Fall Line Up: Sexy and Shameless

This fall line up has gone through pretty well. I have to admit that the newest shows have actually garnered my attention. Along with a couple shows that have either made me sit there dumbfounded at the fact that they got green lit, or that they have become so clever by the newest season that I’m dumbfounded it got this far.

American Horror Story

American Horror Story
First to talk about is American Horror Story for it’s wonderful abundance of weird. (The weird that makes you continue watching, however.) There is actually something for everyone. At least under the age of 50, and maybe a few exceptions that are above. (Cool parents for the win!) My mother for example would probably find it odd, and be too creeped to continue further past the second episode. This is also the woman who watched all 5 seasons of Queer as Folk with her daughter. (My mother is a critic.) Although, for my generation, this is like giving condoms to teenagers. Easy sell based on the fact that it is supernatural related. Then enough older references to movies like Rosemary’s Baby, Poltergeist, and even Beetlejuice. It can easily get a crowd, as it is a viewer magnet.  

#firstworldproblems

I am not a fan of the Occupy Toronto, and fellow Occupy Canada movements, basically because I feel that the message has lost its meaning at this point, and are undermining the worse problems out there. Specifically not in the First World Countries. I think the main argument has long since been lost in the muddled rantings of people who have now taken advantage of parks, found themselves a home they won’t get evicted from (in some cases, Toronto being one of them) and even got donations for food, generators, and hygienic products to get through the winter. Um, how about you send that to the orphaned kids living on the streets around the world at the age of 6 who would just be happy to get a warm home, and a hot meal. Or even for our own homeless people here in Toronto who struggle to get into a shelter, whose health is so degraded that they actually cannot get a job due to their mental/physical health from years of living on the streets. Who wish they had a job, or a school that they could leave to protest the corporations! I bet some of these people wish they had a real toilet to use.
Why in the world do these adults need these things? I am sorry to sound un-empathetic but when you live in countries where there is even a small possibility for a homeless person to get into a shelter, or a place where kids who are orphaned have places to go no matter what, how can you be that ignorant and selfish!? No, these things are not perfect in out First World Country, but they are available and a work in progress. These things, should be what we should protest for more of. It may not be easy, or what one wants to have to go through but at least there is a way, unlike for all those families living naked in the more economically challenged countries in the world. Where protesting gets you shot, or being homeless means that you are left to die in the streets cause you are worthless.

Adults Need To Stand Up

Over the last few weeks many of us have found out about Zachary Quinto’s coming out to the public. Which of course was caused by a recent suicide of a gay teen in the states. (Coincidentally of the same name as the one who committed suicide in Ottawa.)

I have read a few articles of his interview about coming out, and he manages to make it not about his sexuality, but about the need for gay bullying to stop. Only using his sexual preference as a way to talk to the press about anti-gay bullying, and of course with the press wanting to know more about him. He graciously avoids these questions, and keeps on topic. I think it is safe to say that he is a very good speaker, and also good at ignoring superficial questions.

From an objective standpoint Quinto’s only real reason for coming out randomly was due to his desire to stand up as an adult, and be a voice for the gay teens out there dealing with a vicious world. Quinto is lucky to have hollywood behind him, and knowing this he originally kept very much under wraps about what goes on in his bedroom.

They're Pregnant, They're Disabled, They Are My Enemy....Obviously.

 In today’s news, Manitoba is getting a lot of complaints filed by mentally ill, and pregnant employees claiming discrimination by their employers. What in sweet jesus? Are you kidding me? Well, I guess it's not shocking when you're thinking about it. But it certainly should be.

Being pregnant or mentally ill in the workplace can look, from some outsiders perspective, as a great way to easily flow by, and get premium shifts, or awesome maternity leave benefits.

