I Am So A Millennial. Jealous?

Not long ago, I was definitely not a fan of "young people" in general, complaining about all the things wrong with them.  To be far, I hated teenagers practically from the moment that I stopped being one.  But after doing some research and some soul searching I learned that, while a lot of now young twenty somethings are obnoxious and annoying, I do share many traits.   I guess that's what happens w/ generations, where the span sometimes 20+ years.  I think it's more growing up and being annoyed by youngsters, who you so weren't that annoying a few years ago when you were that age.  But I digress.

What really made me realize and embrace my Millennial identity was entering the workforce and really experiencing the differences between my generation and older generations.  So, I thought I would go over some of the characteristics of being a Millennial and then my thoughts.  Here we go!

One of the most broadcasted traits of Millennials is probably the one that pisses me off the most, b/c while it can be true w/ many young adults, it's also unfair to label us this w/o examining the cause.   Yes, the Millennial generation is also called Generation Me.  And Yes, there is often a sense of entitlement among members of my generation, even when such entitlement is unwarranted.  I know more than one person as a young twenty something who just assume someone should give them a job b/c they deserved it, w/o actually getting any education or working hard or doing any trying of any kind. So, yes, that exists.  And true, sometimes I feel entitled to more than I have, b/c I am educated and really smart.  But I was also raised with a great work ethic and the knowledge that most people have to work there way up, so while I know I can and will do great things, I know I have to work for it and pay my dues.

Which brings me to my point: maybe Millennials wouldn't feel such a sense of entitlement if it wasn't for the generation that raised them!  

Think about.  Granted, I have no actual statistics, but from personal knowledge I can deduce that the majority of Millennials were raised by Baby Boomers. Duh, duh, duh.  And let's be real, Baby Boomers are probably, as a single generational entity, super greedy and selfish.  I have heard and read so much about that generation.  They are (probably) the ones who killed our environment and busted our economy.  But beyond that, think about how it was as a kid being raised by the Baby Boomers.  In my lifetime technology has advanced and changed more than it probably has over the rest of time, ever, or pretty darn close.  And I always felt that as a culture during my lifetime there was this sense of you had to have the most recent gadget, item, outfit, technology, whatever, and if your parents didn't buy it for you they were bad parents.  Ummm, I pretty sure this mentality wasn't the Millenials' fault; we were just kids!  Rather, it was our parental generation, buying us stuff by creating and giving into this idea.  So, when you are raised w/ the mentality that it's culturally required to get everything new and what you want when you want it, then how can older generations be shocked that we have a sense of entitlement.  Granted, it's not true that every kid got every new thing when it came out, but those of us (myself included) who couldn't keep up w/ trends (often b/c of money) we definitely felt disadvantaged b/c of the way the attitudes were.

But it gets better!  Because not only did the Baby Boomers raise a generation to expect everything, they are also the jerks that brought you the unpaid internship.  So, all the opportunity that the Baby Boomers got to make themselves successful, they took away from our generation just in time for us to enter the workforce, so they could get even more while we may just be screwed as a generation.  Well, maybe, if you count your success and worth as a person by money, which I don't and as a generation, we don't all do either.

That's probably my favorite part, and the part I most relate to, as a Millennial: Not necessarily subscribing to the old fashioned way of living your life.  Older generations expect Millennials to enter the workforce and have the same attitudes about it.  They expect us to want to enter big fancy jobs, work 1000+ hours a week (Hyperbole is the best thing ever!!), all for the sake of one day being a big fancy head honcho.  Millennials, however, as a generation don't feel that way.  Look at the lawyer market, for example.  Many younger lawyers now are not interested in the big law jobs, working ridiculous hours to one day become a partner.  The law market is changing, partly because younger lawyers don't really want to marry a law firm and become a partner.  People are wanting jobs that give them more time w/ family.  I personally really need my time outside of work for identity purposes.  I like my time to indulge in other activities, and even at work I like to be able to express myself as an individual (like my totally nerded out cubicle.)

Another characteristic is that we are more creative.  I think this is a real plus, especially in the workforce.  Sometimes older generations can be scared or put off by Millennials' different way of thinking and doing things.  However, if we learn to embrace each other I think there are great opportunities to make some great things happen in the workforce.  I think Millennials could learn some things from older generations, and I think Millennials can bring some real creativity and innovation if given the chance and understanding.  Personally, I am always thinking differently and coming up w/ odd ideas.  I love to write and I love music, which I think in general helps expand my mind to make me better at ideas and thinking.

