um...this got longer than expected - bear with me?
Hey people. I promise I am not going to be one of those people who expects you to comment on my posts while willfully ignoring yours. I am just doing a terrible job of managing to be job-hunting and playing sports and such while also keeping up with the internet.
I also have a stack of books I am trying to get through, and I have missed reading for pleasure so freaking much.
A few things:
1) Who is a big fan of Lady Gaga? Please note that I do not mean this to be a challenge in any way, shape, or form. I just find that I'm a little conflicted about her most of the time. On one hand, she makes (usually) catchy dance songs, and since that appears to be what she's set out to do with her career, she seems pretty successful. But then there's this other side to it, because she makes deliberately provocative and controversial music and music videos, so...how seriously should we take her? Does that make sense? As in, she is standing up like she has something to say that isn't just “I enjoy dancing in clubs, here's a song about it” so when her message seems to be only that she wants to be controversial rather than that she has something important to say that IS controversial, I become a little frustrated with her.
It's how I feel about Glee. When I get frustrated by the sexism in the show, or its problematic depictions of gay relationships (in the sense that Blaine and Kurt have kissed once and otherwise hug romantically, while every straight couple makes out all over the place) and bisexuality, or its fat-shaming, and a myriad of other things, people frequently tell me that it's just a dumb show and why am I taking it so seriously? Well, I'm taking it seriously because it's telling me I should. Sure, it's a cheesy show with ridiculous musical numbers and a certain suspension of disbelief. But the issues it's dealing with? Those are pretty freaking real, and I do expect more from Glee than I would from, say, your average sitcom. Am I misguided in that? Am I reading too much into it? (People frequently tell me I over-think media, but I kind of think that you have to. Sure, I don't need great life lessons from everything I watch, but if I'm not thinking critically about something, whether from a social standpoint or just in terms of looking at it as a piece of art, for lack of a better term, I'm not really actively engaging.)
ANYWAY. Back to Gaga - I guess what I'm saying is, is it wrong of me to expect more from her because of the subject matter of her music? Or should I just lump her in with other pop stars and assume everything she has to say is vapid and I shouldn't read too much into it?
People also talk about her like she's just having fun and doing her own thing, and so I should just let that be and enjoy the music, but...Okay, see, I have a secret love of Ke$ha. Because her music is ridiculous but catchy, and it's fun to dance around to. She is not making thought-provoking music, but she appears to be having fun. Gaga, on the other hand, seems so devoted to her image and having the music go along with that, that I can't help but feel that there's got to be some motivation other than just having a good time with her career, you know?
Whoo, sorry.
2) Has anyone seen the movie Daydream Nation? I think I liked it, but I would love to discuss it further with someone.
3) Speaking of movies, I am so excited for Bridesmaids.
4) If you have anything important that has happened in your life recently, whether fandom-related or RL-related, let me know. And I promise I will do a better job from here on in with my flist checking.
5) Also, any recs for H50 or TSN would be greatly appreciated!
Hope everyone has had an excellent week, sorry for the rambling.
I also have a stack of books I am trying to get through, and I have missed reading for pleasure so freaking much.
A few things:
1) Who is a big fan of Lady Gaga? Please note that I do not mean this to be a challenge in any way, shape, or form. I just find that I'm a little conflicted about her most of the time. On one hand, she makes (usually) catchy dance songs, and since that appears to be what she's set out to do with her career, she seems pretty successful. But then there's this other side to it, because she makes deliberately provocative and controversial music and music videos, so...how seriously should we take her? Does that make sense? As in, she is standing up like she has something to say that isn't just “I enjoy dancing in clubs, here's a song about it” so when her message seems to be only that she wants to be controversial rather than that she has something important to say that IS controversial, I become a little frustrated with her.
It's how I feel about Glee. When I get frustrated by the sexism in the show, or its problematic depictions of gay relationships (in the sense that Blaine and Kurt have kissed once and otherwise hug romantically, while every straight couple makes out all over the place) and bisexuality, or its fat-shaming, and a myriad of other things, people frequently tell me that it's just a dumb show and why am I taking it so seriously? Well, I'm taking it seriously because it's telling me I should. Sure, it's a cheesy show with ridiculous musical numbers and a certain suspension of disbelief. But the issues it's dealing with? Those are pretty freaking real, and I do expect more from Glee than I would from, say, your average sitcom. Am I misguided in that? Am I reading too much into it? (People frequently tell me I over-think media, but I kind of think that you have to. Sure, I don't need great life lessons from everything I watch, but if I'm not thinking critically about something, whether from a social standpoint or just in terms of looking at it as a piece of art, for lack of a better term, I'm not really actively engaging.)
ANYWAY. Back to Gaga - I guess what I'm saying is, is it wrong of me to expect more from her because of the subject matter of her music? Or should I just lump her in with other pop stars and assume everything she has to say is vapid and I shouldn't read too much into it?
People also talk about her like she's just having fun and doing her own thing, and so I should just let that be and enjoy the music, but...Okay, see, I have a secret love of Ke$ha. Because her music is ridiculous but catchy, and it's fun to dance around to. She is not making thought-provoking music, but she appears to be having fun. Gaga, on the other hand, seems so devoted to her image and having the music go along with that, that I can't help but feel that there's got to be some motivation other than just having a good time with her career, you know?
Whoo, sorry.
2) Has anyone seen the movie Daydream Nation? I think I liked it, but I would love to discuss it further with someone.
3) Speaking of movies, I am so excited for Bridesmaids.
4) If you have anything important that has happened in your life recently, whether fandom-related or RL-related, let me know. And I promise I will do a better job from here on in with my flist checking.
5) Also, any recs for H50 or TSN would be greatly appreciated!
Hope everyone has had an excellent week, sorry for the rambling.