“Never take a broom along when you move. Throw it out and buy a new one.”
GIRLS (HBO) Review - PART TWO (One Man's Trash episode)
All right, I just read a review that made me physically “UGH” numerous times, so I have to include a part two to that original review.
…I just deleted fifteen minutes of writing. Not because I didn’t think it was well written, but because I don’t want to emphasize any more negativity surrounding this episode (One Man’s Trash) that I feel like I really strongly want to defend, for some reason.
The two men who wrote the review that I will now only briefly comment on clearly can’t be of sound mind considering how it reeks of misogyny. These writers are not very well known, which leads me to believe that they’re each just really trying to make a name for themselves. And I’m not saying that no one is allowed to say anything bad about the show - but the review is so wretchedly hateful towards women that I can’t fully take it seriously and must force myself to believe that it was meant as some kind of farce. And honestly, to write something that would clearly upset a lot of people (women, specifically) and have people be outraged enough to talk about constantly - would make these guys even more relevant and noted. And I don’t want to do that, so I’m not gonna tell you where I read it or who they are, since it’s really the ideas put forth that made me so angry - and not the two who wrote it. So I’m only going to say a few things.
Excerpt from the review:
Hannah’s rude (“what did you do?” she asks Joshua, referring to his broken marriage), self-centered (“I’m too smart and too sensitive”), sexually ungenerous (“no, make me come”), and defiantly ungraceful (naked ping-pong).
“Sexually ungenerous”?!?! I could write pages and pages on why that phrase alone is abominable. But I won’t. If a man says, “Make me come first,” that is typically seen as assertive and so fucking commonplace that no one raises one question about it being uttered. But a woman says it and she’s fucking SEXUALLY UNGENEROUS?! Wow. That’s so far beyond fucked that I don’t want to get into it too deep because the foam frothing at my mouth from anger will short circuit my keyboard.
I gotta say that when I heard Hannah say that to Joshua in the episode I thought, “Fuck! Yeah!” - ESPECIALLY for her character to say that considering past situations when she has just done whatever the man she’s with wants to do, in whatever position he wants, etc.
Her character is said to be “defiantly ungraceful” while playing ping pong naked? Personally, I didn’t find that scene unrealistic. I like to do stuff naked. I’d be fucking naked all the time if I didn’t have roommates. It’s obvious that the men who wrote that just have such an issue with the constant sight of her body combined with the fact that, SHOCK OF ALL SHOCKS, she’s actually pretty comfortable with her own fucking body, too.
The review goes on to mention how unbelievable the whole episode felt and how ludicrous it was for Hannah to get with such an intensely attractive man. Honestly, I didn’t find any of the episode unrealistic at all. I’ve been with men ten times better looking than me. IT HAPPENS, assholes. Get over it. And I absolutely have over-shared with emotional ramblings in a situation when I maybe shouldn’t have — and then was met with a brick wall-type face of, “Umm ok…” or even just silence.
And the thing that really pisses me off is that I have yet to read a review written by a woman who’s hated it. I’m sure they’re out there, I’m not saying that some women won’t hate it. It’s just the fact that, a day later, the majority of my Google search came up with a dozen reviews/articles written by different men condemning the whole episode and talking about how they “didn’t believe any of it” or “tuned out after the first five minutes”. That bugs me immensely because man… maybe it wasn’t fucking written for you to enjoy? Maybe the fact that you aren’t a woman in your twenties might hinder you JUST A FUCKING BIT? Or maybe, God forbid, you get a little bit of insight into the horrors of how it feels to BE a goddam woman in your twenties who hasn’t quite figured out her life yet. And maybe I wouldn’t be so mad about any of this if I weren’t also hit with a mountain of musings on Lena Dunham’s fucking weight or beauty or how ugly her clothes are. If you’re going to negatively criticize something, please don’t start with, “What was with that romper??” ‘cause you’ll likely sound like a simple moron. I’m not asking anyone to enjoy this episode. I just don’t understand why the criticism has to be a personal attack on someone who’s really fucking talented.
I know I said I wasn’t gonna get negative, but then it happened. I really should’ve just spared you and wrote this in a journal or something. Next time.
“Jealousy in romance is like salt in food. A little can enhance the savor, but too much can spoil the pleasure and, under certain circumstances, can be life-threatening.”
Bill Cunningham New York (Documentary)
This man seems like the nicest man on the planet. The whole thing centers around this fashion photographer who works for The New York Times, and is known for his candid and street photography. I don’t follow fashion stuff, but this was so enjoyable to watch. And I think about this line from it often:
"Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life."
Girls (HBO) Review
If you watch the show, haven’t seen this past week’s episode (One Man’s Trash) and don’t like spoilers - then stop reading. (Edit note: actually, if you’re not caught up, then just don’t click on the final link in here and you should be safe.)
When I watched the first season last year, I waited until all of the season had aired and then streamed all the episodes within the span on two days. At the end of that time? I loved it. I’ve since gone back to watch individual episodes (well, I did this before the second season started) and found myself picking them apart and trying to justify why they actually weren’t, in reality, that good. Why? No idea.
I’ve been watching this second season and have found myself doing the same thing, and it’s something I can’t really figure out. Keep in mind, I really like Lena Dunham. She’s fun to read on Twitter. She’s a good writer (most of the time). I love all the times she’s naked and think it’s great for younger girls to see that especially. I don’t know what it my problem is, really.
