Saturday, January 3, 2009
New site!
I'm no longer maintaining this blog... in case you haven't already figured that out. I am however, setting up a new page at http://victoriajnugent.wordpress.com housing my writer's portfolio and hopefully a bit of a blog. Head on over for a look if you're interested.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Would like like a dash of sympathy with your stereotypes?
She’s the girl who swans into lectures half an hour late, holding a latte in one hand and a Louis Vuitton bag in the other. She brings a laptop to class and is the one who asks the questions that invariably are laughed at quietly by the rest of the class. It’s so easy to hate a girl like this. While everyone else puts in the effort to get what they want, she has it all with even having to try.
There’s a girl like this in my French class. Let’s call her Laura. Laura is pretty and has always been one of the popular girls. She always has events to go to; her social calendar is always full. Her outfits come directly from the pages of fashion magazines- pretty sundresses and white playsuits. And she has been known to reduce the class to silent laughter quite unintentionally with her flippant and/or ignorant comments.
A while back a peculiar thing happened though. Laura arrived late to class, as per usual. Shortly afterwards we started to read aloud in French around the class. Before long, it was Laura’s turn. She groaned a little and proceeded to stumble over reasonably easy words. She stopped and asked what a couple of words were. The teacher replied and then she had to continue reading. She only got a few more words out before she stopped and said, “I can’t…” Her voice was shaking and her eyes were full of tears. As the reading continued, Laura let her long hair hide her face and she was the first person out of the room when the class ended.
Since that day though, I’ve come to see Laura as more than the little rich girl. She stresses out, she slacks off, she has shit days and she has faults just like everyone else.
I don’t know if I can precisely say that moment was the turning point, as it was a slow process, but I can say that she lost a bit of her foreignness that day. After all, aren’t we all a bit unsure and stumbling inside?
There’s a girl like this in my French class. Let’s call her Laura. Laura is pretty and has always been one of the popular girls. She always has events to go to; her social calendar is always full. Her outfits come directly from the pages of fashion magazines- pretty sundresses and white playsuits. And she has been known to reduce the class to silent laughter quite unintentionally with her flippant and/or ignorant comments.
A while back a peculiar thing happened though. Laura arrived late to class, as per usual. Shortly afterwards we started to read aloud in French around the class. Before long, it was Laura’s turn. She groaned a little and proceeded to stumble over reasonably easy words. She stopped and asked what a couple of words were. The teacher replied and then she had to continue reading. She only got a few more words out before she stopped and said, “I can’t…” Her voice was shaking and her eyes were full of tears. As the reading continued, Laura let her long hair hide her face and she was the first person out of the room when the class ended.
Since that day though, I’ve come to see Laura as more than the little rich girl. She stresses out, she slacks off, she has shit days and she has faults just like everyone else.
I don’t know if I can precisely say that moment was the turning point, as it was a slow process, but I can say that she lost a bit of her foreignness that day. After all, aren’t we all a bit unsure and stumbling inside?
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
9021(uh)0
I’m thinking of using 90210 for my news and mass communication theory assignment later on in the semester. I think it fits into the criteria. We have to analyse some media source or another in relation to feminism, identity or a myriad of different things.
Anyhow I think that you can go into a bit of depth about how 90210 might shape teenage identities and how it treats minority groups etc. There’s a lot to pick apart in the show.
Firstly, the girls in 90210 are twigs, even by actress standards. They could probably hide behind lampposts. I don't think they eat. There is also a certain (somewhat large) degree of fake tan involved. Annie, one of the newcomers to the area, is the most annoying example of this stereotype.
Then there’s the token black kid, Dixon. He (predictably enough) was adopted by Annie’s parents and has previously lived with foster carers who were drunks. He’s well adjusted though and uses his past experience to dole out would-be sage advice. “I know what it feels like....blah blah blah... you have to talk to my dad... I barely know you but I’m going to spill my past to you because you’re Annie’s new friend and I’m probably going to end up dating you later in the show.” Ok, so I added that last bit in. You get the drift.
Apart from the token black kid, we have his adoptive sister Annie who is supposed to come across all perky and fun; their parents who are, well, parents (oh and their dad is the principal at their school); Naomi, the bitch with serious problems; Naomi’s friend who I can’t remember the name of, who happens to have drug issues; Ethan, Naomi’s boyfriend who cheated on her in the first episode and also met Annie a couple years back, when they shared a kiss; Silver, the bitter blogger with a sister from the original show and a drunken mother; and Dickson’s friend who’s into journalism and has a porn director for a father.
