Tuesday, March 27, 2012

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! :)
 

9 comments:

Life as the Mrs. said...

I agree with all of this! I also hate Star Wars and Star Trek. Ew.

Jaclyn said...

I am SO with you sister! And twilight....if you feel yourself starting to fall in love with a vampire walk away. I mean, make good choices you know?
Don't get it.

Anonymous said...

Jen-
i read your blog regularly and i truly think we could be best friends (i say this in a non stalker way) it is eerie how much we are a like. i even agree 98% of the time with you on red carpet looks. but i'm afraid we may have to end our friendship over harry potter. i agree with you about lord of the rings and although i read/watched twilight and really enjoyed them i can see your point. but you are really missing out on harry potter. the books are so good and the movies arent bad either. i think you would really enjoy them.

jamie

EarthAngel172 said...

Jen,

Please add me to the "I don't participate" list!

I've never seen any of these movies nor have I read the books. I still haven't seen Pirates of the Caribbean. LOL

Ashley Howard said...

What if someone read The Hunger Games books before they were the next big thing? Count me in as ahead of the curve!!!

That being said I despise Twilight with many fibers of my being.

The Scott Family said...

This makes me sad. You really, really are missing out! Some of the best books I have ever read! Absolutely AMAZING books!

I liked the Twilight books but could live without them and same with LOTR.

I'm ahead of the curve too! I read the Harry Potter and Hunger Games books before the movies were ever talked about!

Katie said...

As one who read Harry Potter, Twilight and Hunger Games before it was the thing to do, I too refuse to get into the hype of the movie and am annoyed with it because:

1. The book is always better
2. I discovered all of these treasures before it became cool to read them
3. I can't stand screaming tweens

Ashley Howard said...

Katie- I am usually very disappointed with the movie versions of the books. The Hunger Games left very, very little out. It did an incredible job. With the exception of Jane Austen books (whose movies have been converted well), this is one of the top book to movies I have seen. Give it a shot...later...after the screaming tweens leave...

Laura SanchezQuan said...

People are very passionate about these things. I love that you admit this. I'm kind of indifferent myself. I have seen one of the earlier happy potter movies, I did like the lord of the rings movies but only saw them once... and I forget what the others are. obviously, important to me. you're awesome. ps, I agree with Jaclyn, just walk away.