I had the pleasure of going to see the play called "Spank! The Fifty Shades Parody" last night. It is advertised as a 'naughty and hilarious' show. Our group consisted of 5 guys and 4 girls. Little did we know when we bought the tickets that it was advertised as a 'great girls night out'. When the men in our group found this out (which happened to be at dinner before the play) they were none too happy. In fact, they felt they were being led to a male revue which would consist of an entire audience of screaming women; however, I assured them the book did not contain any male revue scenes...
The play, apparently, had a different idea, as indeed, there were a couple of male revue-type scenes. And as I was sitting there cringing (as well as laughing), I was wondering if the men in our group were going to kill me. I am happy to say that they took the scenes in stride. My one male friend leaned over and said, "the girl better be doing that next!". Let's just say he was not disappointed. I am also happy to report that there were plenty of men in our audience (another fact that saved my hide!). Overall, our group was pleased with the performance and I, personally, had many moments of exuberant laughter. The experience in our group was such that, if you had read the book, you were able to understand and thus enjoy the play more so than those that had not read the book.
There were many topics brought up in this play that I thought were apt for real life and yet presented in such a hilarious manner, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. One such topic was the impatience that we book lovers have to deal with when it comes to living real life. When I am in the middle of a particularly engaging novel, the last thing I want to do is put that book down! I want to devour it as fast as I can. Beware to the fool who tries to stop me from my delicious task (aka husband and kids) as they are maliciously attacked for sucking me back into reality! ;) At one point in the play, the narrator was all sing-songy and happy when writing her book, but when she had to take a call from her husband, she was short and crabby. I died laughing! Such an excellent depiction of what all of us book lovers go through! How dare us have to deal with the mundane (and sometimes irritating) aspects of life. Hmmmph!
Another life topic that was hilariously depicted was the 'first time'. This would be another good survey to put out there - asking for a description of each person's first experience with sex. I can't imagine any woman saying her first time was wonderful. In fact, that is one part of romance novels that makes me roll my eyes. They always describe the female character's first time as painful at first and then it becomes wonderful and amazing, even magical. Oh please! Maybe for men! But I would imagine, that even for men, the first time is not all that spectacular due to them being nervous. Of course, there is a big difference between the pain females experience versus the slight (if at all) nerves that men feel; however my point is that no one's first time is amazing!
And yet, there are so many references, such as in books, movies, and songs, falsely promoting how fabulous the first time is. Some songs that come to mind: "Feels like the first time..." (Foreigner), "Tonight's the night..." (Rod Stewart), "Like a virgin, touched for the very first time" (Madonna). Ouch! Who are these people kidding?! It wasn't a fun time, to be re-lived over and over. What a misleading bunch of crap! Are these writers trying to create a fairy tale or fantasy around their experience to make themselves feel better? Are they trying to encourage it? I find it interesting that it is written with such reverence; that it is hailed as such a wonderful experience. And yet, as I sit here writing this, it comes to me. The reason it inspires such prose is because it can only happen once in your life. You really don't get much more of a momentous occasion than that. All of us are virgins until, well, we aren't. There are no take backs or do-overs. So perhaps that is why so many write about it. They realize how special this once in a lifetime event is, and they want you to realize it to, before it's gone. Good for them I say.
Realistically (yet also Romantically) Yours,
Me
Motivational Moment:
I thought it would be appropriate to list some quotes about pleasure for this blog's motivational moment. Enjoy!
1. “If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” E.B. White
2. “Face your life, its pain, its pleasure, leave no path untaken.” Neil Gaiman, The Graveyard Book
3. "I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex.” Oscar Wilde
4. “My God, a moment of bliss. Why, isn't that enough for a whole lifetime?” Fyodor Dostoevsky, White Nights
5. “I finally figured out the only reason to be alive is to enjoy it.” Rita Mae Brown
6. "If I didn't care for fun and such, I'd probably amount to much. But I shall stay the way I am, Because I do not give a damn.” Dorothy Parker, Enough Rope
Long live romance novels! May you enjoy a fabulous escape from reality with whatever type of novel that suits your passion!
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