Walking while XX: A Tally of Street Harassment for the Summer of 2014

Two weeks ago, I decided to keep a tally of all the harassment I receive while walking in public on a daily basis. Ask any woman you know for stories in which she’s verbally and/or physically harangued on the street, and I can guarantee she’ll be able to talk your ears off—this kind of behavior is something she’s likely experienced almost every day from the age of thirteen.

Let that sink in for a moment.

The summer in particular can be exceedingly dreadful for these kinds of situations because a regular day in New York City often feels like the sun is trying to burn your face off with its own magnifying glass. Hotter days mean less articles of clothing. What might be dressing for comfort in our eyes (dresses offer a refreshing breeze, thinner bras mean less boob sweat, shorts mean escaping heatstroke on a 100 degree day, and so on) is always interpreted as wanting for attention in the eyes of society (spoiler alert: it’s not). That means that a typical Monday summer morning in a sundress can often leave you exhausted and crabby by the end of the day, due to the endless stream of dialogue emanating from the mouths of otherwise anonymous men.

[I’m going to pause here for a moment to elaborate that it doesn't actually matter what a woman is wearing on the street; I have been harassed by men while walking home in dingy sweatpants, exhausted and sweaty from rehearsal.  I have also been hit on while wearing a full winter coat and a scarf that covers half of my face. This is a year-round problem that simply becomes more amplified in the summertime, with the logic for it sounding a bit like: "Because body parts."]

Catcalling is rarely ever about the woman it’s directed toward—it’s a power play (but more on that next time). If you’re a female walking any place by yourself or in groups without men, someone is always going to have something to say about your body.

That being said, my tally for verbal harassment this summer (since I started this project) has been astonishingly low. These have been perhaps the quietest two weeks I've experienced in a very long time. It’s been pretty amazing actually. I still get your standard long, unsettling stares on street corners, but those I can handle (by either marching past or staring back until the person looks away awkwardly).

Silence is a beautiful thing, ladies and gentleman. I don’t have to mentally prepare myself for anything (“Are they going to say something?” “Am I in a safe enough situation to verbally defend myself or am I going to have to ignore them?” “How many men are there?” “Is there anyone else around?”), nor do I have to listen to filth.

And with my overture coming to a close, I present you with what has been said to me, at me, or in my direction over the last couple weeks:

June 2^nd, ~9:40am, while walking along an avenue in Manhattan, as I pass a man walking in the same direction: “Damn, I love your ass.” When I don’t respond or register his comment, he repeats it louder to make sure I’ve heard him: “I LOVE YOUR ASS.” (This is what inspired me to keep tally.)

~June 6^th, ~10:00am, while walking in Manhattan, an old man leans out of his car window: “Oh hello, beautiful.”

~June 11^th,~8:30am, while walking to the train, a block away from my house, a man walks past me and says: “You should smile, beautiful. It’s going to be a great day.” These kinds of comments are the worst of all, in my opinion. Now before you have a chance to say anything, (“But Natalie, that seemed nice!”) I’ll tell you why. As a grown, educated, and confident woman, NOTHING is more patronizing and condescending to have a man tell you that you should smile because he finds you attractive. What this says to me is that my face forming any other expression than “happiness” is upsetting to your aesthetic appeal. Women are multi-faceted creatures (Just like you! Who knew?) who don’t need to be commanded to smile on cue for your enjoyment, nor to do they need to be told it’s going to be a beautiful day because they most likely checked the weather just as you did prior to leaving the house. In my case, I literally left my house two minutes ago and am still trying wake up.

~June 11th, ~8:35am, one block later, from a moving vehicle: A man yells something inaudible from a moving van. How do I know it was directed towards me? I am the only person walking around for a twenty foot radius. I’m glad I didn’t hear it.

~June 11/12^th, ~10:00pm, the corner of the train station, walking home, a man says: “Hello sweetie, you lookin’ so sweet and nice.” When I ignore him, he repeats it louder as I turn the corner: “You lookin’ soooo sweet.”

Let’s note two important things:

One, a “quiet” two weeks are still five separate instances of street harassment, and two—if I ignore the comments, they are often repeated louder.

That’s all for now folks.

I’ll be back soon with more tallies and tales from my daily endeavors and walking while female.

Peace, love, and hopefully respect.

-N.

Game of Thrones S4E10- "The Children"

 

It took me an extra few days to write this one up. It's the last episode and now we have to wait a whole new year for more! Like George R.R. Martin said, they really need to make these seasons longer. This episode was brilliant for the simple fact that it was longer! 66 minutes long and it flew by.

A perfect episode for Father's Day, right? Tyrion releases his inner "demon monkey." Brienne meets The Hound for an epic fight. Arya sails to Braavos, Jon Snow and Mance meet. Stannis and Davos arrive. Dany chains two of her dragons up. Bran meets the three-eyed raven. Let's dive in.

We begin in, where else, the bloody North. The nice sequence of Jon Snow walking out from the safety from Castle Black was such an ominous moment that would have been perfect in the previous episode had it been 2 hours long (blasted budget). Dolorous Edd looking down at Jon from atop the wall gave us all the same intended impression: Dead man walking.  It sure felt that way when Jon met Mance.

If you think about it, this is such a fantastic teaching moment. Mance is wise. He is formidable. He knows Jon more than Jon knows himself. It's almost a copy of Jon speaking with Ned again. Jon is so small in front of The King-beyond-The-Wall. Their sit down reveals to the audience that Mance was in fact testing the defense of Castle Black. He has his men going over other parts of the wall as they speak. There is no way for the crows to win. They are badly outnumbered, resistance is pointless.