In other words, it’s like every other show out there. Stereotypes abound and dubious scenarios fly. Apart at an American high school jocks get blow jobs in front of school in the morning, teens steal from their friends to pay their dealer , it’s not unfeasible to fly across the state for a date and grandmas have drinking problems.
90210 is sort of like Gossip Girl transplanted into LA, thereby making it tackier. (In my inexpert opinion anyhow, having never been to New York or LA. Sorry LA!) It’s like The OC without the wit of Seth Cohen. Might I disclaim that I only really watched part of the first season of The OC. I saw some later and increasingly episodes somewhere along the line. 90210 reminds me of those shit episodes. It’s like Clueless turned into a tv series that isn’t meant to be a comedy.
Whatever happened to good quality drama? Or did it never exist?
Anyhow I think that you can go into a bit of depth about how 90210 might shape teenage identities and how it treats minority groups etc. There’s a lot to pick apart in the show.
Firstly, the girls in 90210 are twigs, even by actress standards. They could probably hide behind lampposts. I don't think they eat. There is also a certain (somewhat large) degree of fake tan involved. Annie, one of the newcomers to the area, is the most annoying example of this stereotype.
Then there’s the token black kid, Dixon. He (predictably enough) was adopted by Annie’s parents and has previously lived with foster carers who were drunks. He’s well adjusted though and uses his past experience to dole out would-be sage advice. “I know what it feels like....blah blah blah... you have to talk to my dad... I barely know you but I’m going to spill my past to you because you’re Annie’s new friend and I’m probably going to end up dating you later in the show.” Ok, so I added that last bit in. You get the drift.
Apart from the token black kid, we have his adoptive sister Annie who is supposed to come across all perky and fun; their parents who are, well, parents (oh and their dad is the principal at their school); Naomi, the bitch with serious problems; Naomi’s friend who I can’t remember the name of, who happens to have drug issues; Ethan, Naomi’s boyfriend who cheated on her in the first episode and also met Annie a couple years back, when they shared a kiss; Silver, the bitter blogger with a sister from the original show and a drunken mother; and Dickson’s friend who’s into journalism and has a porn director for a father.
In other words, it’s like every other show out there. Stereotypes abound and dubious scenarios fly. Apart at an American high school jocks get blow jobs in front of school in the morning, teens steal from their friends to pay their dealer , it’s not unfeasible to fly across the state for a date and grandmas have drinking problems.
90210 is sort of like Gossip Girl transplanted into LA, thereby making it tackier. (In my inexpert opinion anyhow, having never been to New York or LA. Sorry LA!) It’s like The OC without the wit of Seth Cohen. Might I disclaim that I only really watched part of the first season of The OC. I saw some later and increasingly episodes somewhere along the line. 90210 reminds me of those shit episodes. It’s like Clueless turned into a tv series that isn’t meant to be a comedy.
Whatever happened to good quality drama? Or did it never exist?
Sunday, September 14, 2008
What a crock
The free magazine that the union at my university puts out has been improving. It’s been shit for a long time but the last issue (that I incidentally had an article published in) gave me hope that things might be changing, albeit slowly. I’m moderately proud of having an article in a magazine that will be read by many of my fellow students. Unfortunately, one particular article within the mag taints that sentiment due to the idea of being in the same publication as it. This article both disgusted and enraged me.
The article was about the practice of “speeling”– that is to say, spearing eels. There are eels in the campus lakes, you understand. Most of us think they're creepy and kind of gross, but hey, they never harmed us.Select groups of individuals, however, make it their aim to torture these slippery creatures.
One would think that an article on this topic would be deriding this pastime but it actually provided a how-to guide for wannabe speelers.
Now, I’m far from being an animal activist. I like my steak, I hate the supposedly cute green tree frogs, I pulled my fair share of cats’ tails in my younger days, I have gone yabbying and I’ve been known to purposely step on insects.
However, I feel that this article takes things a step too far. Admittedly the story does refer to catching the eels with your hands and placing it somewhere else on campus, suggesting a harmless prank. However, there is also reference to the use of spearing devices and references to the eels’ death. I quote “Speelers adopt an official catch and release policy on water lizards. This is because they don’t deserve to die, unlike the evil eels.”
