Disqus - Latest Comments for Fiendish

Re: Ugh

Fiendish — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:24:29 -0000

When I asked my best male friend if he wanted to sleep with me, he said no. We're still best friends, because our friendship wasn't based on my desire to sleep with him any more than it was based on his desire not to sleep with me.

What I hate about this trope is that it makes me feel like a failed woman. It's my job to attract all members of the opposite sex all the time, obvz, so when I can't even attract my actual friends I must be doing something horribly wrong, right? Ugh.

Re: Doctor Who Open Thread: S5E10: Vincent and the Doctor

Fiendish — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 09:22:23 -0000

Actually, the monster was the story: the monster was the reason they went back in time and the reason they stayed with Van Gogh; it was also responsible for killing at least one human character. You can argue that due to our lack of involvement with the monster, it was something of a MacGuffin, but declaring it irrelevant to the plot is far too simplistic. It was a "we came for the monster and stayed for the people" kind of episode if anything. And due to its fairly complex progression in the audience's sympathies, I don't think it was actually "extraneous" or "just a metaphor" at all. As for the Doctor not killing, you can't compare this situation to the Seawhale at all: in that episode, he was considering killing a creature merely for mercy. In this episode, it was clearly self-defence. Lonely and abandoned or not, that creature was a threat. It had already killed and in the church it may have killed again had Vincent not stabbed it. I think the Doctor showed sympathy toward the creature, but to compare it to a completely innocent Seawhale who had done nothing but help humanity is facetious.

I also don't understand how they were treating Van Gogh like a rainy day project. I really don't. I think they genuinely cared about him and wanted him to know that his life's work wasn't in vain. It was clearly shown that this wasn't enough to "save" or "change" him to some alternate, happy Van Gogh; they were just trying to do something nice for someone they had come to care about, and I don't think that issues of neurotypical privilege play into that. If anyone received the charity of "seeing-the-world-aright," it was the Doctor and Amy, from Vincent.

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy the episode, but I really did think it was beautiful and beautifully-done.

Re: Doctor Who Open Thread: S5E09: Cold Blood

Fiendish — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:53:15 -0000

Apart from the Evil Wimmunz that this series seems to have been suffering from, I enjoyed the episode. I liked that two women -- one a woman of colour -- were the representatives of all Earth, and though I understand UrsulaL's point about the Doctor not really having the authority to appoint them or to dub the negotations binding for either side, it was clear the situation had reached crisis. As the only "impartial" party, in an emergency of that magnitude, I can understand why he felt he had to broker a deal. I don't really see what his other options were. If both sides, or even one side, had questioned his authority and refused to enter talks, that would be one thing, but both sides seemed to accept that given the situation, it was best to work on the fairest grounds they could establish. That said, he should have stayed at the table as a mediator.

Questions: Rory? Really? And I must be the only one picking up on a faint and hopefully entirely imaginary suggestion that the Doctor had other intentions for that engagement ring.

And Rory and Amy waving at each other? Can that happen in the Whoniverse? I thought there were strict rules about not being able to meet oneself in time? Sorry if this is a total newbie question, as I am a total newbie. I was just surprised, and so couldn't help linking it to the TARDIS shrapnel at the end. If space and time collapse, then infinite numbers of everything can exist at once. That could explain Double Amy and Rory, and also Double TARDIS, but not the Doctor's nonchalant acceptance of the former.

Also, I think I may have a crush on Matt Smith. Probably not relevant.

Re: "We Live in Modern Times"

Fiendish — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 10:01:29 -0000

As for Britain including Northern Ireland, it's a little more complex when it comes to calling its citizens "Brits". Under the Good Friday agreement, citizens of Northern Ireland with loyalty to the Republic can claim Irish citizenship. That's just one instance in which referring to Great Britain as a monolith and its citizens as "Brits" is hugely problematic. Irish people with Irish passports and Irish heritage living in Northern Ireland are simply not Brits, and God knows how many people have died in order to prove it.

