As the constant readers (few that they may be) who read this blog may or may not know, I live in Pflugerville. In downtown there is a billboard (nearish to Pflugerville HS) that reads shop local and has all the little things in Pflugerville that are owned by Pflugervillians.
I am all about shopping local. One of my favorite places to shop is the Book Box which is a locally owned resale shop. I think I have written a few blogs on this place but it still one of my happy places and Beth the owner knows me and mine by name and face. I love Ncredible Pizza which is also a mom and pop pizza shop in the same shopping center as the Book Box. And with Austin being in such close proximity there are also other many local places to shop so you can continue to support the local economy.
However, there is one local shop that I will never purchase from and (although I might get stoned by other Austinites) I have to get it out..../sigh. Book People.
The first time I walked into the store I did enjoy it. Of course the very first time was years ago in a theatre field trip (don't ask) when all we did was put on a stage production of Where the Wild Things Are for the older GMPs (Golden Myth Players). However I went there for a few signings within the last few years. One was for Christopher Moore when Fool came out and then a Kim Harrison.
I had noticed when I went to see Moore how excessively more expensive the books were there and I'm not talking in relation to the Book Box or even Half Price. They were more then Amazon, Borders, or Barnes and Noble. So while I love bookstores I had to forgo on buying anything that day since I was like "Yeah I can get this much cheaper elsewhere".
But what soured me was when I went with some girlfriends to see Kim Harrison. Most bookstores and authors have the rule that they will sign books other than new releases as long as you buy a book of theirs from wherever they're signing. Totally get and totally on board with it. When I went to see Sherrilyn Kenyon in Dallas a few years back I took three books for my Dad to get signed and bought one for myself as that was her deal.
So my friend who reads Kim Harrison (me and the other girlfriend were just along for the ride) bought the new book there to get signed. Afterwards she goes out to smoke and we linger and look for a few books. My friend has the same reaction I do when she sees the prices there so we decide to just skip out on purchasing anything and head on outside.
My other friend is out there upset and we ask here what happened. Turns out as she was leaving with her book in her hand (she didn't need a bag) an employee asked to see it to make sure it was brought there. She showed it to him and from her telling it he pretty much snatched both out of her hand to inspect it to make sure it was brought there since that is their deal or was for that particular signing. And of course she was upset because he was rude about it and made her feel like she broke the rules or something.
My opinion on this is this: this is why people don't like shopping local. Just because you're an indepenent store doesn't give you license to be a douchebag when people are paying for your wares. I'm like my friend Abbi--I'm all for shopping local and independence if I can only get it there. But when you have a store like this where you can go to virtually any other place (including HEB or Wal-Mart) and get the same book for like 5 dollars less? Then people are going there for the ambiance and just to support a local store. However I will go to a Barnes and Noble, Borders or just order the damn book on my Kindle just to avoid attitude like that and funneling money that way.
It goes back to the whole Maurice's incident. I understand that I am one lone little person. And I understand that not all independent bookstores are like this like the one I frequent here in P'ville. And I also understand days can be bad for some people and others love BookPeople. I'm just not one of those people. Books are high enough as it is without additional two extra dollars for an indepedent bookstore, not to mention where it is located (a good 30 minute drive for me) and it's located in one of the busiest areas of Lamar. When people go to places like this they should be treated like a person that the business is happy to see because they go to places to this simply to avoid being treated like just another walking billfold.
And that's my rant for the day.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Romance Novels
*this is about my guity pleasures that are romance novels. Be warned; there is a purpose but there will be mention of said books*.
So I have a guilty pleasure. Actually I have a lot. The Spice Girls, musicals, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the last one to the point where I could probably teach a class on it.
But once of my big ones is romance novels. I like romance novels. Not so much with the trashy ones (you know which ones are trashy. Like the dime cent ones, the ones you can buy at the dollar store. Yeah those). But there are a few I do enjoy reading. I started reading when I was in middle school until my Dad put a stop to it for a few years until I was a little more grown up and I didn't read them at all for those few years (cough cough: eyes averted). One of my favorite authors of all time is Johanna Lindsey.
