The Lo-Down Episode 2.8

Another wicked vlog/blog/smog/flog/kwog guys.

I wear glasses most of the time, wish I didn't have to but people tell me they make me look mysterious i.e (stalker like)

Sarah Waters is amazing. Fingersmith=amazing.Can't wait for your BSG stuff.

Um what was that sound that kept buzzing in the background...? sounded like an angry refridgerator.

The Night Watch ending is kind of bittersweet because although it's happy, it's not. What I mean is, because the book's written backwards you already know that the characters who get together very sweetly at the end of the book aren't together later on.

I'm with Sarah on not particularly liking Affinity. I bought the box set of the first three novels and then when I moved and had to get rid of a whole lot of books, I kept Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet, and got rid of Affinity. It's just too much of a depressing book, mainly because I hate the fact that the main character is totally betrayed into believing something false. I hate reading about betrayal because half the time you just want to scream at the characters when you know what's really happening and they don't. I don't think they can hear me though.

My favourite of them is Fingersmith. Tipping the Velvet is good too, but somehow the ending is too neat. It just seems so rounded off. I mean she sees Kitty, Diana, Zena, and declares her love for Flo all in the same day.... yes, it's a small lesbian world out there, but you're talking about three people who have never before been to a similar event and yet they happened to turn up to this one.

I'm not such a huge fan of the adaptations, though I do like them. For me the lingering looks and the dramatic pauses are a little exaggerated. The whole thing seems a little overdramatised if you know what I mean. 

wasn't it originally sung by Jack Jones? Then later covered by Dionne Warwick?

 Great Vlog once again ladies :)

wasn't it originally sung by Jack Jones? Then later covered by Dionne Warwick?

 Great Vlog once again ladies :)

I absolutely love Sarah Waters. Tipping the Velvet and Fingersmith are two of my favorite books. I didn't enjoy Nightwatch and Affinity as much because the endings weren't happy. Nightwatch was queer for the fact that the ending was the beginning. I guess you had to be in a mood to really enjoy it. I'll probably read it again when I feel like a depressing book.

I think the sound in the background is a sander of some sort. Was kinda annoying but easily overlooked

I think it's great to defend the choice to eat meat.
But actually I am one who does eat meat!

I'm actually living in a province where we had the BSE crisis a few years ago, yet I still am pro Alberta-Beef. And yes our cows eat grass, I've driven by so many farms, so I've seen proof.

They do sell Bison meat at the natural foods store, which is apparently healthier for you. Sorry, I don't know where I was going with this... oh yes...

I am pro humanely handled meat (that is an oxymoron) but yes. If you go to my facebook, I kind of blogged about my experience with cooking lobster.

*One more thing:

When my friends and I go on a roadtrip within Alberta, we play a game called "hey cow". We have to drive by a lot of farms in Southern AB and while driving around 80km/hr, the person in the passenger seat rolls down the window and yells "hey cow!" while the other people in the car count how many cows actually turned their heads to look in our direction. We take turns doing this, and whoever has the most cows look at them wins. It is fun!

Is a band.

http://www.myspace.com/sickofsarah

Let's put it all in a list so I can keep it nice and concise (yay for involuntary rhyming):

- I'm glad I'm not the only one noticing the huge amount of gay Sara(h)s everywhere! :-) 

- There might not be an AfterEllenAfterDark, but there should be!

- I love Sarah Waters! Didn't like the Night Watch too much though. Fingersmith is my favorite.

- Sick Of Sarah is a band, named after (iirc) someone's roommate, named Sarah, who was sick of her name. 

- I'm a vegetarian for feminist reasons (and all the other obvious reasons too of course) (look up some work by Carol J. Adams if you're interested)

-  Ummm, that's it. Guess I didn't have that much to say after all ;-)

I'm so honored to have made the Crock P.O.C.  I had a total wtf moment. I was likve did I just hear my name?  Anyway, Sarah I am not sick of you, I LOVE YOU!!! You rock my socks off.  My avatar is a logo I created for my friend's band, Sick of Sarah.  They on the other hand had a friend named Sarah, and she was sick of her own name and that is where they got the name from. 

Check them out if you would like.....(And i know you want to, It is an all chick rock band!)

http://www.myspace.com/sickofsarah 

Thanks once again for the great vlog.

So far, the only Sarah Waters book I have read is Tipping the Velvet, and I also saw part of the mini series on Logo (before my mom canceled it). I concur with Malinda that the actress who played Nan King was annoying, and that was mainly why I didn't like the mini series. I think that the wrong person was cast and I did not enjoy her acting- especially her voice. I haven't read very many historical fiction novels, but I do intend to read more of Sarah Waters' books.

