"Basically," I replied. "But it was really good."
"Very good," Vyelit said. "We'll go watch it with you if you want to go. Like tonight."
I smiled. I can't decide if Vye wants to go watch it again because a.) she fell asleep through parts of it or because b.) the parts she did see were just that good.
"Didn't... you... already see it?" Cheese asked.
"Uh, yeah?"
Silence.
CheeseCream shook his head at us and walked away.
I've read a few blog posts recently talking about strikes against reading or watching The Hunger Games because of all the hype. I'm not gonna lie: it upset me.
Refusing to like something just because it's popular is essentially letting the masses dictate what you do. It doesn't make sense to me to make any decision that way, even if you consider yourself a contrary type of person. I mean, everyone else eats and breathes, you know what I mean?
Granted, that reaction may be because I like the Hunger Games. If I were reading about people protesting, I don't know, Cheez-its because they were popular, I'd probably be all, "hell yeah. Those things taste like the devil." I mean, maybe I would be? Or it would be easier to react that way with something I didn't like.
I'm always really late with popular things, anyhow. I didn't read or watch one Harry Potter related thing until all the movies were out. I only read HG last year.
I just downloaded Draw Something.
See? Super late. If you are all recalling my amazing Paint skillz and assuming that I rock Draw Something, well thank you. You are absolutely wrong.
I swear I sent out something like this recently:
(*UPDATE:* After I innocently posted this here, a few commenters were all, "UH. THAT'S GROSS AND/OR A PENIS." Guys. I didn't even think that my bad drawing was phallic. It is in fact pepper.
FAIL.)
I don't actually think I have amazing Paint skillz. I realize that I cannot draw, at all. Things get more complicated in this game because it's all touch screen nonsense. I'm curious about how you guys who play use it. Do you draw with one finger? Which finger? That might be a weird question, but I draw primarily with my right hand middle finger and I'm scared something is wrong with my brain.
Also, at first, I was creating games and didn't realize that people could see your entire drawing process. And then my little sister was all, "oh, just trash it and it starts over," and I thought that was true. So the first handful of people I played got like 8 trashes before I produced a masterpiece like the above.
Also, also I'm pretty sure there are no rules and there is no winning? Which is fine. I've been known to employ a few words in my drawings. It happens. I mentioned on Twitter that I have encountered some players, however, that are playing some cousin of Draw Something called, "Screw it. I'm Writing Something." It isn't fun when you get something like this:
SERIOUSLY? Fine. Jesus. It's Jenga. (I swear this happened to me.)
As I was thinking about all of this, about hype and prejudice and, uh, Jenga, I thought that maybe I might read the Twilight books. I've always refused, not because they were popular per se, but because so many people say they are badly written. At least, I think that's the reason. I've seen things all around the Internet for years and years about people giving "Twilight" a chance in an effort to justify their negative opinions. It isn't a novel concept but maybe it is the right thing to do.
It's a good thing, though, that I'm not always concerned with doing the right thing.
So. How abou you lot? Do you ever avoid things because they are popular? Be honest.
Finally, I promised to highlight a few of my favorite blogs and it seems fitting to start doing that on a post ultimately about how we receieve reccomendations. Or something. Anyways, I'd like to start with "Things I Like to Eat and Other Nonsense."
There are about 2 blogs that could be considered "food" blogs in all of my reader. It's not generally my thing. And though TILTE does talk about recipes she makes and places she eats, 1.) she's hilarious b.) she talks about other stuff too and cat.) she ends food posts with "boner'ppetite."
Her most recent post starts with, "My birthday is coming up this weekend and I'm pretty sure it's going to be a bust. This is why: It's on a Sunday, which means A) It will get overlooked by coworkers and B) People are either hungover or doing dumb family shit."
Yeah. Click her link. Follow. Love.
Now, I have to go back to watching kids and stuff. Gailey-bird just shouted, "TIA I'M IN THE BATHROOM AND I'M NAKED."
Wish me luck.
I like all of your faces, even if they are popular.
47 comments:
Your drawings make me happy - and I hope you're enjoying my horrible artwork.
Also- right hand index finger. I'll have to try middle finger, my pictures are already horrible so it can't hurt right?
I don't care what anyone says, but the Twilight series was an entertaining read for what it was...YA literature about vampires. How do you really expect that to be more? It's quick and painless and I think you should give it a chance. I mean the Hunger Games Series is great, I got through them just about as fast as I got through Twilight. The movies though, not impressed. I saw the first one in the theater and boy can Kristin Stewart suck the big one. Anyway...just stick with what you like! Who cares what everyone else is doing!
