#Social: Selfie Review

One of the few selfies you'll ever see of me, done to bring awareness to childhood cancer.

Last week, I received a Klout perk to check out the new ABC rom-com sitcom, Selfie. I'd seen the previews and I was definitely skeptical about the plot of the show. I'm all for social media, I think it can be a powerful tool to evoke change or get important news out to the public. On a more entertaining side, it's also fun to see what your favorite celebs are up to. It's a connection that we've never had before with our favorite stars. 

While I am all for social media (when it's used right), I have never been a big fan of the selfie. I've taken one (really, who hasn't?), but I'm not going to be posting them on a daily basis. I don't need to see your selfie at Starbucks, at the grocery, at Target, pumping your gas or any other mundane task. Needless to say, when I saw the previews for ABC's Selfie, the idea was not overly appealing. When I got the chance to see a sneak-peak of the show though, I thought I'd give it a chance. What I discovered was that I pretty much lost 30 minutes of my life that day.

The show stars Karen Gillan and John Cho. I'll be honest, I'm not really familiar with Karen Gillan so I can't speak to her prior work. John Cho I am more familiar with and typically appreciate his comedic appeal. Truthfully, I don't think that the actors are really the problem in this show. They hit their mark with the characters that they are playing. For me, it was the build-up of the characters themselves that left me dissatisfied. 

Gillan plays Eliza, a self-absorbed, narcissistic, social media obsessed sales rep who is in love with her married boss. Right away, she wants you to know just how many friends/followers she has on her Instagram account (263,000 if you were wondering). She also wants it known that she was unattractive in high school, but then she did a major makeover and she's now hot! Her character overall lacks a likability factor throughout the pilot.

Cho plays Henry, Eliza's co-worker who is going to give her a personality makeover. His goal is to make her a more functioning and productive member of society. Good luck to him! His character comes of as arrogant and a bit self-righteous. He reminds her often that he doesn't like her, which we know will inevitably lead to the two falling in love. 

The show starts off on a plane with her co-workers where she ultimately makes a fool of herself and is subject to multiple cell phone videos/photos. It seems to jump from scene to scene with little explanation. It wasn't clear if they were coming or going on the plane, and the next scene, they are in the office. Shortly after that, the two characters are at a co-worker's daughter's wedding. It made the show feel choppy and unfocused. 

Overall, I think the writers want you to see Eliza as a character that can change and is redeemable. I can see where the plot is going - Eliza is going to become less self-involved while loosening up the stuffy Henry. The problem is, so far she doesn't seem to be a redeemable character because it's so hard to like her throughout the pilot. She comes across at times as not much more than a cyber-bully, making fun of others through hashtags and tweets. Plus, it's hard to comprehend why she's still employed. She's constantly nose-down on her phone, talks in Twitter / text lingo (which at points left me wondering what the heck she even said), and with all her social posting, presents a bad image for the company in general. Not exactly what I'd call a great employee.

There was a moment at the end of the show, where she has an actual conversation with their administrative assistant. The fact that they carried on a normal, human interaction was a revelation to Eliza, with her even commenting on how they'd had a moment. It was apparently a first for her, a sad commentary on her character. That one moment is supposed to make us believe that Eliza can change, but instead it was just the first time she actual seemed like a human and not a self-indulgent pod person.

I guess this is supposed to be a commentary on today's social media obsessed society, but it just feels too in your face. Pop culture references are tossed out and while some did result in a laugh, it generally just felt awkward. Plus, the use of hashtag and text lingo within the dialogue actually seemed a couple of years too late. Not only that, but it was tired and overdone. We get it, people overuse hashtags! I think that's apparent to anyone who saw Jimmy Fallon's #STFU. If you haven't seen that, (do you live under a rock?) watch it, it'll save your the half hour of watching Selfie.

Until next time, Suburban Sarah signing off!

A Little Sharing

Back when I was still in the classroom, I attended a poetry symposium. It was hosted by one of my fellow DCPS colleagues. Admittedly, at first, I had no plans on attending. It was being held early on a Saturday morning in the city. I am basically the antithesis of a morning person. Don't get me wrong, if I have to get up, I absolutely can, but given the choice, I'd rather be sleeping when the sun is coming up. However, I knew that my co-worker had put a lot of time in arranging the speakers and making plans for the event, so I told her that I'd attend.