Mance and the free folk or wildlings depending on which side you're on, want to get away from the White Walkers just like everybody else, by getting over to safety on the other side of the wall. If Jon obeys Mance and lets his army in through the tunnel - then the men at Castle Black will be spared. If not every man will die at Castle Black. I liked that we got to see Jon almost act on those intentions. With no other options left he tries to kill Mance, but it stopped way before he can even get the weapon nearby. This scene was tense.

Stannis and Davos arriving was such an incredible scene. The two riders emerge from the smoke and as soon as we see them, the theme music plays. I love how the camera pans out to show their army swooping in to handle the wildlings. Mance stays true to his word, when he was speaking with Jon. He wants peace, he does not want any more of his people to bleed.

Stannis' smug face is back. He returns victorious from Braavos with gold and an army of sell swords. Remember he wishes to prove to everyone that he should sit the Iron Throne. A true king protects his kingdom. That one wildling who refused to stand down and got mowed down by the rider was hilarious. A scene with Jon Snow, Stannis, Davos and Mance. Could you really ask for more? Jon Snow shows his merit by letting Stannis know of his heritage. Bloodline means everything in GOT. Stannis instantly respects Jon because of who his father was. Ned died for Stannis' claim to the throne.
Thanks to Jon Snow, Mance will make it to season 5. Jon also made sure to warn Stannis about the dead bodies. Burn them before nightfall.


Staying in the North, that scene with Jon and Tormund was precious. I hope these two to grow closer come next season. Tormund telling Jon that Ygritte truly loved him because she kept talking about wanting to kill him herself was compelling. I liked how Jon honored Tormund's request to burn her body in the North near the weirwood tree.

Still in the North, remember it's big, c'mon! Bran and company finally reach their destination, but not before they are ambushed by skeleton minions. Yikes! Did anyone else think about Hitchcock's Psycho theme when Jojen was stabbed? I sure as hell did and laughed. Does that make me evil? Oh well, I'm evil then.  Bran is saved by a pyromancer  It is one of the Children of the Forest. Older than the First Men. Books readers no doubt has a WTF moment when they saw that scene.

Bran meets the three-eyed raven who doesn't look like a raven, but an old looking Targaryen. I wonder if his seat is more or less comfortable than the Iron Throne itself.

The best bit is when Bran asks if he will walk again. No is the reply. But you will fly. Remember, Bran so far has controlled his direwolf Summer and the half-wit Hodor. By flying, one can assume he will control a dragon.

Speaking of dragons, we finally got to the part where Daenerys faces her biggest adversity yet, her babies committing murder. A goat is one thing. A child. Nope. Time to go in the dungeon. Drogon is flying off somewhere good luck catching him, he's the biggest. The other, two don't look so big now. They will not grow in that dungeon. It is ironic, once her biggest asset and bargain, is now her burden.

The Mother of Dragons, will enter season 5 without her children and without Jorah. Now her story will become interesting once again.

Necromancy again. Enter Qyburn. This scene very important. It is the set up for next season. Qyburn has earned Cersei favor or Pycelle. He will bring the Mountain back. Stronger than ever...
The Red Viper's poison was for naught. Qyburn's machinations gave off that Frankenstein vibe.

Cersei tells Tywin the truth. We had been building up to this scene since season 3. Cersei was never going to marry Ser Loras. Bugger the family legacy. Cersei is her father's child. She is a shrewd one, not as clever as Tyrion of course, but she understands full well that she has the leverage over her father.
Jaime is in the kingsguard forbidden from marriage. Tyrion is set to be executed tomorrow. Leaving Cersei to marry a Tyrell. The family name will die out. There was not red wedding for the lannisters, however it is the same effect, the bloodline will end and they will all be forgotten.

Tywin knows this. Cersei knows this. She tells her father the rumors are all true. A big gamble obviously, but Tywin looks into her eyes and he knows she means every word that she says. Lannister inbreds. Your legacy is done Tywin.

Continuing with the Lannister family. Tyrion is freed from his jail cell, of course he would not die...we all knew that right? 2 weeks waiting for his fate to be decided and swoosh Jaime comes to the rescue. The brothers hug and understand that this is probably good-bye forever. Tyrion makes his way down the tunnel. He stops and decides to go up to the tower of the hand. There he finds the woman he once loved. Shae the...I won't say it, because Tyrion will shoot me with a cross-bow. Shae anticipates Tywin arriving, not Tyrion. "My lion," she calls out to him - wrong lion.

One of the best parts of Tywin's final scene was his poker face. Until, Tyrion shot him the first time, you could tel that he did not believe his son would shoot him. Dignified to the end of his life. Dying while on the privy is just not going to happen to Tywin Lannister. Of course it does and I must say watching Tyrion calmly reload that Crossbow was exquisite. A terrible end to a glorious character who revealed himself to be less dignified. He had a whore in his bed. "Where do whores go?"
"In the end Tywin Lannister, did not, shit gold."

Varys and Tyrion will be on the ship together. Should be very intriguing start to season 5.

Brienne finds Arya. Wow! You did it. It only took you 3 episodes to get there. I love the moments in this scene before The Hound is done taking a shit. Did he actually wipe hahaha


Arya meets Brienne

The look on Arya's face when she sees Brienne. She is impressed. She's never seen something like this before. Her view of Brienne is all but right until The Hound points that Brienne is wielding a Valyrian steel sword. It's a Lannister sword. Brienne doesn't help her cause when she admits to being associated with Jaime Lannister. Over the last few years Arya has learned to be weary of people because of her name. Since the end of season 1 - she has been incognito.


