Maybe it's not particularly nice or appropriate to make a judgement based on one stupid decision. No one is perfect, but...this just goes TOO FAR!
Apparantly President Barack Obama has selected Pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation speech at his inauguration. For those of you who don't know, Pastor Warren is affiliated with the Saddleback Church of California. He's been a preacher for a long time, has a large following, and is considered a charismatic figure who can speak well and work a crowd.
HOWEVER...
Pastor Warren stands for a lot of things Obama's supporters are against and vice versa.
He supported Proposition 8, which denied gays the right to marry in California (after they had recently won that right this summer). He's compared gay marriage to incest, which is just an awful metaphor and not at all true.
He's anti-choice. Obama and his supporters are pro-choice.
He supports the use of torture.
While I'm okay with a politician being bi-partisan (and in fact am all for being bi-partisan), I think there would've been better choices than Warren for the inauguration. And apparantly Aretha will sing after Warren's talk. The combination of a liberal president, liberal musician, and bigoted preacher leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. I mean, Warren is like the anti-Obama. It's like having the late Jerry Falwell be the grand marshal at a gay pride parade. Or Phyllis Schafly speak at a NOW or Feminist Majority event. Or, if you would like to turn the tables, having Robin Morgan address the Concerned Women for America (actually, Morgan did do a speech in front of a similar conservative group, and it was so scathing that they were appalled and asked her to leave. But what were they expecting when they invited her?).
Well, maybe I might be overreacting. Maybe Warren will just do a simple speech and work the crowd, and he might make it non-religious in nature. Sometimes people can surprise. I mean, McCain's concession speech was surprisingly classy (can't say the same about his audience). Guess only time will tell. And if Warren's speech is unlistenable, then at least the Aretha performance will be enjoyable.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Big Fat GWS Recap!
My Big Fat GWS Conference is over.
All I can say is that all the prepping and hours I spent slaving away on it were SO worth it! THIS is the story I'm putting on my grad school apps! I totally rawked it, and I think I could do it again, if needed. Hell, when I'm getting my MA and defending my thesis or defending my Ph.D. dissertation, I'll look back to this time for inspiration.
Cris gave the introduction to the program, with one of her trademark acerbic speeches, but I could tell she was really proud of all of us. (Not quite up to the standard of her cyanide-laced roast of one of the other professors at the GWS Banquet, but that's a story for another time.) I gave my speech about the history of crisis intervention first, because I was listed as first on the program. I didn't get nervous once! I mean, sure, there were lots of professors and folks from different departments, as well as the students. And Ross and Jacque came too! Ross knows everyone, and everyone knows him. Jacque is the associate head of the department, as well as being an advisor extraordinaire. But I just was pretty normal. I think my introduction was the best. Not meaning to brag, but shouting "WE HAVE THE POWER, WE HAVE THE RIGHT, THE STREETS ARE OURS, TAKE BACK THE NIGHT!" really grabs people's attention! (Don't worry, it wasn't out-of-control shouting, just "making a point" shouting.) At least somewhat more so than "My paper is about..." The questions were insightful but sooo provocative. One professor who was a historian and another who was a sociologist had some really thought provoking questions. I think I answered them well, but I could feel my brain rushing to think on its feet. The biggest surprise were the domestic advocates. They played off of my stories, and they helped make my discussion session last as long as my presentation itself! But wow, I had no idea that the domestics were such a separate group. While I'd worked with them (I work with rape victims, so I usually don't run in their circles), I had no idea how much more different their job was. Another paper could be written about them, because they are a VERY different species altogether. Maybe they aren't even in the same species as my guys. Who knows? I was so glad I got to incite so much dialogue, because the questions came fast and furious and it showed they were interested. I think I learned just as much from their questions as I did from my research.
The other presenters were top-notch. I was so proud of my classmates. Emily presented on natural disasters and the "gendering" of charity, and although I'd worked with her before, I was still really struck by her speech. Stephanie discussed the concept of white trash and brought up the context of TV shows. It was kind of shocking to see her because she had a faux hawk earlier in the year, but she had cut it all off for the conference! (Not something I could do. Then again, I don't have a faux hawk to do it with.) Jeff and Eric talked about prejudices and how they played out, which was pretty effectively researched. Desiree's speech totally deconstructed online gaming and World Of Warcraft. All of them really did a good job, and I know I learned a lot from my brilliant classmates!
We recapped the conference over student movies and an Indian dinner from Bombay Grill. The other students stuck around as well. We were all relieved to have it done! Cris (yes, she's letting us call her by her first name) was telling us about what the professors told her. Apparantly all the professors were really complimentary because they all liked the presentation. Then she went into the specifics, and she brought up what they liked about each of students' presentations. When it came time for me, she said, "And Alex, they all liked how you could hold your own with them and not back down from answering hard questions." Well! I am totally flattered by this, but then again, when do I back down from something? ;) Hard to believe it's all over, but it was TOTALLY worth every minute!
All I can say is that all the prepping and hours I spent slaving away on it were SO worth it! THIS is the story I'm putting on my grad school apps! I totally rawked it, and I think I could do it again, if needed. Hell, when I'm getting my MA and defending my thesis or defending my Ph.D. dissertation, I'll look back to this time for inspiration.