Also, I want to know where Sarah got her shirt. "Visit the dark side; we serve cookies." I've wanted that on a shirt for years. I'm a bit cookie obsessed.

For the record, I am a vegetarian and wasn't offended by the vlog. I don't eat meat for animal rights reasons, and I don't quite understand the vegetarians who eat fish (because they are smart, and they're animals, too) unless their vegetarianism is for health reasons.

I have some topics for the crock POC:

Biphobia and Transphobia on AfterEllen.com

and also:

Why isn't pansexual and omnisexual (and queer for that matter) included under sexual orientation in the member profiles? Why do the sexual orientations have to include binaries in them (gay, straight, bisexual, other)?

I think that these things should be discussed on The Lo Down primarily because biphobia and transphobia has appeared in several recent comments especially pertaining to blogs about The L Word ("The L Word Reinforces Negative Bisexual Stereotypes" and also the latest "We're Getting Nowhere"). Also, since Malinda commented about the bi-bashing in the first article I mentioned, I would like to see it addressed on The Lo Down.

I hope you both have safe trips.

Thanks for reading.

While I was watching your vlog I ordered Fingersmith off of half.com, I'm always looking for new books to read and you guys made it sound so good.

While you were talking about the lesbian/porn star topic it reminded me of math class and all the if then things we had to do.

London as thick and throbby?? Where does that come from? It was so funny.

"So put me on a plane, and fly me to anywhere...with you"-Augustana

because I got stuck on the line where you wrote that you will vlog about BSG. Just when I thought that I couldn't love your weekly episodes any more than I already do you proved me wrong. I mean, to get the opportunity to watch you two geek out about BSG on a weekly basis is almost too good to be true.

When I stopped hyperventilating I watched this weeks vlog and I loved it. Your rants about hip hop, vegetarianism and the pornstar thingy were hilarious.

And also, perhaps a possible topic for the crock poc - all my straight female single friends seems to think that I am the right person to call when their computer breaks down or something in their house needs fixing, is this a common phenomenon?

Enjoy your travelling and then bring on the BSG!

London is thick and throbby????   Damn I got to start paying more attention......

 Thought you might like to know that Affinity is in production.  

sarah... i use my croc pot to 'make' tequila apple cider. so good.

keeps it at the perfect temperature during an evening gathering of friends.

i am not against eating meat, check out our teeth, we're designed to. i am a vegetarian because of the gross chemicals that are pumped into the animals to keep them alive in the horrible conditions they are raised. ever wonder why girls are hitting puberty years earlier than they used to? hormones and drugs in the meat. ew.

croc poc: lesbians who wear men's cologne. yea or nea? femmes who wear it. just wrong or very gender-bendy and hot? 

Okay. Hip Hop?!? So misogynistic! Let's fix this problem and play something else at the club, right away. How about some Heavy Metal? Ummm, no wait, that's very misogynistic, too. Rock n' Roll--nope, misogny there, too. Jazz, there it is again. Show tunes?!? Nope, there too. Well, I guess we can pipe in some Cris Williamson and Holly Near music and dance in a circle.

Now let me think of all the other things that have misognistic content: Let's see, there is Shakespeare, theatre, film, books, TV, music, art, sports, fashion, poetry, religion (ALL o' them). Well I'll just give up everything to be safe.

Here's my big, fat, sarcastic point: Misogyny is deeply woven into the fabric of our society. Can we find misogyny in Hip-Hop? Yup, sure can. Can we find Hip-Hop that isn't misogynistic? Yup, sure can. Can we find positive things in Hip-Hop? Yup, sure can. Can those questions be asked and answered in the exact same way of just about everything in our culture? Yup, sure can.

I realize that there is misogyny in Hip-Hop but there is misogyny in a lot of music, in a lot of art period. Art reflects life. Why is Hip-Hop the scapegoat of a misogynistic society?

Also I like Cris Williamson and Holly Near but I don't want to dance to their music when I go to the club.

All artists, if they are to survive, are forced, at last, to tell the whole story.

James Baldwin

Important stuff like I love Sarah Waters! I've read all of her books and she is such a genius in creating setting, mood...her plots are so intricately woven. I hate finishing her books! My biggest complaint? There are too many years in between books! Write faster, Ms. Waters. I only have the BBC mini series to sustain me and that aint enough. Also, Nan was woefully miscast. Plus neither film was able to take me to that place emotionally that Sarah Waters is able to do so effortlessly. In addition Sarah is the new Melissa: I know 3 lesbian Sarahs/Saras and 0 straight Sarahs/Saras. Furthermore, I had no idea there was an American made Tipping. Where can I find it?

