Friday, September 17, 2010

Flippant Friday: theology, pretty boys and, yes, more vampires


What would happen if I tried to write something on here every day? Would there be a point? I don’t know, but I feel an edgy twisty sort of urge to write something today, and you, dear readers, benefit.

This morning while I was working on a really dull updating project, I listened to Peter Rollins being interviewed by Rob Bell. I love Peter Rollins. He’s my favorite theologian, primarily because he’s the only theologian I’ve almost read. Actually, I’ve also almost read McLaren, but you see Rollins has an Irish accent. Everyone should talk about God with an Irish accent. I love English accents, but theology just sounds softer and more approachable with a brogue.

Alexander SkarsgardIn general I avoid reading theology and philosophy because my brain is already fully occupied pondering such things as what’s going to happen to Sookie Stackhouse and her vampire friends next. This would be a good point at which to insert a completely unnecessary picture of Alexander Skarsgard, because that’s how my brain works, skittering across the superficial.



What Peter says about doubt resonates deeply with me, and it’s also really irritating, because resonating carries a frisson of being on the verge of an answer, but of course there aren’t answers. It’s the same tickly feeling you get from reading a koan. I also think that any time I ever want to experience true conviction of sin, I only need to listen to him talk about how we reveal our true selves in our material existence. My inner world has never felt more phony. Hell, here’s a photo of Pete, too.


I’ve also been “reading” (note those quotes – reading nonfiction involves a lot of skimming and skipping back and forth between chapters) The Upside of Irrationality. So far I’ve learned that people mate roughly within their own range of attractiveness – 10s with 10s (for example, Alexander Skarsgard and Kate Bosworth, Peter Rollins and God), 4s with 4s and so on. Since everyone prefers 10s, those of us in the lower ranges have to reprioritize the traits we look for in a mate, you know, like booting “sense of humor” up over “six-pack abs.” I found this mildly depressing.

In other news, I’m eagerly awaiting the release of the film Let Me In. The book is awesome and creepy. I saw the Swedish version of the film (Let the Right One In), which was probably great, but we somehow got hold of a dubbed version, so we had to listen to bad American voice talent, which really distracted me from the brutality, blood and anatomical anomalies. Here’s the trailer for the new American version.



And there you have today's edition. Now I need to locate some fair-trade coffee and a community.

7 comments:

  1. "So far I’ve learned that people mate roughly within their own range of attractiveness – 10s with 10s (for example, Alexander Skarsgard and Kate Bosworth, Peter Rollins and God)..."

    LOL!

    Nicely done.

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  2. I am going to watch the Swedish version of 'Let me In' knowing the American version will cop-out (examples: the American versions of Ringu and The Grudge...).

    As far as mating and Such: burn down the numbers to the absolute ground. Wit, sensuality, and intelligence ARE the only big three to know and worship...

    And the theory of theology remains me of listening to someone prattle on and on about how great their vacation was over the Summer when you know they are just trying to save face with how utterly dull they are anywhere, and any place.

    'God' (or the Goddess) doesn't need P.R. to show anyone a very VERY interesting time....

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  3. Can't say I'm all that interested in theology/philosophy either - I leave that side of things to Husband dearest.

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  4. Mr. Skarsgard is a 10 for me as well. Sadly, I would be a low 3 by comparison.

    How long before the next season of True Blood? Never mind, I don't think I'm going to like the answer.

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  5. Interesting. I've read one of Peter Rollins' books and liked it; maybe I need to read more.

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  6. Ira: Thanks :)

    Hzar, you'll like the Swedish version (but avoid any dubbed versions - ugh). I've heard good things about the American one, though, and it looks pretty interesting from the trailers.

    Petty: I like to skip over theology like a stone over a pond. I touch down here and there and then I'm pretty much over my head.

    JP: And I'm almost through the book series, until the next one comes out. There will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth.

    Jan: I keep intending to actually read one of his books :)

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