That Reena Girl

04-19-11

Game of Thrones: Not Just “Boy Fiction”

The true perversion, though, is the sense you get that all of this illicitness has been tossed in as a little something for the ladies, out of a justifiable fear, perhaps, that no woman alive would watch otherwise. While I do not doubt that there are women in the world who read books like Mr. Martin’s, I can honestly say that I have never met a single woman who has stood up in indignation at her book club and refused to read the latest from Lorrie Moore unless everyone agreed to “The Hobbit” first. “Game of Thrones” is boy fiction patronizingly turned out to reach the population’s other half.

I waited patiently. I waited until “Game of Thrones” aired before I responded to New York Times writer Ginia Bellafante and her stereotypical views on what women like in terms of books and television.

Dear Ms. Bellafante,

I am a woman and I loved last night’s episode of “Game of Thrones”. I also recently purchased a copy of The Hobbit, have seen all three Lord of the Rings extended editions, and I attend Comic Con every year.

I am not alone in my love of all things “nerdy”.

I’m sure you’ve been getting your share of geek girl backlash so I won’t add to it. You’re obviously just completely misinformed.Â Allow me to enlighten you.

I have been looking forward to “Game of Thrones” since the first previews. Though I have not read the original source material, I love any kind of epic story, whether it is in the past like Lord of the Rings or future like Star Wars. I’m sure you consider those “boy fiction” too – though I was not aware until now that was a literary genre.

Why do you think the eroticism has been “tossed in for the ladies”? Where you talking about the brothel scene or poor Daenerys’ wedding night? I’m surprised you made no mention of the one scene in which the sons of Eddard Stark get shirtless and prepare for the arrival of the king. It was so “Sex and the City” after all.

While I’ll admit the women of “Game of Thrones” are getting the short end of the stick (no pun intended) in the first episode, I suspect that won’t be the case moving forward. All the gratuitous sex is just setting the stage for the female characters’ to use their feminine powers of seduction to get what they want. Sex as a weapon is subtler than a sword. I have a feeling that Catelyn Stark, with the possible death her son Bran and Daenerys Targaryen, being forced to marry a savage warlord, won’t stay quiet for long.

I can tell you didn’t like the show. It wasn’t your cup of tea. But please don’t assume since you didn’t like it, that most women won’t like it either unless they are hardcore D&D fans. There is more to the story that has yet to be revealed, and whole lot more about the pop culture world you need to learn. Women like myself are far more common than you think.

Now do yourself a favor and go read some Tolkien.

04-15-11

First Mix of the (Soon-To-Be) Summer

San Diego is finally experiencing some summer like weather. Whenever it hits 70+ degrees, “Paper Planes” gets stuck in my head. I’m in a new office, I have a new car…it was time for a new mix.

This is a mix of some newer and some older. I have my warm weather inspired dance-y indie pop tracks but I still indulged my emo side toward the end.

1. Paper Planes- M.I.A.

2. Rill Rill- Sleigh Bells

3. Huddle Formation- The Go! Team

4. Block After Block- Matt & Kim

5. All Things Ordinary- The Anniversary

6. Whirring- The Joy Formidable

7. Alex Chilton- The Replacements

8. Happy As Can Be- Cut Off Your Hands

9. Hearts on Fire- Cut Copy

10. Forever Longing Golden Sunsets- Appleseed Cast

11. The Mixed Tape- Jack’s Mannequin

12. Surf Wax America- Weezer

13. I Can Tell There Was An Accident Here- Saosin

What would you put on your “almost summer” mix? Or, what am I missing?

Also, isn’t it about time I got an embedded media player up?

04-14-11

The Hobbit!!!

I am a HUGE fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I’ve watched all the extended editions multiple times and I’m about 16 hours into all the documentary footage. I’m fascinated and inspired by the WETA Workshop and all that goes into creating these films.

It comes as no surprise that I’m one of those who has been eagerly awaiting the release of The Hobbit (which I’m actually just reading). Well Peter, Jackson just made my day. I hope he continues his video blogs of the process as the filming progresses.

It’s been too long since I’ve seen The Shire.