All artists, if they are to survive, are forced, at last, to tell the whole story.

James Baldwin

Now if we could only get Malinda and Sarah with Karman and Dara to host a monthly book club discussing a book we have all been able to read, now that, that would be After Ellen blog-tastic!

Loved the Book edition and would love to hear more about Malinda's love of Nicola Griffith's great books. Ok, now i have to go re-read "stay"....

Im a meat eater and i work with meat( in research purpose).

Not all meat plant are gross. There are good practice plants that try to do better. 

but for the grass Vs corn fed animals.. the reasons for that were mainly due to location and ability to grow things. Corns can stand the weather abuse in the midwest( where most of the meat industry is). And corns is more nutritious and the cattle grow faster. It's all about $$$.

Oh ya, i love urs blog !!

- but I feel that it's not really a POC (or WOC?) vlog anymore. And while I still love the non-POCy episodes, I'm sure there are some others out there who wouldn't mind a bit of a focus on POC issues. But one thing I really do love about this vlog is the occasional but explicit focus on the butch/femme sort of thing, which I'm completely fascinated by.

Anyway, all right. re glasses, they don't make you look "cute", Sarah, glasses are more "hot". And if we're talking about names, what about the name Judith? About half the lesbian feminists or academic women's studies/gender/lesbian writers out there are called Judith - there's Judith Butler, Judith Roof, Judith Raiskin, Judith Bennett, Judith Brown, Judith Frank, and my favourite Judith of the bunch, Judith Halberstam (who is um, really kind of hot, butch, self-professed drag king and writes about female masculinity).

I agree with you guys about vegetarianism - I mean, animals get killed by other animals everyday. Lions don't exactly try to kill their prey painlessly. And meat is too delicious to give up.

Finally, though off topic - would you not religiously attend classes if your professor looked like this?

I've lived in all the cities you mentioned in the blog.. LA, the bay area, illinois, and london.. score for being able to relate to things! haha, I did find London to be totally kinky if you scratched beneath the surface a little bit. 

 As bizarre as it sounds, I've been harassed on more than one occasion by a group of lesbians for eating meat. I never really understood why some people think that me being gay automatically disqualifies me from being able to enjoy a good hamburger whenever I please. But I do live in Berkeley and I agree about the bay area having fantastic produce and organic options, sometimes I even let my friends feed me veggie only dishes :).. 

Sarah Waters: I heart all Sarah Waters' books. Great stories, great characters, great sex scenes...hot! 

I saw Tipping the Velvet on TV before I read any of her books.

Books are always better than the series/movies, still, I really loved the series.

Depressing books/films: Yes, please. I heart mysery in books, films, songs etc. and also unhappy endings. Not too often though. I heart Boys don't cry, but it is so painful to watch.

Meat eating: To each their own, but I hate those fanatical vegetarians who try to put you off meat while you're trying to enjoy a nice Bambi steak...

Not all lesbians are porn stars

*Snigger* That's good to know.

After Ellen after dark: Now there's an idea....a very scary idea.

BSG: Can't wait!

- - - - - - - - - -

-Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

Who doesn't blog these days?

if you are Sarah Pecora and Malinda Lo. Still hilarious! I'm a vegetarian not vegan who eats chicken and seafood. Protein is extremely essential for a proper diet. To never eat any kind of protein whether is is veg protein (sell in stores) will set off diseases within your diet. Carbs, Fruits and Vegeggies turn to sugar.  Balanced diet is better than any diet. Moderation is the key.

Hip-_Hop played in Lesbian Clubs b/c Lesbians grew up with Hip-Hop which is now part of American Culture.

Victorian books. I will have to check out Sarah Waters Tipping the Velvet and Fingersmith.  I adore Victorian Fashion and Jewelry(dark and mysterious to me).  Wasn't goth writing birthed from that timed period?

Will miss you two! Be safe ! 

I love Fingersmith so much! When I travel I carry it with me.

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Sometimes keeping it real goes wrong, Bitches

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Woot for the reference to Sarah's who are gay. You should totally make a t-shirt with your saying on it. I would totally buy one!! On and Sarah's with an "h" rock!! Really is there any other way to spell Sarah?? Oh on the subject of Sarah's, I think that "I Hate Sarah" is a good band name. I'm a Sarah and I totally hate my name, and that's why I came up with my nickname Serenity ;). There are just too many darn people that share my name.

You should do a crock poc topic on common lesbian names. It seema like Sarah is a common name. How about doing a topic that discusses the most common lesbian names. Another idea is maybe a discussion on butches with feminine names. I'm sure there must be some butches who hate their parents for giving them femme sounding names like Brittany or Elizabeth. You get the gist.

