Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Things I'm Currently Wondering

Why is The Real World still on?

Because according to MTV, the 'real world' consists of an expensively decorated loft done just so for a group of 20-year olds, who will promptly vomit all over it as soon as introductions are made.

Remember back in the day when they actually had people with personalities on that show? Remember Heather B? And Julie from somewhere down south? Remember Pedro? I loved Pedro. They actually filmed people with jobs and aspirations. Jud was a comic book writer. Pam was a med student. The ubiquitous hot tub hadn't yet arrived on scene.

Remember how Rachel tried to hide her belly button piercing from her very Catholic, very traditional mother?

Can you imagine a time when a navel-piercing was controversial?

Do I sound like a curmudgeon? Because I totally feel like a curmudgeon.

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How do stink bugs get inside my house? I find their little carcasses on the wood floor, turned belly (thorax?) up, and sometimes I hear them plunking against a window.

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Why all the froth over the Ground Zero Mosque? And who was the wizard that came up with such a hyperbolic name for what is essentially a community center? It was probably Mama Grizzly herself, what with her 'stabbed heart' and all. She acts like Osama Bin Laden himself is the project manager. Sheesh.

This blog shows some places that are in the same general vicinity as the proposed house of worship, whose congregants which would worship, you know, God, and not planes flying into buildings, as Mama Grizzly would have you believe. Then perhaps they'd take a swim and a shower, and see a show in the proposed auditorium, and then buy some snacks.

So, just to be clear, we're down with sex and gambling on 'hallowed ground.' That's rockin'. But none of them Muslim folk. Gotcha.

Shouldn't we encourage voices of moderation? Shouldn't we listen to Fareed Zakaria when he says, 'If there is ever going to be a reformist movement in Islam, it is going to emerge from places like the proposed institute.'

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Will the roofer show up on time to give an estimate of slate roof repair, chimney repointing, gutter replacement and all manner of other things that make the sound ca-ching? Or will I be spending all afternoon wondering where the hell he is?


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What is up with all the 'Girl With' novels? Are these something I should be reading? I've gotten the cautious go-ahead from a trusted friend with impeccable literary taste, and heard family members talk about how good they are.

But, without even having read them, I'm wondering if the late author was a misogynist dressed up as the opposite. I'm not sure I have the stomach for them right now, although hearing that Daniel Craig is going to be playing a lead helps. I have zero problem with reading a book that allows me to envision him at length.

Still, with all that's happening in the world, The Girl Who Purchased an Ice Cream Cone and Ate It Under A Shady Tree is probably more my speed.

12 comments:

RuthWells said...

Michael is enjoying the "Girl with..." novels, but I'm going to wait for Daniel Craig to 'splain it all to me...

Michelle said...

Real World Season 1 NYC had a hot tub.... it was called a bath tub. Ahhhh I used to LOVE that show.

I don't get the stink about the community center either. In fact, it creeps me out that we hated the Japanese now they're cool, we hated the Russians now they're cool, now let's choose another group to fear/hate because of one small radical faction. Next they're going to be on to fat white girls from the midwest and then I am screwed.

A little tolerance goes a long way.

Anonymous said...

Ah, I love this blog!

The Real World was created by my former colleague (way former - circa 1981-83ish)Jonathan Murray. You always knew that guy was going somewhere. The last time I saw him was a random bump-into-each-other on 5th Avenue in 1986 or something. That's my far-reach into the world of reality TV, which no longer has anything to do with reality.

Funny you should mention Pedro (RIP) - I was just thinking of him the other day. In those days the reality and the freshness that it so sorely lacks now.

Don't get me going on the Community Center. I have bordered on intolerant in my own pleas for tolerance on my FB page. Ugh. Not only does Fareed Zakaria have a point, but Christianity should point us to the idea that where the wound is where the healing needs to be. Well Christianity and medicine. We don't not treat a disease even if we hate it.

I used to get stinkbugs by the gazillions in my old house. They are impervious to all manner of banishment. Sorry.

Thorax. Heeee!

"Girl with..." ??? I am old; I am lost.

It is me Fran... I am at work so not my usual ID.

Swistle said...

I read the first two Girl Who books, and I wondered if maybe no one was legally allowed to edit them because the author was dead, because that was the only way I could explain all the confusing and boring stuff DRAMATICALLY padding the few exciting scenes.

eileen said...

I'm a tolerant reader...and I basically enjoyed the Girl With...books very much. However, story padding and wordiness doesn't bother me much, so don't go by me on that count.

If you like a good girl vigilante story, where the bad guys get theirs in a satisfying way (although quite violent), I'd recommend these. Rousing good thrillers.

Of course, I also liked Eat, Love, Pray - so take this recommendation for what it's worth. ;-)

Major Bedhead said...

I can't even listen to the crap that's being spewed about the Islamic center; it makes my head explode and brains are a bitch to get out of the carpet. Every time I hear someone ranting against it, I get all "Really?? Seriously??? Are you for real here? Have I slipped into an alternate universe?" Then, kaboom. Mess.

Mrs. G. said...

I am so glad you commented today. Yes, I remember you and your light bulb. You are now officially in my reader.

Stink bugs...I hesitate to admit that I didn't mind their earthy, funkass smell when I was a kid in the south.

De said...

Don't wait for the American films. I saw the first one and thought it was great.

No answers about the rest of it. MTV is unrecognizable to those of us who were there at the start.

painted maypole said...

i am afraid of the "girl with" books for pretty much the same reason. i've heard the violence against women is pretty horrific, and I just don't think her then going around and getting revenge sounds like a way to get past rape porn. but I haven't read them.

and i just wrote a post about the whole mosque thing, too. infuriating.

mayberry said...

I only read the first "Girl" book and I didn't like it. Too gory and the writing was nothing to write home about. You're better off renting a Daniel Craig movie, I'd say!

Lora said...

I read the first Girl With, and it sucked from beginning to end. And you're right- she doesn't seem like such a strong person at all. She's painted as a hysterical ward of the state who lets herself be used and abused.

Also, my husband and I were talking the other day and he said that he read somewhere that he wonders since Tim McVeigh was a Christian, if the people in Ok City would have a problem with a church going up two blocks from the bombing site.

well read hostess said...

I like what Lora said! I'm mostly pissed at the news people for dubbing it the "Ground Zero Mosque" when it's not on ground zero and there are about twelve hot dog carts, four Off Track Bettings establishments, and eighty bodegas in between it and Ground Zero.

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