The End.

I don't have much to say besides Happy New Year!



I suppose I could have done without this post, but I thought this picture was just peachy so I couldn't restrain myself.

Privacy and Bombs

I'm sure everyone has heard about the failed terrorist attempt that happened on Christmas at least a thousand times by now. (Cause if there's anything American media likes more than a celebrity or politician's extramarital affairs, it's a good terrorist story.)

I obviously find any attempt of violence to be reprehensible, but at the same time I don't find it necessary to lose all my shit over what could have happened. Not to diminish this clusterfuck of a situation, but all the horrible violent acts that are actually happening deserve more attention in my opinion. For me this situation is more about the obvious failure on the part of our intelligence people and should be used as a learning experience instead of a way to bash President Obama.

As usual, Glenn Greenwald sums up the relentless fear mongering perfectly:

What this actually illustrates is that many people are addicted to the excitement and fear of Terrorist melodramas. They crave some of that awesome 9/12 energy, where we overnight became The Greatest Generation and -- unified and resolute -- rose to the challenge of a Towering, Evil Enemy. Armao is angry and upset because the leader didn't oblige her need to re-create that high drama by flamboyantly flying back to Washington to create a tense storyline, pick up a bullhorn, stand on some rubble, and personally make her feel "safe." Maureen Dowd similarly complained today that Obama "appeared chilly in his response to the chilling episode on Flight 253."

The more I think about it the more I'm against the routine use of full body scanners idea as well. As the ACLU has said, people expect privacy underneath their clothing. Unless the scanners are only used in situations that warrant more invasive security screenings, I can't help but feel like this idea violates our right to avoid unlawful search. (It's hard to think of these scanners of anything less then a strip search after seeing these images.) I also wouldn't be so concerned with the idea if the cost wasn't so high (it's got to be astronomical) and if our transportation options in this country weren't so pathetic. The fact most people will have no choice about having their body scan (because they have to fly) makes this all the more uncomfortable for me.

It's situations like this one that bring the quote, "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety," to mind. (Especially after reading this.)

Music and Ms. Jackson

I was reminiscing while reading Meg's "The Decade in Music" (it's very good - check it out) and I was shocked "Ms. Jackson" by Outkast wasn't included in the 2001 post. Now obviously I realize not every song is going to be included and we all have different tastes, but this was definitely my jam when it came out. Listening to it now brings back a bunch of crazy memories that only music seems able to do.



And who doesn't love this video? My brain wants to explode from all the cuteness.

So, are there any songs in particular that stick out in the 2000's for you?

I'm Back!

My mom and her husband have just set out for home this morning. While part of me is definitely sad to see them go, another part is happy. Not because I don't love seeing them or anything, but because it can get a tad tiring for everyone. It's also been impossible to get back on track after all the Christmas hubbub so my house is still trashed and my son is still a monster.

Though that doesn't have too much to do with Christmas.

Holden and Ryan's mom Lisa
Anyhoo, hopefully now things can get back to normal. I just hate that awkward readjustment time after a major holiday the world seems to need. It's especially worse this time of year and it feels like the world is holding its breath till New Years.

And I hate that.

The pen is mightier than the sword.

I just came across an interesting project called “Poster4Tomorrow.” Poster4Tomorrow is a project based out of France that hopes to make a better tomorrow by giving artists the chance to make posters for people who don't have the freedom of speech to do so themselves. Their goal is to, "Get people to make full use of their freedom of expression to change intolerant regimes."

From the website:

Freedom of expression, the simple freedom to say what you want, about whatever you want, is a right that most of us can enjoy without even thinking. Even more now that the internet has given us a forum for debate and criticism wider and more instant than ever before.

Online, or offline, it’s possible to say anything without any form of consequence, and most of the time we come up with nothing more profound than: Your album sucks. England is a shithole. Berlusconi is corrupt. But in many other countries freedom of expression is a much more serious subject.

People are persecuted and imprisoned simply for daring to criticise their governments, calling for more democracy and press freedom, or exposing human rights abuses online. It’s just not right.

So on behalf of those who don’t enjoy the same freedom of expression that you do, we’d like to invite you to create a poster for a better tomorrow – where we can all say what we want, whenever we want.

Our hope with “Poster4Tomorrow” is to spark a movement to inspire people to stand together against injustice across the world. A movement that will start next year and continue next year and every year until we change something. Because one poster is a start, hundreds, thousands will become a movement for a better tomorrow.

The date to enter ended November 15th and Poster4Tomorrow has picked the top 100 design winners.

Here are some of my favs:



I did read an interesting post about why this idea is problematic that I think is worth checking out. From a purely aesthetic view I think most of the posters are great, but I can definitely see why some of the posters bother people.

