I’ve sorely neglected blogging for the last few weeks. Sadly this intermittent checking in may have to continue for some time. I’m adjusting to a new schedule that means I’m out of town at least two days a week, and I still haven’t quite figured out all the rearranging that needs to happen so I can be here regularly. It will happen, but maybe not until July.

In the mean time, I thought I would offer up a snippet from my dissertation so you can see what it is that takes up so much of my non-fiction-writing time. This isn’t an argument snippet (meaning there isn’t anything by way of academic-speak in it), it’s more by way of an introductory passage. I’ve been experimenting with different ways to introduce the fairy tales I’m discussing in each chapter, and this is from one of the Cinderella-focused drafts that I particularly liked. Hope you enjoy!

Let me tell you a story.

Once upon a time, there was a virgin / teenager / whore who fell on hard times. In some versions she is raped by her father and forced to flee her home. In others her father is dead, or simply absent or uncaring. All agree she had no male protector, and was forced to labor for others’ gain, though never for her own.

Still, she didn’t mind so much. She made friends with others in dire straights — mice / servants / streetwalkers. She was known for her kindness as well as her beauty. A godmother / ghost / artist / concierge decided to help her better her circumstances.

Through the grace of this benefactor, the girl met a prince / millionaire / man. They were parted soon after, but by that time the frat boy / duke’s son / lord was in love. They rarely mention how she felt about him. It is generally assumed that she was pleased, though there are reports she ran away.

This prince / millionaire / high school jock chased after her. Many report the presence of a shoe; others a red dress, or three dresses — all silver and gold and magnificent. Some article of clothing seems to have been key. Sometimes her oppressors bleed for her happiness. Sometimes a stepsister loses a toe or heel; a stepmother loses an eye; a lawyer loses his job. The point, though, is the girl weds the boy, gains status, gains self-esteem. The point is that all the other ways the story could end are not the way the story does end.

They live happily ever after.

At least that’s how I heard it.

The glory of K. Beaton’s history-themed comics compels you: Learn More Stuff.

Hark a Vagrant, comics by K. Beaton

I love TED Talks like Whoa and Damn. If I could beg, borrow or steal an invite to that conference I would.

First up, Mary Roach lectures on “10 things you didn’t know about orgasm.” Among the entertaining facts she reveals are the mechanics of pig insemination and the process for testing “up-suck” theory. I loved Stiff, Roach’s earlier book on human cadavers. The current lecture comes from her latest release, Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex. I’ve bought it, but haven’t read it yet. After this preview, I’m sure you’ll understand why it just moved to the top of my TBR pile.

Continue reading Saturday Matinee: TED talks

Hi y’all,
Just wanted to let you know that this will be a light blogging week. I haven’t furthered my Project-Fill-In-The-Gaps quest this past week, so no update there, and I’m working on new chapters in both diss and book that are requiring extra energy, so no web-surfing or spotlights at the moment. I’ll be back to semi-normal this weekend. See you then!

Books, Writing, Blogging

Agent Nathan Bransford critiques the consequences of making “Writer” an identity. I thought this was particularly interesting because I tend to identify as a writer myself. Of course I also have a critique of identity politics that could fill several books, so I don’t take my “identities” (and there are many) that seriously. His point is valid.

Neil Gaiman takes a moment to tell a reader that “George R.R. Martin is not your bitch.” Some people, you follow them on their blog or twitter or whatever and find you don’t like them all that much; not so with Neil G. The more I read of him, the more I love this man with a fiery burning passion.

Jane at Dear Author responds to the launch of AmazonEncore. Amazon and Google give me very scary Evil Corp vibes. I like some of what they do (like bringing the author in as publishing partner via Encore), but the WAY they do it… scary.

Film, TV, Pop Culture

Peggy at Biology in Science Fiction highlights some extra cool Star Trek-related science.

Heroine Content posts a review of the new Star Trek film. Racialicious does too, along with more classic Trek commentary here. Finally, author N K Jemisin muses on Spock’s biraciality.

Ariel reviews Caprica over at Feminist SF. She pretty much nails my reaction too.

Popular Mechanics digs into the science behind Dollhouse. Pretty interesting.

Again from Racialicious, a pre-release critique of Disney’s The Princess and the Frog that details many of my own concerns about the film, particularly the addition of the princess-as-frog plotline. ARGH.

Of interest to feminists

Racialicious (yeah, they were ON this past week) comments on The Maddening Case of Anthony Harris.

Jay Smooth shares some wisdom on Asher Roth and the Racial Crossroads while forcing me to love him even more.

Project Fill In the Gaps: Read 100 “important” books in 5 years. Sound smart at snooty parties.

No progress this week, as I’m on Dissertation Deadline and all non-research reading is suspended until at least Tuesday. Next week (hopefully), I’ll be back on track reading Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.

I feel like there should be an evil laugh here just ’cause, you know, Frankenstein.

MUAHAHAHAHA!!!

I’ve quite unexpectedly become a huge fan of the show Saving Grace, which just recently finished its second season. I love Holly Hunter, so I gave the pilot a chance when it premiered. Unfortunately I was quickly turned off by the premise, despite wonderful performances from the cast.

THE PREMISE (some mild SPOILERS about the pilot): Grace Hanadarko is a hard-drinking, hard-sexing homicide detective in Oklahoma City. She’s reckless and often careless with people’s feelings, but very good at her job and devoted to the people she cares about, even though she keeps them at a distance. One night she’s driving home drunk and hits a man who’s walking down the middle of the road. In a moment of utter desperation she says “god help me.” Enter Earl, tobacco-chewing Last-Chance Angel, who has set up the whole incident as a wake-up call for Grace. When she accepts his help, the body disappears. However, having accepted help from Earl once, she’s now stuck with him. And he’s going to stick around and save her from herself, whether she wants him to or not, because god has “plans” for her.

By the way, Earl’s only other “client” that we get to meet — at least in the pilot — is a murderer.
Continue reading TV Spotlight: Saving Grace