Also, I, like most...use my right index finger for touch screens, although I have used my middle before when I'm really trying to concentrate...and this is why I don't have a touch phone, too much to consider.
I avoid Juicy Couture like the plague. The hot pink velour really isn't to my taste. :P
Honestly, I really enjoyed reading Twilight. Every single book. The movies? Not so much. Also, I'm sure that there have been some intelligent people or even professionals that said that the series was badly written, but anyone that I've heard say that in person, I was thinking the whole time "Wait. You can read?"
When it comes to Hunger Games.....I hadn't even heard of the series until like a month before the movie came out. I just started reading the first one today, and so far, I really like it. I don't always 'follow the crowd' but I'm reading it because of the hype. And don't feel bad about being behind on everything. I don't even have a phone that I can use Draw Something on.
I don't think I've ever avoided something because it's popular. Like you said it's still letting the masses dictate what you do, albeit in a different way. I've not read the Hunger Games yet, but I do have them and plan to. As for Twilight, I gave it a shot. I read it because a friend asked me to. It's not THAT bad, but most of the negative things you've heard about it are true, and most of the positive things you've heard about it are hype.
I'm not sure what that first drawing is supposed to be, but it looks slightly obscene to me...
I am so much more behind the times than you. Which is ironic really, considering how I live in the future and all... ;) I mean, I still don't even have a smartphone. I have a ghetto Nokia-trying-to-be-a-Blackberry that's increasingly hard to read because I keep scratching the screen.
I don't understand why people throw hissy fits about popular things and boycott them. Although now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure I did exactly that when Titanic came out a millionty years ago...
PS. Is it just me or is it really bad taste that the 3D version of Titanic is being released in cinemas for the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking???
I completely hate when people are all "I loved that band before you did, and now that you do, I have to hate them."
Which is funny, because this is my sister. She loved Weezer. You know, until they became kinda popular, and then she hated them with the fire of a thousand suns and ridiculed anybody who jumped on the "bandwagon" (of a band that never sold out a stadium tour???)
Anyway. I like the things I like because I like them. Sometimes I'm ahead of the times. This usually happens with books these days, because I'm old and boring, but it used to happen with all kinds of stuff. But usually I am late to the party (eh? see what I did there?) and I like stuff that's already kinda popular.
But with the Hunger Games? Yeah. I was early. So I'm cool like that.
Ha. Totally weird we both posted about this.
I definitely boycotted literature that was popular because I was a bit of a book snob. Ironically, I found it really irritating when people did the exact same thing about music. So I was also a hypocrite. But, people change and I enjoyed reading The Hunger Games. The movie doesn't release in South Korea until April though. :(
I'm going to be honest and say I tend to avpid things if they're popular with girls. Skyrim was popular but I played it and I think girls would like it if they wanted to try out a video game, for sure. But Twilight....well, in the end I read it. I read the hunger games too, but that was because I felt left out. If a few of my close blogger friends had skipped I would have to. (I honestly wanted to read it when it first came out---it was in *my* section of Borders, but Sebastien said he thought it looked, "less than.") You kind of do get sick of hearing about something, if it's really popular. And I have a long habit of disassociating myself with stuff girls like. Nice cock, where is the hen house? Ewwwwwwwwwwww ;)
I would love to be so popular just to get that backlash of people not liking me because I'm popular. Personally, I don't care if something is popular or not. If I like it, I like it...if I don't, I don't. I am sure there are people who make a point of saying they don't like things that everybody else seems to love, because it makes them feel smarter than everyone else... than the than the
I don't know what the "than the than the" was at the end of my comment... I musta been typing too fast, or maybe distracted by a fly...
English teacher here. The books ARE poorly written, there is no doubt about that. Meyer has a limited vocabulary and her plot points are rudimentary. That being said, we are all entitled to read light/no brainer-type reads every now and again. What bothers me about the whole "Twilight" thing is not the books, but the hype surrounding the movies and the actors. The movies are horrible and grown women should not be lusting after teenage boys. Also, the book gives a quite horrible message to young girls about giving up their entire lives for a boy. Just my opinion of course.
Lor- You need to play me in Draw Something! I am pretty bad too =). I use my pointer finger on my right hand to draw mostly.
I'm the same way about books and such! Well, I mean...I guess not the same. I mean that I do that wish prejudice and things. I even wrote two whole blog posts about my reactions to the Harry Potter books because I didn't read them until last August because I was so vehemently against reading them because everyone else loved them. But then somehow I got wrapped up into The Hunger Games crazy fandom and I'm totally okay with it. :)
Also. We should play in Draw Something. I try not to write things unless I for realz can't get it. And I let my boy play one round because he reallyyyy wanted to, and he totally showed me up with his super duper spectacular drawing skills. Not cool, man. Not cool.