The series I read the most about her is the Malory one but there are a few other "series" and stand alones I like. One is called Surrender My Love (don't judge me!) which I love. Sure there's a somewhat underlying theme of Stockholm Syndrome not as bad as in others but I like it. Awhile back I picked up the first book in the series Fires of Winter and I just recently started to read it as I am on my tangible book kick.
And I had to put it down and return it because I will never read the book. I was reading it going..."Was there this much rape the first time I read the book? Because I don't really remember it being that bad". Now it is true that this could have been a subconscious thing and I did notice it then and that's the reason why I haven't picked up the book in years like at least 15. But it's unnerving how some of the sex scenes are in there. If you can handle them those scenes are about fantasy and enjoying it not being forced like forced forced not even seduced. And now I am bit worried about reading the second one in the series to see if it is the same because in the third one there is no forcing of sexual favors upon the heroine.
But it got me to seriously thinking. Lindsey's first book was Captive Bride which I read...ONCE. Because I didn't like the hero. I did not like the kidnapping, sex slave, forcing to bend to will thing. Not my cup of tea. I like my heros to be like heros not assholes. It's one of the reasons I don't like the Anita Blake series and I cannot seem to enjoy Tristan from the Kin Harrison series. The love interests are jack asses. In the first Anita book Jean-Claude her love interest blackmails her into helping him. Oh yes that inspires me to want to jump in bed with you sure. /rolls eyes
Anyways getting back to my original train of thought (sorry for getting derailed) it seems that romance novels from the 70's to the mid 80's were a time when women couldn't seem to enjoy sex so the romance novels had to add some type of forced scene in order for them to enjoy it. And it's more than a little unnerving because thinking back on (just taking Lindsey as the example I know more about since she's my fave) it's true. I had to tell a few of my friends today that with the exception of the Malorys and her later novels (like 85 on) I may have to pass on earlier books of hers I haven't read because if it is like that than no thank you. And it is interesting to see the change in romance novels from that time period to now where the heroines were taken in more ways then one. I suppose it is just a sad view of what society was like then but it is promising in that now it is now that way and that romance novels and chick lit (because yes they are different) are some of the best selling novels out there and the women in there are strong.
I am not sure where I was going with this. It could have been an exercise in trying to use my brain and write something analytical like I did back in college without getting graded for it and it needing to be perfect grammar wise. I just hope that in 100 years that people do not base women's writing just on the novels written in the 1970's but instead encompass it all and study it as an evolution because that truly what it is.
So I have a guilty pleasure. Actually I have a lot. The Spice Girls, musicals, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the last one to the point where I could probably teach a class on it.
But once of my big ones is romance novels. I like romance novels. Not so much with the trashy ones (you know which ones are trashy. Like the dime cent ones, the ones you can buy at the dollar store. Yeah those). But there are a few I do enjoy reading. I started reading when I was in middle school until my Dad put a stop to it for a few years until I was a little more grown up and I didn't read them at all for those few years (cough cough: eyes averted). One of my favorite authors of all time is Johanna Lindsey.
The series I read the most about her is the Malory one but there are a few other "series" and stand alones I like. One is called Surrender My Love (don't judge me!) which I love. Sure there's a somewhat underlying theme of Stockholm Syndrome not as bad as in others but I like it. Awhile back I picked up the first book in the series Fires of Winter and I just recently started to read it as I am on my tangible book kick.
And I had to put it down and return it because I will never read the book. I was reading it going..."Was there this much rape the first time I read the book? Because I don't really remember it being that bad". Now it is true that this could have been a subconscious thing and I did notice it then and that's the reason why I haven't picked up the book in years like at least 15. But it's unnerving how some of the sex scenes are in there. If you can handle them those scenes are about fantasy and enjoying it not being forced like forced forced not even seduced. And now I am bit worried about reading the second one in the series to see if it is the same because in the third one there is no forcing of sexual favors upon the heroine.