The fight was intense. Ball punching, kicking a woman there hurts too! It was a brawl for the ages. This fight was a nice move on the shows part because it forced the audience to choose who did they want to win. They were conflicted, especially after a season like The Hound has had. His line before the fight really drove the sword into the viewers stomach on who to choose:

"Safety!? Where the fuck’s that? Her aunt in The Eyrie is dead. Her mother’s dead. Her father’s dead. Her brothers are dead.Winterfell is a pile of rubble. There’s no safety you dumb bitch. If you don’t know that by now, you’re the wrong one to watch over her."

Arya and The Hound did in fact bond a couple of episode back. It is a catch 22 for the audience and Arya frankly. Where does she go now and with whom?

Arya leaving The Hound to die was sad, justified, unjustified and brilliant all in one. It's more cold blooded and messed up to not kill him. Killing him would be a mercy and The Hound clearly tries to goad her into giving him that. It doesn't work. Of course Arya finds a ship at a port - one ship all by itself wow and lucky it's going to Braavos. Of course she does try to go North to be with Jon. Her last surviving kin.

Ironic. Close to going North to The Wall where she would in fact be safe with Jon and Stannis. Or in the vale with her sister and creepy Littlefinger. Nope across the Narrow Sea she goes. Will the Starks ever reunite?

Best bits 

-Melisandre looking at Jon Snow.  The fire in that shot was no coincidence. I cannot wait for season 5.

-Brienne wailing on The Hound to knock him off a cliff.

-Cersei beating Tywin. Tywin froze. Tywin, did not have a good episode, let's face it.

-Cersei and Jaime getting it on. Forget the White Book.

-The Hound's final monologue:
 
"You remember where the heart is? F**k it... I'm ready. Go on, girl. Another name off your list. You kept promising me...I cut down your butcher's boy, the ginger. He was begging for mercy. "Please, ser, please don't kill meǃ Pleaseǃ Pleaseǃ" Bled all over my horse. Saddle stunk of butcher's boy for weeks. And your sister, your pretty sister. I should've taken her, that night the Blackwater burned. I should've f**ked her bloody. At least I'd have one happy memoryǃ Do I have to beg you? Do it. Do it. Do itǃ Kill me. Kill meǃ KILL MEǃ KILL MEǃǃǃ"

-Arya saying Valar Morghullis and getting a cabin on the ship. Better sailing than Tyrion, eh?

 Season 4 was the strongest season. It was the best 1-10 episode season GOT has had.

Of course The Red Wedding is difficult to top, but I believe this season did so.

People who have read the books and do not understand what the word adaption means should act like an ostrich and stick their heads in some sand.

Sure many things were altered, but it is an adaptation. Not everything can be used. Appreciate the show for what it is.

*SPOILER RANT*





Sure, the best ending would have included Lady Stone Heart. Of course Jaime not telling Tyrion about Tysha took away from what would have been a huge emotional moment. Yes, Varys, not leading Tyrion through the labyrinth of the innards of the Red Keep was weird. Varys walking back to the capital and stopping because the sound of the bells is hilarious, if you've read the books.

For the most part, the changes made sense for a show, because of budget and time constraints.

With that being said, the rape scene from episode 3 was still a huge mistake. It does not matter what the director or the creators. If I saw them in person, I'd tell them, "Hey should have kept it the way it was in the books."

Also, episode 6 when Yara attempted to free Theon. Should have taken place in episode 3 "Breaker of Chains," I believe. Would have fit nicely because of the closer time frame to episode 10 of season 3.

Those little things. Ramsay fighting without a shirt. Are what irk me. Huge changes do not.

*END OF SPOILER RANT*

I give this episode a 9.5

It was a great finale. It leaves us all hungering for season 5.

What are your predictions?

"Are we really blessed or just plain lucky?" By Greg Hernandez

While food shopping yesterday an epiphany fell on me like a drop of water before the start of a heavy shower; I could not believe what I would see the day before Friday the 13^th. I left the food town super market near my house with one item left on my list to purchase. I needed to buy some bug repellant. I decided to walk toward the family dollar store. I quickly found the “Off” bug repellant. Once I stood on line, I turned around to check out my surroundings. I saw something out of the corner of my eye that took hold of my attention, yet my body quickly instructed me to turn around. It was too late. A small voice to my left spoke my name. I could not decipher its owner. I turned my head to see where the voice had come from. It was an old classmate from high school. He was working here!

 My eyes looked straight at a gaunt figure – a charcoal looking gargoyle stood smiling at me. A sad smile, but a smile nonetheless. His hands were extremely ashy. I saw an unkempt appearance and gloomy disposition. He had obviously not gone to college, for if he had, he had obviously not finished. Why else would he be working here? He looked like an old man, yet we were the same age. I was thunderstruck at how far he had declined as a human being. His facial hair was hard to look at – for some awkward feeling it added to his ugliness. The moustache and beard looked un-brushed. In hindsight, I imagine the reason why I did not like his facial hair is because we had gone to a private Catholic school where we always had to be clean shaven. Seniors could grow mustaches and even a beard for prom.

What was worse than his appearance was the voice. He had a homeless person’s speech. He told me that I looked the same. I did not respond to that. He asked me what I was doing. I told him. He said it was good that I was “holding it down, brother.”

I paid for my bug repellant and said good-bye to a guy I had once knocked out in a fight at school seven years ago. Upon leaving the store I realized how lucky I was. That could have been me! Had circumstances in my life been different, I may have suffered the same fate as my old high school classmate. A sense of relief coursed through my body. My heart beat faster as my pace quickened. I wanted to rush home now. Joyful thoughts paraded in the chasms of my mind. I have two good parents who are still married, love each other and love me, I thought. I’m lucky.

Had I succumb to a lost sense of ambition, an unwillingness to be determined to pursue and ultimately achieve my goals, I know I would have been that person working in a family dollar store.
 