Now, there are other qualities, and it's an interesting exercise to look into, so if you are interested I suggest you do some learning like I did.  I am only going to discuss one more aspect, but it's the one that I think makes a big difference: technology.  Technology is everywhere.  And it's always changing. I remember, vaguely, a time before the Internet.  I sometimes have found memories of Dos.  But I also am so glad to be rid of dial up and crazy slow Internet.  Did you know some people still have AOL? Who knew that even still existed?

That's why I think Millennials have a double advantage over older generations when it comes to technology.  First, we grew up using technology for practically everything.  It's nothing to me to have to use a new program because I am used to technology.  I used to think it funny when reading job descriptions and them saying you have to know how to use a particular program.  For me, a program is a program is a program.  I know from past technology use that programs often have similar functionalities and are made in a way that an experience tech user should be able to use it w/o much trouble.  Words are used in similar fashion and often things are set up in familiar ways.  I learned a lot on Excel just be thinking "hmm, I know how to do x, I wonder if I just mess around w/ a few things then maybe I can do y."  But then I realized that some older people aren't use to technology.  They can't just troubleshoot on their own.  To them, each program is an entirely new beast that's daunting to learn and they have to be shown everything step by step to do anything.  And it's hard for some people to learn technology and become comfortable with it.

The second advantage we have as a generation is not only are we used to technology, but we are used to it constantly changing.  Just think about it.  Now matter how cranky people get when Facebook changes, and no matter how long I put off updating iTunes, once the changes are made, I get used to them and get over it.  Unless the changes are so bad that it makes functionality unmanageable (and that rarely happens) we just tend to grumble and move on.  And sometimes we get really excited about new stuff!  Older people, on the other hand, can have difficulty w/ such rapid change.  They are just getting used to some technology, which was already difficult in the first place, just to have it change, and they aren't adapted to adjust.

So basically, I identify w/ my generation, even if I am on the cusp right there in the front.  Maybe, as am older Millennial, I have a chance to lead my younger peers and teach them well, and to help bridge the gap.  Maybe? Idk.  What I do know is that I like being a Millennial. I don't think we are better than any other generation.  However, we are here, we're coming up in the world, and I think other generations need to be ready for us and learn to work with us.  It could be fun, right?

My Literary Boyfriend

So, recently, an amazing friend of mine asked me who my ideal literary (i.e. from books) boyfriend would be.  I found this a tough question, to which she then allowed me to combine more than one man.  I was glad for this, since I found any individual difficult to meet all of my personality interests in one.  Idk if this is b/c literary characters aren't dynamic enough, or if I just have too many, crazy requirements.  If you remember my discussion of Sense and Sensibility, you'll note I basically want me, with a penis, and perhaps some tattoos and facial piercings.  It's like that SNL skit for MeHarmony.com, where the cast were matched w/ a person of the opposite sex that was just them in drag.

So, I thought this idea of my literary boyfriend was interesting, and therefore perhaps worth a blog post.  Plus, I had a number of thoughts about it that I thought I should put together, as I have expanded more on my reasoning for each man.  So, I guess these are in the order in which I thought of them, so I can walk the thought process through.  I really think that if this dude were real, it could be awesome, or insane.  Here goes nothing...

(1) Fitzwilliam Darcy
I cannot help it!  I am such a Pride and Prejudice fan, and I love the relationship b/t Lizzy and Darcy.  (Perhaps one day I will regale you with my thought on P & P).  Admittedly, what I love so much about that relationship is the interplay of how they were mean and disliked each other, but then fell in love.  And as someone who's had a history of enjoy the witty (and sometimes admittedly mean) banter, I am naturally drawn to this relationship.  Plus, as I see myself as very Lizzy Bennet-ish, it would make sense that I could love a Darcy if she could.