Apart from the dodgy content, the piece is also mediocre and filled with vulgarities and various college in-jokes . It is accompanied by photos of drunken guys (complete with tinnies in hand) attempting to spear, or having already speared the eels. Their faces have been blanked out. They know they could cop some flak for their extra-curricular activity.
I have a journalism lecturer who has been known to talk about how said magazine used to be a source of quality journalism and how he got a job after graduation off the back of his stint as editor. Sad to say, that’s not likely to happen anymore. As long as the magazine’s focus is articles like this one, I think it’s fair to say that it’s not a publication anybody’s going to respect.
The article was about the practice of “speeling”– that is to say, spearing eels. There are eels in the campus lakes, you understand. Most of us think they're creepy and kind of gross, but hey, they never harmed us.Select groups of individuals, however, make it their aim to torture these slippery creatures.
One would think that an article on this topic would be deriding this pastime but it actually provided a how-to guide for wannabe speelers.
Now, I’m far from being an animal activist. I like my steak, I hate the supposedly cute green tree frogs, I pulled my fair share of cats’ tails in my younger days, I have gone yabbying and I’ve been known to purposely step on insects.
However, I feel that this article takes things a step too far. Admittedly the story does refer to catching the eels with your hands and placing it somewhere else on campus, suggesting a harmless prank. However, there is also reference to the use of spearing devices and references to the eels’ death. I quote “Speelers adopt an official catch and release policy on water lizards. This is because they don’t deserve to die, unlike the evil eels.”
Apart from the dodgy content, the piece is also mediocre and filled with vulgarities and various college in-jokes . It is accompanied by photos of drunken guys (complete with tinnies in hand) attempting to spear, or having already speared the eels. Their faces have been blanked out. They know they could cop some flak for their extra-curricular activity.
I have a journalism lecturer who has been known to talk about how said magazine used to be a source of quality journalism and how he got a job after graduation off the back of his stint as editor. Sad to say, that’s not likely to happen anymore. As long as the magazine’s focus is articles like this one, I think it’s fair to say that it’s not a publication anybody’s going to respect.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Remember Me? A forgettable novel.
I confess. I enjoy reading chick lit now and then. I love to lose myself in books that are frivolous and just plain fluffy. I do have standards though. I look for the stuff that I will read again and again. One of my recent forays into the genre came in the form of the novel Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella. Its title belies the book's nature... it's easy for it to slip out of your mind.
Remember Me? is a novel exploring the question of how our memories shape us as human beings and what would happen if we suddenly lost several years’ worth of memories.
The plot centres around Lexi Smart, who wakes up in hospital to find she has retrograde amnesia as a result of a car accident. Basically, she doesn’t remember the last three years of her life. In typical dramatic fashion, Lexi’s life has changed radically in those three years. She’s now married, with a brilliant career and a formidable reputation. Not to mention that she’s gone from being a frizzy-haired, crooked-teeth couch potato to elegantly coiffed woman with shiny veneers and the kind of body that can only come from hours at the gym. Her new life seems perfect at first but the cracks soon start to show.
Her old friends hate her, her husband is a rich uptight workaholic, her younger sister has changed from a sweet kid into a horror teenager and to boot, Lexi’s not quite sure what to make of the handsome architect who tells her that they were having an affair before the accident.
This book is standard chick lit fare, with the usual “girl trying to overcome her issues with cute guy thrown in on the side” plotline. This novel delivers all the ingredients needed for a good chick lit read. It’s full of drama and light suspense, mildly witty characters and has some plot twists thrown in for good measure. Disappointingly though, Remember Me? seems to rely too much on the much-loved clichés of the genre. For instance, Lexi’s initial reaction towards her former love interest (who just happens to be tall, dark and handsome), is hatred and irritation. One hardly needs much imagination to know what trajectory the story will continue along. The novel’s few attempts at plot twists never quite capture the exact level of shock that you can’t help but imagine that you’re meant to feel as the reader.