Then, slowly but surely anger gripped me and would not let me go like a child unwilling to relinquish a toy. The words, “you’re blessed,” echoed in my mind. I gritted my teeth. It is a stupid phrase, I thought. Nobody on this planet is blessed. Everyone has some unique skill set, passion, activity that they enjoy doing. This world has corrupted us all to believe that we are blessed. An asinine sense of entitlement to believe that some must be gifted with abilities and some are not gifted at all; the phrase is infamously uttered throughout the annals of the sports world. This man has God given talent. Truly, I laugh at the mention of a god. A god who would give someone more talent than somebody else, it makes absolutely no sense. It’s like the stupid God Bless America song: Why would God only bless America? Out of all the countries in the world…anyway, I digress. Where was I? Oh, right, sports.

Someone can dunk a ball, can sink a golf ball into a hole, can score goals, and can hit a ball with a bat, better than most people. Everyone is good at something. We as a people place an intrinsic value upon certain abilities. We do not value each other as a whole. Our common humanity is only present when catastrophe strikes.

People say the phrase I’m blessed for the most unusual and mundane things. I’m blessed for all of the joy in my life. Bullshit! You’re lucky. You’re lucky to have been born in an industrialized country, you’re lucky to have been born free from a genetic birth effect, lucky to have not been sold into slavery, lucky to have not been stoned to death for marrying the person you love, lucky to not live in a country that the United States of America drones, lucky to have not been raped or molested before the age of 10, lucky to have all of your senses, lucky to not have fought in a war, lucky to be live freely, lucky to have first world problems, lucky to complain about things without much consequence, lucky to drown away your sorrows with alcohol and lucky to have the Internet at your disposal at most times.

We’re lucky, not blessed.
“I’m blessed with large breasts.”  No you’re not it just runs in your family.
“I’m blessed with a large penis.” Ah, you’re just lucky.
“I’m blessed with intelligence smart.” Bullshit, you were pushed as a child, if not you had the academic curiosity and wherewithal to pursue your intellectual interests at an early age. You also, had the opportunity. Others were not so lucky. Sure, you probably had an insane amount of learning potential, but how was it nurtured.

Saying the phrase, “I’m blessed,” is as pretentious a saying as “corporations are people too my friends.”

Game of Thrones-S4E9- "The Watchers on The Wall" By Greg Hernandez

 

   

This was the most expensive Game of Thrones episode ever. Neil Marshall returned to direct this epic battle, so you knew it was going to be epic! "The Watchers on The Wall," aka Blackwater 2.0 had it all: Giants, Mammoths, a giant chain thing flying down the wall, lots killing, Sam getting his first kiss and Jon Snow becoming a leader. Let's dive in.

The gossip between Jon and Sam at the beginning was a nice touch. If you're going to die a virgin, you at least want to know exactly how it feels to have sex. When Jon Snow responded with the "I'm not a bloody poet" line, I laughed out loud, c'mon Jon, have some sympathy and help your friend Sam out. I really liked how Sam took charge throughout the episode, especially when Gilly arrived at the gate. He cursed at Pyp to "open the fucking gate."

The show runners really teased Sam dying in this episode. Before heading out to the battle he promised Gilly that he would return to her. Oberyn said something similar right before his head exploded. Also, Ygritted spotted Sam, so it was another possible hint at Ygritte putting an arrow through Sam. Instead, she killed Pyp. That took me by surprise because although Pyp was a very minor character, you felt sad for him dying. He never fought before. He was only at the wall because he stole a wheel of cheese for his starving sister. His dying in Sam's arms was definitely hard hitting.

Maester Aemon's speech on love foreshadowed the confrontation between Jon and Ygritte. "Love is the death of duty." Both warriors on opposing sides of an impending battle are in love. They cannot fulfill  their duty to kill each other. Instead they freeze. Jon Snow's smile was the best moment of the entire episode. It was that chilling moment of what are they going to do. Ygritte, has been on a killing spree, since Jon spurned her. She has deadly accuracy. She could have killed Jon right then and there, instead she hesitates for one moment, gives him a sad smile and takes a fatal shot from an arrow to the chest.

Ygritte's final words were right from the book. "You know nothing Jon Snow." It was a nice tender moment. If only they had stayed in that cave, but alas, this chaos between the night's watch and the wildlings was inevitable. Her death was not as effective as other deaths that have occurred throughout the season (Joffrey and Oberyn) because it did not happen at the end of the episode. The music did stop and the scene slowed down for a moment which was brilliant. I believe upon a second viewing of this episode, Ygritte's death will hit harder.

Did anyone think Jon and Ygritte were a tragic couple?
Did Ygritte's death resonate with you or not?

It was also sad to see Grenn go as well. He essentially played the role of Donal Noye in this episode. In the books, Donal was the acting lord commander after Mormont's death. He gives command of the Wall to Jon, so he can face the Wildlings below. He, like Grenn dies after facing a giant who breaches the tunnel. I preferred the book version of how Jon receives command of The Wall, but still this was good too and it made sense.

Ser Alliser Thorne, pretty much apologized for being such an asshole to Jon this season. He proved his worth with fighting the ferocious Tormund. Jon Snow took on Styr The Magnar of Thenn. I was glad that he killed him and not Ygritte or the boy. That last shot of him falling to the ground from the hammer to the skull was great!

The panoramic shot of the wildlings attack south of the wall, the shot of the crows atop the wall and the intense fire beyond the wall was terrific. From a production standpoint this episode was glorious. Watch it get nominated for a technical Emmy. Overall, I believe Blackwater was the better episode. Not to take anything from this episode, but Blackwater was the stronger of the two because of the cast of characters involved. I believe the setting at The Wall is better though.

The final shot of Jon Snow going north of the wall is ominous. Not only is his fate grim as of right now - so is Tyrions.

