I read Roots (after seeing the miniseries) when I was in 5th grade. My friends thought I was a geek, but the teachers were cool with it. I had some questions for my parents regarding the childbirth and rape scenes, but was able to handle the rest of the book with no problems. Much better experience than my attempt at reading Gone with the Wind two years earlier (I was waaay too young for that one).

I don't remember my parents making rules against TV shows, as much as not making TV watching at night a norm. We had early bedtimes -- I don't think I was allowed up past 9 p.m. until middle school -- and there was only one TV, and we didn't have cable or a VCR until I was 10. So I watched cartoons, "The Facts of Life," "The Cosby Show" and "A Different World," and that was about it until I was 12 or 13.

My knowledge of 80's TV sucks as a consequence.

(The only movie I remember my mom specifically banning was "Dirty Dancing." Yet I saw "Mannequin," which is both vulgar and very bad, about 10 times. Go figure.)

Some Harry Potter insanity... a fan is bitter because she was not allowed to open the box and get the first book, which should have been her right because she had the best Potter costume at the bookstore.

[link] (no spoilers.)

Showed up at seven, in full costume for a nine am release. Devoted no? I was one of the few to dress up, and I was the best-dressed. I'm not being vain, I honestly had the most detailed and accurate costume there.

We were told in line, that the best-dressed person in line gets to open the box and have the first Half-Blood Prince book. So, I'm a shoo-in, aren't I?

WRONG.

Fucking moo brings her bratty sprog in at 8:59am dressed in a generic Kmart cape with stars and glitter and fucking gaudy BLAH. Twig for a wand.

OMG WITTLE PWESHUS SO CUTE OMG YOU CAN OPEN THE BOX AND HAVE THIS BOOK YOU CAN'T READ AND *fawning fawning, blatant breederism etc*

THE FUCKING KID WON'T EVEN REMEMBER THIS. THE BOX OPENING WAS MINE. MIIIIINE.

I wouldn't have minded if someone had said "Oh look Sass, you are best-dressed but would you mind if this land-mine amputee opened the box instead?" I would have said "Absolutely no problem. Go for it." But no. FUCKING CROTCHDROPPING GETS THE HONOUR. I'm furious. On principle of course, not out of any sense of entitlement. Well yes, entitlement also. But I WORKED FOR IT, I DESERVED IT.

more at the link....

Movies my mom banned: Blue Lagoon and Endless Love. Apparently Brooke Shields was like unto a giant red flag. I also remember wanting to watch the molestation tv movie with Ted Danson when I was a pre-teen or young teen and my mom wouldn't let me. I was pissed.

Here 'tis: [link]

Awesome. Now I only need $2100. Plus $150 for shipping. Oh, plus the $350 for the kit that adds the other Pac Man games.

Send me all your money, please.

I don't remember my parents making rules against TV shows, as much as not making TV watching at night a norm.

For a couple of years my dad didn't let us watch TV on three days each week. Then when I was in HS and had a GF I stopped watching TV altogether.

I know, it's pricey. But I WANTS IT.

a fan is bitter because she was not allowed to open the box and get the first book, which should have been her right because she had the best Potter costume at the bookstore.

I saw that on fandom_wank! It's just ... wow. I can understand why the writer would be disappointed; she was told the honor of the first book would be awarded on basis of best costume, and it wasn't. But the way she wrote about it, and the bile she spewed at the parent of the winning child, and the complete lack of perspective...

Fandom is crazy. HP fandom has extra crazy sauce.

more at the link....

You know, we're all crotchdroppings. That's what cracks me up about the LJ cf communities. I truly believe a person should have kids ONLY if the person wants to. I don't think there's anything weird/off/wrong/bad about not wanting kids, or not enjoying kids in an adult setting (schmancy restaurant; grown-up party; etc.), nor do I blame cf people for being annoyed that the world expects them to have children. But the child and family hate I see in these communities is mind-boggling. It's like they think they sprang fully formed from Zeus's head. Or ass.

more at the link....

I just remembered why I don't like people. And it's Sass' fault. Damn her, him, whatev for having a name even close to mine. I'm furious. On principle of course, not out of any sense of entitlement. Well yes, entitlement also. But I registered it, I deserve it.