The new season of TV has rolled around again and is conspicuously missing my guilty pleasure...Alias. For the past five years, I looked forward to one sinfully good hour a week watching a show that, despite its objectification of women and glorification of violence, was absolutely addictive!
Last year as Alias wrapped up its final season I tried to find a substitute addiction to fill the coming void. I watched Desperate Housewives, House, Grey's Anatomy, even CSI and CSI Miami. But there were no sparks. This year with a new line up I still had hope for that perfect fix...Studio 60, Heroes, Dancing with the Stars,Brothers and Sisters...yet none seem to fit.
All I want is one good show that gives me something to look forward to as I work week after week...just one hour of rest, just one hour of escape, just one hour of meaningless TV drama.
Is that so much to ask?
Friday, September 29, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Who Dey
It is football season again. Usually, I dread the coming of this time of year as I prepare to lose my partner from Thursday through Monday.
But this year it's different. I actually like football. I found myself protesting last night when Josh changed the channel from the NFL game to Iron Chef. Now that's a reversal!
Some might say it is a hold out from my old cheerleading days or perhaps growing to love what my partner loves. I, however, place the blame squarely on the shoulders of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Every year since their last Super Bowl appearance (1988), I have confidently asserted that this was the year they were going to go all the way. And every year, I wince each time I say it, knowing full well that they are going to be lucky to win a couple games at most.
But not this year!!! This year they are actually winning...even beating the Steelers yesterday!!!
So bring on the football! This year is worth watching!
We are now even planning a Thanksgiving trip to South Carolina...not to see Josh's family, but to watch Clemson take on South Carolina!!
But this year it's different. I actually like football. I found myself protesting last night when Josh changed the channel from the NFL game to Iron Chef. Now that's a reversal!
Some might say it is a hold out from my old cheerleading days or perhaps growing to love what my partner loves. I, however, place the blame squarely on the shoulders of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Every year since their last Super Bowl appearance (1988), I have confidently asserted that this was the year they were going to go all the way. And every year, I wince each time I say it, knowing full well that they are going to be lucky to win a couple games at most.
But not this year!!! This year they are actually winning...even beating the Steelers yesterday!!!
So bring on the football! This year is worth watching!
We are now even planning a Thanksgiving trip to South Carolina...not to see Josh's family, but to watch Clemson take on South Carolina!!
So, You Wanna Be a Ho
This week a huge lot (3,500 to 4,000 dolls) of vintage Barbies goes on the auction block at Christie's London.
As a child I had what I then believed to be the mother load of Barbies (though now in comparison it seems insignificant)...Spanish Barbie, Astronaut Barbie, Surfer Barbie, the Barbie condo, pool, RV and more. However, as a college student I began to realize the negative gender stereotypes this doll had instilled in me...perfect body, huge breasts, feet that could only wear high heels, sayings like "math is hard." You get the picture.
So, reading the article on the sale was somewhat thrilling for me...particularly when I got to this part:
"Lord pointed out that the American doll's looks were inspired by Bild Lilli, a 1950's comic strip prostitute created for the German newspaper Bild. Voluptuous figure notwithstanding, Barbie's dark past was hidden from her new US audience.
As a child I had what I then believed to be the mother load of Barbies (though now in comparison it seems insignificant)...Spanish Barbie, Astronaut Barbie, Surfer Barbie, the Barbie condo, pool, RV and more. However, as a college student I began to realize the negative gender stereotypes this doll had instilled in me...perfect body, huge breasts, feet that could only wear high heels, sayings like "math is hard." You get the picture.
So, reading the article on the sale was somewhat thrilling for me...particularly when I got to this part:
"Lord pointed out that the American doll's looks were inspired by Bild Lilli, a 1950's comic strip prostitute created for the German newspaper Bild. Voluptuous figure notwithstanding, Barbie's dark past was hidden from her new US audience.
'The message for American women and little girls in the 1950s, maybe women everywhere, and maybe all women now,' said Lord, 'is that you are supposed to look like a hooker but be so wholesome.'"
I always knew something was wrong about Barbie!!! Now it makes perfect sense!
PS The title to this post comes from an old SNL skit with "Velvet Jones" played by Eddie Murphy. A classic and one of my favorites!!!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Gotta Love the Girls
I just got the new Indigo Girls album, Despite Our Differences, and the lyrics of the first song were enough to feel as though it was money well spent. I could listen to this verse again and again and again....
"...they left out the sisters
praying to a father god so long I really missed her
The goddess of benevolence..."
Ahhhh........music for the soul.
"...they left out the sisters
praying to a father god so long I really missed her
The goddess of benevolence..."
Ahhhh........music for the soul.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
There's Shit in that Meat!
I, like Mary Beth, just finished reading Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser and am finding the effects long lasting! I cannot look at meat without reciting that famous line in the book, "There's shit in that meat."
The description of the meat packing industry is enough to keep you from eating meat, let alone the toxic, predatory corporate and consumer tactics these companies employ. The book was horrifying with just its non-illustrated text, but now there is a movie.