Best bits

-Mag the Mighty (Giant) spearing a black brother 700 feet above him.

-Tormund discussing the intricacies of bear sex.

-Sam and Gilly kissing. A sweet tender moment. 

-That chain that sliced away those pesky climbing Wildlings was awesome. The dropping of the oil was incredible. I loved that part from the books.

-Janos Slynt denying to the bitter end and finally running scared below to hide and encountering Gilly.

-Maester Aemon's speech: He was the great uncle to the Mad King. He could have been king, but turned it down for the Wall and to be a maester. I am not sure which woman he is referring to in his speech.

-Grenn and the rest of the brothers saying their vows before facing the giant.

-That nice long shot of a large portion of Mance's army north of the Wall.

-Ser Allister yelling, "HOLD THE FUCKING GATE!" After suffering a stomach wound.

-Sam releasing Ghost.

-Jon Snow giving command of the Wall to Edd.

-When Jon orders Tormund to be chained, the wildling yells, "I should have thrown you from the top of the Wall, boy!" "Aye" Jon retorts sadly. "You should have."

-Jon encountering Grenn's corpse. "They held the gate."

-Sam's final moment with Jon. "Jon. Come back."

This episode gets a 9.7

Brilliant production! Awesome shots and fighting. True grit. The watchers held the gate.

Here is the trailer for the season finale!  Game of Thrones Episode 10 - "The Children."

Comment below and share your predictions for the final episode of a fantastic season!

Game of Thrones: 'Book' versus 'Show' Debate By Greg Hernandez

"A reader lives a thousands lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one."
- George R.R. Martin

It has been widely reported that the fantasy novel series, "A Song of Fire and Ice" will end with seven books. Apparently, so will the show. At least, that is the plan. I find it hard to believe that 70 hours of television is enough to tell the massive story that is Game of Thrones. I'm not the only pessimist. The author of those books, Mr. Martin was recently quoted on this topic.

"As I've been saying for years, I wish they had more hours. Every time I see another HBO show I wonder why we only have ten and they have 13 episodes per season. I don't think it will be enough to tell the story we're telling in the books."

Still, Thrones has now been confirmed to be the most watched show on HBO ever (Average of 18.4 million viewers per episode). With news like that, why ask for more? On a tight budget with grandiose subject material, why aren't there more episodes and/or longer episodes?

Other critically acclaimed shows such as "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad" have delivered for there audience in a way Thrones is apparently incapable of doing. Mad Men has had 2 hour season premieres, while Breaking Bad extended its final two episodes by 15 minutes. The sheer size in budget of both stories from the AMC shows pale in comparison to that of Game of Thrones.












The show runners of Game of Thrones are well aware of the criticisms for the gratuitous nude scenes and excess of deviations, particularly in this season. However the case may be we must understand how monumental of a task it is to adapt such a complex story from these thick novels, on to the small screen. The actors are phenomenal, the locations are beautiful, the stunts are glorious, the sex, nudity, wow moments and deaths are what make this show infamous.

Can it simply be a matter of human nature that we just want more? Is our desire for more Thrones is utterly insatiable? Or is it the fact that the books exist and therefore we have a platform to compare and contrast the two separate narratives? The answer to all questions is a resounding YES!

As happy as I am to watch Game of Thrones, I know through reading the books, that it can still be better. Sure, some battles must obviously be left out due to budget constraints and not every single bloody character can be introduced. Some story lines, for example the Reek and Ramsay one, are not as convincing on screen as they are in the books because well, it is simply too difficult to make an actor look like he's been tortured, flayed and starved. The bath scene with Reek was both puzzling and predictable, because one, we saw Reek's nakedness (He had not changed much from seasons 2 and 3 when he was Theon) and aside from the dialogue, the tension in the bath scene was not felt by the likes of me or friends who have not reached book five yet.

Perhaps it is because we as a people are far too smart for television. We've watched too many shows, so it is quite difficult for us to be surprised. Our television intelligence is so high that any scene that is not touching, violent, witty, or just flat out awesome is a disappointment.

Which leads me to this. If you complain about the show and do not wish to read the books, why bother complaining? If you've read the books, yet complain each time the show diverges from the book material - why bother watching? The books and the show exist for a reason: so people can get the best of both worlds. It's a win, win for us.

Of course the famous complaint of the show is that some minor book characters get more screen time on the show...well it is a valid point, but honestly you just need to deal with that. 

The show does have its advantages over the books, in that it can peal away some of the less exciting portions of the story. It is both an advantage and a weakness, because a story is like a stew: you need all the ingredients to make it right. The show has some missing parts. It still tastes great, but well, you get the point. Why do I yammer on about food? Perhaps it is because lunch time is drawing near.

One tidbit. The show has even influenced Mr. Martin. Characters with small roles on the show, like "Osha," the wildling who takes Rickon and Shaggydog away to... (well, I won't say because that is a spoiler) may be getting a bigger role in subsequent novels due to the performance of the actress.

Neither the books nor the show is perfect. Whenever a human being is writing a very long story which average span is over a thousands pages long, there will be parts of the plot that meander. There will be instances when you reach a boring part, especially the way Mr. Martin has formatted his novels, through character POV chapters. You may find yourself favoring one character's POV chapter over another.

Once again. The show is not perfect. We want it to be longer, fuller and a little more consistent, but then again the question can asked, "IF you do not think the show is that good, why not try launching your own version?" The show is great. It has its shortcomings but you cannot take anything away from it.

Game of Thrones (The show) is like a slim model you can enjoy once a week, or multiple times a day if you prefer binge watching. A marathon of pleasurable viewing at your leisure is an incredibly intoxicating feeling.

