I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been given a description of the acceptable girl for (now that I think about it) the guys who never have girlfriends. Anyway, it usually goes something like this…
“I don’t like girls who burp, fart, have diarrhea, or other bodily functions. And if you mention monthly menstrual fluids, I will gag and throw up. I will not date any girl who does any of these things. Girls are not supposed to be thought of in this manner, and I don’t want to date any girl who does any of these things.”
I’ve been told as of late that I shouldn’t let things bother me so, that I should get over it and move on. This is of course is from the mouths of babes who think they have life figured out without ever having stepped foot in it. But in the spirit of acceptance, let me try and help the poor darlings. I propose a new product that finds its home nicely within the fetishism of commodity. Corks for your every need… to plug her up.
Just out of curiosity boys, do you look away and plug your ears as the air escapes from your quintessential blow up doll?
I no doubt will receive many spirited responses. I welcome them, and to those who choose the route of defense for this plastic notion of a woman, I will not ridicule you. I merely offer to your overestimated mouth my overabundance of unused corks.
Video from my MFA Exhibition. I listened to two hours of television in the background, recording the phrases from commercials and talk shows. It's amazing how we get used to being bombarded with messages to cure our never-ending imperfections.
"Time marches on, and eventually you realize it's marching across your face."
It's a funny saying, especially when delivered by a southern women in a beauty shop. But in reality, it's a message sent to women of all ages that they should do whatever necessary to hide the signs of aging. The beauty industry banks on it. Their pocket books provide a comfortable cushy seat for you to ride as you buy into their schemes. God forbid you actually look like you've experienced life. Even as I try to fight this battle, some mornings I find it hard to look myself in the mirror and love what I see.
I read this article about Shazia Mirza's take on the topic of female body hair. Just so happens that she has an event coming up. I wish I could attend. Shazia is a stand up comedian, so it sounds like it will be a great time.
HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT THE WORLD IS GETTING LESS AND LESS HAIRY? IN FACT A TINY BIT OF BODY HAIR IS ALMOST A SIN!
The BBC is making a programme as part of the Body Image season about women's body hair. As a Nation we are getting more and more extreme about removing our body hair. Is this a feminist battle that has been well and truly lost? The programme is presented by a comedian Shazia Mirza, who has made a new year's resolution to let her body hair grow out-and the programme is documenting her experiences. We are looking for women with across the UK of all ages to join the cause and to let their hair grow for an event which will be held at the famous Café De Paris in Piccadilly Circus. The highlight of the show will be a catwalk with ladies wearing hairy lingerie that are motivated to create a new trend. If you are interested in joining in or just want some more information please contact Katharina Urban on 02087525591 or email to hairy@bbc.co.uk
Why do some men think that nothing will happen to a woman if they are accompanied by a male knight in shining armour? "I won't let anything happen to you." "Let me walk you to your car." "I'll protect you." I've never been able to figure this out.
I don't mean to dismiss any dear friend or relative who is concerned for my safety. I actually really appreciate that.
But when you verbalize the idea of looking out for someone's well-being, I believe the words you're looking for are, "There is safety in numbers." I'm not safe with you because you're male. After all, you're not bullet proof for god's sake.
If I feel the need to use the buddy system, I'll feel safer because I'm with another person, not because I'm with another gender.
Even in a virtual world, a poser ball scripts a woman to drop to her knees.
A friend and I came across a house in Second Life. It looked like the proverbial suburban home, full of self-important treasures. Swirling staircases, exotic furniture, expensive artwork. It was also full of little pink and blue balls called poser balls. We clicked on various ones to see what the script required of the gullible.
Juliette (my avatar) was taken over and moved into performance position, complete with the quintessential holding of the head.
This isn't atypical from my experience, but it continues to intrigue me that within a space where we can create our own "perfect world," women are still created to behave as submissive sex objects. And it's the women who create them.
A friend of mine suggested that I check out the newest craze of exercise videos... pole dancing and lap dancing. Pole dancing and lap dancing? Are you kidding me? What could they possibly be titled?
Existing for the Male Gaze: How to Perfect Your Body and Slut Yourself Up All in less than 10 minutes a day!
What bothers me is that these “exercise videos” are right next to all of the other aerobics, yoga, pilates, and tae-bo videos. Our young girls are already obsessed with being thin and are bombarded with messages that they need to improve themselves physically to get a man. Now they will think that they are improving their health by learning how to perform as a sex object.
I know all about the pole dancing fad that started a few years ago on Oprah. Women feeling sexy, losing weight, it’s great, yada yada. Liberating! Since when do we think it’s liberating to be objectified by humping a pole?
I myself have never been able to find out precisely what a feminist is, I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat. ~Rebecca West
"Well behaved women rarely make history." ~Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
