I started out clean, but I'm jaded

A post from an LJ friend got me started on a wiki-style link fest focused mainly on YA literature and the stereotype/rape culture of the "bad romance" that seems to be more and more common. As a woman, and as both an avid reader and an unabashed fan of Young Adult Literature, these blogs and posts have had me sitting here thinking and raging, and occasionally trying not to cry.

I want to sit here and write out a nice long post about my thoughts on the matter, but that seems pointless when there's been so much written so well about it all ready. Suffice it to say that this is some powerful stuff one way or another. Lots to do with sexism and rape-culture, language is a factor as well.

First up, Bad Romance (or, YA & Rape Culture) Good read all around, very thought provoking. Make sure to check out the attached links, as well as some of the comments.

Secondly, Fugitivus has the post that almost made me cry.

I'm angry. A little heartbroken. Mostly just angry that this stuff keeps happening. That these girls keep buying these books--that their parents let them. That this is...normal. I'm not someone who really believes in what a lot of people would consider traditional romance, not even by a long shot. But I'm no stranger to abusive relationships, and I'm more familiar than I'd like to be with the culture of silence and acceptance that pervades society.

So just. Give a read. This is bigger by far than YA fiction, but that's symptom of a much larger problem. Be aware. Be cognizant.

Sat down on the street, took a look at myself

I realized just now that in a week's time, EK and I are going to be hitting the skies, and embarking on a trip we've been talking about doing for a while now, in one form or another. While it's not the wild westward journey along Route 66 in an ancient ass convertible that screams "American Dream," I think that we came to a pretty awesome facsimile.

May 3rd, EK and I are flying out to Denver, where we're going to rent ourselves a Prius (not exactly a '69 Caddy), and hit the road. So far, we know we're hitting Salt Lake City for a night and San Francisco for a few days. Afterward it's the coastal highway down to Monteray Bay for a night, and then San Luis Obispo for two nights before we scoot down to Los Angeles. Las Vegas is next on the itinerary before we hit Flagstaff and two days in the Grand Canyon/Sedona region. Glenwood Springs and Boulder are our last stops before we wrap everything up and catch our flight from Denver back to Atlanta on the 17th.

It's two weeks and a car and some incredible scenery. Part of me is insanely nervous, mostly I'm insanely excited. To be able to do this is a dream come true for me, even if I did work myself sick to be able to afford it. There's something about this whole concept to me that's exhilarating, like it carries this inexplicable weight and importance. Like it's going to change my life somehow.

I'm going to miss a lot while I'm gone. Primarily my man, my cat. Also, some awesome parties and the retirement of a very important teacher in my life.

I'm terrified. But I think it's going to be worth it.