But more than that, I love his loyalty to his friend and how he loves his sister.  I also think that if he were around in a modern setting, he'd be perhaps less rigid, you know w/o the formal class system and all the propriety.  I recently watch The Lizzy Bennet Diaries on YouTube, which is a web series that sets P & P in modern times, and I love they way they portray Darcy there.  I imagine he'd be like that, perhaps rigid and pompous seeming, but also really kind of shy and awkward.  And hot! Not that I've ever seen a version of Darcy that I didn't find hot. ;)  Lastly, I'd love a guy with a house like Pemberly. Jk.  While that's true, it'd be more a fringe benefit than an actual attraction, b/c let's be honest, I couldn't put up with an ill-fitting boyfriend just for the house, even if Pemberly is awfully nice.

(2) Peeta Mellark
Just for clarification, this is in a "he wouldn't be too young for me" sort of way.  And besides, it's more that characteristics and not the actual character, since this is an amalgam that I am creating.  Plus, I have this issue.  It's like, when I was a teenager, all the celebrities I liked were in their 20's, so I couldn't wait to be in my 20's so they'd be age appropriate.  Only, once I got into my 20's, now all the celebs I like are in their 30's (despite being a mostly different group of guys).  So, I guess w/ the combined ages of all the guys, more at the end of their stories than the beginning, the composite guy would be age appropriate.  Also, 1/2 English.

So, anyway, I love Peeta b/c he's sooooo romantic.  He says the most amazingly sweet things.  Katniss may have issues with those things he says, but I just eat them up.  *swoon*  I also like how he's not the alpha male type.  He's strong and fights, but emotionally he's so much more sensitive than I think an average man is.  I like this a lot.  Plus, who wouldn't want to marry a baker?  I also REALLY love bread.  Okay, granted, I think that in real life Peeta might not be that interesting, and I don't see him as the type to have Doctor Who marathons with me, but everyone could use some romance, right?

(3) Rhett Butler
MmMmmMMMMmMMmmmm... Wait, what?! Sorry, I got distracted.  I absolutely LOVE Rhett Butler (and the casting in the movie = so hot!!).  This may be another draw b/c of the drama, only I am so NOT a Scarlett O'Hara.  I just love Rhett's sass and his just being all manly and doing what he wants and being direct with it.  Plus, I think beneath it all he was sensitive and caring, and he was definitely determined.  With me, he wouldn't have had to be such an ass, since I would be such a bitch.  However, I am glad to add some other dudes in the mix, kind of mellow him out.

(4) George Weasley
So, when I originally gave my answer, I thought I was confident in it and therefore done.  However, upon further introspection, I realized that my literary boyfriend, while romantic and w/ a strong personality, he'd be kinda boring, or at least too serious.  So, I thought, where do I get some humor?  I am at heart a humorous person, so I needed my guy to have a source of humor.  And that's when I realized the person person to add: George Weasley.

You may wonder, why George?  And not some other Weasley.  It's funny, b/c I always loved the fun that Fred and George always had.  Yet, I definitely had a preference for George.  I used to think I was a little nuts for liking one more than the other, but then I read something from J.K. Rowling that said there was a difference, where Fred was more the leader and George was more reserved about some stuff.  That was what I saw, and I think that's why I like George better.  And, I know this is going to sound bad, but I picked the right one, right?  Only, my amalgam guy is going to have 2 ears, but he should totally be a ginger.

Doctor Who Could Use Some Shapening Up, and I've Got Some Ideas ;^)

So, as you may have figured out previously, I am a huge fan of Doctor Who (well the reboot, as I've not watched the classic episodes).  However, I did notice that lately, especially the 2nd half of series 8, it's been a bit of a let down.  I was particularly frustrated w/ the Clara mystery, as I tried to figure it out on my own, yet it turned out to be something that wasn't hinted at at all during the season (not like previous mysteries) and then it was revealed and solved all in such a short time that I found it disappointing.

However, as a fan of some serious sci-fi fantasy, I know that many times shows can hit lulls and low points, (like, say, Supernatural season 6, geez).  So, with some analysis of past mistakes, a few new clever ideas, and some great writing, I think it can get back up to snuff.  Plus, there is an impending announcement, which could give a needed boost in the form of a new Doctor.  And, since I have lots of thinking time and power, I came up w/ a few ideas myself. And knowing all too well that ideas are not legally protected, I mention them with all full knowledge that they can be taken by the show's writers, and if they are any good, please do take them.  I just would like to reserve bragging rights.  :^D

1. Step down, already, Steven Moffat!  This needs to happen. Yes, he's done a lot of great things for the show, even things that make your head ache from the tears and make your heart break.  But it just seems to me that whatever he had for the show has been spent and it's time to hand the reigns over to someone else.  Besides, you want to go out on a high note.