Cris gave the introduction to the program, with one of her trademark acerbic speeches, but I could tell she was really proud of all of us. (Not quite up to the standard of her cyanide-laced roast of one of the other professors at the GWS Banquet, but that's a story for another time.) I gave my speech about the history of crisis intervention first, because I was listed as first on the program. I didn't get nervous once! I mean, sure, there were lots of professors and folks from different departments, as well as the students. And Ross and Jacque came too! Ross knows everyone, and everyone knows him. Jacque is the associate head of the department, as well as being an advisor extraordinaire. But I just was pretty normal. I think my introduction was the best. Not meaning to brag, but shouting "WE HAVE THE POWER, WE HAVE THE RIGHT, THE STREETS ARE OURS, TAKE BACK THE NIGHT!" really grabs people's attention! (Don't worry, it wasn't out-of-control shouting, just "making a point" shouting.) At least somewhat more so than "My paper is about..." The questions were insightful but sooo provocative. One professor who was a historian and another who was a sociologist had some really thought provoking questions. I think I answered them well, but I could feel my brain rushing to think on its feet. The biggest surprise were the domestic advocates. They played off of my stories, and they helped make my discussion session last as long as my presentation itself! But wow, I had no idea that the domestics were such a separate group. While I'd worked with them (I work with rape victims, so I usually don't run in their circles), I had no idea how much more different their job was. Another paper could be written about them, because they are a VERY different species altogether. Maybe they aren't even in the same species as my guys. Who knows? I was so glad I got to incite so much dialogue, because the questions came fast and furious and it showed they were interested. I think I learned just as much from their questions as I did from my research.
The other presenters were top-notch. I was so proud of my classmates. Emily presented on natural disasters and the "gendering" of charity, and although I'd worked with her before, I was still really struck by her speech. Stephanie discussed the concept of white trash and brought up the context of TV shows. It was kind of shocking to see her because she had a faux hawk earlier in the year, but she had cut it all off for the conference! (Not something I could do. Then again, I don't have a faux hawk to do it with.) Jeff and Eric talked about prejudices and how they played out, which was pretty effectively researched. Desiree's speech totally deconstructed online gaming and World Of Warcraft. All of them really did a good job, and I know I learned a lot from my brilliant classmates!
We recapped the conference over student movies and an Indian dinner from Bombay Grill. The other students stuck around as well. We were all relieved to have it done! Cris (yes, she's letting us call her by her first name) was telling us about what the professors told her. Apparantly all the professors were really complimentary because they all liked the presentation. Then she went into the specifics, and she brought up what they liked about each of students' presentations. When it came time for me, she said, "And Alex, they all liked how you could hold your own with them and not back down from answering hard questions." Well! I am totally flattered by this, but then again, when do I back down from something? ;) Hard to believe it's all over, but it was TOTALLY worth every minute!
Conference time!
December applications are in ahead of time, presentation is cut to size, and it's dawning on...
My Big Fat GWS Conference!
This conference is going to be amazing!! I'll tell you more later once it's done and I can recap it. The other topics include childbirth, white trash, natural disasters, anarchy, going to jail, online gaming, heteronormativity, and racialized theme parties. Mine is about the history of advocacy and social services. But man oh man--this is my first time presenting! I have acted and facilitated groups, but nothing of this magnitude. This is going to be GREAT!
My Big Fat GWS Conference!
This conference is going to be amazing!! I'll tell you more later once it's done and I can recap it. The other topics include childbirth, white trash, natural disasters, anarchy, going to jail, online gaming, heteronormativity, and racialized theme parties. Mine is about the history of advocacy and social services. But man oh man--this is my first time presenting! I have acted and facilitated groups, but nothing of this magnitude. This is going to be GREAT!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
This wisdom is Wicked!
Listen up, all you metal heads and rock and rollers!!
Normally, when they start handing out recording contracts to actors, conventional wisdom dictates you head for the hills (think Jennifer Lopez, Jared Leto from 30 Seconds to Mars, Keanu Reeves and Dogstar, or Minnie Driver). Not in this case!
I have just discovered this excellent nu metal band, WICKED WISDOM! You can find them at www.wickedwisdom.net. They come from California and are considered nu metal (incorporating some rap and thrash elements into their music). Their lyrics are intelligent, the guitars and basses are thundering, and the vocals are melodic. They have all of the attitude with little posturing, and at times they sound a lot like Rage Against the Machine with a less whiney vocalist (I'm a Rage fan and have seen their farewell tour, I can criticize them if I want). The best part is that their lead singer is an actress I like, Jada Pinkett Smith. Wicked Wisdom gives her the spotlight as the lead singer as opposed to being merely defined as Will's wife (although Will is skilled at rapping, I think that with a little more press, his wife could easily overshadow him). Jada does not disappoint, as her vocals can shred your speakers and get you moshing but not destroy your hearing. Her band is tight and spot-on. Definitely worth a listen.
Normally, when they start handing out recording contracts to actors, conventional wisdom dictates you head for the hills (think Jennifer Lopez, Jared Leto from 30 Seconds to Mars, Keanu Reeves and Dogstar, or Minnie Driver). Not in this case!
I have just discovered this excellent nu metal band, WICKED WISDOM! You can find them at www.wickedwisdom.net. They come from California and are considered nu metal (incorporating some rap and thrash elements into their music). Their lyrics are intelligent, the guitars and basses are thundering, and the vocals are melodic. They have all of the attitude with little posturing, and at times they sound a lot like Rage Against the Machine with a less whiney vocalist (I'm a Rage fan and have seen their farewell tour, I can criticize them if I want). The best part is that their lead singer is an actress I like, Jada Pinkett Smith. Wicked Wisdom gives her the spotlight as the lead singer as opposed to being merely defined as Will's wife (although Will is skilled at rapping, I think that with a little more press, his wife could easily overshadow him). Jada does not disappoint, as her vocals can shred your speakers and get you moshing but not destroy your hearing. Her band is tight and spot-on. Definitely worth a listen.
My next-door neighbor has become my enemy.
My first thoughts upon hearing those lines were, "How DARE they change the original?"