I think I got that tongue picture from you?! Also, story time!, when I first downloaded the game and not a lot of my FB friends were playing, I started a game with a random idiot. And this person's word would be, let's say, grass. This person's "picture" would just say "GRASS". It wasn't in green, there was no actual picture to accompany it. This happened several times so I thought maybe she was unaware of how the game played so on my turn I wrote, "Why do you spell out the words and not draw?" (and then I drew so she could guess) and her reply to me was, "BECAUSE I WANT TO!!!!!!!"
Um, okay.
Also, I draw with my pointer finger on my right hand...sometimes even with my pinky. I have a slight advantage, though, because I use my iPad which obviously has a much larger screen and it's easier that way lol
Read Twilight. I think you'd like them. I think people forget that they're YA books. For what they were, I thoroughly enjoyed them. I read them fast and I've seen all the movies. As for HP, I started reading those just after book 6 came out and I was hooked. I've been playing Draw Something but am getting tired of it. Mainly because I have about 14 games going and there is no winner.
Also, I play with my index finger on the right hand. Sometimes I'll write stuff if I can't get my picture right.
#1 is your picture a penis????
#2 I am not cool enough to have an iphone but I need to play draw something... I am a hype whore and that is why
#3 I am DESPERATE to read and watch The Hunger Games,
#4 Read Twilight... they are ok... and super easy to read...
That is all... you make me laugh...
Love Elle xo
Your first drawing looks like a diseased penis.
And I would know.
Our streak is currently my longest. Our drawings are meant for each other. <3
I also point with my middle finger occasionally so maybe it's a "just me" thing. Womp.
It doesn't help that I saw those horrible movies and they have a way of sticking with you, in a "haunting you for life" kind of way. I'll let err'one know if I do end up reading them. Probably not.
When I made the switch to my touch phone it was a huge change. Actually, I think I'm still kind of remedial when it comes to touch screens. Whatever.
I know what to get you for Christmas now!
My thing with Twilight has always been the whole "yeah it's bad BUT..." I mean, I do a tone of "light/no-brainer" reading but it doesn't have to be BAD, know what I mean?
It's all personal opinion anyways because there are some people who would say it isn't bad at all, and in fact, the best thing of ever.
We should all come together and say, though, that the action in the movies is bad. Right? Right.
Don't get me started on the whole "give your life for a boy" thing because then I'll have to start talking about the love triangle thing and la la la. No bueno.
I think books suffer from too much hype. Like when you go to read HG, you might be thinking, "this better be very good." And when (if) I read Twlight, I'll be thinking, "let's see how much this sucks."
Know what I mean?
Anyhow, I trust that judgement of the book. It seems right on the money.
I honestly didn't even think of that when I posted. I went back and updated the post to clarify: that was my drawing for pepper.
-_-
Most of the time I'm too curious not to check out popular things. If everyone is all, "hey there is this movie Titanic and every who watches it cries and there are boobies and it is awesome," even if I don't like boat movies, I"m gonna go check it out and see if I cry. Just for example, you know?
PS. ARE YOU SERIOUS? That is terrible!! I wasn't planning on going to see it anyways, but now, I have an extra reason!
There are songs that I listen to and them bam, a year later they are on the radio and I'm sick of them. BUT. To suddenly hate a band because other people like them? Lame. (I had to mention that there are songs that I listen to first, before the radio. I'm such a hipster. ;))
Anyhow. Amen. If people would just not worry about what others think, that would be awesome. Like what you like, as you said. Worrying about everyone else is too much work.
It'll be April before you know it! It seems like just yesterday I was counting down 100 days until the premier, and yes, I was counting down since 100 days... :)
I'm glad, though, you are enjoying the lighter side of reading. There really is nothing like reading for pleasure.
IT'S PEPPER.
I never thought about the "popular with girls" aspect, but that makes sense. I imagine the squee'ing and it suddenly makes me want to distance myself for sure. That's a legit thing.
But the important thing is that you still give things a try. You are my hero.
Right? Because even though there are some people hating you for being popular, guess what? MONEY. I mean... you're still popular.
I think that's the key. There is some sort of extra cool points people think they are getting if what they like isn't liked by anyone else. I'm not sure that makes any kind of sense.
than the than the.
(I just wanted you to feel better about ending your comment that way. ;))
I'm playing with bloggers Nicole and Harley and they ROCK. Like really good drawing skills and every time I play them at all, I cry a little about how much I stink. But then I laugh and laugh and play some more.
I'm actually planning on re-reading HP soon, with my book club (aka Sara Nipples.) Hooray for being late to the party. ;)
IT'S PEPPER GUYS.