Goodbye tasty hamburgers, hello vegetarianism!
The description of the meat packing industry is enough to keep you from eating meat, let alone the toxic, predatory corporate and consumer tactics these companies employ. The book was horrifying with just its non-illustrated text, but now there is a movie.
Goodbye tasty hamburgers, hello vegetarianism!
Monday, September 11, 2006
Project Chacocente
A good friend of mine from missonary days in Nicaragua is working on a base community project called, Chacocente. Currently they are trying to raise $15,000 to dig a well, since there are times when the community will go up to 15 days without water.
It is an amazing project and I encourage you to check it out and give online at:
http://www.outofthedump.org/give.html
It is an amazing project and I encourage you to check it out and give online at:
http://www.outofthedump.org/give.html
1984
Is it me or are we living in Orwell's 1984?
Last night Josh and I watched the shameless propaganda piece on ABC about the events leading up to the terrorist attacks on 9/11. The whole mockumentary felt like one big government ad about the benefits of domestic spying. It was almost like a fundy church morality play:
Det. John: "Let's get those *****!"
Govt. Official Dan: "Well, John, we would like to, but we can't open that laptop without a warrant. Domestic spying is bad...though if it ever became legal you wouldn't have to worry about terrorism again!"
Det. John: "Gee, Dan, I sure hope there will be a real man's govt. one day that will finally legalize domestic spying so we can get the bad guys!"
You might think I am being overly sarcastic and cynical, but some of the dialogue is taken from scenes from last night. Watch for yourself. The conclusion runs tonight on ABC.
Last night Josh and I watched the shameless propaganda piece on ABC about the events leading up to the terrorist attacks on 9/11. The whole mockumentary felt like one big government ad about the benefits of domestic spying. It was almost like a fundy church morality play:
Det. John: "Let's get those *****!"
Govt. Official Dan: "Well, John, we would like to, but we can't open that laptop without a warrant. Domestic spying is bad...though if it ever became legal you wouldn't have to worry about terrorism again!"
Det. John: "Gee, Dan, I sure hope there will be a real man's govt. one day that will finally legalize domestic spying so we can get the bad guys!"
You might think I am being overly sarcastic and cynical, but some of the dialogue is taken from scenes from last night. Watch for yourself. The conclusion runs tonight on ABC.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
A Taste of College Football
Today I convinced Josh to go ahead and spend the money to get last-minute tickets for the Clemson/BC game. Josh has waited years for this. Ever since they added BC to the ACC (I think this is the correct terminology), Josh has waited with baited breath for his beloved Tigers to come to Boston.
Each fall he ritually watches games via the web and obsessively checks stats. Over the years I have heard fabled stories about Death Valley and the 1981 championship team (which Josh saw play once). I even went and paid homage to the mythic stadium in the first months of our relationship. So, of course, I had to go with him.
Getting the tickets was anxiety provoking enough for me...thank you Craigslist for coming through at the LAST minute...but the game was even more nerve wrecking. While Clemson came out strong, it became quite clear that the two injured defensive linesmen were sorely missed. Josh, though he hardly let it show, was on the edge of his seat and secretly elated to be there.
The game went into double over time and Clemson lost by just one point. It was heartbreaking, really, and I don't really care about Clemson...just Josh.
All in all I am glad we did it. Our seats were great. Josh had fun. It was more exciting than reading the Marks of Methodism and I finally got to share part of the Clemson excitement that Josh so loves. We are even contemplating planning Thanksgiving in SC around a Clemson game!
Each fall he ritually watches games via the web and obsessively checks stats. Over the years I have heard fabled stories about Death Valley and the 1981 championship team (which Josh saw play once). I even went and paid homage to the mythic stadium in the first months of our relationship. So, of course, I had to go with him.
Getting the tickets was anxiety provoking enough for me...thank you Craigslist for coming through at the LAST minute...but the game was even more nerve wrecking. While Clemson came out strong, it became quite clear that the two injured defensive linesmen were sorely missed. Josh, though he hardly let it show, was on the edge of his seat and secretly elated to be there.
The game went into double over time and Clemson lost by just one point. It was heartbreaking, really, and I don't really care about Clemson...just Josh.
All in all I am glad we did it. Our seats were great. Josh had fun. It was more exciting than reading the Marks of Methodism and I finally got to share part of the Clemson excitement that Josh so loves. We are even contemplating planning Thanksgiving in SC around a Clemson game!
The Evil of Feminism
I occasionally troll the conservative websites in our denomination just to see what they are up to. I have been waiting to see their reaction to the Clergywomen's Consultation, but have found them absolutely silent on the matter.
Instead, today, I found this thrilling article on feminism, "Stirring the Cauldron of Radical Feminism" about the ridiculous nature of women's studies and the founding of a new university group of conservative women.
It made me both laugh and feel nauseous all at once. The statements were so over-the-top and reactionary it was funny. Yet, these types of sensationalist articles, written without any depth of knowledge of feminism, gender studies or the like, are dangerous to women. They distort feminism for their own benefit, tricking women into not even becoming educated. What is wrong with a little education in the area of gender???