Let me explain.
I grew up on a wide variety of music. While my first concert was James Taylor (love his music, to this day!), a lot of the music I remember hearing as a kid was contemporary folk stuff. Acoustical, Americana, folk-rock, alternative, whatever you choose to call it. Contemporary artists (mostly guitarists, but sometimes there was a bassist thrown in) like Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin, Laura Love, and Lucy Kaplansky were all on the mix tapes my dad made when driving me to school. I liked all of them just fine, but currently, the type of music associated with me is rock stuff. Which is fine, I certainly don't mind it, but it's important to remember my roots in my early audiophilia. Well, I was just recently reminded of those early days of musical development when I was listening to a podcast from NPR. A band called Domestic Science Club was playing on NPR. It's three girls who play and sing just about every kind of music. One of the songs they did was a cover of Nanci Griffith's "Time of Inconvenience." If you ever have the opportunity to hear it, I suggest taking it. It's so apropo for now, and it details the cruelty and ambivalence found in daily life. But I noticed they changed a phrase in it, and I was immediately reminded of those early days. I will post the changed stanza here, but you can find the full lyrics at http://www.actionext.com/names_n/nanci_griffith_lyrics/time_of_inconvenience.html.
Here is the original stanza, with the changed part in bold.
We're living in the age of communication
Where the only voices heard have money in their hands
Where greed has become a sophistication
And if you ain't got money
You ain't got nothin' in this land
And here I am one lonely woman
On these mean streets
Where the right to life man has become my enemy
Cuz I'm living in his time of inconvenience at an inconvenient time
Because the singer of Domestic Science Club is pro-life, she changed that line to:
Where my next-door neighbor has become my enemy.
These, of course, carry two different connotations but are equally scathing. Both totally fit with the message of the song, though I am a tyrannical purist who prefers the original. The whole song is most excellent, and it really reminded me of the early days. Of course, when you're a little kid in grade school, you probably don't know how deep the lyrics really are until you're older and can understand what their connotations are. Even though I went to a Catholic school, I didn't get the bolded line about the right to life man until I was in fourth grade or so. So this got me to thinking about all of those acoustical songs played during my grade school days. Now that I can appreciate them, I think I'll be getting the CDs or the MP3s. They still sound just as good as before.
Let me explain.
I grew up on a wide variety of music. While my first concert was James Taylor (love his music, to this day!), a lot of the music I remember hearing as a kid was contemporary folk stuff. Acoustical, Americana, folk-rock, alternative, whatever you choose to call it. Contemporary artists (mostly guitarists, but sometimes there was a bassist thrown in) like Nanci Griffith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin, Laura Love, and Lucy Kaplansky were all on the mix tapes my dad made when driving me to school. I liked all of them just fine, but currently, the type of music associated with me is rock stuff. Which is fine, I certainly don't mind it, but it's important to remember my roots in my early audiophilia. Well, I was just recently reminded of those early days of musical development when I was listening to a podcast from NPR. A band called Domestic Science Club was playing on NPR. It's three girls who play and sing just about every kind of music. One of the songs they did was a cover of Nanci Griffith's "Time of Inconvenience." If you ever have the opportunity to hear it, I suggest taking it. It's so apropo for now, and it details the cruelty and ambivalence found in daily life. But I noticed they changed a phrase in it, and I was immediately reminded of those early days. I will post the changed stanza here, but you can find the full lyrics at http://www.actionext.com/names_n/nanci_griffith_lyrics/time_of_inconvenience.html.
Here is the original stanza, with the changed part in bold.
We're living in the age of communication
Where the only voices heard have money in their hands
Where greed has become a sophistication
And if you ain't got money
You ain't got nothin' in this land
And here I am one lonely woman
On these mean streets
Where the right to life man has become my enemy
Cuz I'm living in his time of inconvenience at an inconvenient time
Because the singer of Domestic Science Club is pro-life, she changed that line to:
Where my next-door neighbor has become my enemy.
These, of course, carry two different connotations but are equally scathing. Both totally fit with the message of the song, though I am a tyrannical purist who prefers the original. The whole song is most excellent, and it really reminded me of the early days. Of course, when you're a little kid in grade school, you probably don't know how deep the lyrics really are until you're older and can understand what their connotations are. Even though I went to a Catholic school, I didn't get the bolded line about the right to life man until I was in fourth grade or so. So this got me to thinking about all of those acoustical songs played during my grade school days. Now that I can appreciate them, I think I'll be getting the CDs or the MP3s. They still sound just as good as before.
Friday, December 12, 2008
True love, you can't buy it
Ran through my presentation for my conference yesterday. It is good, but waaay too long! I have to shave about ten to fifteen minutes off of it or else run the risk of crowding out the other speakers. We did a mock conference yesterday with the GWS and AAS (that's Gender/Women's Studies and Asian American Studies) people, where we practiced our speeches and prepared for questions the audience might have. The other ten presenters and I all are looking forward to our capstone conference on Monday (or as we like to call it, Our Big Fat Undergrad Conference).
Made me realize how enamored I am with the study of feminist scholarship and women's studies. It sounds silly, to be this enthralled with an inanimate program of study, but I just get such a rush out of debating gender norms, challenging standards, and looking at the perspectives of marginalized groups. I just can't get over it. Hell, when one of my friends called me today to ask what I was up to, I responded, "Oh, just fighting hegemony and smashing the patriarchy. And you?" It was partially meant to be facetious, since I'm the one who got him interested in feminism, and partially true (I'd been practicing for the conference). But I love it so much. That's why I'm applying to get my M.A. in it (hopefully!) or my Ph.D. in Women's History. If I could get something beyond an M.A. (like a Ph.D. or if I thought I'd be good at social work, an M.S.W.) I so would. I could see myself spending years and years on it and not having much of an issue with the amount of time. But most colleges don't offer much beyond a bachelor's in it. Three colleges I'm applying to will give me an M.A. if I am accepted. And hopefully they will take me (fingers crossed). Sadly, my school does not offer anything beyond a bachelor's degree in GWS. I wish it did. I would go the full way with it if they did offer that.
