Author Archive for Charisma Madarang
History, Texas Style
History is a fragile thing. It is subject to opinion and the subjectivity of the majority. That being said, history is always in danger of being complete bullshit. And I don’t mean the crazy ranting bullshit of your neighborhood homeless guy preaching the next apocalypse, or the bullshit you tell your parents when you say [...]
The Reality of Winter Blues
When I was ten I moved from the cloudy skies of Canada to the sunny beaches of California. At first I was appalled by the snowless winters of Los Angeles, the people wearing thick jackets when it was only 12 degrees Celsius (54 degrees Fahrenheit), and the palm trees covered in Christmas lights, as if they were determined to hang onto the summer heat.
Why I Love Thanksgiving
On Thanksgiving there has never been the rush of relatives through my door, the clanking and clinking of pots and pans or the warm smells of a fresh turkey and stuffing. At school, I have often heard my friends rave about the feast their families make for this special occasion: the sweet cranberry sauce, the [...]
Second Life: A Digital Disneyland
Hyde Park, London, is alive tonight. The stars are out and a breeze rustles through the trees. Couples sit on benches holding hands, friends stroll around in groups chatting about the latest gossip, strangers meet underneath gas lamps to flirt, and a fox and a young Victorian woman clad in black lipstick play a friendly game of chess. Wait — a furry fox and a 19th century woman playing chess?