The books are like thick juicy steaks or huge bowls of oatmeal depending on how you look at them. Chapter after chapter is a big bite of titillation or anguish.

It really comes down to that folks. Take your pick. Get the full story from the books or the reader's digest version that is the show. Since neither story is complete, it is still technically a toss up. The Show will have caught up to the books by season 5. So, when the books and show are complete, we can come back and review this debate.

I know which one I prefer now: the books. Although, like many others, I was first introduced to this fantasy epic, via the show. Oh the irony.

"Observations on Women and men and aging." By Greg Hernandez

I remember growing up as a young boy, my next door neighbor used to refer to me as "Hombre grande."

I never thought much of it back then, but now I realize it meant a lot.

This is a post of what I have merely observed through Facebook posts, word of mouth and my own personal life experiences on age. Women and men loathe the natural process that is aging. In fact, some begin to either detest it at an early age, starting around their late teens. It's all natural. There are several stages in life, check points if you will, that slow down life for all of us a bit. For example: graduating from grade school, high school, college, grad school, beginning your career etc. The mind does reach its cognitive peak at twenty-seven. That's young, or old, depending on your perspective of things.

Now, on Facebook I see female friends and relatives between the ages of 20 to 25 bemoaning the fact that they are old. Not getting old...OLD! I see statements such as, "I cannot party like I used to anymore, I'm too old for this shit." Or "I was around a bunch of 2nd graders and I felt old." I'm probably taking this whole thing too far. Women and men are known for their vanity, but saying the word old when you're in your twenties does not quite resonate with me on a personal level. I find myself thinking, but wait, doesn't old kick in 5 decades from now? I thought "getting old" arrived in our late 30s? I could be wrong.

I, for one will admit that I have jokingly used the word, "old" toward my younger peers who are still in college. We all do it. I guess we all use it warmly in that sense, because we have reached certain plateaus in life before they have because we're merely born 2-4 years ahead of them. I honestly believe that usage of the phrase in its given context is alright.  Now, compare that context to I feel old because I'm twenty-five and either have nothing to look forward to or am discontent with the progress I have made so far in my life, and we have a different narrative.

I get it. Life is scary because it is the longest thing we will ever do, yet it goes by so fast. Our mortality is a scary reminder to us all that we are all the same decaying organic matter. "The marathon sprint," as one friend of mine affectionately calls it. But, I see women use the word "old" in a far more serious way. It makes me curious - this is the point of the entire post really, curious observations - that women do not like aging, yet are so prone to lording their age and experience over others, namely their peers and well, let's face it younger women. Of course men do this as well. Men and women in my estimation are pretty much the same. We do the same things, for the same and different reasons. I remember drinking at a bar with a friend of mine on his twenty-fifth birthday. When captioning a picture titled, "King Richard the IV." He said, "More like twenty-five, I'm old!" It struck me as odd.

A couple of women from my graduating class at Binghamton (2013) recently made statuses regarding the 2014 graduating class; for example posts like, "I'm so proud of my Binghamton babies," or "Literally choking up at all the Binghamton graduation pictures. Congrats kiddies." Wait a minute, referring to the graduating class that immediately followed yours as "babies" and "kiddes" is quite hilarious to me. 

During my junior year in college, my RA (a female) once referred to me and my suite mates as her "babies," which at the time I laughed off because although she was a senior, she was only twenty days older than me. However the case may be, I understand that this is only a figure of speech, it is not alarming to me when I see or hear women saying these things, but it does strike me as very curious. The mother in them all comes out. During my senior year I too, was a RA. I called some of my freshmen and sophomores "my babies," some responded to it with a laugh, others looked at me like I was trying too hard. Perhaps it only makes sense when women do it?


A derogatory words toward women are: Bitch, hoe, Jezebel, cunt, whore, etc.
I discovered a new while in college.

It is a word that women use toward each other. It is a dismissive and insulting phrase which derives of age and experience. The word is "Hun" or "honey." The age context is prevalent. One must be older and more experienced, while the other must be some little naive creature.

A woman calls another woman hun or honey, there is potential for some animosity.
A similar event is when a man calls another man "slick" or "kid." 

Both examples are unique, yet I cannot help but feel they are vastly different. We all have had past rivals of the same sex. We all have dealt with it differently.

Once again, men do this as well. Men call other men a shorty and son (even though the person is not their child). Still, there is no draw back to their own age. An old gunslinger will shoot it out with an upstart young gun. The old gunslinger knows that he is old, because he is in fact OLD. 

A young woman will call or view herself as old because...I have no clue.

This leads me to my final point: Could my observations above stem from the fact that women have that biological clock and men don't? The best biological age for women to give birth is their late teens and early twenties. That's when "oocytes" are fresh and the body's reproductive and other systems are at a youthful peak. The "best" sociological age would be mid-to-late twenties or early thirties. It all depends on your circumstances, where you are in the world, your culture and your life. Is it the maternal instinct coming to the surface? Or is it the beauty is only skin deep reason?

From what I've seen on social media and in my life, a medium exists. It is a feeling of being sage and respected, coinciding with that awesome feeling of still being carded at a bar. Women want it both ways, but then again who doesn't really?

Why do women feel old at twenty or twenty-five? I don't know...
Do men feel the same way? Probably...I know someone dear to me who hates it when he sees grey hairs sprout.

Why is it when you're out with friends and decide to go to a bar and someone says they are not 21 yet, we all go, awww you baby? Do women realize that when they call someone who is a little younger than they are a baby, they sound like a grandma?

It seems to me that there are at least two different types of "old" for women. One, where you're a senile decrepit hag and the other where you're simply in your twenties.

No matter how old we get, we're still young. Tell someone you're out of college, they will call you a baby, because they're 5 or 6 years your senior.