Despite its predictability, this novel still delivers an enjoyable reading experience. Lexi Smart is a character that most women will relate to and has a down to earth perspective of the world. Readers will also find themselves liking Lexi’s younger sister, Amy, despite (or maybe because of) the fact that she is the epitome of a bratty and cunning teenager. Some of the scenarios are bound to make you laugh aloud with their unexpected hilarity. Actually, these scenes are the one instance where the novel succeeds in surprising the reader.
On a deeper level, Kinsella probes into marital problems and identity issues with sensitivity and sympathy. Heart-rending scenes will have you genuinely sympathising with Lexi as she struggles to make sense of her environs. Originally, we are led to believe that Lexi’s principal problem is that she’s got amnesia, but as the plot progresses we come to understand that even before the accident, Lexi was in a miserable situation. Lexi’s current issues are shown to largely result from bad decisions that she has made. This acknowledgement saves Remember Me? from being simply another superficial whinge about the hardships of twenty-something life.
Overall, this book is quite enjoyable, as long as you don’t expect too much from it. It’s far from an award-winning novel and will definitely have its critics for its general lack of depth. However, it is still a pleasant weekend read. Perfect for the days when you don’t want to have to use your brain.
Remember Me? is a novel exploring the question of how our memories shape us as human beings and what would happen if we suddenly lost several years’ worth of memories.
The plot centres around Lexi Smart, who wakes up in hospital to find she has retrograde amnesia as a result of a car accident. Basically, she doesn’t remember the last three years of her life. In typical dramatic fashion, Lexi’s life has changed radically in those three years. She’s now married, with a brilliant career and a formidable reputation. Not to mention that she’s gone from being a frizzy-haired, crooked-teeth couch potato to elegantly coiffed woman with shiny veneers and the kind of body that can only come from hours at the gym. Her new life seems perfect at first but the cracks soon start to show.
Her old friends hate her, her husband is a rich uptight workaholic, her younger sister has changed from a sweet kid into a horror teenager and to boot, Lexi’s not quite sure what to make of the handsome architect who tells her that they were having an affair before the accident.
This book is standard chick lit fare, with the usual “girl trying to overcome her issues with cute guy thrown in on the side” plotline. This novel delivers all the ingredients needed for a good chick lit read. It’s full of drama and light suspense, mildly witty characters and has some plot twists thrown in for good measure. Disappointingly though, Remember Me? seems to rely too much on the much-loved clichés of the genre. For instance, Lexi’s initial reaction towards her former love interest (who just happens to be tall, dark and handsome), is hatred and irritation. One hardly needs much imagination to know what trajectory the story will continue along. The novel’s few attempts at plot twists never quite capture the exact level of shock that you can’t help but imagine that you’re meant to feel as the reader.
Despite its predictability, this novel still delivers an enjoyable reading experience. Lexi Smart is a character that most women will relate to and has a down to earth perspective of the world. Readers will also find themselves liking Lexi’s younger sister, Amy, despite (or maybe because of) the fact that she is the epitome of a bratty and cunning teenager. Some of the scenarios are bound to make you laugh aloud with their unexpected hilarity. Actually, these scenes are the one instance where the novel succeeds in surprising the reader.
On a deeper level, Kinsella probes into marital problems and identity issues with sensitivity and sympathy. Heart-rending scenes will have you genuinely sympathising with Lexi as she struggles to make sense of her environs. Originally, we are led to believe that Lexi’s principal problem is that she’s got amnesia, but as the plot progresses we come to understand that even before the accident, Lexi was in a miserable situation. Lexi’s current issues are shown to largely result from bad decisions that she has made. This acknowledgement saves Remember Me? from being simply another superficial whinge about the hardships of twenty-something life.
Overall, this book is quite enjoyable, as long as you don’t expect too much from it. It’s far from an award-winning novel and will definitely have its critics for its general lack of depth. However, it is still a pleasant weekend read. Perfect for the days when you don’t want to have to use your brain.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Breaking Dawn... definitely broken.
So, let’s talk about Breaking Dawn, the final book in the popular Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. There was quite a bit of hype about it among Twilight fans, and when I went to buy a copy the day after its release, Borders and Dymocks had both sold out of it. Thing is, Breaking Dawn definitely isn’t as popular as her other books, and there’s good reasons for that.
The Twilight series centres on the love between Edward, a vampire, and Bella, a normal if slightly clumsy human girl. Feel good sort of stuff.
