Book Review: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engel

I remember reading this book as a kid (was it middle school or high school?), and really liking it back then. Recently though, Amanda read it for the first time. Since I needed some bathroom reading and it was sitting nearby (I know, TMI), I picked it up and started reading it again. Then I had a hard time putting it down.

This is one of those books that's a classic for good reason (in my opinion). It's both light hearted and serious, and has some odd and captivating characters. It's also an interesting twist on the battle of good vs. evil, and even time/space travel too. I could have sworn I recall it being longer though, and going further in depth about various scientific concepts (such as mitochondria), and more details about the Murray's home life (cooking dinner over bunsen burners). Perhaps I read one or more of the other books in this series as a kid though, and just don't remember specifically doing so.

In any event, it was a fun and fast read, and I'm glad to have done it again.

SNL = Sex Centered Comedy?

Last night Amanda and I watched SNL for the first time in years.  The latest episode I could find online was from March 9, 2013, hosted by Justin Timberlake.  The first skit was funny and revolved around him hosting the show for the 5th time.  From there though, all but one of the skits were centered around sex. 

Now I like sex as much as the next guy, and I think I'm pretty far from a prude.  I don't mind hearing a sex-related joke or watching a skit about it either.  But when the majority of the material you can come up with revolves around or involves explicit sexual content, isn't that a little ridiculous?  Here's a list of the skits and their topics:

1. The Five Timers Club - solid and funny, including appearances from many beloved hosts and cast members
2. Romantic Comedy - a mock movie trailer centered around a man's relationship with a transgendered woman (she had a shlong).
3. Weekend Update - funny and mostly non-sexual, but featured an annoying flamboyantly gay character named Stefon about halfway through though.
4. It's a Date - dating show where contestants compete for the bachelorette.  It centered around sex and ended with the contestants joking about having a fivesome.
5. Tales of Sober Caligula - talked about orgies, sex with various animals, etc. 
6. Maine Justice - mildly humorous, and surprisingly non-sexual.
7. NuvaBling - spoof ad of the Nuva Ring contraceptive ring = birth control for glam girls.
8. Moet & Chandon Ad - featured former porn starts selling perfume.  Funny, but primarily about sex again.

There you have it, 5.5 out of the 8 skits either talked about or were completely centered around sexual content, mostly explicit and/or perverse.  I can't help but wonder if that says something about our culture.  Is it really that focused on sexuality and I just don't realize it as being that depraved? 

Since this was the first time watching SNL in many moons, perhaps this episode was abnormal.  I'll probably give them the benefit of the doubt and try it again (at least one more time).  But I'm starting to miss Mad TV more and more.