I write this as my baby snores beside me. I don’t know how long his nap will last. Every time today that I’ve tried to do something else while he’s napping, he’s woken up within minutes. Sometimes he wakes within seconds. I’m in a curious state of very cute, very attention-consuming limbo.
Since I didn’t prep a post earlier in the week, I’m left with offering you another picture of Alex. I hope you enjoy it. With some luck, perhaps I’ll have something more substantial for you next week.
I’m still recovering but I have videos for you from Schnee, a YouTuber whose analysis of stories I really appreciate. The first is an intriguing exploration of feminine rejections and explorations of femininity (GREMLIN MODE), and the second of these videos (How to Write MASCULINE SHAME…) feels deeply connected to my posts on masculinity and gender (Are Boys The Problem? and Making Monsters).
I hope you enjoy engaging with these videos as much as I did.
Actually, Alex might be the only one of us who isn’t sick right now. Ley and Gibby have both tested positive for COVID. I tested negative but have all the symptoms, including losing my sense of smell. That loss has hit me harder than I anticipated.
I don’t have anything big for you this week. I hope to have something for you next week. We shall see.
I’ve finished Netflix’s season 1 (28 episodes) of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. I finished it a while ago, actually, but for baby-related reasons I haven’t had the brains to finish this post. Better late than never, right?
Melancholy, meditative, meandering… Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has won a spot in my heart. It is a fantasy adventure that cares more about the everyday personhood of its heroes than about epic plots or dramatic achievements. It made me cry, and laugh, and I love how it manages to be bittersweet and yet feel like one of the most forward-looking and optimistic shows I’ve watched in a while.
Continue readingYou’re a monster. If you’re a good monster, you’ll be able to resist your terrible urges for a long time. We like good monsters! You should be one. But eventually you’ll do something unspeakable and hurt those around you, those you love. Because you’re a monster. We all knew it would happen sooner or later. We were just waiting, dreading the day when you’d reveal how awful you truly are.
But there are other monsters out there who tell you that you aren’t a monster. None of you are. Just like them, you aren’t evil. Maybe you could use a better attitude, some self-improvement. Your new friends have lots of advice about that. But those others who tell you that you’re a monster? Lies. Jealousy. Those lies are sick mind games meant to control you, to trap you, told by liars trying to profit while you suffer.
You don’t have to listen to those lies. You just need to be stronger. You need to be harder, and faster, and better. You need to understand that those people who say you’re a monster, their opinions don’t really matter. They don’t really matter. You can do better without them. If you really want people like that in your life, make sure that you’re the one in control—not them.
After all, you’re the man.
Or maybe you have some other privileged identity, and the people telling you that you aren’t a monster are spinning a slightly different story. That’s not the important part. What really matters is that there are people who tell you that you should feel bad, and others who tell you not to worry about it. Which ones feel better to listen to? Which ones give you hope?
In case you couldn’t guess, this is a follow-up to Are Boys The Problem?
Continue reading
I recall seeing some negative reviews of Strange New Worlds’ third season, reviews complaining about tonal whiplash. I think those reviewers didn’t understand the premise of episodic television.
I admit, the first two episodes of season three were VERY different from each other in tone. The first episode was the conclusion to a two-part episode cliffhanger that has had me on tenterhooks for over a year. The second episode was more like SNW getting back into the swing of things.
I was even glad that I watched the episodes a week apart instead of back to back (as they were released). But I’m not going to insist that a show I love for being episodic only release tonally similar episodes when they air two on the same day. Instead, I am glad to be gifted with more Star Trek to enjoy. I could use more hopeful sci-fi these days.
Dear reader, I am so close to having another, more in-depth post ready for you. But I’m prioritizing spending time with family and taking care of the baby, so here’s another picture of Alex sitting on the bed. She’s a good kitty.
I’ve made more progress today on a follow up to Are Boys The Problem?, but Alex in that picture above looks how I feel. Fortunately I have family visiting who are helping to take care of baby Gibby. Maybe with their support I’ll be able to post something longer next week.
This one woke me up early by yelling at me. She only quieted down when I stayed awake enough to hold her. She’s just doing her part, being a good example for the baby.
Maybe I’ll have more brain next week.
Here’s an oldie but a goodie. It turns out I do not have the brain (nor the time) to continue last week’s thoughts today. I will come back to that when I’m next able. Until then, I hope you like pictures of Alex the Cat. She’s a very good cat.
Fistful of Wits 