Wow, I just realized I sound like some silly fangirl or like I was talking about a person. But this is one thing that just will not go gently into that dark night. I need more. So much more.
And if you're in the area, please come to my Conference on Monday! I think I'm one of the first ones to present. Yes, my paper is about crisis intervention (another passion of mine), not the happiest topic, but it's gonna totally rock! And the other papers deal with all kinds of neat topics: online gaming, theme parties, gay rights, anarchy, the concept of white trash, childbirth, natural disasters, and prisons. Lots of topics for everyone's tastes.
Made me realize how enamored I am with the study of feminist scholarship and women's studies. It sounds silly, to be this enthralled with an inanimate program of study, but I just get such a rush out of debating gender norms, challenging standards, and looking at the perspectives of marginalized groups. I just can't get over it. Hell, when one of my friends called me today to ask what I was up to, I responded, "Oh, just fighting hegemony and smashing the patriarchy. And you?" It was partially meant to be facetious, since I'm the one who got him interested in feminism, and partially true (I'd been practicing for the conference). But I love it so much. That's why I'm applying to get my M.A. in it (hopefully!) or my Ph.D. in Women's History. If I could get something beyond an M.A. (like a Ph.D. or if I thought I'd be good at social work, an M.S.W.) I so would. I could see myself spending years and years on it and not having much of an issue with the amount of time. But most colleges don't offer much beyond a bachelor's in it. Three colleges I'm applying to will give me an M.A. if I am accepted. And hopefully they will take me (fingers crossed). Sadly, my school does not offer anything beyond a bachelor's degree in GWS. I wish it did. I would go the full way with it if they did offer that.
Wow, I just realized I sound like some silly fangirl or like I was talking about a person. But this is one thing that just will not go gently into that dark night. I need more. So much more.
And if you're in the area, please come to my Conference on Monday! I think I'm one of the first ones to present. Yes, my paper is about crisis intervention (another passion of mine), not the happiest topic, but it's gonna totally rock! And the other papers deal with all kinds of neat topics: online gaming, theme parties, gay rights, anarchy, the concept of white trash, childbirth, natural disasters, and prisons. Lots of topics for everyone's tastes.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Everything's changing now...
We get a new treasurer for Fem Maj in the spring. We'll miss you, Christine!
There is a new director of advocacy, and she is...the vice director! Surprise!
General Eccentric, Moonstruck, Bar Giuliani, and Garcia's have all closed or will close for good.
Wow.
Although one thing has not changed.
The grad school process is STILL kicking my butt! If this keeps up, I'll go certifiably insane!
There is a new director of advocacy, and she is...the vice director! Surprise!
General Eccentric, Moonstruck, Bar Giuliani, and Garcia's have all closed or will close for good.
Wow.
Although one thing has not changed.
The grad school process is STILL kicking my butt! If this keeps up, I'll go certifiably insane!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
I'll let the band say how I feel...
Helter Skelter
When I get to the bottom, I go back to the top of the slide,
Then I stop, and I turn, and I go for the ride.
When I'm back at the bottom, then I see you again!
Yeah yeah yeah
Do you, don't you want me to love you?
I'm coming down fast, but I'm miles above you.
Tell me, tell me, tell me, come on tell the answer.
You may be my lover, but you ain't no dancer.
Look out!
Helter skelter
Helter skelter
Helter skelter
Yeah Yeah
Will you, won't you want me to make you?
I'm coming down fast, so don't let me break you.
Tell me, tell me, tell me the answer!
Well, you may be my lover, but you ain't no dancer.
Helter skelter
Helter skelter
Helter skelter
LOOK OUT!!
When I get to the bottom, I go back to the top of the slide,
Then I stop, and I turn, and I go for the ride.
Then I'm back at the bottom, then I see you again!
Yeah yeah yeah
Do you, don't you want me to make you?
I'm coming down fast, but don't let me break you.
Tell me, tell me, tell me the answer!
Well, you may be my lover, but you ain't no dancer.
Helter skelter
Helter skelter
Helter skelter
Yeah!
--John Lennon/Paul McCartney
What is finals week/grad school apps/conference doing to me? I think this is how I feel. Just going from the bottom back to the top and doing it all over again! All I do is write! I write and write and write! And then I write some more! I'm probably deforesting some humongous rainforest as we speak--so much for "Going Green," huh? I need a break, otherwise I think I'm gonna go nuts before my conference!
---
But I will not crack. Alex does not crack easily. She might tear out her hair and blast the loud music, but she does not crack. Mark my words, I'm gonna take all this writing and make it the best I've ever done, even if it kills me! Prepare for no sleep and excessive amounts of caffeine, I'm kicking this time's puny little @$&! GWS majors wrote the book on the ancient art of ass-kickery. If we can dismantle the patriarchy and fight hegemony, then mark my words, some apps and essays should be nothing new. I might go insane, but I'm gonna rock this thing like it's never been rocked before!
When I get to the bottom, I go back to the top of the slide,
Then I stop, and I turn, and I go for the ride.
When I'm back at the bottom, then I see you again!
Yeah yeah yeah
Do you, don't you want me to love you?
I'm coming down fast, but I'm miles above you.
