Everywhere

I'm not usually much of a poet, but I was just having sine thoughts about my kid, and it came out in a semi-poetic format, so...there.

When she was a baby, there was spit up everywhere.
Now that she's a toddler, there are crumbs everywhere.
When she is a preschooler, there will be toys everywhere.
When she's a big kid, there will be art supplies and books everywhere.
When she's a preteen, there will be posters of pop stars everywhere.
When she's a teenager, there will be makeup, accessories, and emotions everywhere.
When she leaves, there will be nothing but memories everywhere.
So, bring on the crumbs.

Today, I give you cuteness!

I was going to blog about my weird celebrity crushes today. I have some weird crushes, you guys. Some weirder than others. I think I need the weekend to really do that justice, though, so instead I am going to show you a cute picture and video of Sophie! And then I am going to complain about being broke at Christmas! Do those two things go together?

In the last few weeks, Sophie has been very into the kitchen. She's been learning how all the cabinet doors open and close, and how all the drawers open and close. She hadn't been actually getting into the stuff in the drawers, so I made the mistake of turning my back for just a moment. When I turned back around, I found this:

Because this was only the first time it happened, we both thought it was soooooo cute and funny, so we set out to record it on video. Who knew that the thing we actually set out to record wouldn't be NEARLY as funny as the faces she made when Beau found the flash light on the phone camera:

What a hambone.

Hunger Games thoughts, part deux: But the VIOLENCE! But the CHILDREN!

I think I was on book 2, Catching Fire, before I looked down and saw the Scholastic trademark that I was oh so familiar with from my childhood. As an avid reader, I practically saw that red Scholastic symbol in my sleep, since they published so many of the books I read. I was taken aback by that for just a moment, and had to remind myself, "Right. These books ARE written for kids." And then someone popped up and introduced herself in my psyche. I'll call her Prudence the Prude. She isn't a prude in the sexual sense. She is my inner violence prude. Prudence said, "B-b-but the VIOLENCE! The CHILDREN!"

(in my head, I picture Prudence as Church Lady)

I had to really stop and think about that for a moment. These books are violent. I mean, they're about children being forced to fight to the death with other children. These deaths are described in fairly good detail. It's not glossed over or sugar coated. The characters don't collapse into a pile of shiny coins or sparkles and rainbows.

Well, I thought, you certainly can't shield kids from much violence in this world without locking them in their rooms forever, with no TV, no phone, no computer, and apparently no books. And when you think about it, that is pretty violent in and of itself. No, kids are going to be exposed to violence whether we like it or not. It's on the playground when kids get in fights or bully each other. It's the road rage they witness (from you or from others) as you drive home. It's on the 6 o'clock news. As if that's not enough, there are always those pesky and oft-blamed violent video games. Why not add books to the mix? I mean, at least they're reading, right?

Then, an awesome thought occurred to me. What if, in this instance, the violence has a purpose? And if that purpose is served, what if it's a good thing?

I said in the last entry that these books have a lot of themes that force us to think about the world we live in. The Hunger Games teaches valuable lessons in doing what is right, standing up to oppression, sacrificing for a greater cause, just to name a few. The story the books tell is instrumental in teaching that lesson, and I don't know that a less graphic tale could teach it as well. The violence is not pointless or senseless. It is framed to tell a story and teach many lessons. To me, that makes all the difference.

So, with that thought I banished Prudence back to a dusty corner of my brain, ordering her not to return until she finds something more worthy of judgment. Like those Captain Underpants books. Those are stupid. But that's another rant for another day.

Do you have thoughts on The Hunger Games, violence, or Prudence? Let me know below.

My thoughts on The Hunger Games: Part 1

Can we talk about The Hunger Games, ya'll? I mean, can we? Because I have FEELINGS about these books, and I need to write about them.

I am pretty sure that my BFF Q was the first person to recommend these books to me. When she described the general storyline to me, I remember thinking, "That sounds about as interesting to me as watching snow melt", and was certain I would never read them. Finally, after months and months of hearing about these books everywhere, I finally broke down and bought them. To say that I loved them is a gross understatement. To say I psychotically loved them and am now awaiting the movie with something bordering on obsession is closer to accurate.