I really loved Twilight. New Moon left me cold. Eclipse had me thinking that the series was looking up again. Breaking Dawn left me cringing.
The plot line was implausible, the characterisation was off and Meyer showed that she is not very good with names (Renesmee, anyone?). Overall, it reminded me of 800 pages worth of fanfiction.
I have to admit, on some level I enjoyed... mainly for the sheer trashiness of it. It is a book to be placed in that age-old classification “so bad that it’s good.” Not a very good thing, when Twilight was simply good.
Sure, all the way through the series there were hints that Meyer wasn’t a very good writer. Repetition, for instance. Her editor should have at least cut down on the use of “alluring”, or the endless descriptions of Edward’s eyes and his “cold, hard chest.”
But somehow, Twilight managed to shine despite this. With Breaking Dawn, however, I’ve spoken to die-hard fans who absolutely hated it. It's just not a book worth its price.
I have heard that Meyer’s other novel “The Host” is quite good though. Maybe this disaster isn’t the final nail in her coffin?
The Twilight series centres on the love between Edward, a vampire, and Bella, a normal if slightly clumsy human girl. Feel good sort of stuff.
I really loved Twilight. New Moon left me cold. Eclipse had me thinking that the series was looking up again. Breaking Dawn left me cringing.
The plot line was implausible, the characterisation was off and Meyer showed that she is not very good with names (Renesmee, anyone?). Overall, it reminded me of 800 pages worth of fanfiction.
I have to admit, on some level I enjoyed... mainly for the sheer trashiness of it. It is a book to be placed in that age-old classification “so bad that it’s good.” Not a very good thing, when Twilight was simply good.
Sure, all the way through the series there were hints that Meyer wasn’t a very good writer. Repetition, for instance. Her editor should have at least cut down on the use of “alluring”, or the endless descriptions of Edward’s eyes and his “cold, hard chest.”
But somehow, Twilight managed to shine despite this. With Breaking Dawn, however, I’ve spoken to die-hard fans who absolutely hated it. It's just not a book worth its price.
I have heard that Meyer’s other novel “The Host” is quite good though. Maybe this disaster isn’t the final nail in her coffin?
Monday, August 11, 2008
Audrey Hepburn is (one of) my idol(s)
I wish I were Audrey Hepburn. Or at least one the characters she played. I’m spending my spare time tackling tedious university assessment, but I’d much rather be taking cooking classes in Paris, or riding around Rome on a Vespa or eating a croissant whilst gazing in the windows at Tiffany’s.
But I’m far from Paris and Rome, I’ve never even seen a Vespa and you won’t find me outside Tiffany’s at sunrise in an evening gown.
I’m planning a trip to Europe at the end of the year, but my experiences will be have a lot less elegance and a lot more backpacker’s hostels.
I know that I could never be as sophisticated as a character in an Audrey movie, but I have to remind myself that maybe I wouldn’t want to be. For though I like to dress up and look elegant, love all things French and would love to have some diamonds to call my own, that’s only a small part of me.
I also love going to rodeos and B’n’S balls. I love going out in the city and then lying on the oval under the stars with friends afterwards. I love curling up in bed with trashy novels and watching movies that insult my intellect. I love going ice-skating and then laughing after I fall over in some bizarre manner. I love spinning around barefoot in the rain whilst my sister tells me that I look like an idiot.
Audrey's characters knew how to have fun. Well, so do I. Maybe I'll settle for that.
But I’m far from Paris and Rome, I’ve never even seen a Vespa and you won’t find me outside Tiffany’s at sunrise in an evening gown.
I’m planning a trip to Europe at the end of the year, but my experiences will be have a lot less elegance and a lot more backpacker’s hostels.
I know that I could never be as sophisticated as a character in an Audrey movie, but I have to remind myself that maybe I wouldn’t want to be. For though I like to dress up and look elegant, love all things French and would love to have some diamonds to call my own, that’s only a small part of me.
I also love going to rodeos and B’n’S balls. I love going out in the city and then lying on the oval under the stars with friends afterwards. I love curling up in bed with trashy novels and watching movies that insult my intellect. I love going ice-skating and then laughing after I fall over in some bizarre manner. I love spinning around barefoot in the rain whilst my sister tells me that I look like an idiot.
Audrey's characters knew how to have fun. Well, so do I. Maybe I'll settle for that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)