Tell me, tell me, tell me, come on tell the answer.
You may be my lover, but you ain't no dancer.
Look out!
Helter skelter
Helter skelter
Helter skelter
Yeah Yeah
Will you, won't you want me to make you?
I'm coming down fast, so don't let me break you.
Tell me, tell me, tell me the answer!
Well, you may be my lover, but you ain't no dancer.
Helter skelter
Helter skelter
Helter skelter
LOOK OUT!!
When I get to the bottom, I go back to the top of the slide,
Then I stop, and I turn, and I go for the ride.
Then I'm back at the bottom, then I see you again!
Yeah yeah yeah
Do you, don't you want me to make you?
I'm coming down fast, but don't let me break you.
Tell me, tell me, tell me the answer!
Well, you may be my lover, but you ain't no dancer.
Helter skelter
Helter skelter
Helter skelter
Yeah!
--John Lennon/Paul McCartney
What is finals week/grad school apps/conference doing to me? I think this is how I feel. Just going from the bottom back to the top and doing it all over again! All I do is write! I write and write and write! And then I write some more! I'm probably deforesting some humongous rainforest as we speak--so much for "Going Green," huh? I need a break, otherwise I think I'm gonna go nuts before my conference!
---
But I will not crack. Alex does not crack easily. She might tear out her hair and blast the loud music, but she does not crack. Mark my words, I'm gonna take all this writing and make it the best I've ever done, even if it kills me! Prepare for no sleep and excessive amounts of caffeine, I'm kicking this time's puny little @$&! GWS majors wrote the book on the ancient art of ass-kickery. If we can dismantle the patriarchy and fight hegemony, then mark my words, some apps and essays should be nothing new. I might go insane, but I'm gonna rock this thing like it's never been rocked before!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Something's gotta give
You know, it may be well-intentioned, but telling someone "You look tired" after seeing her is a fantabulous way to make and keep friends (sarcastically). Or commenting on the bags/dark circles under her eyes. Or telling her to "get some sleep" or that she looks "shopworn." (What do they mean by shopworn?? I'm not some product you can buy in a shop!) Or (my favorite, yeck) asking her if her boyfriend minds seeing her this way and if she hasn't tried out some new miracle concealer to hide the eye bags. (And both my guy and I are students, so it's only expected that we're working our butts off!) Try keeping my schedule and see how you fare. I will even throw in the five kinds of gunk I pile on my lids daily. See if you can go without dark circles. I'm only shopworn/tired because I've lived!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Tom's Diner
I am waiting in the morning at the diner on the corner.
I am waiting at the counter for the man to pour the coffee,
And he fills it only halfway, and before I even argue,
He is looking out the window at somebody coming in.
"It is always nice to see you," says the man behind the counter
To the woman who has come in. She is shaking her umbrella,
And I look the other way as they are kissing their hellos,
And I pretend that I don't see them, and instead I pour the milk.
I open up the paper. There's the story of some actor
Who had died while he was drinking. It was no one I had heard of.
So I'm turning to the horoscopes, and looking for the funnies,
But I'm feeling someone watching me, and so I raise my head.
There's this woman on the outside looking inside.
Does she see me? No, she does not really see me.
She sees her own reflection. And I'm trying not to notice
That she's hitching up her skirt, and while she's straightening her stockings,
Her hair is getting wet.
Oh, this rain it will continue through the morning.
As I'm listening to the bells of the cathedral,
I am thinking of your voice...
--Suzanne Vega
I am waiting at the counter for the man to pour the coffee,
And he fills it only halfway, and before I even argue,
He is looking out the window at somebody coming in.
"It is always nice to see you," says the man behind the counter
To the woman who has come in. She is shaking her umbrella,
And I look the other way as they are kissing their hellos,
And I pretend that I don't see them, and instead I pour the milk.
I open up the paper. There's the story of some actor
Who had died while he was drinking. It was no one I had heard of.
So I'm turning to the horoscopes, and looking for the funnies,
But I'm feeling someone watching me, and so I raise my head.
There's this woman on the outside looking inside.
Does she see me? No, she does not really see me.
She sees her own reflection. And I'm trying not to notice
That she's hitching up her skirt, and while she's straightening her stockings,
Her hair is getting wet.
Oh, this rain it will continue through the morning.
As I'm listening to the bells of the cathedral,
I am thinking of your voice...
--Suzanne Vega
Friday, December 5, 2008
Why you should marry a doormat
Hey guys! This post is all for you!
From my title, I just wanted to expand on my special message for you and let you know that if you're intending to marry a strong, capable, talented woman who can be your equal in almost every regard, snap out of it right away. Get that stupid pipe dream out of your head. You will be destined to live a crappy life if you do. Go and find yourself a demure, submissive little thing who will be more than happy to do your bidding instead of a high-powered career grl partner. I mean it! Does your girlfriend live up to that submissive ideal? No? Then drop her and get a new one! You heard me! NOW!!
So apparantly the esteemed magazine, Forbes, has published a list called "Careers and Marriage: Don't Marry Career Women." This article (by a guy, of course) claims that women, work, and family just don't mix. One of them has got to go if you would like your lady to be a good wife for you. And this is according to big strong social scientists. I mean, after all, how can SCIENCE be wrong?? This article delves into the classic problem of mixing a family with work (as one of my personal favorites, Gloria Steinem, put it, "I have yet to hear a man ask me how to combine work with a family.")
Don't believe me? Well, here are the major points, with my annotation in italics.
1. If they quit their jobs and stay at home with the kids, they'll be unhappy.
Well, if you are controlling and bossy and make your wife quit a job she enjoyed, then of course she'd be unhappy. No one likes men who are bossy and mean.