But it got me to seriously thinking. Lindsey's first book was Captive Bride which I read...ONCE. Because I didn't like the hero. I did not like the kidnapping, sex slave, forcing to bend to will thing. Not my cup of tea. I like my heros to be like heros not assholes. It's one of the reasons I don't like the Anita Blake series and I cannot seem to enjoy Tristan from the Kin Harrison series. The love interests are jack asses. In the first Anita book Jean-Claude her love interest blackmails her into helping him. Oh yes that inspires me to want to jump in bed with you sure. /rolls eyes
Anyways getting back to my original train of thought (sorry for getting derailed) it seems that romance novels from the 70's to the mid 80's were a time when women couldn't seem to enjoy sex so the romance novels had to add some type of forced scene in order for them to enjoy it. And it's more than a little unnerving because thinking back on (just taking Lindsey as the example I know more about since she's my fave) it's true. I had to tell a few of my friends today that with the exception of the Malorys and her later novels (like 85 on) I may have to pass on earlier books of hers I haven't read because if it is like that than no thank you. And it is interesting to see the change in romance novels from that time period to now where the heroines were taken in more ways then one. I suppose it is just a sad view of what society was like then but it is promising in that now it is now that way and that romance novels and chick lit (because yes they are different) are some of the best selling novels out there and the women in there are strong.
I am not sure where I was going with this. It could have been an exercise in trying to use my brain and write something analytical like I did back in college without getting graded for it and it needing to be perfect grammar wise. I just hope that in 100 years that people do not base women's writing just on the novels written in the 1970's but instead encompass it all and study it as an evolution because that truly what it is.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Dinner With Friends
So the other day we had the first get together with our friends since Dad passed. And it was fun but it was also weird since Dad wasn't there and normally he was right in the middle of things. His position was always leaning on his forearms on the island chatting away with all of his other "kids" while we made the food around him.
It was a good time although I did get a little more inebriated that I normally like or let myself get as I was drinking and commiserating with a friend about Dad and how everything was going to be weird. He (the friend) lost his father at a younger age but he was saying how the first run of holidays are going to be the hardest since you're so use to him being here and he's not. In fact, my Aunt has already said she's spending Easter with us since it will be the first holiday after Dad and I will have to work so we can't really travel far. I'm more worried about the major ones like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Depending on my schedule (which may or may not change) I will defintely be trying to take those days off if I am able to because they will be the hardest I think since those are the traditional family holidays. But we will cross that bridge when we get there.
As for the gathering part it was fun. The food was good thanks to fajitas courtesy of Albert, guacamole thanks to KaCee and as for me? I made the qeuso and a triple chocolate cake (cooked in the crock pot no less....yum!!) But it was the friends that helped. We haven't had something like this is awhile and we usually see our friends on a more frequent basis. I will say that is one of the hard things about being an adult; is realizing life gets in the way sometimes and you are not always able to see your friends as much as you would like to. That is why you just learn to enjoy the time you do get to spend with them more. Well at least that is what I think.
That's it for now. Have to get ready to face my day I didn't go to work yesterday as I was still feeling the effects and thought it would be better to stay at home (yeah you read that right...still feeling the effects at 5 in the afternoon....I told you it was more than I normally like or do. >_<)
It was a good time although I did get a little more inebriated that I normally like or let myself get as I was drinking and commiserating with a friend about Dad and how everything was going to be weird. He (the friend) lost his father at a younger age but he was saying how the first run of holidays are going to be the hardest since you're so use to him being here and he's not. In fact, my Aunt has already said she's spending Easter with us since it will be the first holiday after Dad and I will have to work so we can't really travel far. I'm more worried about the major ones like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Depending on my schedule (which may or may not change) I will defintely be trying to take those days off if I am able to because they will be the hardest I think since those are the traditional family holidays. But we will cross that bridge when we get there.