It seems to me that some people prefer to be calling the other person a baby, than being called a baby themselves. I guess this is merely a cyclical phenomenon in society that will never cease.

Game of Thrones- S4E8- "The Mountain and The Viper" By Greg Hernandez

This was a heavy episode. For all of you who do not read the books, I give you all a digital hug. Sansa reveals to Littlefinger that she isn’t the same stupid silly girl that he first met in the capital anymore.  Arya has a good laugh. Tyrion and Jaime bond over good times. Ramsay becomes a Bolton. Jorah is banished. The trial combat delivers...let’s dive right in.

Throughout the week old school posters of the fight between The Viper and The Mountain had popped up over the Internet. Here's one.

See they're friends in real life. This fight delivered on so many levels. The fight choreography was exquisite. This was a highly anticipated fight. I had been waiting for this event to happen on the show for well over a year. Pedro Pascal, the actor who portrayed Oberyn Martell did a fabulous job. It looked as if he executed a majority of his stunts. Watching this fight made me giddy. Reading is one thing but watching it is a whole other experience.  The wide shot of The Viper’s crushed in skull and pool of blood was a great touch. Still, it does not top the close up of Joffrey’s purple face during the “Purple Wedding.”

For those who are hanging on to the whole, "he should have worn a helmet," thing please. It would not have helped. The Mountain could have easily punched his face instead. Crushing him was far more gruesome. Once again, the show takes it up a notch from the books.

Now, the reason should be clear as to why Oberyn stopped short of killing The Mountain. He wanted that confession more than his death. The Mountain is merely a pawn (albeit a very large one) in the grand scheme of things: Tywin is the big fish. Oberyn was after him. A public confession was the ultimate prize on this day. Oberyn won, lost and died. The Mountain confessed alright. What’s that old phrase, be careful what you wish for…you know what I’m talking about. Also, Ellaria Sand’s reaction was beautiful: Indira Varma, you did a great job. In fact, there were many priceless reactions throughout this episode that I’ll get to shortly. Ellaria’s final quote to her lover, “Don’t leave me alone in this world,” The Red Viper’s response is “Never.” Never say never…

The scene before the combat was very special and greatly important. Tyrion and Jaime’s bond remains strong, but it got even stronger by episodes end. Now for those who complained about this scene lasting too long are right. One caveat though. The only reason to feel that way was because of the looming fight: no doubt it is perfectly understandable to dart your eyes at the time and calculate how many minutes are left in the episode. Still, try re-watching the  episode and  paying attention to this conversation. The great thing about Game of Thrones is that you easily appreciate it. 

The metaphor behind the beetle can mean anything to you. That is why it is a metaphor. I like that neither of the two brothers had an answer for their simple cousin’s incorrigible behavior toward beetles. To me the metaphor has to do with senseless fighting. It only makes sense that it precedes the very fight in which the end result is someone getting their head crushed and the blood leaking out only adds to the vivid symbolic detail of squishing a beetle. The Mountain is not a talker.  Oberyn spoke a great deal during their fight.  Oberyn had his reasons for fighting The Mountain. What  are The Mountains’ reasons? He has none. He is simple, just like Tyrion’s cousin. The whole trial by combat ritual is a testament to the beetle metaphor. I also believe that the beetle metaphor is in reference to our world today: Why do we do the things that we do?  Who knows? However it is ironic that we do them, until we die.

(Show Sansa > Book Sansa) – The accelerated storyline at the Vale, yes, I do prefer the book version over the shows’ but how you can fault the show runners for this? Honestly, this was the perfect way to showcase Sansa’s transformation and growth in one episode. She displayed great poise when questioned by the Lords of the Vale. Yes, Petyr, a girl with no learning and scattered wits saved you from a trip through the Moon door. The look that Sansa gave Littlefinger and his reaction to that look were stunning. Those tear drops. The entire performance in that scene was brilliant. Kudos to Sophie Turner for a wonderful performance, the character on that show has grown every season. I believed every word she said, it was clear and fun to watch a girl become powerful on screen. She now understands her position and uses it to her advantage. Sansa has the leverage over Littlefinger. Her line, “I know what you want.” Best line of the episode.

*BOOK SPOILERS* LOOK AWAY NOW!

[In the book, Littlefinger is far more prepared. In fact, one could argue, too prepared. I believe he let himself get caught kissing Sansa so he could push Lysa through the Moon door. In the book, there is a singer present; who in turned is used a scapegoat – Littlefinger calls for the guards and has him arrested for the murder of Lysa Arryn.  Also, it is Lysa who after consummating the marriage with Littlefinger, orders Sansa to have her hair dyed black – In the show she merely covers her hair with her hood. Regardless of which version you prefer, they’re both interesting. Sansa’s storyline has effectively caught up with the books.]

*SPOILERS END*

Sansa is no longer a piece in the Game of Thrones, she is a player and a formidable one too. She has been proven to be astute. It is obvious that she has been paying attention to Littlefinger’s words. He has been indirectly teaching her. He told her in the capital that everyone is a liar here, and that they’re all better than her. He instructed her to use her strengths and understand her weaknesses. He kissed her, which exposed his own weakness to her: his muddled vision of her as  the woman he loved and lost come again in a younger version and also viewing her as his daughter.  He is predisposed to her. Sansa also remembers her lesson from Cersei during the Battle of the Blackwater. She has a woman’s weapon: the one between her legs, her looks and of course potentially poison. Littlefinger better watch out. For the first time in the show really, someone has gotten the better of Littlefinger in playing the Game. 

I do understand the perception the show is trying to achieve with making Littlefinger vulnerable. It is nice to see him sweat; the only problem though is that the build has been lost. It is too quick. This show survives off of big OMG and WTF moments – the books are far better in creating that natural flow, but then again what is natural... After all this is a show, you cannot get everything you want. 

