Sunday Fun

The summer for me has been intolerable with the heat that New York has been slammed by. For the past two months I've been running to the nearest air conditioned building, blasting the A/C in my car and literally sweating bullets every time I sat in the heat for more than five minutes. Previously, I loved the heat, my body could handle it and the warmness soothed my skin. I think the change in my temperment had to do with the Accutane medication I am currently taking. But, enough about that! With the weather cooling down a bit (to about 80 degrees instead of 95!) I've been taking full advantage.

Today I enjoyed my usual morning workout on a bridge near where I live.

 

Then, I decided to lay out a blanket on my lawn, relax and read.

 

                                                 

 

I pray the Jeanette Winterson continues writing for another twenty years, because she is above all the most skilled and entertaining writer I have ever read. The Battle of the Sun, although a bit different than what I'm used to reading from her is just as epic!

 

 

 

A truly gorgeous day!

Happy Sunday!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Reality T.V......Really Now?

I've had this argument with many people now and although I never seem to win, I can't help but blab my opinions all over the Internet. With this being said, I hate reality television. Hate; being the strongest word to describe my passionate stance on the subject.

I'm only twenty-three, but in a time of rapidly changing technology, commercialism, marketing and television transitions, I feel pretty old. I and I'm sure anyone else my age or older remember the old Nickelodeon, the old Disney Channel, the old MTV for crying out loud. We recall the entertainment, the music, the music videos of all different genres that splashed across our television screens. There were sitcoms and cartoons oh and don't forget when TLC actually used to stand for "The (legitimate) Learning Channel" and when the Discovery Channel provided more than just the typical adventure "Man vs. Nature," shows.

The first reality shows I ever remember watching were "The Real World" and "Survivor." I remember watching Cora and Mike from "Real World New York" argue about race and gender in their shared kitchen. I remember sitting beside my father every Thursday night watching "Survivor" and debating over who would be kicked off that evening. I'm sure I watched more than that here and there, like the celebrity diaries show MTV provided with the famous quote, "You think you know me, but you have no idea." They were scattered throughout television and in their debut, we were all captivated. "These were real people, living their lives. I could connect with them without even knowing them," I thought, "Or, these people are REALLY doing these crazy things, and it's REALLY REAL."

Well, weren't we all deceived?

I remember the day "TRL" ("Total Request Live") aired its last episode on MTV. It was after school, I sat in my living room and something of an epiphany overwhelmed me, "This is the last music related show on MTV." It was nonsense and a stupid decision. Kids watched, teens watched. It exposed us to new music, to good music, to the music videos we all hungrily craved. And just like that a big corporation comes through and cancels it, in order to do what, create a station with more trash reality shows than any other (maybe TLC beats this)??

Don't get me wrong, I watched a few seasons of "16& Pregnant" and "Teen Moms." At first, it was interesting and in a way informative. But then, season after season, it became less about the pregnancy and more about the drama between the baby momma and the baby daddy. Is that really all you can provide us, drama drama drama? That, ladies and gents, is one big reason why I have grown to HATE reality shows: the exacerbated hostility. They have watchers choosing sides and have people entertained with mind numbing bull crap (literally). For instance, the "Real Wives of Orange County," or of "New York," or of "Atlanta" or of "New Jersey." It's all fighting between catty women that aren't house wives, but rich snobs that are greedily grabbing a few more dollars and some television fame. Disgusting.

And what about "Honey Boo Boo," "Bridezillas," "Say Yes to the Dress," "Jersey Shore," "The Bachelor/ Bachelorette," etc. etc. etc. First of all, they all portray values that in the ACTUAL real world, most of us would pretty much find rude, offensive and down right nasty. But yet again, people watch because the drama is just sooo entertaining, but I'm pretty sure watching dumb doesn't do well for the watcher's brain cells.

Secondly, my biggest beef with Reality T.V. is that....duhn duhn duhn...It isn't REAL. Most of the time it is what could be called, "scripted reality." Sure real people with "similar" situations are taken, but their placed in a fictional setting which producers and directors over see. The moment I found out that "Survivor" had reenacted one of its scenes because the camera men missed the shot, I stopped watching the show. Also, last year when it was leaked and the hurriedly spread that "House Hunters" was not real and in most cases fictional, I stopped watching that as well. It may seem petty, but I am a stickler for truth. The one aspect lacking in Reality T.V. is truth. These shows are produced and directed in order to get an audience and nine out of ten times, reality just isn't as exciting as they need it to be. I mean really, crab fishing and Alaskan truckers?? Only pure imagination could create more than a handful of entertaining episodes from those topics....And so, it blatantly enrages me that these shows claim to be "reality," when indeed they are nothing more than handful of people who aren't necessarily "actors" playing themselves in different (mostly scripted) situations for us to watch. It's not real and it's not quality and it most definitely is not truth.

