Hey kids!
I have a confession to make.
But first –
WHAT THE CRAP IS THIS:
Argh!
Foot-less tights!? WHY?
I mean, it’s totally my fault that I purchased them without realizing that they are, in fact, footless.
But at the same time, I just assumed that anytime I bought something marketing themselves as “tights” that they would, you know, cover my feet.
HENCE THEM BEING TIGHTS.
And why in the ever-loving heck would I buy fleece-lined tights, if not for the sweet, sweet heat they would bring to my frozen tootsies throughout the long, and frigid Canadian winters?
Certainly not for the slimming factor!
These things bring a bulk to my calves previously known only to competitive stair runners and long-distance cyclists.
But I digress.
I will suffer through this fashion injustice.
If only for potential blog hits.
NEXT!
Back to the original purpose of this entry – my confession.
This past Saturday, Marc and I woke up late and decided to go see Ender’s Game. It is one of his favourite books of all time, and for many moons I have been extolling the virtues of Mr. Scott Card’s literary genius to all those who asked if I too had read the book.
Only, I had, you know, never actually cracked it open.
I AM A GIANT FRAUD!
I’m not exactly sure why I pretended that I had in fact read the book. I think a lot of it has to do with protecting my nerd cred – I have read and loved so much science fiction, that I figured by admitting that I had omitted such an important novel, people might take me less seriously.
(Even though the more I think about it, people would probably be more likely to forgive this literary transgression, than you know, LYING TO THEIR FACES LIKE A BALD-FACED SCOUNDRAL.)
Even Marc had assumed that I had read it – and was shocked to hear on our exit from the theatre that I had no knowledge of the written words in which to compare the film.
(SPOILER: I thought that movie was pretty grim, and Marc just downright hated it.)
In preparation of watching the film, I read a really fabulous article on Grantland this past Friday by Rany Jazayerli.
It looks at the controversy that’s surrounded Card and his career for the past decade – his rabid homophobia, and xenophobia to be precise – and how these views stand in such sharp contrast to the messages of love and tolerance that permeate so much of his writing (and in particular Endger’s Game and its sequels.)
It made me think of how it is we are able to separate an artist from their art – and who we are willing to make exceptions for, and why?
For instance, I have never understood Hollywood’s enduring love affair with Roman Polanski. To me, the man is nothing more than a rapist who refused to face the consequences of his actions, and I couldn’t give two cares about his movies or his talent for storytelling.
I also don’t care if John Galliano ever designs another dress, and I certainly don’t care if [insert name of professional athlete convicted of doping/sexual assault/animal abuse] ever plays another game for the rest of their lives.
And yet, despite this hard-held views, I will always, always give the latest Woody Allen film a try.
I definitely don’t feel good about this choice, but it’s something that I do, and that I accept.
My love for Annie Hall is just so strong that it propels me to seek out what this man – this quirky, strange, totally perverse man – might next deliver to the big screen.
It’s an off-putting balancing act: while I definitely do not support his life-choices (in fact, I find them downright disturbing), I do really like many of his films.
And I like that I am at least conscious enough to identify this push-pull binary that lives inside of me, despite the fact that it’s an on-going struggle to figure out where this leaves me standing – especially if we’re talking moral, and not literal ground.
But alas, such is life. I’ll just have to keep working on it.
And in the meantime, I’m going to crack open Ender’s Game and finally see what all the fuss is about.
Because if I know one thing that’s going to help both my morality and nerd cred, it will be to finally stop lying about having read the book, and to just read it.
Finally.
Rant and Roll 
I was thinking about Woody Allen as I read this article. And then you started writing about him, so then I was thinking of him and reading about him at the same time.
Since recently reading a Mia Farrow profile in Vanity Fair, I have wondered the same thing about Woody Allen. Can I actively enjoy the art of a (potentially) terrible person? I dunno!
I read that profile…it totally weirded me out. Just the worst, hence why I feel so conflicted about enjoying his films!
*POINTS* Guilty!!!! :P
THE GUILTIEST!!!
LOL XD
I really liked this post. It was refreshing, candid, honest. And of course, it wouldn’t be one of your posts if it didn’t have a bit of humor in it. I haven’t written much lately on my own blog, but your post motivated me to start back to a schedule of writing for my blog. (I’ve been working on other writing deadlines.) I’ll comment later when I get more time because I do think it’s a conundrum of separating an artist from his/her work.
