My Reading List for 02/09/10

"...Egypt, a supernatural, mystery, and an unknown creature are all found in this 1897 novel by Richard March [sic.]. The Beetle is the story of a creature born of neither God nor man..."

Yes, folks, this anonymous quote is a basic synopsis of Richard Marsh's obscure Gothic novel The Beetle: A Mystery (1897). And, since the Snowmageddon (our president's term!) that has practically shut down our nation's capital has descended upon the Midwest, I'm staying home from school today on account of the inclement weather and hazardous driving conditions. In order to pass the time that would otherwise be devoted to commuting and attending class, I'm putting the finishing touches on my reading of this book. I must say that I was initially not that impressed with it. I thought it would be really boring! However, about halfway in, I realized that this book is actually quite wonderful. For example, Book III (the book is divided into four individual "books") is told from the point of view of a female character. Therefore, this novel has a decidedly feminist angle. There's also lots of political discussion and references (yay!). For that symposium paper, I'm strongly considering taking either a feminist or political critical perspective, or perhaps even a combination of both. Once again, more on that later.

Alright, everyone take care, stay safe, and peace out! I'll be back with another edition of "My Reading List for..." very soon.

She had 'em at 'hope-y, change-y stuff': Analysis of Sarah Palin's Nashville Tea Party Convention "Speech"

Okay, as I promised yesterday, I'm going to provide an in-depth analysis of Sarah Palin's so-called Tea Party Convention speech. Here goes: it was bad, really bad. More specifically, Palin did her usual "practiced folksy" act (e.g. tossing in "you betchas," "god blesses," and creepy winks at whim; reading from notes scribbled on her hands). As for the audience, it was rather sparse, and-- surprise! surprise!-- it was comprised predominantly of old, white males. What was especially frightening, however, is the fact that the more idiotic Miss Alaska became, the more the crowd cheered her on. For example, she had the audacity to try to question Obama supporters by asking: "How's that hope-y, change-y stuff workin' for ya?"! For the record, Sarah, that 'hope-y, change-y' stuff's workin' just fine for me-- thank you very much. Finally, instead of proposing alternatives or solutions to the president's agenda, she just mocked him. (BTW, the last time I checked Obama definitely knows we're at war and is trying to get us out of it.) The bottom line is this: the Tea Party Movement is a passing fad. (Actually, I prefer the term 'epic fail.') Its adherents engage in a fuzzy interpretation of U.S. history (uhh... excuse me, folks, but wasn't it a conservative president who got us into this mess in the first place? Just askin'!) and are largely motivated by anger. Most importantly, Palin's speech at the convention only serves to expose the hypocrisy and willful ignorance of the Right. For these reasons, the Tea Party is almost over, and Palin will not become president. (I swear, I don't know who's had more fun at that woman's expense-- me or Tina Fey.)

More Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style

Alright, folks, there's quite a bit of big news to observe and report on in the Ashleyverse today. To begin, it's Super Bowl XLIV night. The Indianapolis Colts are playing the New Orleans Saints. I guess I'm rooting for the Colts, but I'm feeling a little sentimental toward the Saints, since this is their first time to play in the Super Bowl. Honestly, I really don't care too much for sports, but having grown up in Texas, I sort of like football (y'know-- the whole Friday Night Lights thing). Back in the 90s, I used to cheer on the Dallas Cowboys to victory while my dad (a former high school pigskin "hero") watched the game. Anyway, I might tune in periodically to the game tonight in order to catch the half-time show-- provided this year by The Who (whom I'm a fan of!)-- and check out the commericals.



Meanwhile, there's a lot of action happening in America's biggest bloodbath of all: politics! Last night, Sarah Palin "spoke" at the very first Tea Party convention in Nashville. I say "spoke" in quotations, because there wasn't much real speaking going on. Rather, Palin wove a disoriented patchwork of conservative platitudes, attacked President Obama, and failed to propose any real alternatives or solutions to the problems we are facing. (That having been said, I will discuss and analyze the so-called "speech" more extensively in tomorrow's post. Stay tuned!)



Well, that concludes yet another edition of Meet the Press-- Ashleyverse Style. Namaste, y'all!

Headline: Proceeds from Late Reggae Great's 65th Birthday Celebration to Benefit Survivors of Haiti Earthquake

Today would be the 65th birthday of Jamaican-born reggae legend, humanitarian, and Rastafarian* revolutionary Bob Marley. (*Rastafarianism is a Caribbean form of Christianity.) Members of Marley's family and fans will gather Saturday, Feb. 6 (today, of course) at L.A. art gallery Mr. Musichead for the first annual Jammin' and Wailin' event, where rare artwork and photography featuring Marley, as well as Bob Marley coffee, will be on sale. Proceeds from the event will benefit Doctors Without Borders' efforts in Haiti.

