My Gothsis Angela Addams and I decided to come up with a Goth award of our own (with the help of many Twitter friends, I should say), so here I present to you: the Minions of Misery Award.
The recipient of this distinction shall admit one dark secret, recommend one dark book and suggest one dark film to their readers—and pass on the MoMA to three deserving bloggers who appreciate a good dose of doom and gloom.
As a co-founder of this prestigious gift, here are my answers:
Dark Secret. I don’t want children because I think the world is rotten and people are pigs. I believe I’ll see WWIII before I die and could never rest in peace knowing my mini-me(s?) out there would be fighting for his/her/their/its life. It’s a shame, I love (well-behaved, cute and intelligent) kids and would have been a great mom.
Dark Film. Jane Eyre (1996). So gothic and creepy and moody, a small part of me dies every time I watch it – which is at least twice a year. Charlotte Gainsbourg and William Hurt are such brilliant actors, they bring to life the dark curse that is true love.
Dark Book. White Noise by Dan Delillo. Only recently have I been made aware of this writer’s dark prose and even darker mind. We share a lot, Delillo and I: We believe the world will end soon and there’s nothing we can do about it; whatever we do, we are doomed by those who surround us; and our society is built on crap.
And here are my nominees for the Minions of Misery Award, good friends and great Goths: Colin F Barnes , Imran Siddiq , and Aheïla
Anne Michaud 
September 8th, 2011 at 7:25 am
Hah, cool to see it up and running 🙂
September 8th, 2011 at 8:04 am
And thanks to YOU we’ve got such a cool name for it:)
September 8th, 2011 at 8:45 am
I’m kind of new to blogging but I love this whole concept. What a great idea.
I agree with you on Jane Eyre, although I don’t think I’ve actually seen that version. I love the book.
September 8th, 2011 at 9:45 am
Chrissey – the cinematography of that version is so beautiful…a must see!
September 8th, 2011 at 9:20 am
OMG. The most awesome blog award EVER. And Jane Eyre is one of my faves, too. I also love Wuthering Heights. Both of those gothic love stories have so much angst and longing; the authors break the heart and then wrap the pieces in sensory melancholy. LOVE.
Congrats to the recipients!
September 8th, 2011 at 9:46 am
Isn’t it? I’m very proud of my co-foundness!
September 8th, 2011 at 10:10 am
Strange, many women felt the same way about having kids after the first World War, yet we’re here. I life lived in fear of the unknown is a life never really lived at all. Chin up, tits out. 😉
September 8th, 2011 at 10:27 am
Yeah, but some people just don’t want them, too;)
September 8th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Good call on Jane Eyre, although my personal favourite is the Tim Dalton/Zelah Clarke version 😀
September 8th, 2011 at 10:43 am
Oh, never seen that one – thanks, Krista;)
September 8th, 2011 at 10:39 am
Great selections gothsis! Don’t count out babies yet…;-)
September 8th, 2011 at 10:44 am
I don’t understand why people want me to have them, it’s so strange…
September 8th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Loving this 🙂
Totally agree on the children part.
I fear for the future too.
September 8th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
Yay! You are so dark and goth, which is why you deserve such a gorgeous button, Imran:)
September 8th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Okay, you’re like the third person this week who’s stated that Jane Eyre is good. I’ve never seen it, but am going to endevour to change that.
As for kids, don’t worry about it. If you don’t want any, that’s fine too. It’s like peer pressure sometimes, the way society dictates that everyone should have children. A year after I got married, people were asking when we were having kids. Like Husband and I were behind, or something.
September 8th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Thanks Darkey – it’s like because I’m a girl, I have to want them and have them. What is wrong in not wanting them?
And yes, DO see that 1996 version – Anna Paquin is in it, also, when she was so tiny and cute!!
September 8th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Your dark secret is interesting. Babies and kids are pretty resilient, there’s always adoption as you say you would be a great Mom – then you’re not bringing additional kids into the world but you’d be able to look after the one(s) already here. War or not 🙂
September 8th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
That is an option, but I still don’t want one…never thought my dark secret would bring so many comments, lol:)
September 8th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Thanks for the recommendation, Anne, oh dark one. I concur with the kids thing. I knew even when I was child I’d never want to be a father. Despite what everyone said, I still don’t. Mostly for the same reasons as you (especially when you see what the scummy kids did recently during the riots) It’s too difficult to raise a kid properly and keep them out of trouble these days.
And why would I want all that stress and burden? Nah, cats are enough for me 🙂
September 8th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Exactly! Cats and dogs and spiders, those are my babies:)
September 8th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
You keep spiders? *shudders*
September 8th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Yes, I love them to run free around the house.
September 8th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Are you talking about regular house spiders, or big hulking hairy bird-eating turantulas?
September 8th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
House spiders. They are my friends.
September 8th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Love the new award, ladies! I’m with Tammy in the “you can’t live in fear” camp, but I also believe that if you don’t want kids, you should never them. It’s a lifetime commitment and not one to dive into because of social pressures. I wouldn’t trade my Monster for the world, but you’ll also notice I stopped at one.
September 8th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Thanks Dani – there is so much pressure to get married and have kids, it’s ridiculous.
September 8th, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Some people want kids, some don’t. Kinda feel the same way about spiders…
September 8th, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Ah ha! To each their own, I guess 😉
September 8th, 2011 at 10:14 pm
Oh! This is so awesome! Thank you! I’ll try to find time to properly accept this award and reveal all that ought to be revealed. Probably not before next week, though. Damned be the overtime!
Thanks!
Interesting secret, film and book!
September 9th, 2011 at 7:20 am
You’re very welcome, Aheila:) Enjoy and spread the love!
September 9th, 2011 at 12:16 am
LOL, dark, fun and of course revealing. Thanks Anne.
September 9th, 2011 at 7:21 am
Of course, where would I be without the dark?? Thanks, Gareth:)
September 9th, 2011 at 10:05 am
As I already commented on Angie’s blog: cool, dark, and moody and a great concept for an award.
The End of the World? I given up counting the number of the end of the world prophesies I’ve read. Yes, it could happen at any time, asteroid, nutter with a red-hot nuke button etc but I personally reckon we’ll see the end of civilisation before the end of the world. Resources are good for about 100-200 years, so we’re OK for at least one more generation 😉
No little Anne’s would be a loss, but as has been said above, you’ve got to feel both willing and ready. As soon as you have one or more kids you realise that these feelings were necessary self-delusions, but then you find faith and the ability to wing-it, and it turns into a daily water-park ride: damp and exciting.
September 9th, 2011 at 10:45 am
Oh TJ, I beg to differ: it has nothing to do with being good and ready, but everything about wanting them:)
September 11th, 2011 at 1:05 am
Great award concept Anne! As I mentioned to Angela, wonderful teamwork!
Just downloaded Jane Eyre on my Kobo – I can’t believe I have never read or seen it. Must rectify the sitch asap!
September 11th, 2011 at 8:15 am
Oh Lisa…I’m jealous because you get to experience it for a first time. Enjoy:)
September 14th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
I LOVE this idea, Anne! And I’m definitely going to rent that version of Jane Eyre as soon as I can (adore the book). Also, I’m a Delillo fan too, but haven’t read White Noise. Goes on my list! Have you read The Names? I like that one quite a bit.
September 14th, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Oh, Annie, I have not – but it’s added to my tbr pile, thanks:) Promise to tell me what you thought of the film?!
October 25th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
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