Miley Fails at Parenting

Reading: Pretties Scott Westerfield

I woke up this morning to my favorite AM radio show, Scott Fox and the Z103.5 Morning Show. Between the traffic reports and usuall banter there is discussion of last nights Much Music Video Awards hosted by Miley Cyrus. Surprise, surprise: fresh scandal. It seems Miss Cyrus once again has scandalised concerned parents and self-righteous bloggers everywhere with her skin-baring costumes. Apparently as a role model, these outfits are far too risque to be viewed by the impressionable minds of our young children. One article seemed offended that Cyrus had "been turning her back on her clean-cut past" since leaving the show that made her famous and even go on to point out that, "as a role-model to teenagers and with many young fans in the audience ... perhapse [her] outfits were a tad unsuitable for the family show" (The Daily Mail). Does no one remember Lady Gaga last year? Let me refresh you:

Oh yes. This is so much worse

I actually think the one above is fabulous. It looks so cool. It's a costume, she's not wearing it out. In fact, this is what she wore to rehersals earlier that day



Apart from Lady Gaga, I don't think anyone really carries their stage persona into their daily life. Beyonce even gave her's a separate name. As for all those outraged parents and young children supposedly in the audience, why are they there? It's the MMVA's not a Jonas Brother's concert. Maybe these people should raise their children themselves instead of counting on a 17 year-old to do it for them.

♥ G

Death and Rebirth

Location: My Desk
Mood: Productive
Reading: Wuthering Heights

I've finally dug my desk out from under the mountain of laundry, books and miscellaneous papers covering it and am catching up on all my backed-up web stuff. Somehow I just don't feel as motiviated when I'm using my computer from the livingroom or my bed.


Since I lasted posted I have had my birthday, been to Space Camp and finished a couple books. Among other things (A hand-painted cocktail glass, gorgeous paper flowers and the softest green hoodie ever) I recieved a copy of Wuthering Heights from a family friend for my 21st. Apparently fashion illustrator Ruben Tuledo and Penguin Books have joined forces to re-release 3 classics (Emily Bonte's Wuthering Heights, Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, and Jane Austen's Pride and Pejudice) with new covers. I had to admit upon opening the gift that I was immediatly interested. The other two look pretty great as well. Though it took me a bit or mental-yoga to wrap my mind around the language and way of speaking, I find myself enjoying it. It hasn't 'sucked me in' as all my favorites have, but I'm not tempted to just put it down in favor of one of the other's on my list of things to read.

Prior to opening it, all i knew of Wuthering Heights was that it was a classic, somewhat tragic and "That times Twilight", which I am assuming refers more to the popularity and cultural impact than the writing itself. Oh and that Kate Bush song (of which I prefer the Pat Benetar version).

I've become fairly dependant on my local library's online audiobook service which allows one to download up to four audiobooks per library card straight to your computer for a limited time. This alows me to cram even more litereary fun into my life via my iPod and computer, though I have created a bit of a rule for myself that I cannot download any fiction that I haven't yet read. When Smart Mouths (awesome podcast from the 'Andrew Sims' franchise which includes Mugglecast and Imprint) anounced that they would be interviewing author John Green on their next Smart Mouths Book Club episode when they reviewed Will Grayson, Will Grayson I immediatly downloaded Looking for Alaska (they didn't have Will Grayson, Will Grayson and besides, I haven't read it yet). I cannot express enough how amazing this book is. No it is not a survival tale about a quest through the wildreness. Alaska in fact refers to Alaska Young a freespirited, though troubled Junior at Cullver Creek boarding school in Alabama. The book cleverly explores the way we look at death and what happens after. Despite the potentially depressing subject matter Looking for Alaska manages to stay engaging and entertaining with characters and incidents we can all relate to on some level. Read It.

♥ G

A Conscious Web?

Location: The Living Room

Mood: Sleepy
Reading: Wake, Robert J. Sawyer

What would happen if the Internet gained consciousness? It's not outside the realm of possibility. Essentially it is a big brain really, constantly being fed new information. What is to truly prevent that spark from occurring? This is exactly what occurs in Wake, the first in Canadian science-fiction genius Robert J. Sawyer's latest series. It is told through several different viewpoints, all intricately woven into a seamless and enthralling story, as Sawyers work always is. Caitlin is blind, at least until a Japanese scientist offers to 'cure her' using an implant. The technology gives Caitlin sight, but not in the way you would assume. She still cannot see the world around her, but she is able to see the Internet. Not the websites and codes that we view daily, but the actual network of websites and links and data. It is while exploring 'Websight' that Caitlin discovers a something out there.

It truly is a fascinating book. Caitlin often references Helen Keller's experiences throughout. Keller described her life prior to the breakthrough by her teacher Annie, as being rather wild. No real conscious thought, just impulses. Then Annie broke succeeded in bringing forth what Keller calls her 'Soul Dawn'. What is to stop something similar from occurring with the web?

I'm afraid I'm not explaining it very well, but trust me, it is well worth a read. If you like Sawyer's stuff be sure to check out Calculating God, and Flash Froward, which has been adapted into a fairly successful television show. And, if your a sci-fi fan, you'll like his lecture "A Galaxy Far, Far Away My Ass" which can be found on YouTube.

♥ G

Hey everyone. This is a test post to check the new stuff I just did. I've been messing with the HTML of my template and I'm not sure if it worked. I need to fill this post with actual cohesive text as opposed the gibberish of my last test post in order to determine if it is actually being cut off by my sidebar or not. OK, here goes.