I guess I'll finish with this: My mother and I have had this discussion a few times and each time she throws her hands up in the air and says, "I like it because I don't have to think while watching it." And every time I shake my head and sigh. Because that's really it. We don't need to think about our lives or our worries or our "to do" lists when watching other people play out their dramatic, albeit fictional (or vaguely fictional, however you like to see it), life predicaments. That's the problem: there are too many of us not thinking, too many of us choosing not to think, too many of us hidden behind "Gypsy Weddings," "The Apprentice," "Sister Wives," "Toddlers and Tiaras," and "The Kardashians," to care one bit.

This may read disjointed, so I apologize. Rant over.

Here is an excerpt from my first chapter of my novel-in-progress...The Biography of a Real Man. I hate posting my work on the internet, but in order to give some sort of attention to my writing, I guess it's a must. I hope you enjoy!! Tell me what you think please! 

The wind lashed icy pebbles against my cheeks and lips as I stood on the broken, hole ridden porch. I shivered beneath my faux leather jacket, under prepared for the bitter morning chill. The house was surrounded by large trees. Overbearing pines hung above the roof, knocking their branches against loose shingles. Others, the barren ash, oak and maple trees scattered the yard as thin icicles hung from their cold, stiff and outstretched limbs. Narrow streams of light rose through the dense surrounding forest. To the west of the house and down a steep hill, the Stillaguamish River meandered toward Skagit Bay. After hundreds of miles and many changes of the tide that dark blue water would cross the Canadian border and disappear into the Pacific Ocean.
    For years, on summer evenings, before the sun had set, my grandfather and I would sit by the river heating marshmallows in our handmade fire pit and talking until the sky blackened. We carried lawn chairs down the hill and arranged them on a tiny stretch of pebbles, sand and dirt that the water splashed against when the tide was high. He told me stories about the history of the land, our family and made up his own fantasies about the constellations. He spoke of the Pacific Ocean and the ancient Indian tribes that for centuries ruled these lands. When I was a child, I saw the excitement in his eyes, the glossy shimmer, as he acted out scenes and I chewed on burnt marshmallows. But as I grew older, into my teens and a young adult, I noticed the somberness in his voice, his chuckle of regret as he finished a tale, how his eyes concentrated on the river’s westward movement toward the ocean he never saw. Maybe he wished he lived during that earlier age as a tribesman free to roam the wilderness instead of growing up in Seattle confined to the expectations of an Irish Catholic man.
    He told me once, “Avery, never move to the city. There’s just too much hassle for the heart to bear.” I never understood his meaning, but I knew that was why, after marrying, he moved to Stanwood with my grandmother and built this home. The small town, seclusion and privacy suited him. My grandfather enjoyed the freedom of rural life and found it easier to be alone than among the urban chaos and concrete. My grandmother in all ways opposed him, especially when it came to living in Stanwood. From the day my mother, my brother, Paul, and I moved in, her complaints about living in “the woods” were daily reminders of her misery. “The birds sing too damn loud,” she would say while pouring her morning coffee. “I can’t stand the scent of the buds outside. It’s like a funeral home!” I was sorry that any peace my grandfather had from this home was interrupted by her persistent depression. I never fathomed how he convinced her to move to begin with.
    Frost stuck to the aged plywood under my feet. A layer of snow covered the porch’s surface and I tripped over the wood’s concealed splinters and cracks. The past seven days I imagined a much different scenario than what I was confronted with. I had not expected the home’s ruinous transformation, the sad dilapidation of its former self. The windows, covered with heavy drapes, hid its cavernous insides from view. 

Fall Shows!

August ends next weekend and in just a few weeks all of our favorite shows will once again be on air. Here are the top 5 shows that I'm looking forward to most this fall!

1: ONCE UPON A TIME

 

If you enjoy fantasy, fairy tales, plot twists and exciting drama, this show is for you! I've watched it since season one and I have to say it has really impressed me. Introducing viewers to such a unique and original world slowed down season one a bit, but I loved everything about season two. The drama is all encompassing and flies way past typical fairy tales. I believe this show will be a success for years to come. Plus, it's pretty amazing that the actors who play Snow White and Prince Charming are an actual couple in real life! Season three premieres on Sunday September 29 on ABC at 8pm!! 