Well, if you are controlling and bossy and make your wife quit a job she enjoyed, then of course she'd be unhappy. No one likes men who are bossy and mean.
2. They will be unhappy if they make more money than you do.
How is this the case? I think that the only time she'll be unhappy about money is if you two don't have any or enough!
How is this the case? I think that the only time she'll be unhappy about money is if you two don't have any or enough!
3. You will be unhappy if they make more money than you do.
Then you need to either get over yourself or get a promotion. Is your sense of self-worth so fragile that it's attached to a number on a paycheck?
Then you need to either get over yourself or get a promotion. Is your sense of self-worth so fragile that it's attached to a number on a paycheck?
4. You will be more likely to fall ill.
Um, doesn't everyone get sick at some point or another? Career women and their partners get sick, just like unemployed women and their partners.
Um, doesn't everyone get sick at some point or another? Career women and their partners get sick, just like unemployed women and their partners.
5. Even your house will be dirtier.
Then I have a solution. If you and your wage-earning wife are concerned about the home, hire a housekeeper! With your wife outearning you, you guys can afford one. Or teach your kids the importance of chores and give them an allowance for cleaning up after themselves.
Then I have a solution. If you and your wage-earning wife are concerned about the home, hire a housekeeper! With your wife outearning you, you guys can afford one. Or teach your kids the importance of chores and give them an allowance for cleaning up after themselves.
6. Professional women are less likely to have children.
Yeah, but we're all different, aren't we? Some of us want kids, and some of us do not. And there are some of us, myself included, that think adoption is the way to go. Maybe we just want to make our careers secure before having a family. There are so many of us that you can't just generalize like that.
Yeah, but we're all different, aren't we? Some of us want kids, and some of us do not. And there are some of us, myself included, that think adoption is the way to go. Maybe we just want to make our careers secure before having a family. There are so many of us that you can't just generalize like that.
7. Professional women are more likely to get divorced.
Well, if we're married to a mean and chauvinistic pig like the writer of this article, then sure we'll serve him with a big fat divorce. Because no one likes being with someone like that! And a statement like that only shows that professional women are just like the rest of the American population--because over half the MARRIAGES in general wind up in divorce!
Did you hear that, guys? So if you're worried about how your partner acts and how it will impact your family (and if you have less than one working brain cell), then drop her now and marry your Welcome mat. You might look funny saying your wedding vows to it at the altar or the courthouse, but the mat is not going to steal your precious manhood! But if you think Forbes is being silly with these rules, then keep that partner and enjoy having someone you can be equal to and who can hold her own with you!
Well, if we're married to a mean and chauvinistic pig like the writer of this article, then sure we'll serve him with a big fat divorce. Because no one likes being with someone like that! And a statement like that only shows that professional women are just like the rest of the American population--because over half the MARRIAGES in general wind up in divorce!
Did you hear that, guys? So if you're worried about how your partner acts and how it will impact your family (and if you have less than one working brain cell), then drop her now and marry your Welcome mat. You might look funny saying your wedding vows to it at the altar or the courthouse, but the mat is not going to steal your precious manhood! But if you think Forbes is being silly with these rules, then keep that partner and enjoy having someone you can be equal to and who can hold her own with you!
Everybody loves a happy ending
This last semester is gonna end with a bang...
I'm speaking on a panel about student activism in front of the current events classes.
Fem Maj has done three major events for the semester.
My Big Fat Undergrad Conference is in about two weeks, and the faculty and staff will hear me present my paper about the history of advocacy! (And several of my friends are coming.) Then the department and our guests will go out to dinner together.
Vagina Monologue auditions are next week. (I'm aiming to do "My Short Skirt"!)
This is the perfect ending to a whirlwind semester!
I'm speaking on a panel about student activism in front of the current events classes.
Fem Maj has done three major events for the semester.
My Big Fat Undergrad Conference is in about two weeks, and the faculty and staff will hear me present my paper about the history of advocacy! (And several of my friends are coming.) Then the department and our guests will go out to dinner together.
Vagina Monologue auditions are next week. (I'm aiming to do "My Short Skirt"!)
This is the perfect ending to a whirlwind semester!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Have a happy period!
I really wonder who gets hired to work in marketing for certain companies and how they get those jobs. I mean, if I had half a mind, I could do it too. And by half a mind, I mean exactly half a mind.
First there's the Always feminine products. Okay, I will say it. I'm female, I've used Always at some point in my life. Their stuff is inexpensive, and let's face it, using some form of protection is better than the much messier alternative. But what is with their ad campaign? For their advertising message is, "Have a happy period." I mean, what the hell? Most women (myself included) really see nothing "happy" about it. Does anything about cramping, clots, and casting up everything you've eaten sound "happy"? I think not. But on the Always website (you can find it at www.beinggirl.com), you can find that asinine message, as well as some truly patronizing e-cards about menstruating. I'm serious. E-cards! You know, the one thing worse than that combination of nausea, cramps, and clots is having some bright little card telling you to cheer up and be happy.
The second thing just cracks me up in a very twisted sort of way. On the polar opposite end of the Always ads and their bright, happy, in-your-face messages about periods, is the complete silence about them. I mean, for goodness sake, it's just a period. While it's not the most pleasant thing in the world, menstruation is natural. If something exists, it is natural. And for most women ages 9 and up (or earlier, there are some who get it early), it is a fact of life. Or was a fact of life. Or will be a fact of life. That's all. But when I was at Walgreens today to pick up some stuff, I saw some tampon carrying cases and some tiny little tampons in a box saying "No one will know it's that time." So apparantly they think that it's shameful to just go through a natural female occurrence? Let's get this straight. What is so shameful about doing what 51% of the world does at some time or another in their life? It doesn't change anything about the person you are. I've heard some ridiculous sexist drivel, that women are irrational when they menstruate, but surely we all know that this isn't the case. Maybe somewhat emotional, but that's because cramping hurts like hell. If males were going through that every month, I can assure you that we wouldn't be hearing any of that. And you know what, tampons would probably be free.