Either way it's the type of project bound to make you think, and I can always respect that.

You can see all the 100 winning posters here.

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone has a good holiday!

My sister and me circa 1989.

My mom will be here till the first, and I have no idea how much time I'll have to blog. So try no to miss me too much if I'm gone.

I am one happy camper

My mom and her husband are one their way to Utah today.



I'm so excited it's ridiculous. Even though I got to spend Christmas in San Diego last year, this is the first time I will get to celebrate the holidays in Utah with my family. This is also the first time my mom will get to see where we live and I can't wait.

Woohoo!

In which our heroine answers random questions

I'm going through all the shit on my computer and I came across this meme I did forever ago. I don’t usually do these, but I thought this one was particularly interesting and I was probably bored as hell.

Plus it’s Christmas Eve and who knows if anyone will even be around these parts today. Enjoy.

When do you feel the most vulnerable?

This might seem silly to some people, but I would say I feel the most vulnerable at job interviews. Even though I talk to people easily I can’t help but feel like I’m a performing monkey on stage.

Other than sex, what is the most intimate moment you have with your partner?

I think our comfortable silences are the most intimate thing we share with one another.

What is the number one doubt you have about yourself?

That I’m not smart enough. I’ve always been considered the “smart” one out of my friends. It eventually became suffocating in its own way. I suppose all expectations are that way though.

What is your biggest motivation to get out of bed each morning?

Nothing in particular really gets me going every day. Even in the most heart breaking moments, I just enjoy living. I can’t do that from my bed. (Well, at least not always.) Plus some one's got to feed the brood.

How do you feel when you contemplate your own death?

I don’t really feel anything. I guess more than anything I’m curious, but it's not something I concern myself too much with.

Do you have someone in your life you can literally tell "anything" to? Are they your best friend? Why or why not?

I don’t really get into the “best friend” idea. All my friends are the best. I don’t waste my time on half-hearted people. If I don’t trust a person then they’re not my friend. It’s really as simple as that. I know that may sound cold to some people but its just practicality. Because of that, I can tell anything I like to my friends.

How often do you feel like crying? Why?

I don’t cry very often in my day to day life but for some reason any touching book or movie can make me weep like a baby. It’s a little ridiculous and often times terribly embarrassing. I’ve cried while reading at work and I even cried watching freggin Herby. I swear it’s a curse.

How do you feel after your anger gets the best of you?

Regretful. I tend to say things that are too truthful. It’s hard to forgive people who use the truth as a weapon. Luckily, I don't get angry very often.

What words would best describe your mind and the conversations you have with yourself?

Sarcastic and self deprecating. I also find myself to be quite hilarious and laugh at loud (for what appears to be no apparent reason) more often than I should. At least as long as I want to maintain the appearance of sanity.

How much trust can you rightfully place on those you love?

If someone answers this question with anything less than “it all,” I think that love should be reconsidered.

What event in your life can you recall that seemed to "stop time?"

What a shame, I can’t think of any. (Though I swear that night I had a bad trip after eating some mushrooms lasted an eternity.)

What could you do to make your relationship with your significant other better?

I could be softer and more yielding. I could be a little less selfish and not go chasing after the world. Maybe one day I’ll learn to open up the piece of myself I keep only for myself. Though, I don’t know if I would still be the same person if I could do those things.

What would you change about yourself if it was easy?

I would be nicer. I’m just not one of those nice people. I mean I get along with people fine, but I’m pretty bitchy. I would also care less. The more I learn about the world the more I hate it, but I can’t stop myself from seeking more ugly truths.

Why do you do "self destructive" things to yourself? (Drinking, Drugs, Smoking, Starving, Cutting, Loving those that don't show you love, etc…)

I think its human nature to put ourselves through bad things sometimes. Beyond that though, I think I’m surprisingly well turned out for my circumstances. My habit of introspection has mostly stopped me from any outlandishly destructive behavior.

How does your mind protect you from feeling like a failure?

Misdirection?

What idea or person, even in your darkest moments, can make you smile? How do they manage to give you hope?

I relish my darkest moments. For some reason we’re taught it’s wrong to be unhappy but for me I cultivate that place inside me. It’s where my art comes from and I think it’s beautiful in its on way. Plus hope is its own gift. (Obviously I'm not talking about depression or anything of that nature. I just feel like we're made to feel like something is wrong with us if we're not perfectly happy with our lives.)

