Friday, May 09, 2008

The Toga Party has begun!

I am SO excited to have my turn at congratulating Tera Lynn Childs on the release of her debut novel, OH. MY. GODS. I got a sneak peek at her novel and could not put it down. I've always been mesmorized by Greek mythology and her spin on modernizing these gods is amazing. It got me thinking about when it was that I was introduced to Greek mythology.



It was either 1982 or 1983. My dad was working at a country club and I spent a lot of time in the clubhouse killing flies (hey, they paid me five cents a fly) and drinking Shirley Temples. I'd nurse my kiddy cocktail at the bar and watch television. That's the first time I saw Clash of the Titans. I thought it was awesome. Now, of course, I realize how cheesy it was. But in a good way. From what I remember, Harry Hamlin played Perseus and his quest was to battle both Medusa and the Kraken monster to save the Princess Andromeda. (Nice nipple, Harry!)
That was my first introduction to Medusa. Myth has it that Medusa was a sea nymph, one of three gorgon sisters. Medusa was the most beautiful. She hooked up with Poseidon in a temple of Athena. Athena was outraged and turned Medusa from a beautiful sea nymph to a terrifying creature with snakes for hair whose glance could turn you to stone.

Personally, I think Athena overreacted a bit. Who could resist Poseidon anyway? He's all cut up and that trident is one sexy accessory. But Poseidon swam away to woo other sea nymphs leaving Medusa with a permenent bad hair day. I always felt a little bad for her. But I couldn't help thinking the turning people into stone thing would be sort of cool (I had an evil stepmother at the time). After hundreds of horrifying-cheesy special effects, Harry Hamlin cuts Medusa's head off and takes it back to Athena(Like Athena hadn't already done enough to her). In myth, Medusa had two beings come from her body, Pegasus (the winged horse) and Chrysaor of the Golden Sword. This statue is on the boardwalk at Virginia Beach. It's awesome and you should check it out if you are ever in the area. So, the moral of the story is: Be careful who you hook up with. How about you, does Medusa just gross you out or did she just fall for the bad boy? And who would you turn to stone?



PS- I was also excited to find out while researching this blog that in 2010 a remake of Clash of the Titans will be made. I can hardly wait to see the cast. And don't forget to pick up a copy of OH. MY. GODS.


xo,


Stephanie


5 comments:

TJ Brown said...

oooh clash of the Titans? Woot!
Teri

TinaFerraro said...

Steph, five cents a dead fly? LOL. Sounds like a great first job!

I, too, am thrilled about the release of TLC's book, and when I can wrench my copy back from my daughter, I will be SO on it!

The Golfing Librarian said...

Where I play golf there are words for "County Club Barflys", but I shant repeat them in this respectable company.
Did you actually see any cash, or did they pay you in "Grog"?
"Clash of the Titans" is *one* of my dirty little secrets. I suspect that many of us share the same DLS) I'll still watch it if I ever stumble upon it while flipping channels.

stephhale said...

Ha, Chuck, I guess I was a barfly and I'll never tell you my dirty little secrets! :)

Me said...

Chuck, you're so nosy! =)

Confession time: I've never seen Clash of the Titans. I might (might) have to check it out. It looks a little scary.

I think Medusa's story--like so many myths--is an exaggeration. Maybe she was so beautiful guys froze at the sight of her, like they couldn't believe they were looking at someone so gorgeous.

Who would I turn to stone? Anyone who hurts my friends or family. I'm a bit of a grudge-holder when it comes to losers who cross my peeps.