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LOTR spam time
Dec. 14th, 2009 | 12:49 pm
posted by: rebeccama
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The Glamorous One vs. The Man/Woman next door
Dec. 11th, 2009 | 12:38 pm
posted by: rebeccama
There are many archtypes, but in relationship discussions it is interesting how one of the most controversial and an personality attribute that often generates the most hatred is the "boy or girl next door" vs. "the glamorous one".
Some of the most intent hatred of pairings I hear comes from people who think that a character has been paired with someone "less than they deserve" because the partner is, well, sort of ordinary. This is particularly true in cases where fans strongly personally identify with a character. The "girl like I was" should be with the movie star rather than the programmer. The "man who reminds me of my best friend" should be with the stunning model type rather than the semi-attractive woman (1).
Many people have their fantasies especially when they are younger. I grew up surrounded by people who were good students and many felt they could be anyone they wanted to be. Then reality set in. The universities raise tuition which limits the universities one can attend or means one has a load of debt upon graduating. A health problem ends up affecting someone's ability to work. A marriage doesn't work out. And drat, but Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Gale Harold, John Barrowman, Viggo Mortensen, Kate McGrath, Ewan McGregor, Angelina Jolie, or the glamorous man of our choice hasn't asked us out (2).
The reality is most of us will just try to stay ahead of the bills instead of jetting off to long vacations where we can be pampered. The majority of us will have a partner (if he end up having a partner) who is a programmer or works as a store clerk rather than a professional star athlete or famous actor. The reality is most of us will end up with the semi-cute partner rather than the stunning beautiful one.
Luckily, sometimes the man or woman next door is actually a pretty good catch (and sometimes the 'glamorous one' is less of a catch than they appear on the surface). Your favorite character is not necessary being "picked on" and "may as well die" because their partner actually resembles the human beings we all know and love. All of them have been vilified for being too ordinary, but if one is attracted to men one could do worse than Tim Canterbury, Jim Halpert, Ben Bruckner, Jack Twist, Ianto Jones, Vir Cotto, Ron Weasley...
(1) Yes, I intentionally chose looks for the female example and profession for the male one as that is often how women and men are respectively judged.
(2) Yes, I intentionally included an openly gay actor in that list.
Some of the most intent hatred of pairings I hear comes from people who think that a character has been paired with someone "less than they deserve" because the partner is, well, sort of ordinary. This is particularly true in cases where fans strongly personally identify with a character. The "girl like I was" should be with the movie star rather than the programmer. The "man who reminds me of my best friend" should be with the stunning model type rather than the semi-attractive woman (1).
Many people have their fantasies especially when they are younger. I grew up surrounded by people who were good students and many felt they could be anyone they wanted to be. Then reality set in. The universities raise tuition which limits the universities one can attend or means one has a load of debt upon graduating. A health problem ends up affecting someone's ability to work. A marriage doesn't work out. And drat, but Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Gale Harold, John Barrowman, Viggo Mortensen, Kate McGrath, Ewan McGregor, Angelina Jolie, or the glamorous man of our choice hasn't asked us out (2).
The reality is most of us will just try to stay ahead of the bills instead of jetting off to long vacations where we can be pampered. The majority of us will have a partner (if he end up having a partner) who is a programmer or works as a store clerk rather than a professional star athlete or famous actor. The reality is most of us will end up with the semi-cute partner rather than the stunning beautiful one.
Luckily, sometimes the man or woman next door is actually a pretty good catch (and sometimes the 'glamorous one' is less of a catch than they appear on the surface). Your favorite character is not necessary being "picked on" and "may as well die" because their partner actually resembles the human beings we all know and love. All of them have been vilified for being too ordinary, but if one is attracted to men one could do worse than Tim Canterbury, Jim Halpert, Ben Bruckner, Jack Twist, Ianto Jones, Vir Cotto, Ron Weasley...
(1) Yes, I intentionally chose looks for the female example and profession for the male one as that is often how women and men are respectively judged.
(2) Yes, I intentionally included an openly gay actor in that list.
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Too hot, too cold or just right?
Dec. 9th, 2009 | 09:30 pm
posted by: rebeccama
Poll #1496983
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 25
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 25
How has the weather been where you live?
3 (12.0%)