Why I let my kids watch The Walking Dead.....

I'm a terrible mom.

It's time I face the facts, I guess. All of you mom-shamers out there have finally made your point. I'm awful for allowing my kids to watch The Walking Dead.

No, that's not right. I don't feel bad at all for sharing this show with my kiddos. And here's why:

1. Zombies are cool. Just as Freddy, Michael, and Jason were *totally awesome* when I was a kid, zombies are the new cool. The zombie myth has been warped and twisted and stretched into almost every age range in every medium possible (Plants vs. Zombies, Monster High, Alice in Zombieland...need I go on??). At school they talk about zombies, draw zombies, and write about zombies. Bottom line, my kids are into zombies and they are going to find a way to access all things zombie so why not be a part of their discovery?

My daughter getting her zombie on as "Zombie Sophia"

2. TWD is about more than zombies. There are some incredible story lines that have led to interesting, in depth moral discussions with my kids. It's kind of like disguising vegetables so the kids will eat them....hiding lessons in TWD, who woulda thunk it? I'm not saying TWD is this generation's After School Special but we've addressed issues about defending yourself/your family, how far you'd go to survive, first crushes, and the importance of being honest. I never know what I'm going to get out of them after an episode but I look forward to it.

My son impersonating "Carl."

3. The fandom is incredible. We've attended a few events now - just a few, lol - and with this fandom, you can expect a lot of entertainment. My kids are no exception and have taken on their own "characters" to join the excitement. They've met some of the actors and I have to say that for the most part, TWD has some of the nicest celebs we've encountered.

My kiddos acting up at Horrorhound

4. It is just fun. The kids and I make a huge deal of our Walking Dead time. We like to get wings, special drinks and cool snacks - a la Gilmore Girls. Everything is set out before we even start the show and settle in so nobody misses anything.

So, I'm going to argue that I'm a great mom. My kiddos and I bond over the The Walking Dead and the best part of that statement is "bond." How many of my wanna-be-shamers can say the same thing?

Remember, remember the 5th of November

Remember, remember!
The fifth of November
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!

More than just the opening quotes of one of my favorite films, these lines begin a British folk verse telling the tale of Guy Fawkes. It seems appropriate that on this day, the 5th of November, I pay homage to the man, the legend and because I can, the film.

First, the man. Guy Fawkes is most famously related to November the 5th even though he was not actually the lead conspirator (according to most of the accounts I've read). What I've managed to find has been interesting but I will just pull out a few links for your brief enjoyment:

Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night gives a very basic breakdown of the whole affair.

Guy Fawkes - this is probably my favorite because who doesn't love the BBC???

Here is the full Fifth of November Verse as well. If you are interested...

So, as it seems, Guy Fawkes was a pretty impressive man recruited for his know how and martyred to his groups cause after a significant bout of torture. Poor guy. All because he wanted to topple an oppressive government.

It is with this spirit that the film V for Vendetta burst onto the Hollywood scene. A stunning if not thought-provoking masterpiece by the Wachowksi siblings, V pushes the ideals of Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators.

"People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people."

This is one of my favorite quotes from the movie and delivered at a poignant moment as V (portrayed by the ever impressive Hugo Weaving) explains to Evey (the lovely and talented Natalie Portman) why he is pushing forward with his shocking plans to tear down their current government. I won't give away the plot for those who have not watched V for Vendetta yet, but know that it is well worth your time to be reminded of what many Americans seem to have forgotten. Governments are meant to work for their people, not the other way around. I am posting political now but only to say that we are at a breaking point as our government is failing because the parties are so at odds fighting over issues that should not even be on the table when people are dying of diseases that should be curable, wars are being fought on foreign soil, our fellow Americans are starving and impoverished and utterly uneducated. Frankly, I don't know that it matters anymore who sits in the White House so long as our nation remains so divided and focused on issues that function as little more than smoke and mirrors to distract us from the real issues at hand. I hope America comes to her senses before Idiocracy becomes our reality....