Yes! I got the "Jenga" thing from a random idiot too. Maybe I should've said that so that everyone knew none of my friends were that dumb. Hmmm.
Pinky! I never thought about using the little guy. I saw a tumblr of amazing Draw Something pictures but he guys uses an iPad and a stylus. CHEATING.
I I know what you mean. I have like 20 games and I'm repeating a lot of words and keep thinking I'm sending people duplicate pictures. I"m not sick of it yet, but, maybe soon. Maybe.
1- JEEZ PEOPLE. IT IS PEPPER.
2- I have a Droid not an iPhone. Whoop!
3 - Read it! Read it! I don't think you'll regret reading it.
4 - I've gotten a lot of "read thems" so maybe after I yelled at you to read HG I have to read Twilight. This is bad news.
I like your face forever.
JESUS CHRIST IT IS PEPPER.
But, yes, you would. Welcome back from the dead. Unless you are a Dead Alive zombie now, in which case I will have to kick your a$$ for the Lord.
Yes. Ironically there are some people who have achieved super levels of fame thanks to their legions of haters. than the than the...hehehe.
I thought your first picture was a salted pickle, which really sounds like a penis. But honestly, I thought it was a salted pickle.
HEY-YO PENIS.
Pepper.
Penis pepper?
I don't avoid things if they're popular, but I do my research and read up on 'why' they are- if that makes sense? I learnt my lesson with Twatlight Twilight. I read the books without knowing what the fuck they were about [I'm sure I've narrated this story before. I'm still really angry about it] and when I did finish them, I was furious. I've learnt to look up recommendations so I'm not completely blindsided.
I also think 'popularity' needs to be deconstructed. Who is it popular with, what do we mean by popularity? For example, the Paolo Coelho books are incredibly popular- but they're popular with people who enjoy this quasi-spiritual take on life. Same with Eat, Pray, Love. This stuff doesn't work for me and so I view it with scepticism and a bit of a disdain. On the flip side, a book like Behind the Beautiful Forevers was immensely popular and recommended by people who enjoy a certain kind of writing. I loved the text and waxed lyrical about it- so I did buy into/was helped by the popularity of a book.
I do think that if I'm going to bag on something, I need to have experienced it- read it, watched it, listened to it.. whatever. I don't think it's fair to criticise something based on hearsay rather than my own actual opinion of something.
One of my words for Nicole was "reaping". You should have seen my Hunger Games drawing for "reaping" I was laughing at myself. Also, I saw the Hunger Games again. NO SHAME.
... We need to play this game now. Obviously. Also, I hate it when people refuse to partake of something that I find to be particularly amazing because it's "all hyped up."
Sometimes things get hyped for a good reason. I find kids hunting other kids to be a very compelling reason to read a series of books. It's like Battle Royale with better developed characters and more of a back story.
I have been putting off seeing the movie until the crowds died down. I can't wait, though!
OK, so I went to see The Hunger Games... it has changed my life
http://skylarkingnanny.blogspot.fr/2012/04/obligatory-hunger-games-post.html
Love a good hype fest!
Love Elle xo
Well with Twilight I did go in expecting some kind of God awful crapfest of a book, but there were bits I liked. I think it's worth reading, even if it's just so that you can say you've read it. I know someone who tried to read it to justify being able to bash it, but she found it that bad she couldn't finish it. My sister does let me get away with bashing it though because I have read it. I try not to bash it though, it's not THAT bad, as I said. It depends on what you like I guess.
THAT DRAWING WAS EPIC.
I'll be honest: I totally do this. I purposely avoid many things if they are too popular...but I don't do so with any malicious reasoning. I do it because people often ruin the experience for me. The hype itself isn't annoying...but rather, the people who participate in the hype. I appreciate when a person is a fan of anything...provided that they are not foaming at the mouth when they tell me how good such-and-such is.
Prime example: the Monday before The Hunger Games premiere I saw a group of college girls walk by me with homemade shirts. Team Peeta, Team Gale...one girl even held up her shirt and screamed, "TEAM CINNA!" That was the very moment when I said, "Oh, heck no. I am not going to see this movie. At least not in theaters."
Hype can sometimes be enough to turn me off of something - not only for the reasons that I just listed, but also because the hype diminishes the quality of a person's experience. If someone spends an entire week telling you how good a movie is, and ohmygod it's the bestmovieever and why haven'tyouwatchedityetomgomgomg, well, I'm going to expect something pretty mind-blowingly fantastic when I see it. Then, when it's a pretty good flick but nothing life-changing, I am disappointed...more so than I would have been if I saw it when it wasn't hyped. Does that make any sense, or am I just nuts?
~Shane
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