It turned out to be one of the best experiences during my time in the classroom. Growing up, I loved writing poetry. When the poetry unit would come around in my English classes, while most students were moaning and groaning about the lameness of poetry, I was excited. It was always my favorite genre to study and I looked forward to the chance to write my own poems. I suppose it's tooting my own horn a bit, but I always got fantastic feedback on the poetry that I wrote for class. At one point, I think it was around middle school, I thought I'd grow up and be a poet. Somewhere along the way, through high school, college and work, that passion dissipated and I stopped writing.

That Saturday spent in a DC classroom was the spark that I needed to reignite my love of poetry. More importantly, it got me writing again. Perhaps that wasn't the true point of the day, but it helped me to find something inside myself I didn't really know that I had lost. The poet that was speaking that day said something that still sticks with me. She said that if you don't write down a thought or a line while it's in your head, it's going to float away to another poet. Since then, any time an inkling of a poem comes into my brain, I jot it down. Thankfully, we now have Siri in our lives, so when there are moments that I don't have a pen an paper handy, I can dictate it to my good iPhone friend. Her interpretation (or auto-edits) are not always what they are supposed to be, but I can usually decipher what it was that I meant.

So, for this Sunday, I thought I'd take a little leap and really put myself out there to share one of my poems. (This is not something I've done since I was in school, so I might be freaking out just a bit...)

My Happiness

The soft hiss and fizzle
blue-green refreshment

a humming breeze
tickling across fluttering sun bonnets
flip-flap, back and forth
umbrellas, swaying against blue skies

my happiness lives here
my soul makes roots
peace is found.

Until next time, Suburban Sarah signing off!

Don't Read That!

Back when I was in high school I wrote an article for our school paper on Banned Book Week. It's the week that celebrates all of the books that are either banned or, more commonly challenged each year. I love the idea of this week, celebrating the freedom to read. Not only does Banned Books Week celebrate the freedom to read, but also the awareness of censoring books and why that can be detrimental to society. It's an opportunity to shine light on ideas that may digress from so-called norms of society and embrace the chance to learn about things that might be less mainstream or unpopular.

Now, don't get me wrong. I definitely agree that some subjects and books are not appropriate for various age ranges. I worked in the classroom and just because the child can read the words, doesn't mean they understand the themes or that they should be allowed to read a book that isn't age appropriate. With that being said, having the chance (when age ready) to read books of your choosing is important. We are a diverse and ever changing society and books can help give a window to a life that is not like ours. They provide learning opportunities to grow as people. You don't have to agree with what you choose to read, but hey, give it a chance, you just might gain a new perspective. If nothing else, that new outlook can at least help you to stand in someone else's shoes.

Are you aware of what books are on the challenged or banned list? The Great Gatsby, The Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Sun Also Rises, Gone with the Wind, and The Call of the Wild are just a few examples of classics that are frequently challenged. How many of those have you read? How many were you forced to read during your years in school? Were there ones that you didn't get to read because they were banned?

I can remember reading To Kill a Mockingbird in the 8th grade. It was controversial. People didn't want us reading it because of the language that was used. It's a book that's been challenged multiple times over the years. Typically, for the same reasons - it's use of a racial epithet. One school district wanted it banned because it conflicted with community values. The thing is, that word that people want to ban the book over, it was used in the time period in which the story takes place. It's a shameful part of our past, but it is a part of our history. Are we not taught that if we ignore history, we are doomed to repeat it? So why are we trying to brush a novel, that shows examples of that history under the rug? Let's not practice the revisionist history of America by ignoring a great piece of literature, instead, let's embrace it and learn from the mistakes that the story is trying to teach.

Classics aren't the only books that people would like to zap off of our local library and bookstore shelves. Children's books are prime targets. The childhood book about what a series of brightly colored animals see, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, found itself on a challenged list due to the unfortunate fact that author Bill Martin shared his name with a professor who wrote a book on Marxism. #Whoops Because Bill Martin is such a unique name...

How about the Shel Silverstein classic, The Giving Tree? This was one of my childhood favorites. The story about a tree that loved her friend (the boy) unconditionally. What it taught me was to show kindness to others, to be giving of yourself. So why is it challenged? There are a few different reasons, one challenge said the book criminalized the foresting industry. Hmmm? Somehow I missed that one. I'm pretty sure the tree offers the boy her branches and trunk, but perhaps I missed the evil tree cutter wielding his axe. Another view on the book is that the tree is too self-sacrificing, that she causes herself pain to do whatever she can for the boy. I suppose I can see that, but if that's all you get from the book,  I think you are reading it on much too literal a level. Finally, some critics of the book say it's sexist. Again, I guess I can see that viewpoint, the female, forever sacrificing herself for the all powerful male. I think this shows reading too much into a subtext, the book could just as easily call the boy, "the child" and not assign a gender to the tree. It's still the same story - a kid and his/her best friend. A friend that at the end is still there, and someone you can come home to, something we should all strive for in our lives.

