So I am writing this on the eve of Saint Patrick’s Day. A lot of things come to mind when people think of March 17; the color green, Ireland, shamrocks, Guinness and even Saint Patrick himself. However there is one theme that is far more prevalent: alcohol. Americans love any excuse to drink, if you can make it a national holiday, even better. Most people couldn’t tell you a single thing about Saint Patrick or in some cases Ireland, but when March 17th rolls around, you better believe we claim our Irish heritage, true or not. In the same way, hardly any of us know anything about Mexico’s fight for independence, but Cinco De Mayo…mas cervesa por favor. It is the American way. Not that I’m completely complaining, I will get swept up in the lovely madness of Saint Patrick’s Day, I haven’t gone a single year without wearing green. I made that mistake when I was a wee lass of first grade, and I never made that mistake again. Though I did hear folklore about wearing the color red, so I would wear it…just in case. Yeah, no luck on that one…ever. Holidays, innocent in their intention or otherwise, have one rather wonderful trait: they unite people.
There is something rather fantastic about getting swept up in something greater than yourself. I suppose that is really what holidays do for us. Most Americans are patriotic on any given day, but don’t think about it, not directly. However, the fourth of July, we will rock red, white and blue and eat hot dogs and burgers until we are sick. God bless America! We all do that though don’t we? Some turn to religion for that very reason, they want to be swept up in something greater than themselves. Obsessions come naturally to us. Humans long for something to belong to. It is the way we were created. So even if it’s not a good thing to get involved with, we are blinded when we are in the middle of it. On that note…it is with much shame that I will admit…I was one of those Twilight girls. I will admit it, I am embarrassed that I was a member of the craze and in hindsight, it was a little foolish. I have since then read them over and realized that they are not terribly well-written, the plot is iffy. I have since then seen the error of my ways. Though for that short while, it was nice to be involved with something that was so unifying, so ridiculously universal. If I had one of those books out, it was almost guaranteed that somebody would talk to me. It was…nice. Even if you don’t respect Meyer for her writing, one has to respect the fact that what she has done has become an cultural phenomenon. Like her works or not, she has done something that few people have been able to.
Vampires and werewolves have become such a huge part of American culture. I could do a whole dissertation about that, but that is another blog for another time. Most of the shows and movies that feature these creatures are laughable at best. Perhaps this is a shameless plug and I will accept that. The TV show Being Human is my new addiction. I am speaking of the English version. For those who are huge fans of the British version, first of all…what are you doing reading this? I doubt you are, but believe me when I say I have every intention of watching the British version. I just really wanted to see the American version for two reasons. Sam Witwer (who played Doomsday on Smallville) and Sam Huntington (Mimisiku from Jungle 2 Jungle, *giggle* Mimisiku) and it is rather fantastic. Two lead characters who are gorgeous and talented, sign me up! For those of you who don’t know the premise, it is a vampire, werewolf and a ghost who are all in the same house. It is wonderful and engaging, if you can’t tell…I’m a big fan. Mostly because Sam (who is the werewolf) is super awkward and I am a huge fan of socially awkward boys. So you should check it out. In case you are reading this the day it is released, a very Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to you!
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