Arya and the Hound reach the Vale. I was surprised that they got there so quickly. The tribesmen of the Vale gave them safe passage or failed to notice them? I thought they had grown braver since meeting Tyrion and receiving new castle forged weapons, oh well. Anyways, the Hound’s wound has slowed him down quite a deal. Without the fire to stop the bacteria from spreading, the wound will no doubt fester soon. The Hound will inevitably die. Unless of course he enters the Vale and receives proper treatment, I highly doubt that.

The opposite of Ned and Jon's relationship, but still similar. Ramsay becomes a Bolton. Finally, he took the Moat for the family and now he is family. This happens a lot quicker on the show than in the books as well. King Tommen helping out a fellow bastard, am I right? Any scene with Roose is a great scene. He is right. The North is by far the largest and most expansive section in all the seven – technically six Kingdoms. Ramsay the sick sociopath bastard is now heir to the largest chunk in Westeros. You have to hand it to him though. He is evil, but smart: the ploy of sending Theon – I mean Reek over with a peace flag was genius. 

Alfie Allen’s acting in that scene was intense. Did you notice how he slowly began to break character as he realized he was failing in his assignment? It was beautiful. I’m Re-reek. Now whenever someone asks you who Ramsay Bolton is – just show them this picture of a flayed Ironborn.

The Boltons are going to their new home. Hmmm I believe the true wardens of the North reside in, yup you guessed it, WInterfell. I loved how Iwan Rheon (who portrays Ramsay) played that moment of learning he was no longer a bastard. How he hates being referred to as that. He wants his father’s love and approval and now he has earned it. Afterward, you see them riding home and his sinister look is back on and he tells Reek to give him a bath. Nasty.

The Wildlings attack Mole’s town.  That shot of the water in the well coinciding with the man’s throat being slit was a fantastic intro. The image of the blood leaking through the floorboards – awesome! I loved the woman burping the “Bear and The Maiden fair,” song. Gilly telling that same woman to shut up was amusing. How can you make a baby stop crying – honestly? Ygritte can kill a few people, but a woman and a baby: you can both be spared as long as that baby keeps quiet that is!

Poor Jorah, your past has come back to haunt you. If only you had accepted that royal pardon, but no you have loved and lost again. I like that Ser Barristan came to him man-to-man to deliver the news. Yup, you will never be alone with Daenerys again. Tywin Lannister has successfully created discord in  the Mother of Dragon’s camp. I assume the final episode will show Dany discussing the infiltration of Vary’s spies. I loved how Dany did not even look at him after he confessed that the document was not forged and that he loves her. Her bear, her rock, and her closest friend – it all begin with a lie, a near fatal lie. If only he had confessed, and admitted his earlier allegiance like Ser Barristan did. Then we would have never seen that shot of Jorah riding away on his horse, boy was it depressing. 

Grey Worm and Missandei. I saved this for last because it was the sweetest scene of the episode.

 Finally, a couple we can root for! Oh wait, he has neither testicles nor a penis or as Dany puts it: “The pillar and the stones.” Missandei wonders if it is true, that Grey Worm is empty down there, because he is interested. Regardless their friendship and potential romance is a good thing to see on the show. This was a nice pay off for their earlier scene together. As complicated as it may be, these are the sorts of relationships and moments that can keep some fans from turning away from the show, too much brutality and drama can exhaust the viewers. The show displays some light moments to give it a bit of levity. “I am glad you saw me,” she says. “So am I,” he responds. Plus, we got to see Missandei naked. Pervert alert!

I give this episode a 9.7

It was filled with some brutal-light-hilarious moments, great imagery and awesome victories/defeats.
As much as we love fighting, that is not really what has made Game of Thrones famous. It is what leads to the fighting. The words are the true swords, spears, lances, daggers and axes – these are represented by the great writing of dialogues and monologues, which make it crucial for the audience to get an insight in to what these witty, dangerous and devious characters are thinking. The conversations are what truly make this show titillating. 

Best bits

-Did anyone notice Jaime glance at Varys before the fight started? Foreshadow!

-Tywin cutting off Pycelle was hilarious. Unlike King Robert who would have said something like, “Start the damn fight before I piss meself.” Tywin just waves his hand.

-Oberyn calling King’s Landing, "A stinking shit pile of a city."

-Jaime and Tyrion impersonating their simple cousin smashing beetles.

-Arya laughing hysterically upon finding out that her daughter has died and the Hound’s reaction.

- The Hound. “Family, Honor, all that horseshit."

-"Who would pass the bloody gate?" Well, “The Bloody Hound,” of course, that’s who.

-Tyrion wanting to smile when Oberyn pins the Mountain on his back. He looks at his father or sister or both, but the fight looked pretty much done before the beetle juice came pouring out.

-Littlefinger confronting Sansa after being exonerated. “Better to gamble on the man you know than the strangers you don’t. Do you know me?”

-Littlefinger dropping some serious spoilers on the viewers. “People die at dinner tables, in their beds, squatting over their chamber pots. Clearly the show runners are playing with the theme of spoilers for the non-book readers. They are also reinforcing the whole “All Men Must Die,” theme as well.

-Jaime has never seen Oberyn fight. I find that hard to believe…pretty sure that is a change from the book. 


Final Points

Jon Snow and the other members of the Night’s watch are in for a treat next episode. 102 fighting men versus a hundred thousand: at least they have the wall. Here's the trailer for episode nine, appropriately titled, "The Watchers on The Wall." This will be the Blackwater 2.0 An entire episode dedicated to mayhem.

Also, check out this neat bar reaction video to last week's episode - Viper and Mountain Bar reaction

What was your reaction? Let us know!!