Well, after I've just dedicated a post to menstruating, I figure the smart thing is to treat the issue like what it is, something normal and natural. If it exists, it is natural. It's no special cause for celebration like the Always campaign says, and it's no cause for shame. It just is there. That's all. Really.
And a message to Always: You want to make this time more tolerable? Lose the damn e-cards and Pad-O-Meter. They won't do anything for us. Make your products free! I can assure you, that will make many women a lot happier than some asinine card.
First there's the Always feminine products. Okay, I will say it. I'm female, I've used Always at some point in my life. Their stuff is inexpensive, and let's face it, using some form of protection is better than the much messier alternative. But what is with their ad campaign? For their advertising message is, "Have a happy period." I mean, what the hell? Most women (myself included) really see nothing "happy" about it. Does anything about cramping, clots, and casting up everything you've eaten sound "happy"? I think not. But on the Always website (you can find it at www.beinggirl.com), you can find that asinine message, as well as some truly patronizing e-cards about menstruating. I'm serious. E-cards! You know, the one thing worse than that combination of nausea, cramps, and clots is having some bright little card telling you to cheer up and be happy.
The second thing just cracks me up in a very twisted sort of way. On the polar opposite end of the Always ads and their bright, happy, in-your-face messages about periods, is the complete silence about them. I mean, for goodness sake, it's just a period. While it's not the most pleasant thing in the world, menstruation is natural. If something exists, it is natural. And for most women ages 9 and up (or earlier, there are some who get it early), it is a fact of life. Or was a fact of life. Or will be a fact of life. That's all. But when I was at Walgreens today to pick up some stuff, I saw some tampon carrying cases and some tiny little tampons in a box saying "No one will know it's that time." So apparantly they think that it's shameful to just go through a natural female occurrence? Let's get this straight. What is so shameful about doing what 51% of the world does at some time or another in their life? It doesn't change anything about the person you are. I've heard some ridiculous sexist drivel, that women are irrational when they menstruate, but surely we all know that this isn't the case. Maybe somewhat emotional, but that's because cramping hurts like hell. If males were going through that every month, I can assure you that we wouldn't be hearing any of that. And you know what, tampons would probably be free.
Well, after I've just dedicated a post to menstruating, I figure the smart thing is to treat the issue like what it is, something normal and natural. If it exists, it is natural. It's no special cause for celebration like the Always campaign says, and it's no cause for shame. It just is there. That's all. Really.
And a message to Always: You want to make this time more tolerable? Lose the damn e-cards and Pad-O-Meter. They won't do anything for us. Make your products free! I can assure you, that will make many women a lot happier than some asinine card.
Monday, December 1, 2008
La vie en teal
Well, I suppose I've officially entered the rat race, since today was the holiday office party. Got a very me gift at the gift exchange. I'm glad my pressie was well-received by Mary, one of our very cool volunteers (well, one might say they are all cool). Our advocacy director, Jenn, is leaving in the middle of the month. She will be greatly missed because she's really taken all of us under her wing and has made the effort to get to know all of us. Jenn did "Hair" in my first year of The Vagina Monologues, and she knows a lot about feminism and other social issues. She also taught us all a lot about disability rights. She uses a wheelchair to get around, and she has often been really vocal about how inaccessible most places are and how hard it is to perform daily tasks. RCS will have a hard time replacing her, and she will be missed. We've gone through so many changes. In less than a year, we've gotten a new director, a new therapist, and the legal position has been taken on by the director of advocacy. Don't get me wrong, I like the new therapist, and I think Kerri is as well-qualified as anyone can be to lead the rape crisis center. It's just a lot of rapid change.
I got into a conversation with a prevention educator at dinner today, after the party. One thing that has both of us somewhat worried is the recession. The recession isn't "coming," it's already here. We're not stupid. We know that times are extremely tough, and it's rather worrisome. We're both seniors, and we're pretty worried about the job market when we enter the full-time workforce. The scary thing is that there are people who will be or are affected by it worse than we could imagine.
The social service industry will be profoundly affected by this. Already, a lot of charities are getting their funding slashed, and most of them are needed more than ever. The homeless shelters are already overcrowded. A Woman's Place, Haven House, Women's Residential, and Safe Place are strict about limiting the amount of time a client can stay. I haven't done hotline since October because I've been doing administrative work at RCS, but when the other advocates pulled out their paperwork to give to Jenn, I was shocked by how many forms were turned in for the month. (A form details the hotline or medical call-out. Many forms=many call outs=many reasons--and I'm sure you know what those reasons are--for the call out) Even a big center like La Casa, which is mostly dependent on private funding, had some pretty huge cutbacks as well.
And here is where the problem lies. More unemployment and bad economic conditions usually leads to more crime. We have seen this all throughout history. People become desperate and take out their emotions in the worst ways. What bothers me is that if the funding for the centers keeps getting cut (and the need for them keeps going up), there won't be any services for the clients who need them the most. My two centers were really threatened by the governor's proposed budget cuts, and when he took those cuts off the table, we were all really relieved. We can't afford to lose the social services now. With worse conditions, we need our social services more than ever. I just hope the state government (and President Obama's administration too) thinks so and is willing to keep funding them.