04-11-11

Red Sox-Yankees Rivalry plays out in New Era ad

I’ve seen it posted and reposted multiple times in the last few days — the New Era ad featuring Alec Baldwin and The Office’s John Krasinski talking smack over their favorite baseball teams, the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox respectively. But as a Sox fan, I just don’t find it all that special. Yes, I love any trash talk regarding the Evil Empire, but as someone who has lived and breathed it, it just seems weak. I understand that it is an ad and that there is only so much you can say on TV, but it still seems a little too…polite.

I was there in 2004. Even when I think about it now, I get a little choked up — one of, not THE greatest post-season series in the history of sports. Coming back from being 3 games down against our most hated rival and ending “the curse” still brings a tear to my eye. I remember when that final out was thrown in ACLS, ending the Yankees’ season and sending the Sox to the World Series for the first time in 86 years. Â I rushed out of my dorm room with my fellow students as we all ran to Fenway, celebrating in the streets of Beantown.

So trust me, I’m well versed in Yankees trash talk. You don’t know how close I was to buying a t-shirt that read, “A-Rod is an A-hole”.

Anyway, I had no idea John Krasinski was a Red Sox fan. Maybe the ad would have resonated with me more if had been Ben Affleck or Matt Damon, actors who are famously from Boston. Was Mark Wahlberg not available? Conan O’Brien on vacation? I just found it to be a weird choice, especially since there is a campaign attached to it where you vote for Team Baldwin or Team Krasinski.

If Jim from The Office truly is a Sox fan, more power to him. I just think Yankee hating sounds better with less r’s.

In closing, JETAH SUCKS and GO SOX!

04-10-11

The Battle for Mobile Supremacy

I keep finding myself writing about the battle for mobile supremacy. I think part of the fascination with smart phones is that I was late to the cell phone game. I got my first cell phone in 2001 for my 18th birthday. It was a Nokia 5190 and quite a brick. I think this was even before texting — can you believe we once lived in a world without text messages?!

I should also mention, one of the highlights of this phone were the interchangeable face-plates…

Another Nokia, several LGs and a Samsung later, I’m an Android user now. I just couldn’t give up Verizon, even for the ever-alluring iPhone. Patience paid off though and as soon as it is time to upgrade, I’m going for Verizon’s iPhone 4. While I remain loyal to Verizon, Android has a way to go.

According to Gartner, research shows I’m not alone here. Android is projected to have half the mobile market by 2012.

As I mentioned in a previous post (on another blog), the Android Market has left much to be desired. It has become clear that Apple’s rigorous app approval process if for a reason. There is a lot of junk in the Android Market.

As for the phone itself, the interface isn’t as user intuitive as the iPhone’s. Can I find my apps easily? Well, yeah but they aren’t as nicely organized as the iPhone. Also, because of its ability to run multiple apps at the same time, often times it decides to open apps I never use and run them all day, draining my battery.

Speaking of apps, there most developers still go for the iPhone version first. I’m lucky if the Android version comes out at all. For most major apps like Twitter and Facebook, it is fine. But more specialized or apps produced by smaller companies and/or start-ups tend to go the way of the iPhone. I’m talking about you Instagram, Words With Friends and Localmind!

But in Android’s defense, it is easier to come by and less expensive. You can also insure your Android phone, unlike with the iPhone where if you break it or lose it, you need to purchase a new one.

I think Android should credit some of their success to Verizon and their network. Verizon’s reliability has really helped both their own brand and the cell phone brands they carry. I was so grateful to have an Android phone at Comic Con last year. While I was tweeting and texting, none of my iPhone friends could get a signal in the Convention Center and if they did, AT&T’s network was quickly maxed out.

Another thing to keep in mind, Apple isn’t the only player in the game. Gartner has predicted a rise in Microsoft’s Windows 7 phone based on their partnership with Nokia (oh how far they’ve come since my first cell phone). And while the Windows 7 phone has a MUCH nicer user experience than Android, it is still cursed by AT&T.

If Android cleans up their Market and focus more on UX, I can see them taking over 50% of the market but until then, I think that prediction is a tiny bit inflated.

04-05-11

With great t-shirt comes great responsibility…

OK, I’m mixing up my universes here. But really, this is the most epic t-shirt I have ever owned and I’m wearing it today. In honor of…nothing in particular. But for the sake of this post, let’s say it is in hopes that The Force is strong with the San Diego Padres during their home opener today.