Happy Monster High Week 2024!

Happy Monster High Week 2024! I went with Operetta, Spectra, Frankie, and Abbey this year. I think I freakin’ nailed it, if I do say so myself. For Abbey, I wore the cardigan thing I made last year for the first time! It is so cozy and soft. I love it so much. I actually made it with Clawdeen and Abbey in mind. I was inspired by Clawdeen’s jacket and Abbey’s colors. It looks good! I’m quite proud.

Imagine we lived in a world where androids were not only part of our lives, but common. As common as dishwashers; not everyone has one, but a lot of people do. Notice the word “has.” Androids are something that you buy and own. But they act like humans. They feel anger, joy, sadness, regret, maybe even love. They sing and dance. They work. They create. They destroy. And of course, they look like humans. There’s only very faint markers of otherness that you have to be diligent to catch.

What would be the separator of humans and androids? Would it be the robotic insides? What if cyborgs and robotic prosthetics also existed? At what level of robot parts do you stop being human? What if the androids got more realistic with every new model? At what upgrade do you become human? What does it mean to be human? Does it matter?

I like thinking about this hypothetical world a lot. I would like to make it a full-fledged story one day, but for now it just exists in fragments scattered throughout my notes, including this one. If you’re wondering my thoughts about it all, I think the final question I asked is the most important. If we lived in a world with androids, would it matter who was human and who wasn’t? Probably, but nonetheless, I like to think that we’d coexist. Maybe your robotness would be just another trait you’d have; something else to add to your dating profile, alongside your age and height. Unfortunately, like every other trait, it would be scrutinized, and perhaps even discriminated against, but alas, such is life. Maybe that’s the true human experience. Nahhh.

If you want to get deeper into this philosophical debate, and if this pertains to you, ask yourself: Could you fall in love with an android? I could, I think. The only thing is, could an android love me back? I think it’s extremely possible, but how would I know if it truly loved me or if it was just programmed to? What does it mean to truly love someone? How do I know anyone truly loves me and it’s not just chemicals in their brain or an evolutionary feature telling them so? Does it matter?

Just a little something to think about.

HOUSE SEASON 7 SPOILERS:

I am on season seven of House. That’s season seven out of eight, by the way, so we’re nearing the end! How bittersweet.

House and Cuddy are officially an item, and honestly, I don’t hate it. Their flirtatious shenanigans that have plagued the entire series were never my favorite part of the show, and the romantic subplots still remain low on my priorities list, but now that they’re actually together, I don’t mind them.

House is no longer using Vicodin, which has chilled him in a way. He’s still very much House, but I would say he’s less selfish and cruel. It’s been established many times before that Cuddy is the immovable object to House’s unstoppable force—she’s the only one willing and able to put a stop to his madness, and he actually listens to her. Sometimes. Now, of course… Wilson is also kind of like this… but to the left. Four words: House’s head, Wilson’s heart. They make up one person, dude. Are you hearing me? So, yeah, no, House and Cuddy’s relationship has not made me believe Hilson any less. It’s just made me believe in Hudson (House/Cuddy/Wilson; ship-name certification pending) more. They all balance each other out. It works, your honor.

Editor’s note: They broke up and House is back on Vicodin. Welp.

They finally changed the intro to discard Cameron (bye bye Cameron) and include Taub and Thirteen. Except now Thirteen has completely disappeared and I have no idea if she’s coming back. So what was the point in doing that…

They have a new doctor, Masters, replacing her. I love Masters. Raise your hand if you love Masters. She reminds me of Cameron in the early seasons, given her dedication to honesty and aversion to malpractice, but I like her personality a bit more. She’s more, como se dice, twee? Quirky? Whatever it is, I enjoy her. She’s SUPER committed to telling the truth at all times, which often makes her annoying, but I respect a woman who sticks to her morals. And she’s so nerdy, I love. If I recall correctly, she’s still a med-student, but she is a prodigal med-student, so she’ll get a really smart idea, but the other fellows will be like, “Yeah, but everyone knows that doesn’t happen in real life.” She’s just so me. She’s so knowledgeable and yet so inexperienced. It makes for good moments. I’m theorizing that she’s going to get a bit romantical with Chase, which is fine. I actually kind of like it. Inexperienced x experienced (double-entendre), neurotic x chilled, nerdy x cool. I can get into this. Oh, now I feel weird saying she’s so me. Whatever, if I’m projecting myself onto her and want her to get with Chase, can you blame me?

Let’s talk about Taub for a moment. Taub is such an interesting character, oh my god. I know I haven’t talked about him too much, but I love him. He’s a horrible, loser man, but also self-aware and apologetic about it. UGH. Taub, you son of bitch you. He and his wife called it quits, finally. I loved their whole, “We shouldn’t be with each other, but I love them, and I don’t know how else to live,” arc, but enough was enough, guys. Now Taub’s living with Foreman. House has begun calling them Bert (Foreman) and Ernie (Taub), which is too perfect. I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up shipping these two by the end of the season.

I am so funny. “I don’t care about the romantic subplots, but I will be inventing my own.”

END OF SPOILERS:

Quick update on my fanfic before I end. I whipped up an outline for it. It’s pretty good, I like it. I’m thinking of rereading Jacob’s part in Breaking Dawn to get re-immersed with his narration, but also I skimmed through parts of the book a couple of days ago and remembered how annoying it is. I specifically read the bit where they find out Bella’s pregnant. Man, what the hell is this book? I love it, I hate it. My fic is definitely going to end up being OOC because I want to try to make the characters actually cool, so does it really matter if I reread Jacob’s part? We’ll see.

I’m torn on whether or not I keep the Black family (Jacob’s family) Quileute. I don’t want to erase Indigenous stories, but I also don’t want to keep those stories if they’re harmful. Stephanie Meyer’s portrayal of the Quileute tribe was/is controversial for a reason. I’m trying to research the Quileute tribe’s opinion (both old and current) on it, and I’m trying to look into shapeshifting in Native American culture. So far I’ve found stuff about skin-walkers, which I don’t think is what I want, and spirit animals, which may be. I need to look deeper, though.

I’m considering turning the Black family hispanic, likely Mexican, because I know many Mexicans do immigrate to Washington, and witchcraft is a part of Mexican culture. I believe shapeshifting was part of Aztec culture, but again, I don’t want to erase Indigenous stories, but I also don’t want to keep those stories if they’re harmful. Caught between a rock and a hard place.

I’m leaning towards making Jacob Mexican because one, write what you know, and two, I have clearer answers about shapeshifting in Mexican culture than in Native American culture. Ultimately, I just need a reason for the guy to turn into a wolf. Hopefully, a reason that’s not a racist caricature.

I know this is a lot of thought for a Twilight fanfic, but goddamn, if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it right! Let me know if you guys have any ideas.