So here is the deal. In my quest (however foolish) to pursue higher education, I decided that one of my classes would be the Study of Popular Culture. Should be a no brainer right? After all, it is one of the few joys that I have these days. Well let me say that this plan backfired! I am not enjoying the class and to be honest...it is actually starting to piss me off. If it wasn't for the fact that it is getting me closer to a very important goal of mine, I would probably walk away from it. But that is not the point of this post.
So as I was working on homework this evening (the main reason that my posting have become less frequent), I found myself getting super pissed off. The main book for the class is pretty much bullshit. The author devoted some time to slamming The Simpsons and much to my surprise, most of the class agreed with him. More surprisingly, most of them admitted that they watch the damn show!!! Now I will admit that I have been less impressed with the show over the years but it seemed like an uneducated and unwarranted attack on one of my beloved treasures. I was the lone rebel who actually defended the show on the discussion board (Thanks to Chris Turner's 2004 book Planet Simpson I was able to provide creditable references instead of just Millie's opinion) but I am still kind of ticked off so I'm going to finish my rant here.
One of the things that really pissed me off was that the author of the book said that there are no good parental figures in the show. I think that this is bullshit. So here is my response to that ludicrous statement.
- Let's start with Homer. In spite of all of his short-comings and boneheaded moments, I don't see how anyone cannot love this guy. The author said that he is terrible father but disagree. Homer's problem is that he is handicapped by an unnatural immaturity but his heart is in the right place. In episode 303, Homer gives up his last ribwich in order to see Lisa's big moment. In episode 219 "Make Room for Lisa", Lisa sees things from Homer's perspective after going into a sensory deprivation tank. She realizes that Homer does a lot of things like going to the museum and the ballet even though he hates them because he wants to spend time with her. Being a parent is often about sacrificing for your children. Homer often does it late but always comes around just in time.
- Let's move onto Marge. Is there a more devoted mother on televising? She is the moral compass of the family which is no easy feat. She defends her kids as demonstrated in episode 40 when she pleads with Mrs. Van Houten to let Milhouse be friends with Bart again. She also came to Lisa's aid in episode 377 where Lisa is on trial for speaking about evolution. Not only does she risk her own freedom to read "The Theory of Evolution" but she sets up her own husband to get Lisa off the hook. But the best example of Marge the wonderful mom is in episode 131 when Homer and Marge lose their children to The Flanders. The episode starts with Marge making a fuss over all of the kids (including admitting that she crawled around the dump to get materials for Lisa's school project) and a simple misunderstanding leads to the kids ending up in foster care. Marge is miserable without her children and fights to get them back. In the end, Maggie is unsure if she wants to join Homer, Bart and Lisa (Marge is not in the picture yet.) or stay with the Flanders Flock. Just as you think that she has chosen the Flanders, Maggie spots Marge and the decision is made. She makes her way towards her mother which in itself is a testament to her love for her mother since she can't really walk. Clearly Marge is a great mother if even the baby can recognize it.
If either of my parents has spend half as much time with me as the Simpson parents spend on their kids, my life would be very different.
Let's end this on a positive note. So after a long afternoon on a color guard event, I went to the Navy Exchange to buy one thing. I left with about twenty things and none of them were the one that I went for since it was conveniently sold out. (Damn Navy exchange!) As I stood in line amidst a ton of staring people (I was still in my color guard uniform so you can imagine what kind of attention a Coastie dressed as such would get at a Navy Exchange), I was growing more and more irritated. Then it happened. I saw something that immediately brightened my mood. (Those of you in my regular texting circle already know what I am referring to since I sent it to you via picture message.)
Every ounce of anger and frustration that I had been feeling melted away as I stared at that magazine cover. He really is more attractive than any man should be.
why are you wasting your time with college if you are going to stay in the coast guard?
ReplyDeletederek is gay but at least he is all strung on roids.
Holy Shit Kiska, those are fighting words to Millie. She's gonna rip you apart for saying that her beloved is on the juice. But I will say that if this is good as he can be on juice, he's screwed.
ReplyDeleteMillie Vanillie, I can't imagine that you would not enjoy a pop culture class. Are you being a pop culture snob or is the class really that bad?
Sometimes I hate you both.
ReplyDeleteDerek is not on the juice and he is better than most of the people playing the game. He is a sure 1st ballot Hall-of-Famer and you both know it!
Hate the game, not the playa.
Much love my dear friends... I depart to test a theory.