Thursday, June 16, 2011

Great Article

Why I Won't Be Going To See "Book of Mormon"


I would even go so far as to say that the Jews and Catholics have been putting up with stuff like this (and let's face it, WAY worse besides) for centuries.  If this gets to me, then I really need to work on self-worth and charity. 


Charity, maybe. But self-worth? I think I'm good.

Monday, June 13, 2011

This Should've Been Yesterday's Post

Is it weird that no one (including us) remembers that we've been together only 2 years rather than 3?  And not in that "long" way, either.  It's more of a "really? Just 2 years? I thought you'd been in love longer than that..."


We have, world. We have. Perhaps even since that first creepy moment.


As Pooh put it last night: 2 years down, eternity to go!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

I'm Not Crying

I'm really not, and to emphasize I bring you Flight of the Conchords.  Because they're hilarious.





So, now that that's been established, I have had a leaky eye since about April.  So don't be surprised if you see me "crying."  Also, it seems to be worse when I wear makeup, so get used to not seeing me look all that fab for awhile.  


I'm sure you'll all manage.

Speaking of YA Literature

I'd like to thank my friend Cassandra for posting this link on facebook.  I'm so glad to see that reputable newspapers are printing/posting articles like this (other than the Christian Science Monitor, which - while a good paper - is rather predictable in this area).


Darkness Too Visible - Wall Street Journal


It even includes a poll where you can vote and see the results.  Unfortunately for the future, declaring these dark themes and graphic detail in youth fiction as more harmful than helpful is in the vast minority, shown by a stunning 89.5% to 10.5%, respectively.


This brings once again to the forefront of my mind the concern I have had for a while regarding the literature of today's popular culture.  With Twilight came a whole new way of viewing "the bad guy", and sure, some can validate it as saying they were "veggie-vampires" and it was a good illustration of how not all people belonging to a single nationality/sex/creed/color/etc., are bad and therefore is a good way to show youth that there are exceptions to every rule, but isn't that the problem in the first place with teenagers?  Don't they all feel like they're the exception to the rule?


But I digress.  Since the revolutionary take on the undead, suddenly it became ok for every otherworldly creature that used to be the stuff of nightmares and horror movies to just be a misunderstood victim in their own right.  And then came the attack on all that is actually good!  The newest trend is to portray angels - heaven's denizens/messengers - as manipulative and elitist, if not downright hostile towards humanity.  I know that there are many authors who are agnostic at best, but come on!  Angels evil?  Seriously?


What is most disheartening about the whole trend is that it seems to have affected the adult literature in a vastly different way.  Today's adult literature reads like YA.  It is all quick reads of angst and debauchery with little to no challenge to the reader's vocabulary.  Most authors are college graduates in the discipline of English, correct?  Why aren't they using their superior knowledge of the language to help the masses regain that intellect and use those vocabulary words from days gone by?  Why settle for titillation?  Because it sells?  Surely you're in it for more than that.


I apologize for the - once again - lengthy post with absolutely no humor.  I will redeem myself later.  At least you all know where I stand.