the trouble with peas
GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE RAPPERS DO
FROM BRISTOL ZOO TO B&Q
I'm bored, know what that means? yeah. a long journal entry that no one will prob'ly read, but I'll write anyway. HAHAAAGEHJS<>>L::S'klj
well as it turns out I'm on half term at the moment, till sunday, which is kinda cool. apart from the fact that I havn't DONE anything apart from look after my sister for 2 days while my mum was away.... oh the FUN in that. oh and stay on the phone with the david from 8pm till like 3:30am, but that was just amusing. and hey, I had free weekend minutes - may as well USE 'em. harhar.
Errr. Oh, also I saw shark tale which wasn't as good as finding nemo (which is actually one of the coolest movies known to man). but it was kinda amusing how the hammerhead shark got a spoon balanced on his nose but he couldn't see it... shut up. it was funny! eehee...And, er.
OH yeah I was gonna rant... wasn't I...
books
I think one of the main problems with the wonderful youth of today (and how I know we're getting stupider, on the whole) is because WE (as a whole) DO NOT READ!! and this isn't just from my point of view, cuz I know that I DO read quite a lot, and I know that it isn't really some kid's *thing*, but that's no excuse for millions of kids across the country to not pick up a book, even if it's full of crazy twists and suspense and action and AMAZING characters, simply because they CANNOT BE BOTHERED, and would (I quote) "rather watch a movie, cuz it's less effort". And this makes me angry, because
1) reading a book is hardly ANY effort (if you're not dyslexic [or blind, ha] that is,but even most of my dyslexic friends read books QUITE often...)
2) movies these days are, on the whole (generalizing, sorry) pretty SHITE. I mean, yeah, some of these action movies are kinda cool to watch in the 'wow, look at those special effects' and 'man, wish I could do that...' sense, but the plot?! -Absent without leave, I hasten to say.
Grrrr. Now the kids I am talking about - the non-readers, are for the most part teenage guys. I'm guessing, in fact, having discussed it WITH one - I know - that reading is considered UNCOOL. pssh. for one thing, I'd advise them not to care if something hasn't been cool-approved. Some are unable to do this, so I'd advise them to read COOL BOOKS! yes, believe it or not kids, they ARE out there. hmmmm, so what's considered cool lately? uh, well there are a hell of a lot of books about gangs and guns and shoot outs and drug running etc etc if you're really into ... that? and hey, anyone can enjoy a well written fantasy I mean COME ON who wouldn't wanna whip out a 3 foot long sword and whip dragon knight's asses!? And d'you like Buffy? Angel? there's hundreds of vampire books out there. Just find an author you like... or whatever. It's all good. And a trilogy by Rhiannon Lassiter, called Hex, seriously gives the Matrix a run for its money. I mean, if it was made into a movie - kids would love it. it's got action, plot, cool characters... but just because it's a book, it gets scoffed at and no one pays any attention. GRRRRRRRRRRRR.
I also read a lot of books told from the point of view of teenage guys - because I happen to find it quite interesting and also vaguely amusing how their minds are depicted, how they apparently view things. And a lot of them are pretty interesting. Then of course there's some heavier stuff, but still relevant. 1984 - George Orwell which is increasingly applicable for society today. Or even Brave New World - Aldous Huxley gives you something to muse about. And come on - His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman. If that doesn't kick xXx's ass I don't know what does. Give me Lyra and Will over a musclebound, bald badass stuntman-cum-agent ANYTIME. Guys - read The Catcher in the Rye.
So what if people have to study it in school?!!
So what if it's set 50-odd years ago?! It's still RELEVANT. There's still millions of Holden Caulfields in the world today, I'm sure, who can relate to the original. So why don't they just pick it up and read?! WHY?!
Apparently, there's better things to do - like playing video games, and watching movies. And hey, I may be a girl but I can still appreciate these things - some video games rock, I have a PS2 myself and I c'mon, who doesn't enjoy wreaking havoc in GTA vice city or blowing apart zombies in Resident Evil ONCE IN A WHILE! And FFIX has, if I say it myself, a great plotline. Just cuz you play games or watch dvds doesn't mean you can't read! grrr. It doesn't exactly take superhuman effort.
So next time you're about to press that *power* button, do yourself a favour and pick up a book instead. Just once, just for me!
;)