2: GREYS ANATOMY

One of my all time favorite shows that I've been addicted to for over a year now. Last summer I literally watched all of the seasons available on Netflix and then searched the internet for the previous season. I never missed an episode last fall. The drama is juicy, the acting is great, and of course, who doesn't like seeing some hot doctors having fun in the on call rooms? Just having heard that Sandra Oh will be leaving the cast after the completion of this season is devastating. She was by far my favorite character. I wonder what could happen to the show if the rest of the original cast follows suit? Greys Anatomy will premiere on September 26 on ABC at 9pm!

3: THE MINDY PROJECT

 

 

I don't care what anyone says...or the reviews of the show...or the statistics. I am going off the rails and making a purely judgmental and biased statement by saying this is one of the best comedies I've seen on television. The writing is witty, original and does share a bit of the spunk from "The Office." I read Mindy's autobiography: Is Everyone Hanging out with me? That really got me pumped for Mindy's show. What I love about her, is that she's intelligent and beautiful, but never giving in to Hollywood standards. The characters are not cookie cutter versions, taped together from other shows. These are great stories and the show literally makes me laugh out loud. Plus, the show hasn't cemented itself into one story line. For a comedy, there is constant change in the storyline and the fast pace keeps the hilarity alive. The Mindy Project will premiere on September 17 on Fox at 9:30pm!

4: BONES 

 

Last summer it was Greys Anatomy, this summer it was Bones. I'm not sure how I never watched this show previously. It is funny, personal and yet very different from the typical medical/crime fighting dramas scattered across television channels. The characters' personal lives greatly influence the show, which I think is great. The show applauds the intellect of a human being and is actually as scientifically accurate as possible, even though it's just a show serving entertainment purposes. There is drama and there is, obviously, death and violence; but what I find interesting is that the drama isn't overplayed. For example, the season finale (spoiler) ends with Booth revoking his "acceptance" to Bones' marriage proposal (for good reason though). Of course, this is devastating. However, unlike other television dramas, it does not end in death, or mortal accidents, or traveling to another world. It ends with a human dilemma, which we can all be sympathetic too. Bones airs on September 16 on Fox at 8pm!

5: ONCE UPON A TIME IN WONDERLAND 

When I found out that there would be a spin off show of Once Upon a Time, I was thrilled and hesitant. I've never been a fan of spin offs, usually because they are never fully capture the zeal and quality of the original. However, when I saw the trailer to this show, I wanted to see the first episode immediately. Just as in the original, the writers have figured ways to mesh the "real world" with fantasy and in the trailer, it made perfect sense. I have no doubts this show will be a winner and am excited for its upcoming debut! Once Upon a Time in Wonderland airs its first show on October 10 on ABC at 8pm!

Here's the link to the trailer: Once Upon a Time in Wonderland Trailer

  

A Little Vulnerability from the West

It has been a few weeks since I've posted, being a lazy bum yet again! And although I have plenty ideas for postings, I feel this one, so prevalent in my life at the moment, should precede the rest. I am not usually vulnerable, especially on the internet, and there are very very few people who do know my deepest feelings and thoughts. This is hard for me, as for possibly many others to speak about but, let me begin: 

These past few months have been some of the most difficult for me emotionally. As of yet, I do not have a "real job" and therefore, during the week, the few hours I do work doesn't necessarily occupy my time. On and off I delve into my novel-in-progress, but then remove myself (again because of the laziness) and find much of my days empty and even lonesome. I have jumped into exercising, having it occupy a few hours of my mornings, I read plenty and do other things from time to time. But, this feeling, unshakeable and persistent, continues and musters itself at my weakest moments. I know the reason of course: I am alone. For much of my life, being an only child, I was alone often. But recently, the feeling has become overpowering and hard to bear. Don't get me wrong, I smile every day, go places, do things and make sure that this shadowy haunting feeling does not consume me while laying in bed in a catatonic woeful state. 

Without becoming melodramatic, let me explain my point. There are many people similar to me, seeking companionship in either friends, romantic lovers, coworkers, family, even strangers. In the NY Times the other day, I skimmed an article about people in today's era becoming too narcissistic. I thought to myself, "Why is this an article? Obviously people are more self-interested now." I've thought about this a lot for the past few years and believe that in Western Culture and specifically in the United States, people are more concerned with their own problems rather than anyone else's. These concerns fly past financial crises, medical conditions, severe living conditions, etc. and land straight into the pile of self-esteem issues, therapist visits and "my life is so awful" statements with heads plunged into tear stained pillows. Believe me, I am guilty of the tear stained pillow, but no one can deny that there are plenty more people feeling the need to "vent" about their parents refusal to send them to a certain school, their inability to get a BMW at age sixteen, their unachievable ideal weight. I want to make clear that I'm not talking about medical, legitimate depression, but a much less, more selfish, pitiful version (and I can say this because I am one of those people). 