Nothing like beer for Christmas

I hate beer. It’s one of those things that I wished I liked (like wine), but I just don’t. Unless I’ve already had far too much to drink, the taste of beer literally makes me want to throw up. I have to force myself to swallow every drink I take and I don’t find that to be a pleasant experience. (Too be honest though, I’ve pretty much stopped drinking. It’s just not something I do very often. Not for any particular reason, but because I just have no desire to.)

Anyhoo, the point of this post (though not having a point has never stopped me before) is to talk about Ryan’s Christmas gift. Ryan, for whatever reason, has started drinking beer and he really enjoys it. Since one Long Island Iced Tea can leave Ryan puking all over his friend’s yard, this is great news for me. There is nothing I hate more then dealing with a puking significant other.

Or really a puking anything for that matter.

So, I decided to get Ryan a “brew your own beer” kit. I had been thinking about trying my hand at beer making, since I love hobbies and I’ve heard the beer is much tastier, and when I saw the Brooklyn Brew Shop kit I knew I had to get it. One of the taglines on their website is, “We sell beer kits that don’t look like kits,” and I totally agree.

Just look at this baby:



Isn’t it adorable? How could I not buy it for Ryan? I’m a sucker for anything that looks like a science experiment and I love nice packaging. The kit, with some grain, and shipping was less then $60 dollars. Everything about it was perfect.

Expect it’s not going to fucking be here by Christmas! I'm seriously not happy. Look, I get that the Brooklyn Brew Shop can’t control the weather and I’m not so egocentric as to think someone wanted to ruin my fucking Christmas morning surprise, but I’m still pissed. Pissed I tell you! I ordered before the December 16th deadline and I had expected to get the damn box on time.

What makes me the most pissed about this though (because unfortunately this kind of shit happens all the time) is that I emailed the Brooklyn Brew Shop people on Monday and no one ever got back to me. I realize the world doesn’t revolve around me, but if they had gotten back to me an overnight delivery could have been arraigned or something (and they updated their twitter yesterday, which is on their website, saying they mailed out the last of the overnights). Even if I just had to listen to their empty apologies I would feel better.

Maybe it’s because I worked so many years in costumer service (or just because I don’t like being treated like shit), but customer service can make or break any transaction for me. And unfortunately for Brooklyn Brew Shop, it definitely broke it this time.

If the Brooklyn Brew Shop people do ever get back to me (though I won’t be surprised if at this point it’s after xmas) I will update this post to reflect that, but as of now I can only say I will not be buying from Brooklyn Brew Shop again.

Roundup

I am sick yet again and I think a roundup is far overdue.

Random Picture:


I am also loving this pic (NSFW).

Random Stuff:

1. "On teaching me to slow down" is cute and funny.

2. "It's not the White Christmas House" By Christopher Hitchens.

I myself repose no faith in any man-made text or made-man redeemer, so when it's Christmas I say "Merry Christmas" with a clear conscience, as I respect Ramadan and Passover, and also because "Happy Holidays" is so thin and insipid. I don't mind if Christians honor the moment by displaying, and singing about, reindeer (a hard species to find in the greater Jerusalem/Bethlehem area). Same for the pine and fir trees that also don't grow in Palestine. I wish everybody joy of it.

3. I thought "Why Are Europeans White" was super interesting.

From the link:

And so, humans adapt very quickly to solar UV. Prehistoric groups that migrated towards the equator got darker. Prehistoric groups that migrated away from the equator got lighter.
But this explanation fails for Europe. Northern Europeans are lighter than everyone to the south (Mediterraneans), to the east (Mongols and east-Asians), to the west (Native Americans across the Atlantic), and to the North (Inuit, Sammi, Chukchi, Aleut)

Clearly, there once was a factor at work in Europe other than dim sunlight.

4. A risque church billboard showing the Virgin Mary and Joseph in bed apparently after having disappointing sex has caused outrage among Christians in New Zealand.


Song/video:

I really wanted to put a clip from Countdown with Keith Olbermann here about a Costco in Utah that kept tomatoes off of the shelves during a Sara Palin book signing in case anyone tried to throw them at her, but I couldn’t find it.

I guess a little Tina will just have to do:



Thumbs Up:

1. Mexico City Legalizes Gay Marriage

2. Annise Parker made history Saturday as Houston's first openly gay mayor.

The Middle Finger:

1. "UK fails to halt female genital mutilation."

2. Chuck Norris thinks Mary might have aborted Jesus Christ Under “ObamaCare.” I’m just not one of those Chuck Norris fans and it’s worth noting that abortion was practiced at the time Jesus lived, but he never spoke out against it.

3. "It is not part of anyone’s culture to be abused" is sad and fucked up.

4. "Military Abortion Ban: Female Soldiers Not Protected by Constitution They Defend" is another depressign read, but I highly recommend reading it.