So, if you have been living under a rock and don't know what THG is about, here is the general storyline: in a sort of post-apocalyptic world located in what used to be North America, the nation of Panem is run by a corrupt government that controls its people rigorously, resorting to violence on the regular. Every year, to remind the people how large and in charge they are, The Capitol holds an event called The Hunger Games. Each district in Panem (there are 12) holds a Reaping where they draw the names of one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to be the tribute for their district. These tributes are sent into a huge arena where they fight to the death. The story is told from the perspective of 16 year old Katniss, who volunteers as Tribute for her district after her little sister's name is drawn.

There are so many things about these books that I find striking. They are incredibly well written. They feature a totally badass female heroine who is not obsessed with any boy. They address a lot of  themes that it is a good idea to get people to think about: oppression, injustice, the role of government in those things, and staying true to oneself in the face of adversity. What I want to talk about, though, is the thought that I couldn't drown out as I read that first book: Could this happen in our society?

The simple answer to that is no. I don't think it could, at least not now, in this day and age, or even in the near future. I do think that if The Hunger Games are the proverbial Emerald City, we are definitely on that yellow brick road, if you know what I mean. "What?" you say, "No way! We would never parade people on television just to get entertainment out of their misery!"

Riiiight.

Sure, current reality TV is a far cry from forcing children to kill each other. Reality TV stars sign up for this. They give up their privacy and emotions voluntarily in exchange for the promise of wealth and/or love. And fame. You have to admit that this happens because we, the public, EAT IT UP. Now, imagine in a few hundred years, after we have been through wars, famine, and natural disasters, after we as a people have seen it all, what will entertain us then? I am not saying this will happen, or that it's even likely. I have more faith in humanity than that. I'm just saying that if you really think about it, it's not that much of a stretch.

Stay tuned tomorrow for part 2 of my thoughts on The Hunger Games, which I have tentatively titled, "B-b-but THE VIOLENCE! OMG, the CHILDREN!!!" That could change, though.

Do you think that our society could ever become this heartless? LMK in the comments.

An intro of sorts

So, here I am, back at the old blog. See, after the shitstorm that was the first part of this year, I thought it would be funny to post about what it is like to live in a trailer park on the edge of Fort Worth. Guess what, guys? Nothing interesting happens here. Seriously. I thought I would have all these rollicking tales of white trash shenanigans and I got NOTHING. It was a major judgemental-ness fail on my part, and for that, I apologize.

I was talking with my dear friend Michael (AHEM, who needs a blog himself (I know you're reading this)), and my writing came up. He has always been my number one cheerleader on the writing front, and he successfully motivated me to A) start writing that damn book I have been wanting to write, and 2) start blogging again.

Getting back to it after such a long and awkward absence is daunting. So, I figured I would just begin at the beginning, by introducing myself, telling you who I am, and maybe give you an idea what you can expect from me. I also decided that I want to stop being such a (for lack of a better word) pussy, and introduce myself as I truly am. Full disclosure and honestly. So, I sat down and started writing an intro for myself, and this is what came out.


- I am a mom. Before I had a kid, I was always the kind of person that threw up a little in my mouth every time a woman with a child described herself first and foremost as a mother. I thought, with much of what I thought was righteous indignation and feminism, that I could never think of that as the whole and most important part of my existence. Well, things change. Let's just say I am learning every day, and I know now that as soon as I proclaim, "I WILL NEVER...", I can rest assured that I most likely will. Sooner rather than later. Publicly. Here's a picture of my kid, because she is cute.

- I am a wife. This is something I feared would never happen for me, so I am pretty proud of being a wife. I like to think I do a decent job of it. I am no June Cleaver, nor do I aspire to be. But I think my husband would agree that I run shit in this family, and so far, it hasn't completely fallen apart. Well...we're all still together at least.

- I am not religious. I am politically, socially and spiritually liberal. I try not to be obnoxious about any of these things, but I am not perfect, so it could happen.

- I am working on losing a lot of weight. I won't become an annoying weight loss blogger, but it's a big part of who I am right now, so it is likely to come up.

- I had an...unconventional...childhood. A lot of messed up things happened to me when I was a kid. I am not mad at anyone about those things, and I definitely know it could have been worse. I talk about these things with a candor that people sometimes find shocking. Also, I love my family. They are kind, hilarious, wonderful souls.

I think that's all the BIG stuff. There are trivial things like, "I hate to cook," and "I don't really have a favorite color. It changes. I am really digging purple right now," that I could list, but the list would go on forever.

I hope you guys enjoy the new old blog. I will try not to let you down again.

Tell me something about you in the comments. Maybe something not a lot of people know. It's always fun to get to know each other!