Kingsfold, 7676D (Reprise)

I did it! You didn't know this, but I set a goal to write 20 posts by the end of the year. And here is #20!

I love musical reprises. A reprise invites the listener to recall the emotions and messages of it's previous incarnation, and in addition, invites the listener to consider new meaning. That meaning may be found in new lyrics that weren't in the first version of the song reprised. That meaning may be found in new twists in the arrangement of the music. A musical reprise continues themes previously presented in a work, and elaborates and builds off of those themes.

A good example of a reprise can be found in the new Disney movie Tangled. Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy), Rapunzel's sinister caretaker, sings the song “Mother Knows Best,” in which she describes how gruesome and dangerous the world outside Rapunzel's tower can be. She claims “mother knows best” and demands Rapunzel accept her judgement.

When Rapunzel escapes and finds out the outside world isn't as bad as Mother Gothel made it out to be, she begins to be more confident in herself. Mother Gothel tracks down Rapunzel, and taunts her with a reprise of “Mother Knows Best” (“Rapunzel Knows Best). In the reprise, she expresses her bitterness and belittles Rapunzel, hoping to destroy her new found confidence.

I enjoyed this reprise, because the first song established the goals and mindset of Mother Gothel, as well as her relationship with Rapunzel. The reprise then elaborated on their unhealthy relationship, and confirmed to the audience Mother Gothel's ultimate goal: to keep Rapunzel for herself. It was a creative and entertaining way to further the plot of the movie.

Now, I'd post clips, but I'd much rather you see this movie in theaters :P Go see it before it's gone!

(And I realize most of you (if not all of you) probably know what a reprise is. Forgive me for rambling; I just love reprises.)

So... what is my point in defining a reprise?

Every once in a while (maybe every twenty posts or so) I'd like to reprise my blog. As the title of my blog suggest, this blog is music to me, and it only seems fitting to have a reprise every once in a while. It gives me a chance to reflect, elaborate, and create new meaning.

In this reprise post, I will make a list of my previous posts with any additional thoughts I've had related to those posts. These thoughts are post scripts, responses to comments, and/or simple summaries of what these posts have meant to me. At the end of the list, I will jot down ideas for future posts.

1. My First Post! I was so nervous when I made my first post! I had been faithfully blog stalking anything and everything that came up in the Moho Directory for maybe two or three months before considering making my own. And it was actually Ned's blog, Moho Five Oh, and Invictus Pilgrim's blog that really inspired me to make my own. At first I thought I'd never have anything to write about, but now I want to write about everything!
2. What's in a Name? Kingfold, 7676D. I love hearing all the different interpretations of this melody. One version that I love is “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say.” Check it out!
   
