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message 201: by Debra (new)

Debra (debra_t) | 6542 comments Good point, Sarah.

I'm always sad to hear about the death of someone who has influenced my life, even if I don't know much about them. It was especially a shock to hear about Carrie Fisher, because I'll be turning 60 in February. That seems so young to me... course the older we get, the further out "old" seems. 90 or even 100 sounds good to me, Sarah! As long as I can take care of most of my needs and can keep reading!


message 202: by Tejas Janet (new)

Tejas Janet (tejasjanet) | 3513 comments Sarah wrote: "When someone first learns of a death, whether that's of a famous person or someone closer to them, it is normal to feel shocked, sad and grief. So yes, it is sad. And people are entitled to feel th..."

Thanks, Sarah. That makes sense and makes me feel less weird for being so sad about her death.


message 203: by Kristie, Moderator (new)

Kristie | 19123 comments I just read that Richard Adams, the author of Watership Down, died this week. He was 96 years old. The article said that Watership Down was turned down seven times before he got it published.


message 204: by Debra (last edited Dec 31, 2016 04:46AM) (new)

Debra (debra_t) | 6542 comments I was just going to post his death, Kristie. I loved Watership Down. Can't believe it was turned down 7 times! So sad all the great people we've lost this year.


message 205: by Travis (new)

Travis (travistousant) | 6011 comments Well not that it makes it less of a death but I believe Adams was 96 years old. That's a pretty good run at it


message 206: by Travis (new)

Travis (travistousant) | 6011 comments William Peter Blatty author of The Exorcist


message 207: by Janice, Moderator (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 59843 comments Travis of NNY wrote: "William Peter Blatty author of The Exorcist"

I didn't realize that he was 89 years old. The Exorcist is such a classic in the genre.


message 208: by Sandra, Moderator (new)

Sandra (sanlema) | 11257 comments I will added it to my TBR. I usually do not read horror, but sounds good as one of my spooky October reads. I know it is a classic.


message 209: by Travis (new)

Travis (travistousant) | 6011 comments It's more of a crime drama with supernatural elements in my opinion Sandra


message 210: by Sandra, Moderator (new)

Sandra (sanlema) | 11257 comments Really? Very different from the movie, then? I saw the movie so long ago that I am not really sure. I was young. Maybe I got scared easily.


message 211: by jaxnsmom (new)

jaxnsmom | 8341 comments When I was in college, on Halloween they would show movies all night long. They showed The Exorcist one year and it freaked my roommate out so much she had to leave. Years later when I lived in Northern VA several of us went to see the steps used in filming the death of the character Father Damien Karras. The
Exorcist Steps are recognized as a D.C. landmark and official tourist attraction now.


message 212: by Lisa (new)

Lisa (lisathebooklover) | 9244 comments Poet and playwright Derek Walcott has died aged 87.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...


message 213: by Tejas Janet (new)

Tejas Janet (tejasjanet) | 3513 comments That's a good, long life. 87 years. Thanks for posting the link, Lisa. I'm not at all familiar with Derek Walcott's writing. Do you have a favorite work?


message 214: by Lisa (new)

Lisa (lisathebooklover) | 9244 comments Tejas Janet wrote: "That's a good, long life. 87 years. Thanks for posting the link, Lisa. I'm not at all familiar with Derek Walcott's writing. Do you have a favorite work?"

I haven't read any of his work either. I knew his name but that's as far as it went. It sounds like he was fairly influential so I'm wondering if anyone else in this group has read anything by him?


message 215: by Mariab (new)

Mariab | 3059 comments Chuck Berry also died.


message 216: by Lisa (new)

Lisa (lisathebooklover) | 9244 comments Colin Dexter, the creator of Inspector Morse, has died aged 86.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...


message 217: by Lisa (new)

Lisa (lisathebooklover) | 9244 comments British author Helen Dunmore has died, aged 64. I have read a couple of her books and really enjoyed them.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainme...


message 218: by Sarah (new)

Sarah | 18549 comments Just seen that Len Wein, author of Wolverine, the new Xmen and tons of other comic books died a couple days back, aged 69.


message 219: by Mariab (new)

Mariab | 3059 comments Sarah wrote: "Just seen that Len Wein, author of Wolverine, the new Xmen and tons of other comic books died a couple days back, aged 69."

:-((((


message 220: by Travis (new)

Travis (travistousant) | 6011 comments Not sure if he ever did much as an author per se. But I feel Hugh Heffner deserves an honorable mention. The godfather of smut and the nudie mag. Although I think Hugh would be offended by his publication being called smut. It really was as classy as one could make such a thing. A gentleman's magazine I think he considered it. To be honest they show almost as much skin in primetime television as Playboy did. Probably the most tame magazine of it's design on the market. Larry Flint now there's more of a smut king.


message 221: by Rusalka, Moderator (new)

Rusalka (rusalkii) | 19202 comments Look, credit where credit is due. Playboy published many an author and journalist who we now consider mainstream or classics. And they probably wouldn't have gotten there without being able to publish in Playboy. So props to them for publishing little known writers.

