Confuse Me, It’s Fun And Educational
The day when I want to retreat into lit crit is the day I know I’m on the mend. (About damn time too.) And when a random Simone Weil quote makes me want to read the Barthes I’ve been saving for a rainy day, not only am I on the mend but I am back to my regularly-scheduled insanity.
So today is a day of gentleness, if I can manage it. Claws in, paws padded, tone gentle, walk soft.
So, in lieu of a real post, here’s some links.
Start out with part I of Kaigou’s “Dear (Not Just) Urban Fantasy Author.” Kaigou covers a lot of ground, from the very simple fact that everything costs money to what it means for a character to grow up in an abusive household. You can concurrently or consecutively read RachelManija’s posts on PTSD. If you want to write characters dealing with violence, the effects of violence or abuse, these are really great resources. (Check out Rachel’s book: IndieBound or Barnes & Noble.)
If you’re not reading Pharyngula, why? PZ Myers is sharp, smart, and takes absolutely no prisoners.
For another side of the die, I can’t recommend Slacktivist enough. Not only is he reading Left Behind so I don’t have to, but he’s one of the few people of faith I think actually tries to live by the ethical code he says he believes in.
For the lighter side, there’s Kate Beaton, whose historical cartoon strips are pure awesomeness. I should also mention the Comics Curmudgeon. I’ve also grown kind of addicted to LOLCelebs, in a sort of “look, there’s a trainwreck I’m not a part of!” way.
I used to watch Jerry Springer in my mid-20s for the same reason. After about ten minutes of the Springer show, I felt pretty good abut my life, no matter how bad it got. I suppose that makes me a horrible person. And hat tip to Alt3Sparky for pointing me at Texts From Last Night. (Warning: SO NOT SAFE FOR WORK. Trust me.) It’s the same dynamic.
And just to round all of this out, I should note that today I am alternating between listening to Judy Henske, Jandek, and whatever Lady Gaga I can scrounge up on Youtube.
Apparently I am very confused. And now you can be too.
No, really. You can thank me later.
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Tags: fellow weirdnesses, Hilarity, linkspam!, Random!
July 21st, 2009 at 5:45 pm
(holding anthology up to screen) lookee! lookee! Vampire anthology with Lili Story in it!!! squee…
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
If you like Pharyngula, you might also like Skeptic.com – it’s the site for the Skeptic society (I’m a member, but that’s it). Very good stuff on critical thinking, etc, especially the Shermer video on the “Baloney Detection Kit”. They have Mr. Deity clips sometimes, too. I teach a class where I use some of this material.
Speaking of quotes, I saw one the other day I liked, “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” by Joseph Campbell. Sounds like some of your writing advice. Love Campbell’s work.
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
I clicked on some of the links provided, some pretty heavy reading, but interesting. Then I clicked on Texts from Last night. Oh.My.Gosh. I laughed and laughed. So awful, so dirty, so funny. Found out that’s the site one of my sons (23) checks EVERY SINGLE DAY. Thanks for the laughs
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:43 am
I miss you. I read you everyday no matter what. Even just a crumb for peeps like me. A line. Take care!
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
When I first moved to the US, I watched Jerry Springer every day, laughing my ass off. Then the gloss wore off, and I just felt o,0