   
3. I love you, but... This post is the most important post I've written. After I wrote down my feelings and experience with my ex-girlfriend, I felt a sense of wholeness and peace I hadn't felt in a long time. I realized then that blogging would do me a lot of good.
4. Much Ado About Nothing I don't attribute all my negative habits to the fact that I've been raised in the Mormon Church, but feeling guilty for being unproductive is one of those habits that I do attribute to my faith. There is a prevailing attitude of “Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel” in Mormon culture that led me to believe that resting and doing “nothing” was bad. I used to feel horrible when I'd catch myself daydreaming or when I spent a day doing nothing in particular. It's been good for me to realize that doing “nothing” is necessary for me to be healthy and happy. Sometimes those pangs of guilt catch me off guard, but I'm getting better at dismissing them.
5. Crushes! According to the handy Stats tool, this is one of my most viewed posts. It's not hard to understand why; Shia, Michael, and David are super attractive. Especially one in particular... :P For the record, I just want to say I that I'm not as much of an Archie fanatic as I come off to be. Sure, he may be everything I look for in a guy, but I swear I'm harmless. Maybe it's just me, but it's fun having a crush on someone who is so famous and unavailable. That being said, expect more Archie posts in the future! Haha
6. Three Types of Silence Sometimes, thoughts are best expressed in poetry. I call myself “apronkid” because I enjoy sitting on the edge of the apron stage; it's a wonderful place to think. When you're all alone on the apron stage, it's just you, your thoughts, and the silence. I love it.
7. 50 Things I Find Bothersome I think I'm ready to cross “Sleep sex” off of the list. Ever since I accepted my sexuality, I haven't really had a problem with it. (Coincidence? Hmmmm... I don't know...)
8. 50 Things That Make Me Smile I am going to add #51 to the list: being out of the closet. Since telling the Friend that I am gay, I have told two others friends, and I've had nothing but positive, supportive responses. It feels so good to be free and honest with people; words really can't describe how good it feels.
9. Sleep Sex: The Curious Case of Things That Go Bump in the Night I am really grateful to everyone who responded to this post. Next to posting “My First Post!”, this post was probably the next scariest to post. I felt vulnerable; in the past, people always regarded my problem as imaginary and dismissed it. Like I've said, I'm doing much better, and haven't had any problems with it. Some of my darkest moments in high school came from dealing with sleep sex, and I hope it'll stay in the past. Thanks again for all the considerate and helpful comments.
10. Marry Christmas! I now have an awesome black suit because of said wedding! I also got a super snazzy red tie out of being a groomsman :) I never did get a chance to talk to my ex-girlfriend about our past, but she was friendly. I think she has put everything behind her, and I didn't want to bring up our past relationship if that's the case. She doesn't really want to hang out ever, which saddens me, but I can understand. At least we're still friends.
11. “Oh My Gosh... It's Jesus.”/Bright Blue Puppy I have spent all of December playing the piano for Primary. It's been a blast! My favorite part is playing prelude music. I love to jazz up the Primary songs by playing them at different octaves and messing with the rhythms. As for that Bright Blue Puppy, it looked fantastic when I pulled it out of the kiln. Yesterday, I went to work and there was literally nothing to do. (The holiday rush is over, so there are less people coming in to paint these days.) I did, however, have a very interesting conversation with a coworker about sexuality. She is asexual, and it was really interesting to hear her perspective on sex and relationships. I came out to her during our conversation, and we had a good time comparing our thoughts and feelings on sexual orientation.
12. Dear Prophet, Have You Prayed For Me? I don't know if President Monson has prayed on behalf of the gay brothers and sister of the Church. I do know I can pray for myself, and I can receive meaningful answers. I've had several thoughts concerning the questions I asked in this post, and will be writing about those soon. (I haven't forgotten your challenge Invictus!)
13. Somewhere Near Zero Probably my most useless post. I confess that sometimes I create a title for a post before writing the actual post. It's kind of a game of sorts. So I created the title “Somewhere Near Zero,” then I tried to write about it. While it was fun to explore the idea of “nothingness,” the post really didn't ever take off for me. It was a chore. Next time when I create a title, I'll try to find something I'm more passionate about.
14. Why You Son-of-a-Grinch! I thought everyone's comments on this post were extremely helpful. I learned that instead of hoping that other people's Christmas traditions will fill me with Christmas cheer, I should create my own meaningful traditions. I also learned to simply enjoy the time I have to be with my family.
15. Plan of Attack I got some good advice from posting this post! So far, everything is going to plan. I've modified my plan just a little bit, and plan to come out to my parents this next semester instead of right before I go on a mission. I've also thought about the prospect of dating other guys. Honestly, I don't think I'm ready to. This last week I spent some time with a guy that I've liked for years. When we were hanging out, he told me I was too nice, and jokingly asked me to insult him. I proceeded to turn bright red and mumbled something incomprehensible. My feelings for him bubbled to the surface, and I had to try my hardest to contain myself. I was really embarrassed; it was so childish. I don't think I'm ready to date anybody. I don't even know how to manage my own feelings!
16. The Friend: “When you go, I go.” The Friend is amazing. She loves the term “fag hag,” and is proud to be one. She's also incredibly excited that I'm gay. It's weird; everyone I've come out has been excited about my sexual orientation. I'm not sure why...
17. Pancakes and Boys In this post I mentioned “that one guy from high school I still like.” Yeah, he's the guy I hung out with this week. He just talked and talked and talked... After I hung out with him, I realized that I find the ability to ramble attractive. That sounds really weird, but it's true.
18. Bittersweet. I'm ready to go to Provo. This year back home in Virginia has been good. I've had space to think and breathe, and I am in a much better place than I was at this last year. I'm even healthier! I've lost like 20 something pounds. But it's time to move on with my life. It's time to go back to school. I'm satisfied with the way I spent 2010, and I'm looking forward to what the future brings.
19. Happy Birthday Archie!/What I'm Bringing to College I resolve to not post as many Archie love posts in the future. I mean... it was his birthday... I couldn't resist. On another note, I still haven't started packing for college. I know that's not good, but that hasn't stopped me from procrastinating :/ I'll do it tomorrow, I promise!

As for future post ideas:

My Brother's Treehouse; When I die, I'll blog about it; No one should have to tell me God exists; My Original Identity; Duets; Doodles; Why I'll still serve a mission...

In Conclusion...

This blog is me, and it carries that sweet, simple tune that I hum (I can't whistle) every day. The words you read here are my inner aria, my voice, my melody. I appreciate every one of you who have stopped by to listen. While the sound of my voice still bounces off the walls of my closet, the muffled echoes are slowly making their way out my closet door. So far, these echoes have been welcomed by loving and thoughtful individuals. And for that, I am most grateful.

Have a Happy New Year everyone!