On a personal note, Marley is one of my all-time favorite artists. I've been a fan of his for almost a decade, and his Legend CD is played frequently in my home and car. (I actually had to buy a second copy, because I wore the first one out!) His beautiful, island-inspired music, especially songs like "Is This Love," "Three Little Birds," and "Stir It Up," really brightens up these cold, dreary winter days. And, his socially conscious fare, particularly "I Shot the Sheriff," "Redemption Song," "Exodus," "Get Up, Stand Up" and "Buffalo Soldier," simultaneously entertains and challenges you. "Jamming" is likewise both fun and intellectual. Marley occasionally gets playful and romantic, as is the case on "Could You Be Loved," "Satisfy My Soul," and "Waiting in Vain." In addition, "No Woman, No Cry" is one of the greatest songs ever written and recorded. Finally, who doesn't love "One Love/People Get Ready"-- the official reggae national anthem and a powerful call for universal goodwill?! I'm certain that, wherever he is, Mr. Marley is deeply pleased that his message is being used to provide liberation through physical aid and spiritual hope to Haiti's survivors.

A Little More Friday Infotainment

Alright, there's lots going on in both 'news news' and entertainment news today. Accordingly, I will cover as much of it as I can in this post.

First, the 'news news.' President Obama is now admitting that the big health-care overhaul may be a failure for the time being. As I've implored readers a number of times before, we just have to keep trying in regards to this matter. The president has also outlined his mid-term election victory strategy to Dems: "Lead." Couldn't have said it better myself! Also in politics, there's yet another possible Sarah Palin scandal brewing. This time, it appears that Miss Alaska and her Iditarod-racin' hubby, Todd, have not been paying taxes for the last couple years on some property they own in the Alaskan wilderness. I'm sorry, but our elected officials-- especially high-profile ones-- have a responsibility to be, well, responsible. We'll just have to see how this one shapes up. (Honestly, folks, why is this not shocking?)

Now, for the entertainment. It's almost Valentine's Day, and there's a string of seasonal rom-coms out in the theaters atm, such as Leap Year, starring Amy Adams. Who knows... maybe I'll find me a rogue Irishman next summer. LOL! I'd also like to see Dear John, the war drama/romance with Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum. In addition, Grammy winner Pink is appearing and performing live on Oprah this afternoon. I'm definitely watching. Lady Gaga's interview and performance on Miss O's show were absolutely amazing, so I'm looking forward to seeing Pink on there today.

Okay, that concludes this edition of Infotainment This Afternoon. Y'all take care & peace out!

My Reading List for 02/04/10

Okay, folks, I'm re-reading Hawthorne's Portable Tales as we speak. I read on the fly the first time around, so I feel there's a few things I may have missed in the stories. I'm also trying to get through "Rappaccini's Daughter"-- the final tale in the collection. For some reason, I can't get into it as much as the others. In addition to what I have to read for American Lit., I'm also starting on an obscure Gothic novel called The Beetle, which was written by one Richard Marsh, for my criticism and theory class. (Obscure? Gothic? I'm so there!) I actually have to write a research paper and do a symposium presentation on this book. Uhh... more on that later.



And, speaking of American literature, I forgot to mention that J.D. Salinger, author of the controversial classic The Catcher in the Rye (1951), passed away recently. It's really sad that this book was banned in schools and has gotten such a bad rap over the years. IMHO, Catcher transcends all the controversy. Through the main character, Holden Caulfield, Salinger beautifully weaves a tapestry of the most fundamental themes of humanity: loss, alienation, the search for one's own identity, the desire for what is real/intolerance of phoniness, conformity vs. rebellion, feeling like a social outcast, dealing with extreme sociopolitical conditions (in this case, the Cold War; McCarthyism), etc. Thus, I believe the banning of this book (or any literature, for that matter) is totally wrong-- not to mention un-American.

Musings About Turning the Big 3-0

Hey, y'all! Well, today is officially my 30th birthday. And what a happy one it is! Anyway, I survived my 7-9:30 p.m. Literary Criticism & Theory class in order to celebrate the occasion with my dear friend Jenn last night. Needless to say, we had a total blast. As far as how I feel today, well, I don't feel that much different. So far, 30 is shaping up to be pretty danged promising. (For some reason, 27, 28, and 29 were sort of tough. When I started grad school last summer, however, I gained a whole new sense of direction, which improved the situation considerably. Oh, well, as the Buddhists say in the "Four Noble Truths," life is suffering, and suffering is inevitable. Gotta take the good with the bad! I know I'm on the right path now. I now refer to the aforementioned three-year period as my 'learning, growing, questioning years.') I sense some big life changes in the air in the Ashleyverse right now. Of course, I think the real change will occur with the Eurotrip in June. As the brochure I received at that informational meeting says: "You'll come back a different person." We shall see about that! For the time being, I'm just going to enjoy all the little everyday things and take life's little surprises as they come. (BTW, it appears that I share my big day with some very interesting individuals, namely Norman Rockwell and Charles Dickens. Tomorrow is Rosa Parks and Betty Friedan's birthday. So, I suppose this is a rather revolutionary time of year.)