Favorite quote from the link:

At Amy’s request, she was sent home from Iraq, after a military psychiatrist determined that she was “too psychologically unstable” to remain, and diagnosed her with acute anxiety, PTSD, and depression. “They convinced themselves that anyone who would do a self-abortion is crazy,” Amy says. “It’s not a crazy thing. It’s something that rational, thinking women do when they have no options.”

So sad.

Political Cartoon:



This is exactly how I feel about the situation.

Quote/Thought that makes me happy:

In short, we must face problems which do not lend themselves to easy or quick or permanent solutions. And we must face the fact that the United States is neither omnipotent nor omniscient, that we are only six percent of the world's population, that we cannot impose our will upon the other ninety-four percent of mankind, that we cannot right every wrong or reverse each adversity, and that therefore there cannot be an American solution to every world problem. -JFK

Something you probably don’t know about me:

I never dry myself off properly when I get out of the shower so my clothes tend to be damp for a while. It drives Ryan bonkers for some reason but I could care less.

The Big Bang Theory recreates memorable moments in 2009

These pictures of the cast of The Big Bang Theory recreating memorable moments in 2009 is just hilarious. The Big Bang Theory is one of the few shows I regularly watch and I have a huge nerd crush on Jim Parsons.

We’re shallow just like Women!

My best reads of 2009

Well, it’s that time of year to roll out the best reads of 2009. The nice man at the library informed me that I’ve checked out around 200 books this year so my apologies if I leave some out. These are the books that stick out in my mind (and have 5 stars in my Goodreads), but I read so much it really is easy for me to forget about books. Even books I love in fact. (I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve even checked out books I’ve already read but didn’t recollect the name.)

Fair warning: I am totally posting this on both blogs.

So here are my favorite books I read this year in no particular order:

1. The Inferior by Peadar O. Guilin

Stopmouth and his family know of no other life than the daily battle to survive. To live, they must hunt rival species, or negotiate flesh-trade with those who crave meat of the freshest human kind. It is a savage, desperate existence. And for Stopmouth, considered slowwitted hunt-fodder by his tribe, the future looks especially bleak. But then, on the day he is callously betrayed by his brother, a strange and beautiful woman falls from the sky. It is a moment that will change his destiny, and that of all humanity, forever.

If you like dystopias and strange world building then this book is for you. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next installment of this series. It’s just great in that seriously fucked up kind of way (and that's my favorite kind). If I had to pick just one, The Inferior would be my favorite read of 2009.

2. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Barcelona, 1945—A great world city lies shrouded in secrets after the war, and a boy mourning the loss of his mother finds solace in his love for an extraordinary book called The Shadow of the Wind, by an author named Julian Carax. When the boy searches for Carax’s other books, it begins to dawn on him, to his horror, that someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book the man has ever written. Soon the boy realizes that The Shadow of the Wind is as dangerous to own as it is impossible to forget, for the mystery of its author’s identity holds the key to an epic story of murder, madness, and doomed love that someone will go to any lengths to keep secret.

I actually found this book to be quite scary. I really like horror, but I can’t think of another book that left me as creeped out as The Shadow of the Wind. I stayed up all night to read it and I found myself being uncomfortable walking through my dark house and paying far too much attention to the random noises my house makes. The Shadow of the Wind is also really beautifully written and I cannot recommend it enough.

3. Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture by Ariel Levy

Meet the Female Chauvinist Pig -- the new brand of "empowered woman" who embraces "raunch culture" wherever she finds it. In her groundbreaking book, New York magazine writer Ariel Levy argues that, if male chauvinist pigs of years past thought of women as pieces of meat, Female Chauvinist Pigs of today are doing them one better, making sex objects of other women -- and of themselves. Irresistibly witty and wickedly intelligent, Female Chauvinist Pigs makes the case that the rise of raunch does not represent how far women have come; it only proves how far they have left to go.

Some of you will remember that I did a video about this book not that long ago. This book is a quick and easy read that will make you think. And I love books that do that.

4. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

Young Sorcha is the seventh child and only daughter of Irish Lord Colum of Sevenwaters, a domain well protected from invading Saxons and Britons by dense forest where, legend says, fey Deirdre, the Lady of the Forest, walks the woodland paths at night. Colum is first and foremost a warrior, bent on maintaining his lands against all outsiders. Not all of his sons are so bound to the old ways, and that family friction leads to outright disobedience when Sorcha and her brother Finbar help a Briton captive escape from Colum's dungeon. Soon after, Colum brings home a new wife who ensorcels everyone she can't otherwise manipulate. By her spell Sorcha's brothers are cursed to become swans. Only Sorcha, hiding deep in the forest, can break the spell by painfully weaving shirts of starwort nettle--but then Sorcha is captured by Britons and taken away across the sea. Determined to break the curse despite her captivity, Sorcha continues to work, little expecting that ultimately she will have to chose between saving her brothers and protecting the Briton lord who has defended her throughout her trials.