But before I depart this brief comment, I must say that hearing you’ve fallen in love with stand-up comedy is not a surprise to me. You weave humor into most of your posts. It’s what first caught my eye, why I followed your blog in the first place. I do have a question, though, before I log off: do drunk patrons of the clubs where you perform stand-up also paint your nails? ;-) (just teasing you, of course, but gorgeous color)
Lol!! OMG. They seriously are the worst, aren’t they? I will do something about them forthwith! Good grief…
And thank you! I had a great time writing this post and feel much better now that I have come clean with the world. Glad that I could also provide some food for thought…I look forward to reading the coming blog posts!
I feel the same way! I hate anything that mucks up my geek cred and one of the biggest secrets I keep is that of the Holy Trinity of Sci-fi, I’ve only read a little bit of Asimov, never read any Clarke (that I can recall and to date have never seen 2001) and only seen adaptations of Dick novels. It is pretty sad but at least I can back up my Fantasy cred…
I am so relieved to hear that I am not alone! (Also HI HOW ARE YOU?)
Asimov is one of my faves, and Clarke is good too. You should read them with the boy-prince as he gets older!! <3
You are so funny.
DACK.
Thanks. :)
First of all, I think they should dispense with calling anything “footless tights” and begin calling them what they really are: LEGGINGS!
Second of all, I don’t know what-all John Galliano has gotten himself up to. Now, after having read your post, I can see that I a) must investigate and b) give that Galliano couture dress to charity. (HA-HA, as if I have a couture dress! As if I give to charity!)
Third of all, I feel the same way about Woody Allen and Roman Polanski. Regarding Woody, the first step is admitting we have a problem, LOL! Regarding Roman, yeah, I just don’t get it either.
Fourth of all, I hope you enjoy Ender’s Game — you’ll have to fill me in so that I, too, can lie about having actually read it :)
Don’t throw out your Galiano! All purchases prior to whatever incident makes the person seem like a foot don’t count. Enjoy your couture!!
Yes, first step to solving the problem is admitting you have a problem! And stay tuned…this book in my project for the coming week. A synopsis shall follow forthwith!!
You really don’t think I have a Galiano in my closet, do you? The most high-priced items in my closet are from Ann Taylor Loft, LOL!
Looking forward to the synopsis!
I totally thought that you did!! You see lady, I take everything you say as law!
You are the only one. Perhaps you can have a word with Fangette?
Anytime!!
I have to agree what is the point of footless tights unless just maybe you have fleece boots! Happy Week:)
Happy week to you too! Footless tights are completely useless. I will write a strongly worded letter!
Hope you are smiling – happy hump day! xx
Lady, there’s so much meat in this post, I don’t know where to begin! :) Footless tights–as sensible as fingerless gloves. Whoever invented either of these had too much wine when he did. And notice I say he cause no sensible woman would have created something this silly. The one thing I love about Polanski are his female heroines. I should ammend that to, I love to hate. These pathetic child/women who play the victim, want all attention diverted to them, and assume the Winnie the Pooh mentality–it’s all about them. And lastly Woody Allen. One of the directors and actors I most love. LOVE. I have watched all of his films and have never been disappointed. Must be his wry, dry, oftentimes black humor. So different. So witty. I don’t care about his life choices since I don’t think they bear any weight on his creativity and ability to produce masterpieces. Have you seen, “To Rome with Love?” I loved it! :)
I really, really love this comment! Thank you for this. :)
And I know – what the what!? Why would anyone create such a thing?
I did like to Rome with Love, but I liked Midnight in Paris more. But like I said, nothing beats Annie Hall, although my close second is Manhattan Murder Mystery. Anything with Diane Keaton. I LOVE!
xx
hmmm…
Hmmmm indeed…
and, really, i like tights without feet. so far this season not quite brrr!cold enuff to break’em out …
I can recommend Winners as a great place to pick up a pair!
You JUST read Ender’s Game? Well… that’s hardly a sin. I had not read it until I was about 28, and I claim to be a sci-fi buff. And I didn’t learn the truth about his political and social stances until last year. Did you know he’s a virulent homophobe who fought to keep sodomy laws on the books and was the chairman of the National Organization for Marriage, an organization that fought to keep gay-marriage illegal? He also thinks Obama is recruiting urban youth to act as his private army, that Climate Change is bunk, and that evolution is junk science. Did you know any of this? I was quite appalled…
Gah, you have no idea. I was just crying my eyes out by the end of the book. What an amazing novel. Which, like I said, just BLOWS my mind when I read about what a crazy homophobe and xenophobe Card turned out to be. I think 9/11 did something wacko to his brain and he lost a large chunk of the man he used to be. It’s really quite sad!