Monday, September 17, 2012

Guilty Pleasures Blogfest


The mighty Alex J Cavanaugh is hosting the Guilty Pleasure blogfest. Where I reveal, for the first time anywhere, my favorite genres of Movies, Music, and Books… then reveal one genre that I enjoy as a guilty pleasure. Cool beans. Let’s get started.

Movies: Hmmm, if I’m going to the theater, then I want my money to be right there on the screen. Production values, fx, those are important to me if I’m paying to see it on a 100 ft screen (or whatever), so I tend to prefer…

Science Fiction!

I know - everyone’s shocked, right? You were thinking I was going to say historical romance – but then I threw a curve ball.

Music: Well, I once fancied myself as a musician. That was a long time ago. Although I dabbled in as many styles as I could in hopes of improving my skills, I tended to want to play heavy metal. As a guitar player, I preferred some of the more intricate guitar work and the aggressive mood that the genre was known for. But as a listener, and a b-list singer, I tended to enjoy the more melodic types of music that was more standard, radio rock. So my enjoyment was neatly divided into the creative parts (heavy) and the consumer (lighter).

Pantera, especially their older stuff, really blending the aggressive, rage fueled power of metal, but produced music that was also filled with hooks and singable parts.

Whatever, I have a post going up later this week where I discuss how little I listen to music nowadays anyway. And I really don’t. But when I reminisce, it’s a great feeling to whip out some ol’ heavy stuff and dream about restarting a band. So, my answer:

Heavy Metal

Books: Oh boy. It’s funny how this has changed over the years. I used to read Star Trek novels and non-fiction, nothing else. I read pop-science books almost exclusively for years. Over time, I started reading science fiction, but of the sub-genre of hard sci fi, and no, it’s not porn, but one where the scientific rigor of the stories were paramount. I tended to engage with the books only as far as I could get on board with the scientific concepts being presented.

Time marched on, and I branched out, reading the genre more or less as a whole, later still, I spread out to read fantasy novels, then thrillers, some literary fiction. As I grew more interested in writing, much like I did music, I wanted to read as widely as I could, find out what captured my imagination and pick up clues as to what makes something good. I still haven’t quite figured that one out, but I’ll let you know as soon as I figure that one out. My chosen genre?

Science Fiction

As if there was ever any doubt. Weirdly enough, the type of Sci Fi I enjoy reading is much different that than the type I enjoy seeing in movies. The type I want to read tends to be more philosophical, heady, while the kind that I watch tends to blow stuff up.

MY GUILTY PLEASURE: now that’s interesting. What is it, out of the three things I talked about above? Well, I suppose in the eyes of many, my three choices would be considered guilty pleasures in-and-of themselves. So what does a person, whose every love is probably a guilty pleasure, think of as their guilty pleasure?

Well, I do, sometimes, enjoy, solely for the pleasure it gives my ears, to listen to Irish Folk songs. I won't say that it's embarrassing or anything, but if I'm at the redlight and the windows are down, I will cut the volume down on my stereo.

24 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Irish Folk songs - didn't see that coming!
Pantera!!!!!!!!! RIP Dimebag.
Like how you clarified that you prefer your science fiction intellectual in books and blowing up on the screen.
And none of the first three are guilty pleasures! I'll stand with you on that.
Thanks for participating in my blogfest.

Huntress said...

*note to self: must investigate Pantera*

Irish folk music sounds interesting. Is that like the dancing?

Brinda said...

The Irish Folk songs thing really surprised me.

Unknown said...

Irish What? to Pantera, not sure if I have ever heard of them...

Jeremy [Retro-Zombie]
Howlin' Wolf Records: On-Line Magazine

M.J. Fifield said...

When my Irish folk music comes on, I turn up the volume and put the windows down even more. And then I sing at the very top of my lungs. True story.

Jay Noel said...

Irish Folk? As in Celtic Woman???

My taste in sci-fi has changed a lot too. No real pattern these days. Maybe because real life is more stressful these days, but the stuff I read AND watch tend to be pure escapism.

A man can only think so much.

Matthew MacNish said...

You've got great taste in film and literature! I'm not that heavy into metal, but I do enjoy it from time to time. See what I did there?

Cindy said...

Had to smile at "Irish folk songs" :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

And you should've checked my post first. I'd have no problem with you stealing my answers!
We definitely need to jam sometime. You take lead though. Much more experience!

Annalisa Crawford said...

I sometimes go to small music festivals with my musician hubby, and there's always at least one Irish folk band there, sometimes two! They always get the crowds singing and dancing.

Andrew Leon said...

Hey, I like Irish folk!

J.L. Campbell said...

All about Sci-Fi are you? Your guilty pleasure is definitely a departure from the other things you listed. I guess we all have eclectic tastes.

Bryan Thomas said...

I mostly read tie-ins too when I started in scifi. Star Wars, Blish Star Trek, a few others. Now, I've expanded and found a lot of good stuff to enjoy!

Allison said...

I used to read Star Wars books but never got into Star Trek. Sci Fi is just the best.

Allison (Geek Banter)

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hey, Rusty,

Just popping over from the blogfest...

I think it's great that someone who is SO heavily into the "Science" think can enjoy Irish folk songs.

That what makes us individuals and complicated beings. Life is TOO short not to enjoy whatever it is that pleases us.

Nice to meet you...

Michael

S. L. Hennessy said...

Science fiction, who'd have thought. And what a shocker, I picked it too. Great minds...

I'm Irish, so I'm definitely into Irish music. Some of the best concerts I've ever seen were traditional Irish bands when I was studying abroad in Limerick. Nice choice.

Unknown said...

I have the same movie $$ philosophy as you. It's got to be worth it to spend the big bucks!

Christine Rains said...

Great list! I had a laugh at what you said about your guilty pleasure. I try not to sing loudly when driving because anything I sing is just plain embarrassing!

Tamara said...

Awesome list. I have SO much respect for anyone who can play an instrument. My daughter is awesome on guitar. No idea where she got her talent, cause it certainly wasn't from me.

This is my first time on your blog but I have to follow you based on your blog name. I love it. :)

M Pax said...

I used to do that with Christmas music. I had this CD I played all the time because it made me happy. Then someone stole it ... so no more Christmas songs. Haven't found the right replacement yet.

dolorah said...

Irish Folk songs; how awesome. I get lost in that sometimes. Well, I can get lost in any music for a time :)

Sci Fi Rusty, Really? lol.

.......dhole

Misha Gerrick said...

Hahaha enjoyed reading your post. Love Irish Folk Songs, but don't really feel embarrassed about it. :-D

Trisha said...

Nice answers :) This was a fun blogfest.

I have found lately that some "death metal" is actually really melodic and beautiful, so you can combine both ;)

Anonymous said...

Dropping by from the Genre Bloghop. I'm entertained that your guilty pleasure is Irish Folk Music. I usually groan when I hear it because my husband plays the Irish Country music All. The. Time.