Re: Meet the Predators

Fiendish — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:15:49 -0000

I can't see how Switzerland's population committing fewer acts of sexual violence than America's somehow equates to a "Europe vs North America thing," but maybe I misunderstood your comment. Either way, this debate is not about patriotism or nationalist values. It is about men who are committing rape, and the people who are the victims of that crime. That might not have been what you meant, but I would hate to see the discussion derailed like that.

Re: I’ve heard about women who don’t know they’re... - STFU, Parents

Fiendish — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:44:40 -0000

If you can be hyperbolically offensive, why can't everyone? For the record, I think you're both super funny most of the time, but everyone makes mis-steps. It's the internet. It's no big deal to be criticised now and then.

Re: Mom’s Gold Star I’ll be honest: I don’t usually... - STFU, Parents

Fiendish — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:45:56 -0000

pixie721: Thanks for your response -- I totally get it if Bobby and Lauren are like old buddy old pals and he's just winding her up. The best friendships are based on wind-ups. I just feel like some of the comments here about sexual harassment were really off-colour, much more so than the original post, and I was like hey, you know what, I'm just gonna call it as I see it. No big deal. :)

STFU: Hello, blog owner. My complaint wasn't really based on whether Bobby was a man or a woman -- I'm just afraid that the extremely prestigious Mom's Gold Star is going to start getting handed out to anyone who shows up on breastfeeding threads going, "TITS LOL". Now, don't get me wrong, this wasn't like Never Visiting The Blog Again material, by a long shot. I personally didn't think Bobby was being hilarious, but again it does depend on context; I know Lauren was the first to make the joke about pulling her boobs out, but that's kind of her talking about her own body. Maybe it's a personal thing for me, I don't know: I wasn't massively upset by it, I just thought it was kind of off for this blog. Comments-wise, I wouldn't say it's totally all in good fun -- I mean, that comment about breastfeeding mothers (who "won't cover up" or whatever) "can't complain" about a "creepy guy with the hand down his pants" was totally dodgy. To be honest, anyone can and should be able to complain about sexual harassment. Regardless of their feeding decisions.

But hey. It's your blog and you run a tight ship. I just thought I'd put in my two cents or whatever.

frances: Right. Um... Yeah, thank you. Consider it... sucked?

Re: Mom’s Gold Star I’ll be honest: I don’t usually... - STFU, Parents

Fiendish — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:06:53 -0000

I'm gonna say right here that I love this blog and have never had a problem with any posts before this one.

But to be honest, I would feel grossed out by this even if it was in response to a woman bragging that she wears short skirts or shows off her cleavage a lot. I don't believe in slut-shaming women based on their sexuality, and I *certainly* don't believe in slut-shaming women based on something which is not sexual. She's just feeding someone who's hungry. I think this is an uncomfortably sexist post and it crosses a line. I'm not going to cry over it, but women shouldn't have to be called sluts in this day and age just because they had a kid and want to make that kid as comfortable and well-fed as possible.

To those saying that women forsake the right to complain about sexual harassment as soon as they breastfeed in public, I just have to call you guys out. No one deserves to be sexually harassed, ever, no matter what the circumstances are. Ever. At all. Sorry, but you're touching a nerve here, and it's just not okay to talk that way about women on what is essentially a comedy site. We've been cool here in the past about gay rights; I was hoping that would extend to women's rights too, and I'd be sad to think that I was wrong.

Re: I feel violated by this submission. Immediately... - STFU, Parents

Fiendish — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:56:52 -0000

Wow. Old Buster and Lucille here are giving me the creeps to the power of ten. I love how she's self-aware and ironic enough to give it a heading like "Li'l Oedipus," and not in any way adult or rational enough to think about the implications of that kind of relationship. Oh ha ha, my son is in love with me! Check this out, all my friends on Facebook! Just wait for the later updates where he struggles to leave home and has attachment problems in all his subsequent relationships! This is golden, you guys!