2. Pull a Claudia Brown/Jennifer Lewis time oopsie.  I like other English sci-fi, like the ever so awesome Primeval.  (Side note: Andrew Lee Potts, future Doctor?  Think about it, it'd be awesome!)  Anyway, if you've never seen the show, basically there are these anomalies in time that lead all over Earth time, and lots of prehistoric creatures sneak through.  Well, at one point the super bitch Helen messes with time to somehow cause the rewriting of her estranged husband's love interest's life history. So, suddenly Claudia Brown is Jennifer Lewis and no one has any memory of the 1st version of life other than the poor, heartsick husband.  They totally need to do this on Doctor Who! Have the Doctor meet a companion, get everyone to love her to bits, and then have the Doctor screw with time somehow to where suddenly she disappears from where ever they are.  Then, the Doctor finds her somewhere back on Earth as a whole new person, that we then get to know and love, although there are marked differences.  The Doctor can either remember her or not.

3. Make many people's fan fiction fantasy come true!!  I particularly love this idea because it brings together plot points from David Tennant's Doctor, it involves casting an already one considered actor, and it makes some serious fantasies come true.  Okay, first, you they have to cast Russell Tovey as the Doctor (preferably soon because people aren't getting any younger).  Now, if you've seen Doctor Who you may remember that Russell Tovey was on the Titanic episode, where he played the assistant pilot, captain, driver, whatever of the space Titanic.  His character was Alonso.  You may also remember he pops up again at the end of The End of Time, where the Doctor (played by David Tennant again) helps Captain Jack Harkness get flirty w/ Alonso.  So, you may be catching on to what I've done here.  The Doctor is now Russell Tovey, who realizes at one point "hey, I've met this guy before."  Then the Doctor goes onto the space Titanic because he knows he already did and has to help his earlier self save people.  He also picks the name Alonso because he did say he always wanted to say "Alonse, Alonso."  Bit too much of a coincidence, right, unless he did it for himself!!  But wait, there's more!  This also means that he set his future regeneration up with Captain Jack.  And of course as it already happened, and the Doctor can't not give his friend a nice time, and it would be awesome, the Russell Tovey version of the Doctor hooks up with Captain Jack.  I know Jack's wanted it, and I know the fans have wanted it.  So, why not, right?

4. Captain Jack Spawns.  How about the Doctor gets a new companion who, through a season of hints and buildup, turns out to be the child of Captain Jack?  I know I've played the scenario out in my head a number of times.  I also know I can't be the only fan who has thought about it (i.e. rumors about Clara).  You could even make her an American.  I of course volunteer to play her. Obviously.  My scenario has always been some variation of the US government somehow farmed out Captain Jack's genetic material for secret government experiments.  The experiments could be like trying to make everyone not die like Jack does, they have some alien DNA they are trying to splice with human to make super humans and need resilient genetic material, or something along those lines.  And then she'd have some extra human power, like not dying like her dad, aging really slowly, or super smart.  Then, she meets the Doctor, he learns her special powers, and then the mystery is solved.  The daughter meeting her father can be optional, but more fun for audiences.  Maybe meet him as the Face of Boe AND Captain Jack.

5.  I have a fun plot idea.  Have 1/2 of an episode, or maybe a whole one, where the Doctor and his companion are doing something trying to save whomever.  The tone should be scary or intense.  During the whole escapade they get little clues or help from an unknown source, like a door that suddenly opens or rocks thrown at them to get their attention.  Then, once they figure everything out and save the day, they realize that all those little clues were done by them.  (Something in the end can give them the hint.)  That way, in the 2nd half or the next, related episode, they have to trace all their steps to help themselves out in the exact same way, without letting their past selves unto that it's them.  The companion can ask something like "what happens if we fail" and the Doctor can reply with something like "everyone we saved could die, the Universe could implode and cease to exist, or nothing.  I don't know."  The second bit can be really funny, like how they dodge, zigzag, and weave to avoid getting noticed.  I know there are some episodes with elements like this, but I think it'd be cool to see something more complex, especially where they HAVE to do the same thing.  I get so tired of them changing the past to fix issues.  It's kind of like how Harry and Hermione go back with the time turner in Prisoner of Azkaban, where they HAVE to get things done the same way.

