The People's Art Form...plus
Anyone else love graphic novels? One reason I'm looking forward to coming home is because I just read an article in an old Utne Reader about them...and I have plans to spend several days curled up in Borders stealing knowledge. I hardly ever buy books, just go to the bookstore and read a few chapters, if it's something I can't find in the library. This may classify as a "lifehack," or it may just mean I'm cheap. Anyway, the combination of drawings and words somehow strikes me to the core. My favorite authors are Joe Sacco, Adrian Tomine, and Marjane Satrapi.
Other than that, I'm a little worried about coming home...it's going to be hard to readjust. There are lots of things here that seem to be inconvenient on the surface here...no refridgeration, no private car, no computer, etc, etc, etc...BUT, really, life here is way more relaxing and human than at home. Also, I've discovered I don't need ice cubes, and there's no need to check email every single day. Not to idealize ecuador, because I do get tired of buses and bucket baths, but the prospect of having to own a car and constantly being exposed to advertising, among other things, is stressful. However, I adjusted here, and I'm sure I'll readjust. I just have to figure out how to incorporate what I've learned here into a new american life.
Other than that, I'm a little worried about coming home...it's going to be hard to readjust. There are lots of things here that seem to be inconvenient on the surface here...no refridgeration, no private car, no computer, etc, etc, etc...BUT, really, life here is way more relaxing and human than at home. Also, I've discovered I don't need ice cubes, and there's no need to check email every single day. Not to idealize ecuador, because I do get tired of buses and bucket baths, but the prospect of having to own a car and constantly being exposed to advertising, among other things, is stressful. However, I adjusted here, and I'm sure I'll readjust. I just have to figure out how to incorporate what I've learned here into a new american life.
posted by Hannah at 7:33 AM
9 Comments:
I can imagine it will be difficult. I am the type of person who would probably sink into depression for a while over it. :) You will adjust quickly though, just because you have had to do so in the past. Although...you are right. Advertising and media in general is an oppressive force. I'm glad we have Asher now, because soon we'll be forced to keep our TV off most of the time since all that's on it is stuff he shouldn't see. For now we don't worry so much about it, but soon we will have blessed silence where the blah used to be.
You know, I don't feel like I'm inundated with a lot of advertising. I just don't watch TV. Most of it isn't very entertaining anyway, so I just use my TV to watch movies. If it turns out there is a show I want to watch, I just wait until a season of it shows up on DVD (not the most timely way to be entertained, but it seems to be the new thing to put a TV show on DVD now. Sometimes it is a season that just finished, and that way I don't have to get bored with reruns.) One thing I'll never understand about America: we love to replay something good to death until we've forgotten why we liked it in the first place. I have my TV connected to my computer so I can play DVDs and it works great. It's refreshing to watch something without the hype. And no commercials! But even if I lost my computer and TV tomorrow I wouldn't feel deep loss for those things.
My suggestion is to use what you've learned about the simple things in life and how they are the most entertaining. You don't need stuff to lead a fulfilling life. It's possible to live that way in uber-capitalist America too.
Shoot! I like TV shows better in syndication! Then I can keep one eye on Friends or That 70s Show while I make dinner, then have the evening to do other things, rather than planning my life around primetime.
I sometimes wish I could just chuck the TV and go back to the way I used to live (though I noticed that I developed a mad addiction to radio then), but that'll never happen. We get TV shows from NetFlix and watch them over dinner. I haven't yet found a better way to decompress from the day but still spend some time with Tim. Some days work has me so drained/frazzled/stressed, I need to just zone out and not do anything that requires meaningful conversation or interaction for an hour or so.
I like graphic novels a lot. I can't wait to get back to Chicago to raid uncle Hilary's collection. I think I have a Drawn and Quarterly from Adrien Tomine that I can pass along to you, Hannah. Or is it Optic Nerve?
I am also addicted to celebrity gossip mags. Everyone used to make fun of me, but don't they all head for the mail table when they come over to see what's in the latest US Weekly? I don't care. It's fun and brainless.
never been a big fan of gossip mags. don't get me wrong, I'm curious as anyone else, but the guys who work for those magazines are total leeches. I'd rather read an official interview than a bunch of conjecture followed by an invasively taken photo. I'm not surprised at all with the big Britney Spears thing, driving off without strapping the kid in (she should have done it anyways) with a bunch of vultures swarming around her. Sucking on her fame like her baby suckling on that nice, round..........what are we talking about again?
I cant remember the last time i read a gossip magazine. The last magazine was a hair magazine. Which are actually interesting. I have to be careful though or they tend to get shredded or torn courtesy of ian.
The paparazzi don't follow you if you aren't acting stupid. Think about it, do you ever see sensational news about people doing normal, nice things? Nope, its the STUPID celebrities acting stupid. Sarah Jessica Parker gets coffee on weekly grocery trip with husband, not near as exciting as Britney Spears and trashy husband acting like a pimp and her ho. And yes, I did mean her ho.
Hannah, speaking of American things you'll have to get used to....... People giving a shit about stupid celebrities. It's the American Way! Welcome back into the fold!
Have a Pepsi, a Happy Meal and a Hummer to get around in!
Hannah, you should chat with Topher at some point about graphic novels -- he reads them when he can and has introduced me to several. (He, too, btw, shares your love of sitting in bookstores and reading books sections at at time when we go for coffee and such! He's read tons of books that way!) *And when you come back to the states, blast that song "I'm Afraid of Americans" by David Bowie and Trent Reznor. I heard that song today and thought of this thread on the blog....
And my guilty pleasure is fashion mags -- the glossier the bigger the better. In Style, Allure -- I love to pour over the clothes people wear... I think this goes way back even to when I was 12 or 13 and would get the occasional Vogue just to look at the clothes. I love them for artistic/photo reasons, too, but overall, I love to look at clothes and determine how I can create knock off looks for less. *BUT in terms of celebrity stuff, I love Entertainment Weekly.
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