Also, what does she mean by "together"? My parents were still bathing me when I was a toddler (and pretty much when I was a child too), but they weren't bathing *with* me or anything. Should I be squicked out?

Re: Today was life-changing.

Fiendish — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:41:30 -0000

Saw the Kings in the O2 in December. Needless to say, they rocked my world -- actually, just to prove what a nerd I am, I still have Caleb's pick from that gig. I'm trying to think of some other cool stuff you could do in Dublin. I've always been a tourist there too up till now, hopefully I'll find out where the cool kids hang out when I move there. You should post your recommendations actually ;) I'm from Mayo, but I've been to Cork many a time. Should've known you had Irish roots with a name like Molly! Is this your first time over here?

Re: Today was life-changing.

Fiendish — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:31:43 -0000

Haha I was just reading that old Jared Followill interview of yours earlier today and now it turns out you're in Dublin. Awesome stuff. I'm moving there to start university in a couple of weeks, right now I'm over on the West Coast. Ulysses is killer, I think we have to read it on my course and I'm already terrified. The Westbury's pretty cool. Check out Trinity College if you get the chance, only because that's where I'm headed and all. Have lots of fun.

http://theotherscrapbook.wo...

Re: Humor Fail

Fiendish — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:05:57 -0000

I am so glad I read Shakesville, because it makes me actually *think* about shit like this.

If hadn't read this post, I probably would have laughed uncomfortably along, justifying my response with my own vague dislike of Eminem. But your commentary is so right, and even more disturbingly so in the case of a sexual abuse survivor.

I really am starting to get it, and Shakesville is high among the list of sites I have to thank for that. So -- Liss, especially -- thanks for all you do.

Re: The Virtual Pub Is Open

Fiendish — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:37:50 -0000

Aww. Well, have a little party for yourself on the way home from work? We're there in spirit.

Re: The Virtual Pub Is Open

Fiendish — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:33:14 -0000

@SugarLeigh: No, the cheer was great. Some super cheer, right up about a nine out of ten. I was just wondering why molliecat made special mention of the horrible triggering comments today right after I said "hey" to everyone -- I wondered if maybe I had said something unawares.

@am1: Let's get the mojo started now, then! How are you?

Re: The Virtual Pub Is Open

Fiendish — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:13:56 -0000

@molliecat: Oh dear... Was it something I said?

Re: Quote of the Day

Fiendish — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:08:18 -0000

I'm not ready to give Obama a "fuck you" yet, but Gibbs' comment was highly unnecessary. In trying to sidestep the very serious allegations, he insulted a highly-respected media service, and by extension, the people of Britain, who pay for and use it. What an assy ass.

Re: The Virtual Pub Is Open

Fiendish — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:45:30 -0000

@SugarLeigh: Me neither! Hey hey people. How is everybody on this fine Friday?

I personally have my Hugely Big Deal Leaving Certificate Exams on Wednesday. So, that's fun.

Re: Caption This Photo

Fiendish — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:51:52 -0000

My first comment here too (I think?) and it also got lost in the avalanche of doubt and critique. I'm with nifer and am1, though; just because you make a fancy-pants reference to little-known European photographers and we're too, what, unsophisticated to get it? That doesn't absolve deeky of what is essentially the mocking of a disadvantaged group. Say what you like about aesthetics, but the photo doesn't exist in a vacuum.

Re: Caption This Photo

Fiendish — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:24:16 -0000

Here's my caption: "No, Honey, the Terrifying Creatures in the Backdrop Haven't Stolen Your Wallet Yet".

And I do question the wisdom of posting this photo, clever in-jokey Pierre & Gilles reference or no.

Re: Important Announcement

Fiendish — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 14:24:14 -0000

"Feminism connotes active preference for feminine persons and qualities over masculine ones."

No no no, no, no, no no, no. No. Not ever. Never. Just no.

Many modern advocates of feminism actually question the whole idea of feminine qualities as distinct from masculine ones. Feminism is just a belief in gender equality. That is it, that is all, and if you don't understand that yet then GTFO my internet. Now.