrote it. I finished it. Then in November I won the NaNoWriMo challenge and I am slowly editing my work. I took a creative writing degree which in some ways inspired me but in some ways turned writing into a chore.

Apart from that I don't write enough. I read somewhere that anyone who wants to be a writer should write for at least 20 minutes a day. To be honest, I've never even really tried to do this. I have never made the time to actually write.

I am at a crossroads in my life. I have finished working at a small publishing company (well, I will be after tomorrow), which honestly I haven't enjoyed for a long time. I broke my leg in September and it's all changed since then. Now I am stuck between pursuing a career in publishing, teaching and writing. Plus, I want to travel. I really want to travel.

So, as my leg heals I will be going on a bit of a journey. I will be using this blog to write about my ideas, post stories and generally just share. But most importantly just so I have an excuse to write everyday. Or every other day, let's not get too ahead of ourselves.

Hopefully this time next year I will have a career and the chance to travel - oh and a working leg please!

Lion King

I am writing this blog first (first one!) while occasionally stopping to sing along with the Lion King musical soundtrack. My favourite song has to be 'He Lives in You (Reprise)'. There is just something beautiful about the lyrics. They almost sound religious. I am not particularly religious, though I do have my beliefs which are for another blog post, but this song gives me chills.

I went to see the Lion King musical last night. I was amazed. I am like many people in their early twenties who grew up with Disney films and the music that brought them to life. Watching one of my favourite childhood memories acted out on stage was an incredible experience. They did such a wonderful job with the costumes and the puppets. My Stepdad, who had to be dragged out of the house on a Sunday, was genuinely impressed; 'when you stop looking at the people and concentrate on the masks and puppets it's like watching real animals'. I think that's exactly what they achieved.

The music needs no praise. I love the African revamp is was given. It felt so authentic.

Today on my way to work I was listening to the soundtrack full blast on the train and I realised exactly why this is my favourite Disney film. Of course I have memories surrounding the songs and the characters but the story is incredibly unique for a Disney film. This film does not centre around a love story, the boy meets girl is a side story only there to add character to Simba, but this film deals with some really mature issues: fear; death; murder; jealousy; life.

Now, I know full well that it is a complete rip-off of Hamlet, but let's put that to one side for now. For a Disney film this takes on a big challenge. This film explains why we die. Why some animals eat grass and some eat other animals. It doesn't include a vegetarian lion or make humans the enemy. It is an honest adaptation of real life. It shows young children that there is nothing to be afraid of - all you need to do is let life guide you.

When Scar kills his brother and forces Simba in exile, nature is unbalanced and the Lion's food begins to disappear. Mufasa was not meant to die and Simba was meant to be the next king. So all in all, we are taught not to murder, jealousy leads to nothing, not to afraid of death and the intensity of loss and guilt.

I recommend everyone who once watched this film as a child to watche it in the theatre. Hopefully you will come out feeling as inspired as I am.

And to think, no one had any faith in this film when it was being made!