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October 2nd, 2012
09:43 am - Books, Vending, and ADF's Upcoming Election
Recently, I began reading Fifty Shades of Grey. There is a reason for this, and it's got little enough to do with the content. Specifically, I rose to the challenge that  skylark913 offered, when she said, if I would review it, she'd print the review for me. And of course, I said, "Get me the book, and you'll get a review." She has gotten me the book. So, here we are, on Chapter 6.
Thus far, I have learned:- Women are empty, vapid vessels that need to be defined by their relationships with men.
- Women need men to awaken their sexual desires, as they are not capable of being sexual beings until men enter the picture.
- A fifth-grade reading level can land you at the #1 spot on the NYT Bestseller list.
It's amazing drivel, really. Most young adult books are more readable and better put together than this supposedly "adult" book. And by the way: through Chapter 5, no sex at all. Nothing hot or steamy, even. How did this ever get a reputation for being "housewife porn?" Perhaps it is not mean to be read linearly?
But, what I really want to do is finish this damn book so I can move onto something I really want to sink my teeth into: garan_du's Bull of Heaven. It was embarrassing (though amusing) to see him last weekend and explain that I had to get through 50 Shades first because of that very inconvenient promise.
The last two weeks have been a bit hectic, with two festivals where The Magical Druid had a vending presence. This weekend brings the ADF Clergy Retreat, and then the Universal Light Expo.
I'm really looking forward to the Universal Light Expo: we're sharing booth space with Psyche (of Fly-By-Night Bookstore), and we're hoping that the weekend does well for us. We obviously think that we have some unique product that no one else carries (because, you know, we make it ourselves and all). . . of course, that means that we need to create product because we keep selling it, and we're now in a frantic rush to get stuff made (it's fun, really, and a great problem to have).
We're in booth 506 in the North (main) hall, and there's a coupon available for a dollar off admission. I'd love it if a few folks came by to say hello!
I have been chatting with some folks about next year's ADF elections. I'm interested to see how they go. It's time to start thinking about them and who the right people are for the jobs that are coming up. I'm excited for some change to current patterns. I'd love to see some new faces tackling leadership roles again.
Current Location: Southeast of Disorder
Current Mood:  cheerful
Current Music: "Great Heart", -JB
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I've been seriously considering running for MA since Missy won't be eligible.
I think my caring approach to people mixed with my unwillingness to accept people's bullshit will work well for the job.
Not sure if I'm well known enough to be elected or if people have a better candidate in mind. But there it is. :) I'd love to see your run for MA! I've been thinking about who might run for that office! I think you would be a great candidate! ![[User Picture]](https://l-userpic.livejournal.com/114241275/10849) | | From: | sariah |
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| Date: | October 3rd, 2012 04:18 pm (UTC) |
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I would absolutely vote for you. I think you'd be great at it. No real schedule, but I believe this year the Archdruid, Secretary, two Non-Officer Directors, and Members' Advocate are all up for election, along with a few Regional Druids. So, about half the MG is up for election.
Thanks for the warning. But honestly, if those scenes are similar in style to what I've already read? I don't think I'll be surprised by the content. Mostly, I'll just wonder, "Wait, why is she calling it that? And didn't she just write that word six times in the previous paragraph? And why does this require so much suspension of disbelief?" | From: | (Anonymous) |
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| Date: | October 2nd, 2012 02:27 pm (UTC) |
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| | I'll be working a friends booth, so I will run into you guys! | (Link) |
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And yup, your assesment of FSG is spot on. You are stronger than I, as I could not even get to chapter 3 before I had to set it aside. ![[User Picture]](https://l-userpic.livejournal.com/58403119/1143777) | | From: | chronarchy |
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| Date: | October 2nd, 2012 03:38 pm (UTC) |
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| | Re: I'll be working a friends booth, so I will run into you guys! | (Link) |
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Ha, well, Chapter 3 is a noble attempt :) ![[User Picture]](https://l-userpic.livejournal.com/69486992/14506455) | | | Commentary on blog - vending | (Link) |
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I have been to those New Age expos as a vendor of Animal Totem stuff and pet readings. People come to spend a lot of money on things. I don't know if your stuff will go over or not since it lacks "woo" factor. Unless you market it differently. That is what I did with my animal stuff - made it general and "woo". If you do divination, now - that will bring in a land-office business since a lot of channelers and Tarot readers go to those expos. If you do the Crane system, that will go over really big, since it is so different. I earned more on my pet readings as a rule. (Yes, I talk to animals, and they talk back and tell me stuff. Still do that.)
Sorry if it came through twice. | | From: | chronarchy |
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| Date: | October 2nd, 2012 03:38 pm (UTC) |
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| | Re: Commentary on blog - vending | (Link) |
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We're improving the "woo" factor. We're doing more generic pagan/spiritual pieces, more animal totem pieces, and more different cultures as well. We'll also, I believe, have a reader in the booth :)
We will see, and I appreciate the advice. We're still working on display pieces to catch the eye and interest a broader number of people, trying to be less "druid" and more "spiritual" for this. | | From: | chronarchy |
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| Date: | October 2nd, 2012 05:54 pm (UTC) |
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| | Re: Commentary on blog - vending | (Link) |
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Here's one of the goddess pieces we created last night:  | | | Re: Commentary on blog - vending | (Link) |
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Looks good and woo. Love your creativity! ![[User Picture]](https://l-userpic.livejournal.com/7448451/1366673) | | From: | anivair |
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| Date: | October 2nd, 2012 04:31 pm (UTC) |
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To be fair, 50 shades didn't invent any of those concepts. Women are weak and sexless vessels without men in most romance novels, sadly. Quite true, of course. It's just so clear at this point in the novel that the main character is nothing, an empty shell of a human, until someone external ignites humanity within her.
And even then, she's more like a cardboard cut-out than a human, really. Considering Ana is actually Bella Swan it's not surprising at all. After all Fifty Shades is Twilight Fanfic. You guys should read the porn I wrote, then. The women are almost always in charge. ;) Into a microphone. For Tribeways. It's amazing drivel, really. Most young adult books are more readable and better put together than this supposedly "adult" book. And by the way: through Chapter 5, no sex at all. Nothing hot or steamy, even. How did this ever get a reputation for being "housewife porn?" Perhaps it is not mean to be read linearly?
Obviously you have never been into the quagmire that is AdultFanfiction.net or LitErotica.com. There are things you cannot unread.... Gawds, someone else who read those sites! yep about unreading..... Not the former, but the latter, yes. I find 50 Shades to be of a lower average quality. I get to see you briefly at the retreat when I drop Sean off, right?
I could use a Michael hug. <3 I will be there on Friday night. :) And by the way: through Chapter 5, no sex at all. That's the first good thing I've heard about the novel. That means the author takes time to develop plot and character, right? Right?
I have no interest in that trilogy whatsoever. That means the author takes time to develop plot and character, right?
If empty vessels are characters and words on a page are a plot, then perhaps! ![[User Picture]](https://l-userpic.livejournal.com/81530616/859430) | | From: | qorinda |
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| Date: | October 9th, 2012 02:48 am (UTC) |
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I call 50 Shades of Gray, "porn for women." It has all the right trappings - sex with hearts and flowers, a rich dream guy who needs taking care of because he is wounded from his childhood, and some interesting twists thrown in.... It was good porn. It's not something I indulge in very often, but I did enjoy it. Does it rate as literature? Hahahahahahaha!!!! Does Playboy? PS, athenamsb, I am sure it is very GOOD women's porn you write.... Even men would enjoy it ;) Edited at 2012-10-09 02:50 am (UTC) |
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