This is another book I mentioned before, but it’s so good I’m surprised I didn’t mention it a hundred times. This is a book that will make you laugh and cry and fall in love with the characters over and over. Daughter of the Forest really is that good and I dare you to read this book and not fall in love with Juliet Marillier.

5. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris

Trying to make coffee when the water is shut off, David considers using the water in a vase of flowers and his chain of associations takes him from the French countryside to a hilariously uncomfortable memory of buying drugs in a mobile home in rural North Carolina. In essay after essay, Sedaris proceeds from bizarre conundrums of daily life-having a lozenge fall from your mouth into the lap of a fellow passenger on a plane or armoring the windows with LP covers to protect the house from neurotic songbirds-to the most deeply resonant human truths. Culminating in a brilliant account of his venture to Tokyo in order to quit smoking, David Sedaris's sixth essay collection is a new masterpiece of comic writing from "a writer worth treasuring" (Seattle Times).

What needs to be said about Sedaris that hasn’t already been said? His books are great and if you need a good laugh about the mundane yet entertaining aspects of life then this book is for you. You can read my favorite essay from this book here.

6. Why Evolution Is True by Jerry A. Coyne

Why Evolution Is True weaves together the many threads of modern work in genetics, paleontology, geology, molecular biology, and anatomy that demonstrate the “indelible stamp” of the processes first proposed by Darwin. In crisp, lucid prose accessible to a wide audience, Why Evolution Is True dispels common misunderstandings and fears about evolution and clearly confirms that this amazing process of change has been firmly established as a scientific truth.

This book changed my life. Read it.

7. The Good Mayor by Andrew Nicoll

Tibo Krovic has been the mayor of Dot, a small town in an unnamed country on the Baltic Sea, for 20 years. He's hopelessly in love with his secretary, Agathe Stopak, who's miserable in a loveless marriage with her drunkard husband. After consulting a psychic, Agathe begins to see the good mayor in a new light, and after the two tiptoe around each other for weeks, Tibo gets up the courage to ask Agathe out for lunch. But being the good man he is, he finds it difficult to cross any other boundaries with a married woman, even as tension builds between them. Meanwhile, Agathe gets tired of waiting for Tibo to make his move and stumbles into a mistake that could have very far-ranging consequences. Told with fantastical detail, delightful insights and a touch of humor, this fairy taleish romance is a genuine treat.

This book is essentially a simple love story. What makes it worth mentioning though is the amazing writing of this simple love story. To be honest I can’t really explain the whimsy or lyrical perfection the writing in this book is, but I promise you it’s good. Very good.

Just read the passages I included in my review of the book here and tell me you didn’t swoon a little. I dare ya.

And that’s it. If you haven’t read any of the books I mentioned then you are seriously missing out.

Daily Obsession - A Cappella

I’m totally love with the show The Sing Off and I’ve been listening to a cappella groups all day on youtube. It’s getting a little ridiculous to be honest, but I got to admit I am completely head over heels with Tufts sQ!.







Aren’t they just amazing? I was a little sceptical about the choice to do the song "Valerie" since this version is perfection, but I actually think they pulled it off quite nicely.

Child Manipulation You Say

I know this was posted at Jezebel (I start a lot of posts this way don't I?), but the part where Noelle Nikpour says, "they're [children] easy to manipulate," made me think of the Susan B. Anthony List's Pro-Life Film Contest.

Obama's Socialist Christmas Ornament Program

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Seems children are only manipulated when it comes to Obama.

Strenuous Action

I've been a bit obsessed with vintage ads lately.

Princess Hijab and the Veiled Threat

I just read a really interesting article about “the elusive guerrilla artist known as Princess Hijab.” I have to admit I had never heard of her before and I’m quite late to the game. I am a sucker for street art with political overtones though so Princess Hijab has really snagged my interest.

Since PH is anonymous, there is more speculation then real facts out there but the project itself is worth contemplating. PH has been basically "hijab-izing" Parisian ads and claims, "I’m an advertising hijabist. In other words, I cover all advertising with a black veil, which is a dark symbol, a reference on pop culture, and a way to hide elegantly advertising. It is also a study on territories and identities."

Here is part of an interview I thought was interesting:

WOOSTER: Why did you choose the subject matter you did?

