weapons of massdistraction

A co-worker wants me to branch out. From the world of vampires into the world of…werewolves. The thing is, lycanthropes have long been an integral part of the fiction I enjoy. There are so many examples, from An American Werewolf in London to the character of Oz on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Or the Brotherhood of the Wolf. Or Gil’s All Fright Diner. Or the wolf packs in the Southern Vampire series (which True Blood is based upon). And I don’t mind these dogs, really. I don’t. But there’s something about the pack mentality that rankles. I find the feline individuality of vamps more appealing. Even so I’ve begun reading book one, Cry Wolf, of the Alpha and Omega series. And the short story prequel that came before it, even though the cover of that book came with “stories of dark streets and inhuman passions” as a tagline. Groan. At least the video for TV on the Radio’s Wolf Like Me is intentionally over the top.

Do believe the hype about the Swedish vampire movie, Let the Right One In. I indulged yesterday and it was a relief to see such a realistic, well-acted film. Especially after the campy amateurish Twilight.

Bonus: “Strangers May Cheer You Up, Study Says” Hmmm.
Plus: A friend is in Austria temporarily, teaching. Through her I’ve just found out about Krampus. Europeans have some intense myths for terrifying children. Damn. Posted a little more about that here.
And: Gay marriages can save the economy! I love Neil Patrick Harris so (and the rest of the ensemble cast in Prop 8 The Musical).