Tech Tip: Pinterest

I wanted to do a quick tech tip, and I've been hesitant to get onto Pinterest, but I'm finally doing it for this post. I have to say, I kind of like pinterest. I haven't used it before, (I tend to avoid social media sites.) but it's really intuitive, and it was easy for me to find some really cool pictures. It also seems like it will be a really useful place to keep track of images I use for blog posts and their sources. I might even start using it for other projects as well.

Link to Pinterest board:
https://www.pinterest.com/bonner5171/indian-epics-portfolio/

Week 12 Storytelling: Captain's Log

Captain's Log, INS - Indra, 2016

Starfleet Seal
Source

Captain's Log,
Star Date: 69751.

While touching down on planet Dandaka-IX, Sita discovered an unknown life-form. The creature resembled a deer from Sol-III; however, it's fur had a golden glow, and its body appeared to be covered in jewels. We were running low on fuel, and Sita believed the beast's hide might be worth something at the bazaar on Ayodhya-II. So, Lieutenant Lakshman and I set out to capture the beast.

Captain's Log,
Star Date: 69751.5.

Lakshman and I discovered that the creature was an Rakshasa drone. Its outward appearance had simply been a hologram. Upon discovering this, we immediately contacted the Indra, but we received no response. After rushing back to the ship, we discovered that it had been raided, and Sita was missing. After getting the ship into working order, we began searching for the raiders.

Captain's Log,
Star Date: 69753.8.

Shortly after beginning our pursuit, we found the raider ship's ion trail. The trail wasn't too big, probably from a D'Kora class vessel. We followed it for several hours before we came upon the wreckage of a Star Fleet ship, the INS-Ganga. Upon boarding the ship, Lakshman found the log of the ship's Captain, Jatayu. I've included a section from the log:

---

Captain's Log,
Star Date: 69752.2.

While on our final patrol loop for the day, we came into contact with an Asura raider ship. When we attempted contact to inform the ship that they were infringing on Star Fleet space, we discovered that the Captain of the ship was the Rakshasa Admiral Ravana. He had knowingly invaded our territory and captured a scientist from one of our exploratory vessels. Before we could negotiate or contact base, he fired a photon torpedo at our communications array.

We've been cut off from the rest of the fleet. While we are putting the best fight we can, it is unlikely that we will make it out of this battle. So, should anyone find this, please inform High Command immediately. The Rakshasan Empire has committed an act of war on the Federation.

---

A copy of both my log and Jatayu's is being sent to High Command as we speak. However, I do not feel that we can resume our mission and wait for orders, as is standard protocol. I must see to the safety of my captured crew mate Sita. Therefore, I will be breaking from my mission and embarking into Asuran space in pursuit of Ravana. I am aware of the repercussions of this action and am willing to face the consequences. I cannot guarantee my return. As such, consider this the final entry into my Captain's Log.

Sincerely,
Captain Dasharathi Rama


Author's Note:

This story is based on the capture of Sita by Ravana in the Ramayana. In the original story, Ravana distracts Rama with a bejeweled deer and captures Sita while he is away. Shortly afterwards, he is spotted by the giant vulture Jatayu. Jatayu attacks Ravana but is defeated. Before he dies, Jatayu informs Rama of what had happened, and Rama sets out after Ravana.

For this story, I had wanted to do a sort of captain's log like in Star Trek, and after thinking a while, I thought this story would fit the style best. I set up Rama as the Captain of an exploratory vessel and told the story from his view. I was going for a brief, brisk style, giving only details Rama would think were necessary in a report. Instead of giving a long exposition at the beginning, I tried to give small hints as to the surrounding story and universe. I tried to pull a lot from the Star Trek universe and intermingle it with ancient Indian mythos. Finally, I thought it would be a good ending to have Rama break off from his original mission and go gallivanting off into enemy territory to save Sita, similar to something Captain Kirk might do.


Bibliography:
Narayan, R. K. (2006-08-29). The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic (Penguin Classics) (p. 16). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. link

Week 12 Reading Diary: Ramayan 3392 AD II

Reading: Ramayana 3392 AD II, Shamik Dasgupta, 2007

 I couldn't get ahold of the first volume, so I'm going to go ahead an continue reading the second volume for now.

The story was pretty similar to the original up to the point where they meet "Vish" for the second time. Then, it completely changes. Seeta runs off on her own, and Rama and Lakshman are captured. I think this is a representation of the battles Rama has with the Rakshasas in the forest. He and his brother end up fighting against a lot of Rakshasas in a thunder-dome-like arena. It's a pretty cool re-imagining of how the party split up, and I think it makes the characters a lot more dynamic than the original. A lot of problems they've encountered are from their own actions rather than some deus ex machina. Of course, Seeta is a sort of deus ex machina personified, but that's neither here nor there.

Deus Ex Seeta
Taken by me, from Ramayan 3392

The world they created for this book is quite interesting, but I have to say my favorite part is what they did to the characters. The original characters of the Ramayana are interesting, but compared to the ones in this story they're almost one dimensional. Even Rama gets angry and makes mistakes. He doesn't just walk through life immediately succeeding. He has to work for everything.