PRINCESS HIJAB: Guerrilla art is innocent and criminal, ancient and dystopian, intimate and political. I chose the veil because it does what art should do: It challenges, it frightens, and it re-imagines. I've also found that my media, guerrilla art, presents a mystery and an impishness consistently missing from serious discourses on the hijab. The terms "hijabizing" or "hijabism" continue to define my work.

W: Why did you choose the specific placement?

PH: I use the subway for the same reason the advertisers do: It's a place where the whole city is a captive audience.

W: What do you think your piece adds to or subtracts from to the community?

PH: I think my work might add to the intellectual dialogue on advertising, but I aim for the guttural response. My "desecration" elevates the models back to being people, and when the skin sticks to the pleather, that's the smile and the disgust that I can get out of people.

I don’t really know what to think to be honest; part of that has to do with the fact that I haven’t fully formed my opinion on hijab yet, and another part is because I’m not sure about Princess Hijab’s intentions. Is the message is supposed to be anti-consumerism or something else? Is it about using our bodies to sell goods? No matter what the message is, it definitely gets us to stop and think.

And I guess that’s ultimately the point.

So check out the article if you're interested and you can see Princess Hijab's website here.

In which an Eastwick heroine rapes a man. And everyone ignores it.

I watched my first episode of Eastwick two weeks ago (hey don't judge - there was nothing else on) and I’m still a little shocked that the writers had one of their main characters rape a man in order to get a few laughs. I mean, seriously wtf were they thinking? For one, I cannot be sympathetic towards a rapist. Second, just because a woman uses her “magical” abilities to hypnotize the person doesn’t mean it’s not rape. And third, rape is not a fucking punch line in a joke. It’s a horrible traumatic experience that should never be casually thrown around, especially with a culture that is so unwilling to treat rape as the serious crime it is (and this goes doubly for male rape).

Here’s a loose rundown of what happened:

The character Joanna (pictured) has the ability to make men do what she wants by basically hypnotizing them with her eyes. I guess the main point of this situation was to reinforce the idea that Joanna is learning that abusing her powers is wrong (though it shouldn’t take raping a person to figure that out). Anyways, while at a party Joanna is feeling pretty down and is trying to make the man who replaced her at her job (she got fired for some shit that wasn’t made clear to me) and so she is getting drunk and dancing with any man she can. Then she starts dancing with this really attractive man and everything is grand. But once he tries to leave (he says he has to go), she does her eye trick to get him to stay and make out with her. She then makes him take her upstairs in order to make her co-worker jealous.

Are you still with me? (I want to give you enough information without making it too complicated.)

The episode then carries on with the other two characters, but when we get back to Joanna she and the attractive man are in a huge bath (that’s empty) together and they look all disheveled. The man is disoriented and after she says some tripe about not usually being a slut or some crap he says, "I've never had sex with a woman." Then Joanna says, "Oh, I cannot believe you're a virgin," and he replies with, "That's not what I said."

And if that wasn’t clear enough for you, a moment later the man’s husband walks in and finds them together in the bathtub. Get it. He’s a gay man that has never had sex with a woman before. How hilarious! At this point Joanna does try to take the blame saying, "This is not his fault, I hypnotized him with my eyes," but obviously that doesn’t fix anything.

And then, as if the whole fucking situation wasn’t infuriating enough, Joanna goes over to her best friend’s house (also pictured) and tries to make her friend feel better about her quasi-break up by saying, "Would it make you feel better if I told you I slept with a gay man?"

At this point I don’t even know what to say, but woo fucking hoo this show is being canceled. I just find this whole thing disgusting and I want to know why I could only find three different blogs or forums that talked about this situation seriously. I hate to be the one to point out a double standard, but if this had been a man raping a woman the internet would have blown up over this situation. Where are feministing, shakesville, Jezebel, and Feministe at? How did no one know about this? Even if Eastwick isn’t that popular, I find it hard to believe that not one of these sites was able to catch this.

What could have been an excellent platform to talk about how rape hurts all members of society (or how the beliefs that men can’t be raped, that gay men aren’t really gay, or that rape isn’t that bad are still rampant in our society) has instead been quickly and quietly forgotten. And I think that pisses me off the most.

I had wanted to do this post a couple weeks ago, but I totally forgot to be quite honest (which I feel bad about).

Spread Your Legs

I know sex sells, but there is such a thing as innuendo.

Daily Obsession - Hole

Like most crazy people I am in love with Courtney Love. And today I just have Hole on my mind.








You're welcome.

Women: Know Your Limits!

