ARGH

I'm sick. D: D: D: I hate being sick, and I hate missing class, and I hate missing work.

On the plus side, it isn't that bad - just a throat-thing and a pounding headache - but I decided to stay home today and try to fight it off, rather than letting it linger and get worse. Then I can go back to work tomorrow, I won't miss section, and I can make it to the party on Saturday. A brilliant plan, which is certain to work, right? Right? *desperate*

*goes off to guzzle more tea*

And in more pleasant news

The Happy Feminist explains why Mr. Darcy is not only a popular romantic hero, but a feminist romantic hero. A spot-on explanation of why being respectful doesn't mean being weak or emasculated. Sure, Mr. Darcy is neither gentle nor particularly sensitive, but that's a separate issue from respect.

This post over at Pandagon has further discussion on the topic, including other people's favorite (feminist) romances. They've already included most of my favorites: Wash and Zoe, Eowyn and Faramir, Edward Rochester and Jane Eyre (19th century literature still pwns me). I would also add Jesse and Tulip, from Preacher, for the sheer fact that they aren't perfect - and Garth Ennis knows that, and has them try anyway, all the while making it clear that they're going to keep screwing up and loving each other and learning, a little bit at a time. Also, if I can ship real people - Pablo Neruda and Matilde. :D

Of course, everyone knows that the perfect couple, a model of both realism and feminism, is Lucie and Charles from A Tale of Two Cities. (HA HA KIDDING don't hurt me)

Also see Happy's post on Jane Austen for the proto-feminist qualities of Austen's writing.

ETA: How could I forget? Phedre and Joscelin (Kushiel's Legacy series) and Jin and Sun (LOST)!