Is your favorite childhood book on the list? Why not go back and revisit it? I challenge you this weekend, as Banned Books Week comes to an end, to reread or read for the first time, a book that has been banned. Open those eyes, embrace the opportunity to celebrate the freedom of reading. I'm going to go back and reread a book that I first read my sophomore year of high school, A Separate Peace. What will you read?

Until next time, Suburban Sarah signing off!

The Wheels on the Bus

One of the things I like about living outside of Washington, DC is how easy it is to get to one of my favorite places - New York City! Plane, bus, train, you definitely have your options on how to get there. If I had my choice, it would be Amtrak every time, preferably in the peace and quiet of business class. With that being said, train fares tend to be pretty high, unless you book very far in advance or are willing to leave at approximately 3 o'clock in the morning. Normally, my booking only comes a few weeks in advance and let's just say me and 3 AM are not really acquainted (nor do we really intend to meet). Planes are a quick option, but I much prefer to arrive right in Manhattan, not out in Queens or New Jersey. Therefore, my typical mode of transportation is by one of the many buses available to those of us in the DMV.

I've basically taken them all - Vamoose, Bolt, MegaBus, and Tripper. I don't really have a preference. This isn't meant to be a review on one or the other, it's more a curiosity about which buses other people choose and why. Is one bus really better than the next? Or are you more like me and decide based on price and schedule availability as to which one you book?

I recently saw an article or blog post about a new luxury bus to New York called Royal Sprinter. It's a Mercedes Sprinter that holds eight people. Each person has their own "row" as well as a tray, power outlet, light, cup holder and TV.  (You can check out the Royal Sprinter at https://www.royalsprinter.com)

Photo Credit: Tafi s.r.o.

The cost of the trip is $90 each way. I've definitely been tempted to try it out - a quiet ride with seats that recline with a nice foot rest - sounds really nice. My only question is - if a train ride is about $89, why not take Amtrak? Most of the buses have round trip tickets for $50 or so. Is the extra room and "luxury" worth the extra $130.

What I'd like to know from all of you is - have you ever taken this bus to or from New York? If so, what did you think? Worth the extra cash? What about the other buses - do you have a favorite? If you do, which one do you take and why is it the best? Aaaand...go!

Until next time, Suburban Sarah signing off!

Farewell Summer

As summer rolls over to fall and we await the changing of the leaves and cooler weather, I anticipate all the great things that come with this season. Football games - I usually get to at least one UVA game a season courtesy of my alumni dad - who just so happens to live in Charlottesville and have season tickets to the games. Decked out in orange and/or navy, there are few experiences quite like college football and Virginia always seems to do it right. It somehow always reminds me of my childhood.

One of my favorite parts (and perhaps the part that eventually makes me miss summer) is the chance to switch my wardrobe over to sweaters, boots and skinny jeans. (This usually lasts until mid-winter when I'm then longing for the days by the pool and sundresses.) The first day of fall, and even the days that lead up to September 23rd, I'm already pulling out sweaters and dusting off my boots. This year, I am on the hunt for new tall boots. My Old Navy bargain boots that I bought three years ago have seen their last autumn. Sadly, my black boots, a purchase from TJ Maxx have also seen better days so I find myself on the hunt for not one but two pair of boots that magically fit into my budget. It's always interesting to do so when your tastes are more fitting for Park Ave or Rodeo Drive, but your budget calls for something much different.

If price was no issue the top boots that I'd love are these black ones from Kate Spade. I love the spade detail at the top of the boot. It's subtle and super cute. Plus, I love the shorter heel. Boots with taller heels are great, but personally, for everyday use, I prefer a shorter, more comfortable heel.

Kate Spade Olivia boots

My brown boots wish list has two different boots. The first is by Burberry. Their famous plaid at the top pretty much scream fall to me and I love the color. The other boots are Michael Kors. The color on these is great too, and I just love the wrapped buckle detail at the top.

Burberry Dougal boots

Michael Kors Collection Brynlee boots

As much as I'd love to add any of these boots to my closet and fall wardrobe, none of them are quite in my budget for this season. So, for now, I am on the lookout for new boots that fit my style wants and my piggy bank. The hunt is on! Keep your eyes peeled for me?

Until next time, Suburban Sarah, signing off!