We shall disagree on the classiness though, Travis. An establishment encouraging the sexual objectification of any group of people doesn't really float my boat. Yes, the publication helped break through many things considered taboos, but I still think it was focused on one sex at the detriment to the other. But /tips-hat to what they and he did accomplish that benefited all of us.

A good friend of ours who is a model did get invited to the Playboy mansion a few years ago, and reported that he was very nice for the one sentence he spoke to her. So there is that :P


message 222: by Janice, Moderator (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 59843 comments Ah yes, the objectification of women as sexual playthings... a magazine for gentlemen.

Sorry Travis. I'm not trying to pick a fight.


message 223: by KimeyDiann (new)

KimeyDiann | 2174 comments In Travis's defense, he did say "classy as one could make such a thing." LOL

I know this isn't the proper thread for the discussions, but I have to mention that I'm listening to The Butterfly Effect (I think it was free on audible). It is about the far reaching effects of free porn on the internet. I think if you compare Playboy to the porn industry as it is discussed in this audiobook/podcast, Playboy is definitely the "classier" one. (Major emphasis put on those quotations around classier!)


message 224: by Janice, Moderator (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 59843 comments KimeyDiann wrote: "In Travis's defense, he did say "classy as one could make such a thing." LOL..."

Yes, he did qualify it. LOL!


message 225: by Travis (new)

Travis (travistousant) | 6011 comments Well let's not forget a few years ago when they went all editorial and quit doing pictures. It wasn't successful. Idk if it was Hugh's idea or his daughter who basically runs the place. Let's face it the internet has about destroyed the profitable porn industry. In the 70's Playboy had about 5 million subscribers. Today 500,000. I remember buying 5 nudie mags when I was like 13 from an older kid in school. I don't think I ever bought any since.


message 226: by Sandra, Moderator (new)

Sandra (sanlema) | 11257 comments I agree with you, Janice. And all that "Playboy mansion" culture just revolts my stomach. Maybe he did accomplished something that benefit us all. I am not sure. But in any case it was at expenses of objectification of women.
Definitely not trying to be argumentative. Just my two cents.


message 227: by Janice, Moderator (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 59843 comments It was just a comment I had to make.

When my son was 2-1/2, someone bought my ex a girlie magazine and saltpeter for his birthday as a joke. Hunting season.. he'd be away... I don't remember. My son accidentally knocked it off onto the floor where it opened to the centerfold. He looked and remarked, "Titties! Shirt pulled up!" Then he looked lower, gasped and said, "MUSTACHE!"

A couple of days later, we were in the mall and we passed a woman. He said, "Mommy, does she have a mustache?" Groan!


message 228: by Travis (new)

Travis (travistousant) | 6011 comments Well. The playboy mansion is another thing all together. Hugh wasn't much of a gentlemen there. Had that one playmate write that biography on life in the mansion a few years ago.

And in a group of so many women I didn't expect you all to be like yeah Hugh is the man!


message 229: by Janice, Moderator (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 59843 comments No, Hugh is definitely not the man.


message 230: by Travis (new)

Travis (travistousant) | 6011 comments I think all my point was that someone eventually was going to welcome these things into the world
Hugh Heffner was a pretty respectable face for it really. The world could have done worse. Hugh didn't portray a sleeze ball if you prefer over calling him respectable


message 231: by Rusalka, Moderator (new)

Rusalka (rusalkii) | 19202 comments KimeyDiann wrote: "In Travis's defense, he did say "classy as one could make such a thing." LOL"

Good point. Sorry Travis :D


message 232: by Rusalka, Moderator (new)

Rusalka (rusalkii) | 19202 comments Janice wrote: "It was just a comment I had to make.

When my son was 2-1/2, someone bought my ex a girlie magazine and saltpeter for his birthday as a joke. Hunting season.. he'd be away... I don't remember. My ..."


LOL!


message 233: by Sandra, Moderator (new)

Sandra (sanlema) | 11257 comments So funny, Janice! :D


message 234: by Sandra, Moderator (new)

Sandra (sanlema) | 11257 comments Travis sivarT wrote: "And in a group of so many women I didn't expect you all to be like yeah Hugh is the man! "


I admit it was brave from you. :)


message 235: by Rusalka, Moderator (new)

Rusalka (rusalkii) | 19202 comments Travis sivarT wrote: "And in a group of so many women I didn't expect you all to be like yeah Hugh is the man! "

I am all for you bringing it up, as it belongs in this thread. And kudos for doing so when you kinda knew you had a whole heap of fiesty women about to respond.