As for the gathering part it was fun. The food was good thanks to fajitas courtesy of Albert, guacamole thanks to KaCee and as for me? I made the qeuso and a triple chocolate cake (cooked in the crock pot no less....yum!!) But it was the friends that helped. We haven't had something like this is awhile and we usually see our friends on a more frequent basis. I will say that is one of the hard things about being an adult; is realizing life gets in the way sometimes and you are not always able to see your friends as much as you would like to. That is why you just learn to enjoy the time you do get to spend with them more. Well at least that is what I think.
That's it for now. Have to get ready to face my day I didn't go to work yesterday as I was still feeling the effects and thought it would be better to stay at home (yeah you read that right...still feeling the effects at 5 in the afternoon....I told you it was more than I normally like or do. >_<)
Saturday, April 2, 2011
West Side Story
I love the musical West Side Story. It started in 5th grade, after moving back to Austin from Houston for one year (which we did after my mother passed but that is another blog story) when I went to Wooten and I was involved with Music Memory. Not sure if anyone remembers this because I'm pretty sure they don't do it anymore (which is a damn shame) but it's where the take classical pieces of music and play them for you until you learn to recognize them and then you go to competition to hear them in different forms and try to win as the team who recognized the most. Well the year I partipipated, "Mambo" was one of our pieces and I loved it. Then the music teacher showed us the movie and I was hooked. I love the movie yes I always cry but it's amazing.
Last night I went to see the live musical version here and while it was still amazing it threw me for a loop. Not only are some of the phrases different in the stage play (due to the censorship rules of when the movie was made) but some of the songs are different. For instance, "Cool" and "Gee Officer Krupke" are switched in the play and "I Feel Pretty" starts the second act after the Rumble where Riff and Bernardo die. I was sitting there going....ummm WTH?
I did know somewhere that "Cool" was earlier in the stage play but I really thought "Gee Officer Krupke" was still in the first act before the deaths. Because it seems out of place considering what happened at the Rumble. Now I am factoring in that I was raised on the movie whereas most people are probably the opposite but it's a little unsettling to have two lighthearted numbers after two people die. I looked it up and I get the mentatlity to try to lighten up the mood because aren't suppose to die in Broadway plays. But it was a huge adjustment especially considering the other musicals I've seen that were made into movies (Rent, Mamma Mia!) didn't have that drastic of a change.
However I still loved it. I still love the story, still love the music and the dance scenes (especially "Mambo"). It's just a note to myself that when I go see the play that I will need to put myself in a state of mind that it is going to be much different from the movie version I grew up on.
Last night I went to see the live musical version here and while it was still amazing it threw me for a loop. Not only are some of the phrases different in the stage play (due to the censorship rules of when the movie was made) but some of the songs are different. For instance, "Cool" and "Gee Officer Krupke" are switched in the play and "I Feel Pretty" starts the second act after the Rumble where Riff and Bernardo die. I was sitting there going....ummm WTH?
I did know somewhere that "Cool" was earlier in the stage play but I really thought "Gee Officer Krupke" was still in the first act before the deaths. Because it seems out of place considering what happened at the Rumble. Now I am factoring in that I was raised on the movie whereas most people are probably the opposite but it's a little unsettling to have two lighthearted numbers after two people die. I looked it up and I get the mentatlity to try to lighten up the mood because aren't suppose to die in Broadway plays. But it was a huge adjustment especially considering the other musicals I've seen that were made into movies (Rent, Mamma Mia!) didn't have that drastic of a change.
However I still loved it. I still love the story, still love the music and the dance scenes (especially "Mambo"). It's just a note to myself that when I go see the play that I will need to put myself in a state of mind that it is going to be much different from the movie version I grew up on.
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