Why does everything have to be politicized?

Are you freaking kidding me?

In the last few days, I've been all over on the web - reading news, keeping up on message boards, playing games...

...but one thing I am sick of seeing...

...sh** being politicized that have no business being so.

Example 1 - Reading tributes on Huffington Post to Michael Jackson. You would read comments on both sides (good and bad), then someone will say something like: Why aren't we talking about Iran? or Neda's death (Iran conflict) is more important.

WTF?

Then, I go over to a parenting site, and someone is asking on a Twilight board what political party the Cullens belong to, and one wrote that her heart is broken because they are libs (Edward drives a Volvo, for Pete's sake - apparently that's a liberal signature).

Who cares?

Can we all enjoy stuff or comment on stuff without making a freaking huge deal out of it? Two things you don't speak of in polite company - religion and politics. There's a reason for that.

Does everything have to turn into a hot-button issue? We were talking about romance novels, of all things, on one blog, and some nitwit posts:

"And as for role models for women - I'm in favor of the strong, brave, and beautiful young women of Iran - the ones at the barricades, wearing green and fighting for freeddom."

OKAAAAAY...

Hate to see your stress level, genius.

Falling in Love

I had already been thinking about this post entry before I read this column by Vicki Iovine about her love for "Mommy Porn".

I originally was going to talk about the fact that men hate falling in love once you get past "that part" of your relationship. After reading this column, though, I think it may be larger than that.

My DH is a sweetheart, but not romantic. Oh, he was at one time. I tell him that I was "sold a bill of goods", because the man I met is not the same man I married. Therefore, I retreat to places where men were men, women are strong and beautiful, and they have fantastic sex (or, as in the case of the Twilight saga, they allude to it).

It seems that more women experience this than would care to admit. Which is why the romance market is oh-so lucrative. It's "Mommy Porn".

Again, using Twilight as an example (since it's the most recent series that I've read). The story is not airtight, the writing style is a bit lacking in spots, the hero(es) are a bit over the top in their devotion.

However, I think the reason that women - especially moms - fall in love with it is because they feel like they are falling in love right along with Bella. It was really genius to write it from her point of view. Women can relate to this. I think moms appreciate it, not just because it takes them back to a time before kids and responsibilities, but it takes them back to a time when it was all about them. The "wooing" part of the relationship. "That part".

Another appealing aspect of romance novels (and, keep in mind we are talking real stories here - not dime-store-Harlequin crap) is the man is everything to the female. Protector. Lover. Plays with the kids and then fights the bad guy. Totally unrealistic, sure, in the sum of its parts - but desirable all the same. Those DDDD breasts in "Daddy Porn" aren't exactly real, either. Same principle.

The part that really sucks - and separates the two "porns" - is the fact that, while men may want women to be the same as what they see on-screen, they generally accept that they are not. Women, on the other hand, take these stories to heart and measure their real mates up to these standards. They aren't going to measure up, not in the least. The disappointment is crushing. Which leads you back to your proverbial heroin of choice.

So, you read more and compare more and hurt more and read more and...well, you get the idea.

Ms. Iovine puts in much more succinctly than I, so I recommend her column.

Men & Morning Chores

OK. What is it about men & chores anyway? What about their makeup makes them think that it's somebody else's job (namely, mine)?

Don't get me wrong -- my DH is great. He gets up with the kids on the weekend and let's me sleep. However, after he feeds them and himself (not always in that order), he goes off to play his video game. Well, he's still in the same room with them, with Noggin on the telly, but he's checked out.

Nevermind the dishwasher full of clean dishes that don't put away themselves. The countertops covered in sugar and god knows what else. No, that is waiting for me, along with my son's poopy diaper, which for some reason, he cannot smell. All before my coffee. Lucky me.

I'm not pregnant, but I swear that I suffer from Morning Sickness. {Gag!}

I tell him, "Work before play, junior! Dishes don't put away themselves!" This, as usual, falls on semi-deaf ears. I say "semi-deaf" because he responds, "Honey, I was gonna do it..."

Uh-huh.

However, that brings up another question - what is it about my genetic makeup that forces me to do all this crap first thing? It's like, I can't relax and have my all-important cup o' joe until all this crap is cleaned up, put away, and taken care of. I can barely function yet I am awake enough to know this.

Someone should just invent a dishwasher that empties its damn self and then I wouldn't have this problem. :)

Smile!

100_0147-2
Originally uploaded by miladyfair

Be still my heart.

Funny for the Day

Team Edward, Team Jacob....or Team Harry?

OK. So I recently finished Twilight. Not the series, just the first book.

Yeah, yeah - behind the times, I know. So sue me. I'm not a 15-year-old girl anymore, y'know (although, the book made me feel that way - and I almost missed it. Almost.).

Anyway, loved it (duh). However, as I sat, perusing Twilight themed Flair for my Facebook page, I discovered something. Apparently, you have to pick a side.

I knew about Team Edward vs. Team Jacob (I am pop-culturally aware). So far, I am on Team Edward (OMG! So seeing what Bella sees in him.). However, Jacob has potential (have you seen Taylor Lautner? Is it wrong to lust a bit after jailbait? Just asking.)

No. What I mean is, you apparently can't like both Harry Potter and Twilight.

Now, in the interest in full disclosure, I haven't read all the Potter's either. Not that I haven't wanted to. I did buy the first book in the series and read it, then watched the movie.

However, I have tried to watch the next installment's movie on ABCFamily when it's on. Ugh. It's the "edited for television" version, and it's like 5 hours, with all the commercials. I don't have that kind of time - or attention span. I hate 2 hour movies. Plus, with the LOs, I figure it's best that I don't watch it when they are around, and....honestly, when are they not around?

I do like the series, though. I have read articles and am fairly aware of the basic plotlines. I also read the end of the last book in Meijer when it first came out (naughty, I know).

I guess, though, I have to pick a team to be on - Team Twilight or Team Harry.

If my library ever gets me a copy of New Moon before I am too old to read it (#57 on the wait list - yippee!)....I'll let you know.