I got into a conversation with a prevention educator at dinner today, after the party. One thing that has both of us somewhat worried is the recession. The recession isn't "coming," it's already here. We're not stupid. We know that times are extremely tough, and it's rather worrisome. We're both seniors, and we're pretty worried about the job market when we enter the full-time workforce. The scary thing is that there are people who will be or are affected by it worse than we could imagine.
The social service industry will be profoundly affected by this. Already, a lot of charities are getting their funding slashed, and most of them are needed more than ever. The homeless shelters are already overcrowded. A Woman's Place, Haven House, Women's Residential, and Safe Place are strict about limiting the amount of time a client can stay. I haven't done hotline since October because I've been doing administrative work at RCS, but when the other advocates pulled out their paperwork to give to Jenn, I was shocked by how many forms were turned in for the month. (A form details the hotline or medical call-out. Many forms=many call outs=many reasons--and I'm sure you know what those reasons are--for the call out) Even a big center like La Casa, which is mostly dependent on private funding, had some pretty huge cutbacks as well.
And here is where the problem lies. More unemployment and bad economic conditions usually leads to more crime. We have seen this all throughout history. People become desperate and take out their emotions in the worst ways. What bothers me is that if the funding for the centers keeps getting cut (and the need for them keeps going up), there won't be any services for the clients who need them the most. My two centers were really threatened by the governor's proposed budget cuts, and when he took those cuts off the table, we were all really relieved. We can't afford to lose the social services now. With worse conditions, we need our social services more than ever. I just hope the state government (and President Obama's administration too) thinks so and is willing to keep funding them.
Walk this way! Walk this way! Just gimme a kiss!
Got your attention, didn't I?
One thing I love doing is taking some of my guilty pleasure songs and re-working them to fit my point of view. By guilty pleasure, I mean the ones that I could rarely, if ever, relate to. Take any testosterone-fueled sausagefest male-oriented rock number, be it AC/DC or Aerosmith or Nine Inch Nails or even some Led Zeppelin and you know what I mean. Then I rework them from my hetero female perspective, as a "let me do this to a man" sort of thing.
When I saw Heart back in 2006 at Summerfest (see them if you get the chance, they just keep getting better), their encores were a pair of Led Zeppelin songs. Now they sound a lot like Zep does already, but these two songs were something of a surprise. For they were ones clearly from a guy's point of view, "Black Dog" and "Whole Lotta Love." As I was wondering how they were going to pull it off, Ann Wilson (the lead singer) showed her creative side and added these lyrics to the former--"I don't know what you've been told-- you think a pretty woman ain't got no soul" and "Now all I ask for when I pray, that a lovin' little woman won't come your way. Don't you need a woman to hold your hand, tell you no lies, make you a happy man?" The audience roared, and I have to say I liked that as an encore. It paid homage and talked back, which I think is awesome. The three times I saw Joan Jett and her lovely Blackhearts, they took a lot of songs previously associated with guy singers and did them. Which totally worked, especially when sandwiched in with songs like "Androgynous" and "ACDC (She Got Some Other Lover As Well As Me)." Even the more raucous acts nowadays wouldn't have the nerve to cover "Do You Wanna Touch Me?" or "Star Star," let alone rework them from a female standpoint ("you know you're my man, I'm doin' all I can, my temperature is runnin' high") AND pull it off!
It is incredibly fun entertainment.
I like the whole gender-bending (or blending?) nature of it. It's only fair for a woman to take a song and make it her own, as opposed to imagining herself being the girl the male singer is talking about (and I'm sorry, but much as I like their songs, I would rather NOT be the female in NIN's "Closer," for starters!). Take some of the control and the artistic expression and make it one's own. Plus, it just makes it more fun for the female audiophile.
One thing I love doing is taking some of my guilty pleasure songs and re-working them to fit my point of view. By guilty pleasure, I mean the ones that I could rarely, if ever, relate to. Take any testosterone-fueled sausagefest male-oriented rock number, be it AC/DC or Aerosmith or Nine Inch Nails or even some Led Zeppelin and you know what I mean. Then I rework them from my hetero female perspective, as a "let me do this to a man" sort of thing.
When I saw Heart back in 2006 at Summerfest (see them if you get the chance, they just keep getting better), their encores were a pair of Led Zeppelin songs. Now they sound a lot like Zep does already, but these two songs were something of a surprise. For they were ones clearly from a guy's point of view, "Black Dog" and "Whole Lotta Love." As I was wondering how they were going to pull it off, Ann Wilson (the lead singer) showed her creative side and added these lyrics to the former--"I don't know what you've been told-- you think a pretty woman ain't got no soul" and "Now all I ask for when I pray, that a lovin' little woman won't come your way. Don't you need a woman to hold your hand, tell you no lies, make you a happy man?" The audience roared, and I have to say I liked that as an encore. It paid homage and talked back, which I think is awesome. The three times I saw Joan Jett and her lovely Blackhearts, they took a lot of songs previously associated with guy singers and did them. Which totally worked, especially when sandwiched in with songs like "Androgynous" and "ACDC (She Got Some Other Lover As Well As Me)." Even the more raucous acts nowadays wouldn't have the nerve to cover "Do You Wanna Touch Me?" or "Star Star," let alone rework them from a female standpoint ("you know you're my man, I'm doin' all I can, my temperature is runnin' high") AND pull it off!
It is incredibly fun entertainment.
I like the whole gender-bending (or blending?) nature of it. It's only fair for a woman to take a song and make it her own, as opposed to imagining herself being the girl the male singer is talking about (and I'm sorry, but much as I like their songs, I would rather NOT be the female in NIN's "Closer," for starters!). Take some of the control and the artistic expression and make it one's own. Plus, it just makes it more fun for the female audiophile.
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