I also think it's really important you bring stuff that we may not always agree with. One, we have great discussions. Two, I'm all for hearing how other people think. Three, it encourages other guys to voice their opinions and participate too.


message 236: by Travis (new)

Travis (travistousant) | 6011 comments Janice that's hilarious. And I'm glad an experience I haven't had to share with my children actually. Lol


message 237: by Rusalka, Moderator (new)

Rusalka (rusalkii) | 19202 comments Travis sivarT wrote: "Janice that's hilarious. And I'm glad an experience I haven't had to share with my children actually. Lol"

There's still time... lol


message 238: by Travis (new)

Travis (travistousant) | 6011 comments Rusalka wrote: "Travis sivarT wrote: "Janice that's hilarious. And I'm glad an experience I haven't had to share with my children actually. Lol"

There's still time... lol"


We have had a couple incidents involving "cat toys". I wasn't there or remember what my daughter found just that she took it out to my wife that she had found a cool cat toy...

We don't even have a house cat. Lol


message 239: by KimeyDiann (new)

KimeyDiann | 2174 comments This is greatness. Thanks for the laughs ladies and gents! LOL.
But now my mind is trying to figure out the cat toy o.O

There was a video a while back of two little kids playing with some ...um... grown up toys. Ginormous ones. They were using them like toy swords or something. It was hilarious.


message 240: by Mariab (new)

Mariab | 3059 comments Playboy stands for children's nudes in the late 70s. Broke Shield was only 10 years old and there was another only 11 (Ivanovka or something).
It was legal, because the parents consented, but was very wrong.
Children exploitation has no excuse


message 241: by Margo (new)

Margo | 11628 comments Mariab wrote: "Playboy stands for children's nudes in the late 70s. Broke Shield was only 10 years old and there was another only 11 (Ivanovka or something).
It was legal, because the parents consented, but was v..."


OMG Maria, I didn't know that. Are you saying that pictures of naked children were featured in the magazine? If so that is a new low :(


message 242: by Travis (new)

Travis (travistousant) | 6011 comments I never knew that either.


message 243: by Mariab (new)

Mariab | 3059 comments OMG Maria, I didn't know that. Are you saying that pictures of naked children were featured in the magazine? If so that is a new low :( ..."

I could send you or post the pictures, they are all over the internet, but I don't want to contribute to their diffusion (you can google though)


message 244: by Travis (new)

Travis (travistousant) | 6011 comments I think I'll speak for us all. We're not interested in the pics.


message 245: by Mariab (new)

Mariab | 3059 comments I don't want to inspire or create controversy, but I think all the praise and boasting about having boosted sexual revolution/freedom come from this sense of permission this magazine created for men in the culture/social consens (albeit sometimes only partial), after the represive years in the 50's), that allowed them to not feel embarrasment or guilt by seeing/buying pornography... all that at the cost of human being (women) objectivation and making a pretty buck at the same time


message 246: by Janice, Moderator (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 59843 comments Roy Dotrice, audiobook narrator of many books including the Song of Fire and Ice series died:

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/entertainme...


message 247: by Travis (new)

Travis (travistousant) | 6011 comments After spending like 200 hours with Dotrice. I don't even care if Martin finishes the series now. It's ruined. Although I guess we did switch narrators during dark tower and that turned out ok


message 248: by Janice, Moderator (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 59843 comments I ended up switching to the print books after the first one. While I thought highly of his craft, I didn't care for his voice for this series. It didn't seem like a good fit. Most of the characters were very young, and he was, after all, an old man. He was in his 80's when he narrated these books.

It's amazing to think that he was still working as an actor and narrator. He must have loved doing his work.


message 249: by Travis (new)

Travis (travistousant) | 6011 comments I did have a beef actually Janice. I think book 4 he got the voices all mixed around. He kept them the same for the book itself but they were different from previous books. I don't know if I could relisten to them. I always figured I'd switch to print. I was shocked he had a role in the TV series. I only watched the first season and oart of second. I didn't like it. Yeah. I said it. I didn't like it. Sue


message 250: by Janice, Moderator (new)

Janice (jamasc) | 59843 comments LOL! I've watched the 1st and 2nd season. My friend is hoarding the DVD's of the remaining seasons and won't give them to me until she finishes them. Imagine! I've been reading the books because I prefer the books. I understand that at some point they diverge so it may all be moot.

I didn't realize that Dotrice had a role in the series. I guess that's in the later series? I recall someone mentioning how he changed the voices in one of the books. Maybe it was you.


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