I Don't Participate

Every few years, some new mega-frenzy sweeps the nation. Whether you're "into" this new trend or not, you are subjected to have it shoved down your throat via social media, television, pop culture, or just basic conversations with friends.

Sometimes, it's hard not to join in and see what all the fuss is about. But sometimes, if you're like me, you have zero problem saying "that does not interest me" and just hope that it all dies down soon.

Exhibit A: Lord of the Rings

The main reason I never got into Lord of the Rings was because of the genre of the books. Any time you open a book and there is a map in the front that you have to learn, that is a turn off for me. If the text reads, "then, young Itamus left Gyanfov and traveled all the way to the land of Plindor" that means nothing to me. Is Itamus the name of a person? An animal? And how far away is Plindor from Gyanfov? Is that 20 miles? I would rather read a book that says that "then, young Mikey left  New York City and traveled all the way to the land of Cincinatti". That I get.

So that was why I never got into the books. And then the movies took over.

THEY TOOK OVER THE WORLD.

It was all you heard about for months, and then years. They won every Oscar they could. They were all anyone could ever think about or talk about. I was OVER IT and I REFUSED to participate mainly because I get really irritated when things take over the world.

That being said, I have never seen a Lord of the Rings movie or read a Lord of the Rings book.

Exhibit B: Harry Potter


Harry Potter. When the books came out, I remember thinking 3 things:

1. Wow, that is a large book
2. Oh, it's about a boy wizard
3. That doesn't sound very interesting to me

So I didn't read it. Or the next 9 books after that.

I THOUGHT THE MOVIES WERE NEVER GOING TO END.

Someone once asked me, "Oh, so you are one of those people that thinks that Harry Potter is demonic because it is about magic?"

Look, it's a story of fiction. Yes there is magic, but it is a story. And I don't really care. You're talking to a person who watches The Bachelor and Grey's Anatomy so I don't really think I can condemn a book about a little boy wizard. However, again, I find myself realizing that this genre does not interest me so I choose not to read them.

AND ALSO HARRY POTTER TOOK OVER THE WORLD. And I don't like when things take over the world. So I dug in my heels. And to this day I have not read a Harry Potter book nor seen a Harry Potter movie.

Exhibit C: Twilight


Oh. Twilight. I thought nothing could take over the world more than Harry Potter. Oh. My. Goodness.

Let's get one thing clear: I don't like vampires and I don't understand the attraction. I think they are gross looking and creepy and the whole concept is disturbing to me. I don't want to read about it. And I certainly don't want to read about a vampire falling in love.

Once again, I thought the books and movies would never end. I thought people were going to talk about it forever when Twilight started taking over the world.

I have never read a Twilight book, nor have I seen a Twilight movie.

Exhibit D: The Hunger Games


I love a good book. I really do love to read, as much as this post makes it seem like I hate reading.

I love a good Nicholas Sparks novel, a James Patterson thriller, and the classics rock my world. I recently read Jane Eyre again and loved loved loved it. But again, the Hunger Games propels you into another universe and brings you to a place where children are fighting to the death.

This does not interest me.

Has The Hunger Games taken over the world?

Yes. It. Has.

Is Jen irritated by this?

Yes. She. Is.

Is Jen going to read the books?

Nope.

Is Jen going to see the movies?

Nope.

Do most of Jen's friends think she is crazy because she hasn't seen Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Twilight or The Hunger Games?

Yep.

Is Jen okay with this?

Yep.

But, she is very happy for all her friends who are so excited to see the movie. Y'all have a wonderful time! :)