Jezebel’s coverage of the Jennifer Weiner/Jonathan Franzen controversy. So basically, JFran (as I’ve decided to call him, “Jonathan Franzen” being so many letters and “JFer” being taken) has a new novel coming out called Freedom, which you’ll have heard about if you came across a copy of Time two weeks ago, with JFran on the cover next to a headline touting him as “Great American Novelist” whose book “shows us how we live now.” Jennifer Weiner, chick lit author, has (essentially) interpreted the missing article in said headline as The, and questions why the hubbub. She says that far less frequently, women writers get the attention and critical praise that male writers do –– particularly white male literary writers, like JFran, JFer, DeLillo and the like. Their ilk, may I say, if I am being literary myself here. I agree that there’s a double standard: for every Lorrie Moore, there seems to be a dozen Michael Chabons. When I read this article, I tried to make a list of my favorite female writers and came up with three. One of which was Jane Austen. What the fuck, ladies and gents? We need to remedy this. I declare 2011 the Year of Ladywriting.
“Magic,” B.o.B and Rivers Cuomo. For some reason, YouTube doesn’t have the official music video up, I assume because it’s not released yet. But! I found a video of the lyrics. God, this song is catchy.
“Hero”-era Enrique Iglesias. Have you heard Enrique’s new single, “I Like It”? Did you actually like it? Yeah, I didn’t either. Enrique! The excessive AutoTune makes you sound like a robot that malfunctions when sexually aroused! If Pintsize from Questionable Content were to release a pop single, it would be this. Enrique, you disappoint me greatly. I used to believe you when you said you could blah away the pain. What happened, Enrique? What happened to you?
Jesus/Lafayette. When True Blood opened their third season with the introduction of Nazi werewolves, I said, “Really? Are you serious?” and buckled in for a bloody, unsatisfactory ride. As expected, the third season is not altogether awesome. (Werewolves, now FAIRIES?! Are you fucking with me, HBO?) But the budding romance between Lafayette and his mom’s nurse, Jesus, is a bright spot in the midst of Sookie/Bill drama and Jason’s seasonal romance with some female character he met a week earlier. Alcide’s gone and Eric looks like he’s about to be whacked. If so, the writers better step up the J/L screentime.
My job at the mall. Who knew? I really enjoy selling products when I like and use the products myself. I’ve turned into one of those saleswomen who give you their opinion as you try stuff on. Is that obnoxious? I don’t know. I can’t help myself. It’s become a compulsion, telling women to try the blue jeans versus the red ones or the balconette if they don’t love the T-shirt bra, because balconettes are super supportive and comfortable. And what’s that you say? You don’t have a charge card with us? Well, applying for one saves you 15% on your purchase today without even having to get approved.