Monday, April 4, 2016

C = Cheese

Okay, okay, what does cheese have to do with speculative fiction, you ask. Bear with me for a moment.

C is also for Crystal. (A word I'm particularly fond of.)


In Napoleon Dynamite, the crystals are a mystical element that will power a time travel device. They're a symbol of magic. (Hey, does that mean I'm a symbol of magic? Score!)

Life is full of symbolism.

What is the first thing you think of when someone says, "Cheese!"?

Source
That's pretty much it for me too. Actually, my picture is more like this:


Cheese is a symbol (like crystals). For me, it means something so much more than food or smiles. It represents the true essence of happiness. This last picture is my special needs brother, the happiest, most loving person I've ever known. And yes, he was obsessed with cheese. It's because of him I insist that:

Cheese is the best food on the planet. Cheese=happiness. Cheese makes the world go round.

Symbols are all around us in life and thus all throughout literature. They're a subtext that conveys greater meaning in everyday life. In THE MIRROR PEOPLE, the mirror is a symbol, an element meant to make us question the inner demons we face. Symbolically, are we like Jak, trapped by his twin identity, or are we the type of people who define our own worlds--like my brother?

Due to symbolism, cheese is my happy place.

What's your cheese?

(Remember, every comment is a chance to win a copy of Parallels.)

39 comments:

  1. What is the first thing I think of when someone says, "Cheese!"?
    Answer: Crystal Collier.
    Writer In Transit

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  2. First thing I think of is my sister.

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  3. Your brother is definitely on to something!

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    1. Right? We need to package and sell it. We'll be billionaires!

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  4. First thing I think of is "...and wine"!!!

    Meet My Imaginary Friends
    #AtoZChallenge kathleenvalentineblog.com

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    1. That was my hubby's phrase way back in the day. (Even though we don't drink. Ironic, eh?)

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  5. So glad to finally understand where your obsession with cheese comes from - such a wonderful tribute to your brother!

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  6. Loved your story, and now that I know the deeper meaning, I love it even more.

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  7. Oh cheese, the glory of cheese. Thanks for the smile. Best to you.

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  8. You're back, Crystal! :) Good to see you.

    I'm obsessed with cheese. Always have been. So I'd say it's my happy place...and comfort food...as well.

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  9. Cheese, glorious cheese! Reading is my cheese if I'm not indulging in the real thing. I like it best melted.

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    1. Awesome. That's definitely a secondary cheese for me.

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  10. If cheese is a happy place then, Alaska is my cheese! Hubby loves all cheese!

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  11. Haha I love your cheese thing- mine might be coffee!

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  12. Haha I love your cheese thing- mine might be coffee!

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  13. Right now my cheese would be the Despicable Me Minions.

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  14. This was cute. My cheese is nature. I can't be up in the mountains or at the beach and not be happy! However, I do love cheese.

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    1. Mmm. That's definitely at the top of my list too. There's nothing like it.

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  15. This is beautiful, Crystal! Your special needs brother brightened my evening with that smile! I love symbolism. "Bones" is my goto symbol, generally.
    Best Wishes!
    Lori

    My A2Zs @ As the Fates Would Have It & Promptly Written
    Follow Me (Ravyne) Twitter|Facebook

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  16. Chocolate would be my cheese. And that is a beautiful tribute indeed.

    Nilanjana
    Madly-in-Verse

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    1. I wrote a post once where cheese challenged chocolate. It was pretty close, but there was a winner.

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  17. My cheese? Hm. Cheesecake, probably. Raspberries. Doctor Who. Archer. Coming home to the smell of something fresh baked. Quite a few things can make me smile.

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    1. It sounds like you live the abundant life. Way to be!

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  18. Cute cheesy grin of your brother! Crystals are used in many stories and in getting and giving readings on your energy. Great post.
    Mary at Play off the Page

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  19. OK, so I can't relate to Murder & Obsession, but I am Swiss. And Switzerland is Chocolate and Cheese. We basically own the letter C ;-)

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