6. Let's Have Some Consequences.  I think there is a little too much of something really bad happens, like a death or the end of the Universe, and then time gets changed to fix it all right again.  Honestly, the show needs to go back to where there are consequences to actions, and the day is saved through honest smarts and hard work, not just rewriting time.  And there need to be consequences, like with Donna and Rose.  But there need to NOT be consequences like with Amy and Rory, where it's total B.S. because they've been saved 1,000 times before, so enough making things up that seem against all the other B.S. that gets pulled and yet made alright in the end.

7. Doctor Who does The Tudors.  This is really more of a hope of mine, since if I were ever to be asked to travel in the Tardis with The Doctor, I'd request to go to Tudor England and meet Henry the 8th.  There are plenty of fun points in his lifetime to make for some fun Doctor Who.  While I love Jonathan Rhys Meyers, I always thought he was too hot to play Henry VIII, especially in the later years when I'm sure the real king had some crazy STD issues.  It would be fun to play up some of those historical inaccuracies.  Plus, it'd be funny if King Henry wanted to make the companion his next wife. I also liked to say that King Henry would have been very displeased to see himself played on TV by an Irishman, and so a line from the Doctor to that affect could be funny.

8. Let Joss Whedon executive produce the show.  Okay, I know that Joss Whedon is currently tied up with Marvel, and would probably never even want to do Doctor Who, but as an epic nerd fan, and a very loyal Whedonite, I wouldn't mind seeing what would happen. ;^)

Dayna's Fantasy Doctor Casting

Since the identity of 12 is imminent, I thought it would be fun here for a moment to fantasize about how could play the Doctor, despite the improbability.  Most likely it will be some actor I've never heard of, but I went through my list of fav British actors and picked a few I'd like to see, even if just for kicks.

Rupert Grint: I think he's adorable, and the Doctor wants to be a ginger.

Liam Neeson: This is a long, long shot, but it would be badass and epic!  Plus, think of all the fun references that could be made.  There could be light sabers, and someone could kidnap the companion.  Maybe one episode the Doctor could have his consciousness transferred to a lion. So many awesome and/or ridiculous things could happen.

Alan Rickman: We could always have a more serious, moody Doctor.  This would be very interesting, right?  Plus, he's still pretty fine for someone his age.

Dominic Cooper:  While I do highly appreciate the yumminess of David Tennant and Matt Smith, why not a just plan crazy hot Doctor?  MmmMMmmMmMmMMMMmmmm...Ooops, sorry, got lost in thought a moment.

Jack Davenport: Personally, I absolutely love Jack Davenport.  He's hot, a great actor, and awesome.  I think he also has a great acting range for the Doctor.  Mostly people may know him from very serious roles, but he is also hilarious, which I think someone playing the Doctor really needs.  Plus, I read somewhere the show people wanted someone older, but I am sure the fangirls want someone delicious. So, for me at least, this idea works.

Michael Gambon, Ian McCellan, or Christopher Lee: Can you see a theme here?  Maybe an epic wizardly sort would be a fun idea.  The long white beard and hair can be optional.

Benedict Cumberbatch: It may be too much awesome (and time commitment) for him to be Sherlock Holmes and the Doctor, but I think he'd be good, even if maybe on the more serious side.

Andrew Lee Potts: (Also see note above).  Granted, I wasn't the biggest fan of Conner Temple and Primeval at first, and didn't see what all the girls on the Internet were all crazy about.  But he grew on me, and I saw him in the Alice in Wonderland reimagination "Alice" done on scyfy where he was the Mad Hatter.  I think the Doctor needs someone with a bit of goofiness to him.

Paul Bettany: Seriously, who doesn't love him?  I think this would be fun.  While I am throwing all kinds of crazy ideas out here, let's add this one to the pile.

Matthew Lewis:  I'm thinking we need a Doctor who was in Harry Potter (you know, for more than 5 minutes w/ a better character than the not so great hack job they did w/ Barty Crouch Jr.'s character).  Besides, he can be all "So what Harry Potter got to be the Chosen One.  I get to be the Doctor."

Okay, I think I have reached the bottom of my barrel of ideas, as bad as most of them probably are.  But who knows, maybe one of my bad ideas could give the show's people a good idea.  It could happen, right?