Thursday, March 6, 2008

BTT Hero

You should have seen this one coming … Who is your favorite Male lead character?

Hmm....I'll admit that if I read fiction it usually has lead female characters for me or that the men don't stand out. I had to resort back to my library for some responses. So, I suppose these aren't truly favorite characters, but enjoyable male characters. One of the more recent characters is Amir in The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I liked his internal struggle, his humanity, and adult thought process. It was a worthwhile read. I have always liked Old Jules by Mari Sandoz. Jules, her father, is such an asshole but he reminds me of my own father--so I could relate to the character. In fact, anyone with a conflicted father-daughter relationship might be able to relate.

I found fascinating the unnamed narrator in Memoirs of My Melancholy Whores by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The short novel starts out,
"The year I turned ninety, I wanted to give myself the gift of a night of wild love with an adolescent virgin." How is this not interesting! He is one of the least engaging first-person narrators I've ever encountered. He's insipid and silly and has spent much of his life, as well as his modest nest egg, frequenting prostitutes. What are we to make of this lifelong bachelor who's never been in love and who actually likes to pay for sex? He comes off as a typical dirty old man and leering pedophile who now wants to call his friendly madam to request a young virgin over whom he can exert complete mastery. Of course, almost any type of person can be made interesting in a work of fiction, no matter how weird or banal or repellent he might seem at first glance.

And, I've enjoyed the life of Harry Potter. I don't think I have to say much about his character as it is known worldwide.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Musical Musings

My friend Jeffrey is always sending me new music to check out. His latest was on Erykah Badu's new album New Amerykah Part One. I have to say that I find the music video for "Honey" creative in the sense that it takes me back to MTV 1991 for some reason. I'm not sure if I like the song and have yet to listen to the rest of her album but I do like the mellow sound.

The last time Jeffrey sent me music it was M.I.A., who is playing Sasquatch this year with a bunch of other awesome bands. M.I.A. has grown on me. I love the chorus to Paper Planes. And I'm thinking I should see her live. I also secretly wish I could get away with wearing spandex and converse together.

Before tonight's results

There is an interesting piece titled, A Letter from Feminists on the Election in the current Nation. I enjoyed reading it however I saw a lot of rainbows and unicorns dancing in the background. It's not that I'm against what these feminists are saying, it's more that I'm cautious of their reactive stance. Where was this discussion a year ago? Yes, Clinton and Obama have had to downplay their gender and race but there has a been a rift in the women's movement for awhile now and frankly, I rarely hear it being discussed by these same feminists. Again, like so many moments in the past twenty years, certain feminists are acting reactively versus being proactive. Could they not meet more frequently?

Friday, February 29, 2008

Must see Poll

I love reading the blog Feministing. I learn so much information from these gals. Today they have an interesting (and in my opinion disturbing) poll. I urge all of you to check it out!

Which PETA campaign do you hate the most?

FF:181

Appetizer

Who was the last person you hugged?

Adult: Amy

Children: Nikita or Dillon, although I'm not sure if they were hugs. When you are surrounded by children they tend to perform "hanging hugs" to get your attention.

Soup

Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us.

I use a toothbrush to groom my eyebrows. I also apply hair oil to the ends of my hair. It helps moisturize and strengthen my long locks. I also use conditioner to shave my legs, it's cheaper and longer lasting.

Salad

What does the color yellow make you think of?

Gerber daisies, daffodils and a certain submarine

Main Course

If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around?

flowers, plants, gardens, parks, water--relaxing eye candy

Dessert

What was the longest book you ever read?

I have no idea, one of the following most likely:

War and Peace

Anna Karenina

Harry Potter series or individual book. Depends on how you view series

Thursday, February 28, 2008

BTT: Heroine

Who is your favorite female lead character? And why? (And yes, of course, you can name more than one . . . I always have trouble narrowing down these things to one name, why should I force you to?)


The first one that comes to mind is Anne, of Anne of Green Gables. I loved her as a child and still do as an adult. Her adventures and challenges are wonderful to follow. She is strong, confident, loving, hard working and sincere, traits any good role model for young girls should have. Another lead is Sophie Amundsen in Sophie's World by Jostein Gaardner. She is also curious and smart in her adventures through the history of philosophy. She best reminds me of Alice from Alice in Wonderland. I would list Alice but I have never read the book and it would be poor form to list book-to-movie characters, not to mention pure laziness.

I'm currently reading Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy and Tess definitely stands out as a lead female character, however I wouldn't say just yet that she is a favorite. I'm finding that it is quite a depressing novel.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Conversations with Farmer Ted

Farmer Ted: I have a great idea for a cover band.

Idaho Gal: ok...

FT: Take Metallica and get rid of all the instruments.

IG: ok...

FT: Then insert a cappella singers and call it A Cappellica!

An embarrassed IG can do nothing except shake her head.