So to no whine (cause bitching is good whining is not :P) I had an horrible day yesterday and i come home to what? The lo-down. I was extasic! Then i hear my nickname (that is weird i have to say, being called by your AE nickname) and answer to my silly question. I was very happy. until you said you wouldnt vlog for a while. But that is life. By the way woulndt the croc-pot become not a tool of food but of bitching? So lesbian would get it to unite and bitch together, and rant and open discussion (and probably process stuff too). I see many crock pot being sold soon.

Anyway thank you for always being so fun and ranting and rambling! You totally rock!

Some topic that could be interesting:

Asexuality: 1% of the population is suspected to be asexual. Now i'm curious about it and i wonder why they are not included in the LGBT althought this name could get very long if everyon is included.

Intersex: I read that they now have human right in San fran, but what about the rest of the world?

Gender identity: Okay so i'm not a femme but i'm not a butch either (and i dont have anything against either jsut to make that clear) but it pisses me off when people tell you that proper woman are expected to wear dresses and skirt and take care of their apperance. This was told to me by my roomate last year, a straight guy who actually look very gay if you ask me, but i've heard other people say that too. And it angers me incredibly. Like i cant be a real woman just because i refuse to wear a dress.  I mean i look profesional, thats all that matter in the work environement? Its not like i'm a slob! I just dont want to wear 4 inch highheals and decoltée!

Accidentally ranted, extremely sorry! Anyway have a nice time you two! 

P.S: Thank you to defend the meat eater. I was starting to wonder if  we werent a minority.

P.P.S: Thank you for talking about the books, i was afraid they were all tragic, so its good to know that 2 of them end well. and have hot smex.  

Frist of all you do not need to kill animal to get protein you can get protein by eat tofu , beans and other things that does not involve kill animal . people who call them self vegetarian who eat meat are not vegetarian put they may be semi-vegetarian which mean they can eat seafood , poultry and eat limited amount of any meat . If you want to help the enivroment , be healthy and live long and care about animals than become vegetarian . I have be vegetarian since 2004 and now i am plan to be vegan.

I am hope you guys talk about racism issues  in the lesbian community because I know their is like for example muslim lesbian are treat bad in my lesbian community just beacuse what happen in 9/11 .

P.S : I love all the Lo-down episodes

oh good, a new Lo-Down, complete with you evil brainwashers hilarious gals getting "Little Bunny FuFu" stuck in my head!  Let's see now, 1) Sarah Waters is great, and the BBC unedited versions of the mini-series ARE way better...2) not ALL Sarah's are gay (ok, well, I'm a Sarah--though I for one HATE my name, hence why everyone just calls me Dev...gotta love the rugby nicknames that stay)...but i digress, I did know TWO Sarah's in college who were actually STRAIGHT! (there's a longer story there about a philosophy professor, a rugby teammate, and misconceptions, but I don't want to digress again, after all, we can't all rant as well as you two!)....

 3) Now that you guys will be vlogging about BSG, I will have yet one MORE reason to beat my friends over the head about how they HAVE to get on afterellen!

I adore Sarah Waters! Fingersmith was fabulous, but Affinity broke my heart, and the Night Watch wasn't great. Next up: Tipping the Velvet!

Three cheers for anglophiles! Jeanette Wintersmith is another great brit-homo.

http://yaygay.blogspot.com/

You guys must be sick of my suggestions, but really I had to put this out there because this topic is dear to my heart.

Who do you think is gay on SAILOR MOON (english dubbed)?

Uranus and Neptune who made a late appearance, are sooo gay. But here's my pick for the lesbians on this show: Queen Beryl, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Mars might be a little bit bi, and Zoisite.

Affinity will air on ITV later this year.

http://www.itv.com/Drama/perioddrama/Affinity/default.html

Is it totally pathetic of me to admit that until this episode i didn't know why the Crock POC was called the Crock POC? I didn't know it was cos it was in a Crock Pot, i didn't know it was called that haha. Where i am it's just called a slow cooker lol. I thought maybe Crock stood for something...:S

And ooooooh on spelling names wierdly. It's like people who spell Harriet, Harriot. What now?! If it was spelt with an O it would be pronounced completely differently! It's a whole other name! It annoys me so much when people spell my name that way.

Awww man i'm bummed the Lo Down is gonna be away for a while. And i've also never watched Battlestar Gallactica, nor do i have ANY idea what it's about. Could someone educate me? 

That aint no Etch-a-Sketch...

http://www.afterellen.com/node/30339

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