A while back I was on a call with two of my college besties and I revealed a guilty pleasure of mine. Both were somewhat shocked by my confession. However, one friend jumped in immediately and said, “You should never feel guilty about something you enjoy.”
She is correct. Of course, there are obvious exceptions such as illegal shit or something that hurts others. I’m not talking about that crap.
What I revealed was that I like to read what I call “Vampire Smut.” Yes, I have read all the Twilight books. I also enjoy Christopher Moore’s vampire works. However, my favorites are the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlene Harris. There are 14 of those bad boys. I have read them all. I would go to the ends of the earth with Vampire Eric.
A love for vampires really is not on brand for me. I don’t even know how or when it happened. It may have been when HBO released True Blood based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels. I didn’t watch it at first, but my husband was obsessed. I called it, “his stories.” That amused me greatly, as that was what my Granny called her soaps. What my husband was watching was totally a soap opera with vampires.
Then one night when he was watching it, I wandered through the family room on my way to the kitchen. I saw one of the most beautiful men I have ever laid eyes on in my life. I reconsidered my choice to skip this series.
I have since gone on to watch the entire series and then read the books. Big note here: the series does not follow the books! They are two very different entities. Both are great in their own way. Just know that going in.
I have other pleasures I might once have called guilty. My love of Air Supply and Barry Manilow would fall in this category. I have listened to them both for most of my life. We just bought tickets for our ninth Air Supply concert. I hope those guys live forever. I will not be shamed!
There are also plenty of foods. I try to eat healthily, but I will cut a bitch for a Double Stuf Oreo or a bag of Grippo’s potato chips. I’m also a slut for a powdered donut.
I have lots of TV which gives me great pleasure. I guess where the guilt comes in is in the fact that I have watched these shows many, many times.
Just recently my husband scoffed when he found me curled up in bed with my iPad watching Designing Women, one of the greatest shows ever made. I also make many repeat visits to Schitt’s Creek, Parks and Recreation, Community and Ted Lasso. All of these shows give me unmeasurable pleasure.
My friend was 100 percent right. Why should I feel guilty about any of this stuff? It all brings me joy. Joy and guilt should be mutually exclusive.
This world is a shit show. Occasionally, I’m going to sit down with some vampire smut and eat an entire bag of powdered donuts with a little Air Supply playing softly in the background. Do not judge me.
Angela Traver
What is this blog about? Well, it's a general blog, but it is also a very specific blog. If you get that reference, you get a gold star! I have been a public relations professional and writer of press releases for more than 20 years—primarily in the booze biz. I decided to do some writing for fun and embrace the humor that gets me through most days. Hopefully it will make you chuckle—or at least smile. I’m a certified crazy magnet, and more than a little nutty myself, so buckle up. Also, I have two vices—profanity and red wine/whiskey. You’ve been warned. It should also be noted, that I’m a HUGE Bob & Sheri fan. I’ve been a listener for more than 20 years. This opportunity is a dream come true and it may have made me cry. That being said, I cry at everything. If you are into booze, dogs, food and/or knitting, hit me up on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (although I’m terrible at Twitter and it scares me) @kyspiritsgal. You can also find all my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com.