In our own misery, we rarely recall those starving across the planet, the lack of freedom in countries, government injustices, wrongly convicted people, those with terminal diseases, miscarriages, rapes, torture, and so much more. Then, when I look in the mirror, I am ashamed of myself. How can I feel so low about my life when there are people in the world suffering more than I could ever possibly understand? How can I shed tears for myself without shedding them for those more deserving? I am privileged for all that I have, as well as many other people, yet we constantly find aspects of ourselves and our lives "sub-par." I have come to the conclusion that humanity in general will never be satisfied. We will always want more, will always be searching for our "missing puzzle piece" (whatever that may be). I believe that in American culture "more" and "bigger" are the two main words of our vocabulary when it comes personal desires.  

This is scattered, I know. But basically my point is that our constant desire to have more leads us with an empty feeling, a sensation that we are not complete because we have not yet attained "the house," "the job," "the weight," "the clothes," "the look," "the breasts," "the muscles," "the romance," "the best friends." We obsess over what we don't have instead of being grateful for all that we do have. 

Realizing that I have fallen victim to this disgusting trait, I am ardent about changing. I must. There is no question about it. I think everyone should always work to improve themselves and in my case, this is one of my faults that is necessary for me to overcome in order to grow as a person. If being alone is the worst of my ills, then I should be thankful for the rest of my life and instead pay more attention to helping others in more need. 

Summer Reading!

With the beginning of August and the passing of my birthday, it's a heads up that summer is winding down. For the past two months I have been reading like never before. I've read anything from non-fiction to classic Russian literature. Here are just a few of my favorites that I've read this summer. Number one of course is my favorite!

1) Gut Symmetries by Jeanette Winterson: Why read 50 Shades of Grey when Jeanette Winterson exists in this world? Her writing explains the depth of passion, sensuality, sexual desire and the many complicated depictions of love that I don't believe any other author has been able to do before. Simply put, her writing is beautiful and in this novel it is top notch. This fiction book revolves around a "love triangle," a love between a husband and his adulteress and his wife and his adulteress. It is most definitely different, but nothing short of amazing. Anything written by Jeanette Winterson is worthy to be read, but this novel in particular is a gem. Her writing is pure inspiration for me. 

 

 

2) Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky: I should have read this novel ages ago and it was a shame I didn't. When I asked my boss, also a Russian history professor, about Russian literature he handed me a fat hard cover; Crime and Punishment was the first novel in this 1,000 page book and so I began with that. Written in the late 1800's, this novel is surprisingly simple to read (possibly because of the translator). It was a bit longer than perhaps it needed to be, but still, it was thought provoking and really did give insight as to the Russian lifestyle of the low and middle class in Russian society at that time. The author also gave plenty for the reader to think about in terms of the philosophy behind guilt, who deserves to be considered criminals and catching a perpetrator.



3) The Himmler Brothers by Katrin Himmler: Do you know anything about WWII, the Nazi party and the Holocaust? Belonging to a Jewish family, that did lose decedents in this genocide, I was practically raised with the knowledge of the Holocaust. When I saw that Katrin Himmler had written a book about her great uncle, Heinrich Himmler and her family, I immediately bought the novel. The translation (since she wrote originally in German) is a bit botched at times, but nonetheless this is a fascinating read. It forces the reader to realize how "normal" of a family such as the Himmlers decades before the war, could have grown into such Nazi promoters. Also, Katrin Himmler wrote about the aftermath of WWII and how many Nazi's, such as her grandmother, had only concerned themselves about their rough road and the detriments of being defeated. They seemed to ignore the fact that they certainly assisted in and loved a man who deliberately found ways to torture and kill six million defenseless human beings.

Below is the author, Katrin Himmler and her great uncle, Heinrich Himmler.

 

 

                                                             

4) What is this thing Called Love by Kim Addonizio: This book of poetry that I found not only beautiful in language but also beautiful in detail. My favorite aspect of poetry is the use of imagery and this author definitely took advantage of the tool. Her poems at the very beginning were strong, powerful and yet intricately simple (if there is such a thing). It is a must read, not only for writers, but for anyone. Her writing is easy to understand and her message is direct and heartfelt.

 

5) Last but not least....Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling: I debated even putting the series on the list, but really, I could not resist. After letting dust collect on the series as they sat atop my book shelf, I finally decided to reread them all. It has been one of the most enjoyable experiences, truthfully. It may sound corny, but it's almost as if I'm reading them for the first time. Although the writing isn't as "grand" as the other books on this list or that I've read this summer, I commend anyone able to create an entire world that gives millions of readers pure excitement. Laugh if you want, but J.K. Rowling has taught me a lot about various useful writing techniques and her writing is much more than a children's fantasy.