This is sadly not true. While you may get more shifts as a mentally ill employee, depending on your availability, it does not mean you won’t be discriminated against, or even used as an employee. It may save your job in some cases, as even though an employer may wish to fire you because you are not quick enough at your job, or they may not like your personality, they may not actually have grounds due to your illness. At the end of the day you deserve respect in your workplace, and the understanding that just like everyone else you need the job to keep on making it through. People are equal not matter what their difference, even the mentally ill (if they are able to work without severe complication to their well being). Don’t be a jealous coworker, and hate on them, they have likely been through enough crap in their life, and honestly are just trying to make a living. And, I wonder how long it took them to get a job? Probably as long as you, if not longer. Its not important at the end of the day, whats important is that as human beings we all deserve an equal chance at a semi decent life. A chance to be happy, and do something on our own. Make our own choices of how hard we work, and how we go about it.

Supernatural Books That Aren't Twilight; Looks Good!

   It seems that Twilight is slowly going out of its craze. Of course we still have two more films to go through, but lets focus on the positive. Teens are reading! Hurray! And yet, tattoos....anyhow.

Now that many of you have read or re-read Stephanie Meyer’s series, you may wonder if there are any other series that may prove to be just as interesting if not down right awesome? Now, I am going to post two different age ranges here, so this way people can pick and choose what is right for them. Trust me, I know everyone has a different taste in reading than myself, and that is just fine with me. So bear with me, if they just aren’t your style.

For those teens looking for a good read;

There are for sure a few series that while at the store may seem juvenile, or even down right silly but after a few chapters become addictive. A new favourite author of mine has to be Rick Riordan. Many people in their 20’s will likely note the similarities to Harry Potter in his writing, and be easily turned off. It does not help that his main characters are called half-bloods. Honestly though, take a look at the Percy Jackson series, and please don’t be put off by the movie, like in most cases the book is better.

Riordan has created a series that while similar in some plot building to Harry Potter actually can be like getting your kids to learn about Greek Mythology. Or if you like the mythology already but have no real desire to read the Odyssey, and enjoy a fun read with sometimes dark undertones than this is probably a good book for you to read.

Another series is by Cassandra Clare, The Mortal Instruments, and in fact this series is apparently in the works of getting a movie starring that really hot guy from Sweeney Todd, Jamie Campbell Bower( and yes, he was in Twilight too). Anyhow, this series about a race of creatures called the Nephilim, who are children of angels. They fight the Downworlders; vampires werewolves, witches, etc. And like any supernatural novel, not all things are what they seem, even the Downworlders. So yes, if you are a vampire or werewolf sympathizer this book is likely for you.

Now for a more adult approach into the supernatural realm, if that is what you like, and the fact that Twilight  never got really into the good sexy stuff; here is some stuff for you.

I am about to give you a name of an author who changed my mind about reading when I was 16 years old and thought reading was boring. Kelley Armstrong. Oh man, if you have never read a thing by her you are strongly missing out. This woman is a fantastic writer, and she is also Canadian, and with that many of her first novels were set in Toronto. And if you are a Canadian, than you have likely had a bit of a heart jump at the mention of Canada and/or Toronto cause we’re like that. If you do read her books start with Bitten,  it is the first in the series, and is a real pleasure to read. I really don’t want to give much of it away as it really creates its own great reviews.

I could go on with many other series that I think people who like the supernatural/fantasy genre should read, but I’ll let you all dwell on that for a little while before I refer a few more. Of course, I could say many fowl words towards Stephanie Meyers abomination creation, but its all been said and done. Now lets just try to get those fans into some other books that could open up a whole new world for them. Yes my close friends, I am looking at you.

-Says Marli.

Welcome!

A blog, sure, many people have them. I'm not really sure what I am going to focus on blog wise, but I will do my best to not bore people with too many downers. In fact, I'll just try to review a few of my favourite new books and movies, and every now and then I'll post something on a controversial topic which will gladly lend me a few unfavourable comments that I will roll on the floor while laughing, and then proceed to delete.

I will return soon with a new update.


-Says Marli.