And I thought this would make a nice accompaniment to the tips for single ladies:

Burger King keeps it classy with a "Showercam"

I have no idea if this old news (probably is), but did you guys know that Burger King's UK website has a "showercam" on their website? It's marketed as the "the world's first guilt free showercam." Plus you get to try and win a date with the "shower babe" and see what she'll sing and wear tomorrow.



First, I highly doubt this is the first guilt free showercam. Second, she doesn't really take a shower. And third, WHY?!

Tips For Single Ladies (1938)

You can see more here. via The Seventh Sense

Senator Boxer meet Doctor Evil

I posted about the Senator Boxer "Ma’am" fiasco before, but I wanted to post this video that was made by the campaign of state Assemblyman Chuck DeVore for the upcoming Republican primaries:



While I don’t find the video particularly funny or original, I do think some of the comments included in the Associated Press article are interesting:

[Republican Carly] Fiorina's campaign is focusing on the exchange because it exemplifies the tone voters have come to expect from Boxer, said Julie Soderlund, a spokeswoman for Fiorina.

"A member of the military calling somebody ma'am or sir certainly isn't something that's unusual," Soderlund said. "Most people who see the video recognize that and recognize the level of arrogance that Senator Boxer brought to the situation."

Boxer said her opponents' focus on the exchange says more about them than it does about her. She's not about to apologize.

"Once in 17 years that I've been a senator, I asked a witness to call me senator, because we were having a back and forth and I kept saying 'general' and he kept saying 'ma'am', and it went general, ma'am, general, ma'am. And I thought, you know what, this is one of those times we ought to call each other by our titles," she said in an interview.

"If this is what she thinks is the most important issue as people are struggling to get jobs, and housing, and health care, it's fine," Boxer said in reference to Fiorina.

And once again I am enamored with Senator Boxer’s straightforward nature.

I am crushing on Manohla Dargis

Seriously, this interview of Manohla Dargis (movie critic for the New York Times) is one of the best things I've read over at Jezebel in quite a while. It was just so refreshingly honest and candid.

On why so many romantic comedies are so terrible: One, the people making them have no fucking taste, two, they're morons, three they're insulting panderers who think they're making movies for the great unwashed and that's what they want. I love romantic movies. I absolutely do. But I literally don't know what's happening. I think it's depressing that Judd Apatow makes the best romantic comedies and they're about men. All power to Apatow, but he's taken and repurposed one of the few genres historically made for women. ….We had so few [genres] that were made specifically for the female audience and now the best of them are being made by Judd Apatow. But what are his movies supposed to be about? Nominally about the relationship between a man and a woman, but they're really buddy flicks. Funny People was supposed to have an important role for a woman, but she was uninteresting and an afterthought.

The entire atricle was great and I definitely recommend checking it out if you haven't read it.

In which our heroine ponders school and the future

You know those days where you’re pouring creamer into your coffee or vacuuming up dog hair (or insert any other mundane task around the house here) and suddenly life just slaps you in the face? Like all of a sudden you realize you have no freggin clue what the fuck you should be doing with your life? It’s the stark realization that you’re just taking up space and you feel like you need to do something with your life right this second or you’ll fade into obscurity with all the other unremarkable members of our species.

No?

It’s just that lately I’ve felt so redundant and I can’t help but look around at my life sometimes and wonder what I have to show for myself. I’m not the type of person where being a mom or a wife is enough for me (though sometimes I wish I were). Being back in school has made me realize that I’m missing a sense of accomplishment in my life. There are so many things that I want out of life that I can’t help but seize up with fear sometimes that none of them are ever going to happen.

Wow. I have no idea where all this is coming from (damn you fingers). This whole post was supposed to be about the fact that I’m almost positive I’ve decided on a major (though I’ve changed my mind so many times that I still can’t bring myself to say I’m sure). I guess it’s left me feeling a bit pensive about the future and life in general. I’ve also been struggling with this blog and questioning if I’m really happy with the effort I’ve put in. Though I definitely was at one point, I’m not sure anymore.

Anyways, I’m planning on majoring in Gender Studies (which, at least at the University I plan on attending, is essentially a combination of Women’s and LGBT studies). My brain almost exploded from all the awesomeness it includes and, even though Ryan threatened to move out for the semester I take “advanced feminist theories,” I don’t know if there is a better suited set of classes to be found.

And though you’d think finding a major would bring me some comfort, but it’s left me wondering about the future instead. I just don’t know.

Cause we could all use a laugh

Why Men Shouldn't Write Advice Columns

-via The Seventh Sense

Uninspired and Harassed by Memories

I don't know what's wrong with me today. I feel uninspired and out of it. I wish I could just go hide under the covers and wait for tomorrow.