PS
By the way, when I spell checked the article, the computer notified me that "clergywomen" was spelled incorrectly. The correct spelling I was given was "clergymen." Who needs feminism?!?!?
Instead, today, I found this thrilling article on feminism, "Stirring the Cauldron of Radical Feminism" about the ridiculous nature of women's studies and the founding of a new university group of conservative women.
It made me both laugh and feel nauseous all at once. The statements were so over-the-top and reactionary it was funny. Yet, these types of sensationalist articles, written without any depth of knowledge of feminism, gender studies or the like, are dangerous to women. They distort feminism for their own benefit, tricking women into not even becoming educated. What is wrong with a little education in the area of gender???
PS
By the way, when I spell checked the article, the computer notified me that "clergywomen" was spelled incorrectly. The correct spelling I was given was "clergymen." Who needs feminism?!?!?
Friday, September 08, 2006
Loving the Political Life
I have worked just three days at my new temporary consulting job as the Religious Outreach Coordinator for MassEquality and I LOVE IT!!!
I am still getting used to working in an office. People actually talk to you and interrupt your work?!?! But it is so engaging and energizing. There is something happening all the time in the office...and I mean all the time...I leave at 6 PM and folks are just arriving to begin their work.
The flow of volunteers and advocates in and out of the office is inpiring and encouraging. So many people working so hard for one cause!! It is hopeful in the midst of a nation and culture which all too often leaves no space for hope. At least now listening to the incessant news reports of war, bombings, hate crimes, anti-gay state and federal laws, poverty, and oppression, I have a little slice of hope to buoy me up because I know that there are small groups of dedicated and passionate indiviudals creating change in the world and bringing forth a little bit of kin-dom for us all.
I am still getting used to working in an office. People actually talk to you and interrupt your work?!?! But it is so engaging and energizing. There is something happening all the time in the office...and I mean all the time...I leave at 6 PM and folks are just arriving to begin their work.
The flow of volunteers and advocates in and out of the office is inpiring and encouraging. So many people working so hard for one cause!! It is hopeful in the midst of a nation and culture which all too often leaves no space for hope. At least now listening to the incessant news reports of war, bombings, hate crimes, anti-gay state and federal laws, poverty, and oppression, I have a little slice of hope to buoy me up because I know that there are small groups of dedicated and passionate indiviudals creating change in the world and bringing forth a little bit of kin-dom for us all.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
No More Vacation
Last week I spent my time driving on the open road from Boston to Denver. Visiting old friends (Sue and Julie; Matt and Pauletta) and making new ones along the way (Jan and Lisa and their delightful children, Emma and Jesse), Julie and I traveled over 2000 miles. (Yes, it is true. I left Josh and the boys behind for a women only vacation.)
Four days on the road gives you plenty of time to talk and talk we did....we planned the revolution of the UMC, created our dream team for General Conference, and concocted brilliant protest/witness plans involving cowboys, dismembered body parts and biblically based sign-acts springing from Deut. 23:1. Captive in our car, we made ourselves laugh until we cried! It is interesting how funny you find yourself when isolated from the rest of the world!
Once in Denver we continued the fun traveling to Royal Gorge, passing on the daily hangings advertised at Buckskin Joe's, stopping by the famous store, "Fluff Em, Buff Em, Stuff Em," wandering through the Garden of the Gods during a thunderous rain storm, drinking lithium laced water, purifying the Focus on the Family compound, touring the Celestial Seasonings' factory, meeting up with Village people, Val and Amy, coasting through Trail Ridge Road, climbing Mt. Evans (okay, so we drove the first 28 miles and walked the last 1/2 mile!), and spotting wildlife such as marmots, white shaggy mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and elk!
Now it is back to work...12 hour work days split between three tasks...propsectus, church and MassEquality. But never fear...one more vacation is on the horizon...Josh and I are heading to his brother's wedding in South Carolina in two weeks!
Four days on the road gives you plenty of time to talk and talk we did....we planned the revolution of the UMC, created our dream team for General Conference, and concocted brilliant protest/witness plans involving cowboys, dismembered body parts and biblically based sign-acts springing from Deut. 23:1. Captive in our car, we made ourselves laugh until we cried! It is interesting how funny you find yourself when isolated from the rest of the world!
Once in Denver we continued the fun traveling to Royal Gorge, passing on the daily hangings advertised at Buckskin Joe's, stopping by the famous store, "Fluff Em, Buff Em, Stuff Em," wandering through the Garden of the Gods during a thunderous rain storm, drinking lithium laced water, purifying the Focus on the Family compound, touring the Celestial Seasonings' factory, meeting up with Village people, Val and Amy, coasting through Trail Ridge Road, climbing Mt. Evans (okay, so we drove the first 28 miles and walked the last 1/2 mile!), and spotting wildlife such as marmots, white shaggy mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and elk!
Now it is back to work...12 hour work days split between three tasks...propsectus, church and MassEquality. But never fear...one more vacation is on the horizon...Josh and I are heading to his brother's wedding in South Carolina in two weeks!
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