It could have to do with the following:
- The episodes are clearly better when they involve all the characters (and not Hannah-based)
- I’m envious that she’s so successful and younger than I am
- Could be a Mindy Kaling-type situation and I’m such a fan that I almost HAVE to pick it apart
- I never believed for one second that Adam could exist as a character (going from a complete asshole to being totally committed to her? Ugh. No way, not a possibility, get real)
Anyway, these are ramblings, I apologize. I just want to make it known that I wasn’t all the way convinced that it’s a great show/she’s so great on it until this past Sunday’s episode. It was Hannah-based, so I was anticipating some disdain for it and what happened was completely the opposite. I think it was probably the best episode of the show so far. I could go further into why I think that, but I read this review of it that completely nails it, in my opinion. You can read it here, if you like. (Oh! I just read another really good one here.)
Martha Mattress Rotation Tip
This idea is solely from Martha. There is only one Martha, and I will not soil her good name by the inclusion of a surname.
"For even wear and a longer life, a mattress should be flipped four times a year (alternating between end-over-end and side-over-side rotation). Hotels keep track by marking each end of a mattress: one says “January” (right side up) and “April” (upside down), the other “October” (right side up) and “July” (upside down). Whenever one of those months rolls around, adjust the mattress so that the appropriate month’s name is right side up at the foot of the bed."
Since this tip was written in a 2003 issue of her magazine, pillow-top mattresses have been introduced, I’m aware. So this little tip obviously won’t apply/work in that case. So what if you do have a pillow-top mattress? Well, you must be doing very well for yourself to afford one of those. Congratulations.
When Someone In The Other Room Mentions My Favorite Movie
BONUS POST! SNOW ICE CREAM!
Okay, there’s a snowstorm in Ontario RIGHT NOW. And so I was out playing with my niece Tianna and my dear babe Harmeet and trying to think up new ways to have more fun out there in the gorgeousness. So I came inside, did some Googling and found a way to make AND EAT some snow ice cream.
We just made it AND IT IS DELICIOUS. Here is the recipe. I’m serious here, too. It. Is. Really. Tasty. And weirdly satisfying to know that it fell from the sky.
Harmeet’s advice: “Eat it fast!”
SNOW DAY! Okay, bonus post over. Enjoy your weekend, babies.
(Sidenote: Tianna opted not to have a photo up here because she’s a teenager and thought she was BETTER THAN THIS POST! She’s still lovely, nevertheless.)
“I can’t fully express how attractive this is in 2013, but if you’re a younger man (under 35, let’s say) and you want women to leap into your arms in adoration: carry and/or read a newspaper at all times.”
Tabloids
When I go into a drugstore, grocery store, book store or anywhere that sells magazines, I have a little tendency that’s begun to take over my body/being. What is this tendency? I turn most (or all) the covers of tabloid magazines over, so that their back cover is what shows on a magazine stand.
Why do I do this? I did it once a few years ago, and now I can’t really stop. There aren’t words to describe how much I loathe People Magazine. And US Magazine. And any “story” TMZ would jump to “cover”. Absolutely anything tabloid related. (Sidenote: this is my absolute favourite blog post about tabloids that I’ve ever read, written by a beautiful man who’s very funny.) This hatred has grown over the years to an extent that is almost unmanageable today. And I’m really only sharing this because it makes me so mad and I’ll feel less crazy if it isn’t a secret thing that I do anymore.
Also, I’m not talking about this now with the intent of saying that you should be doing this as well… this is a stupid thing to do. I know that. But every time I do it, I literally believe that maybe ONE less of these awful, hate-filled pieces of trash will be sold. I know that’s a naive thought, and I’m okay with that. People are allowed to read whatever they want. If they want to read these magazines that badly then they’ll turn them over and FIND the goddam one they’re looking for and then buy it. And that’s fine. BUT my feeling is that people do NOT want to buy these magazines, but are swayed by the ridiculously stupid headings and glamorized photos of PEOPLE WE DO NOT KNOW PERSONALLY.
I know now I’m really just getting into the idea of celebrity and the absurdness that surrounds it, but that’s really another topic.
The root of this all? I don’t want to see a plethora of “post-baby bodies” or who’s getting divorced or Blue fucking Ivy’s first fetus photo or ANY kind of details on someone’s “secret wedding” — I DON’T CARE. NO ONE INTELLIGENT SHOULD CARE. Does reading this trash make me feel good about myself?! Does criticizing others make my goddam day a little easier? FUCK. OFF.
People complain about reality television a lot these days, but these magazines are a billion times worse. It makes no sense to me why we as a SOCIETY are being encouraged to analyze and excessively compliment or condemn people we do not know. What on earth is there to gain by being so invested in the details of their lives?
I, in no way, can fully place blame on the people who read this kind of trash (yes, they aren’t helping the problem), but since these magazines, entertainment shows, the E! network and endless awards shows are all attributes constantly occupying your field of vision and your television sets, it makes sense that they’re so popular. I doubt they’ll stop printing them, ever. I’m not trying to start a movement here, guys. But maybe, if you agree with ANY of this post, then turn over one of these magazines the next time you’re waiting in line. And maybe for one mere moment you’ll save someone the agony of having to hear about Kim Kardashian’s baby bump being compared to the size of her ass.