Do you ever have days where the past just won't leave you alone? Like you start thinking of the background noise that makes up your memories. And once you do, it's like your memories look right back and refuse to loosen their grip. I hate those days.

Tea Baggers and Mandatory Christmas Caroling

Why are people so sensitive over Christmas? Seriously, give it a break people. Saying “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” is not the first sign of the apocalypse. Calm down.



Cenk was spot on when he questioned the conservative’s hypocrisy in regards to limited government. As with all things, they really only want “limited government” for white Christian heterosexual males. If you happen to be a woman or gay then they are more than happy to pass laws to limit your freedoms. But god forbid we tax the wealthy.

Alice in Steampunkland

Fairy Tale week is over (thank goodness), but I just saw the most amazing steampunk Alice in Wonderland photo shoot from Cvy at Deviant Art:



There are only five pictures in the series, but my brain nearly exploded from all the awesomeness. Seriously, steampunk and Alice in Wonderland? Yes please.

So check them out and a big thanks to Once Upon a Blog.

Military Sexual Trauma

I have to read a crap load of articles for my Race, Class and Gender final and I thought this paragraph from an article about homelessness among female veterans was interesting:

"Women are more likely to leave the military with a few less reasons to trust the system than men," said Eaves, who herself is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. "It's still true, today, that women suffer from humiliation, intimidation and sexual harassment."

A VA report from 2005 indicated that more than half of all female National Guard and Reserve military members report having been sexually harassed, assaulted or raped while serving in uniform. The problem is so pervasive and so psychologically debilitating that the armed forces have a name for it: "military sexual trauma."

And yet people don’t understand why a woman might think that any man could be a potential rapist. Ridiculous.

To Shine is Better Than To Reflect

Random randomness.

Three Things

I’m too busy to blog today, but I just want to make a few announcements to the world so I don’t rip all my hair out in anger.

First, “sex” is NOT a euphemism for “rape.” This complete disregard towards rape victims needs to constantly be called out. It’s not okay.

Second, can we please accept that not all women hate other women because they’re jealous of them and secretly wish they were as pretty/smart/accomplished as said women? FYI – sometimes I don’t like a woman because she’s a fucktard (the same way I don’t like douche bags). It has nothing to do with how hot she looks in a swim suit. Please stop insulting my intelligence.

Third, can we leave the Tiger obsession alone? Sheesh.

This is my last week of school so I should have some more free time to post very soon. Cheers.

Another Girl Another Planet

I have so much to do and yet I keep finding myself looking up Christmas stuff. It's kind of ridiculous, but I'm super excited for the holidays this year. My mom is going to be here and I just can't wait.



I'm off to write a research paper, but I wanted to check in. Hopefully I will have something interesting to blog about in the near future.

Now here is some sexism against Sarah Palin

I want to know why Glenn Beck's comments haven't received even a fifth of the attention that Newsweek did.

"First of all, let me rule that out. Palin/Beck? Ridiculous…I was just thinking, what I’m gonna take backseat to a chick? While you’re at it, go shoot a bear! Make some stew! I’m hungry in here."

Conservatives like to claim that the left is unable to see any of the treatment towards Sarah Palin as sexist (which is obviously false), but I don't hear anyone on the right commenting on Beck's comments. (And why hasn't Palin responded?)

This isn't even thinly veiled sexism or up for debate sexism (like the Newsweek cover). This is like super super obvious sexism.

And this crazy heathen liberal is not afraid to say so.

Advocacy Group Decries PETA's Inhumane Treatment Of Women

I found this at feministing so I'm sure some people have already seen it, but I thought it was too freggin funny not to repost.



"We have no intention of changing our tactics until every last animal on the planet is given more respect than women." Rings kind of true doesn't it?

Stop Stupack

Dear Friend,

We must act now to stop the Stupak/Pitts Amendment.

This amendment goes further than any previous federal law to restrict access to abortion - and it's up to us to ensure it is removed before the legislation is enacted into law. It would prohibit millions of women from getting coverage for abortion in their health insurance plans, even if they pay for it themselves!

We know our candidates in the House and Senate will fight tooth and nail to prevent this new restriction on women's rights from becoming law. They are the firewall against any new restrictions on a woman's right to choose, but they need our voices to join with theirs if we are going to win this battle. We must act now to tell Congress that we will not accept a new restriction on our rights.

I have already added my name to this call to action. Will you join me to send a clear message: We will not stand for health care reform that makes women less healthy and less safe.

Sign the petition.

The message is from the Stop Stupak Coalition and I urge anyone who hasn’t signed the petition to do so now. Today is the National Day of Action against the Stupak-Pitts Amendment and you can find more information here.

Can't we all just get along?

The answer is yes. Yes we can.