The trip started out innocently enough; or as innocent as a shopping expedition specifically to acquire vampire paraphernalia can. My 3 year old son and I traipsed into our local Hot Topic to pick out a Twilight t-shirt for me and a friend. After we’d chosen out shirts (mine, and hers), I went looking for a store employee to ask about some lapel pins I’d seen on their website. I found both a you man and woman having a heated discussion as they arranged various body piercing decorations. I was going to interrupt, but then I tentatively overhead “Obama....liar....”, and I couldn’t not listen. The young woman, who, if I was judging strictly by appearance, should be an Obama supporter, went on to say that Obama was not an American, and that’s what we needed for a president. That was ridiculous enough that my face started feeling hot, but she continued. She said, “Someone should really just kill him before the election”. My face was so heated that I was starting to sweat when I heard the young man say, “If you gave me the right tools I’d do it myself!!”. I pulled my son closer to me and asked politely for assistance with something, but then I couldn’t speak.. I was so appalled and baffled when they made eye contact with me that I just stood there, holding my baby’s hand, looking dumb.
After a good 20 second I asked about the pins. The man led me to the counter with a much too stern look, and I walked around to thumb through the pins. I wanted so badly to say something. I wanted to admonish them for speaking that way in front of my child, especially when most of their customers are in essence still children themselves. Greedily, I dreamed of asking for an accurate count of the bands represented through t-shirts and albums who actually supported John McCain. In my own head, I ask if they knew their lifestyle was a direct opposition to everything McCain stands for. Did they think that he would appreciate their painstakingly crafted tattoos that ran up and down their arms? Was their carefully culled persona of a “punk” or “goth” something they were willing to just throw away?
When we got home I searched under every possible topic for other McCain supporters who fit the profile of the employees in the Mall. My searches all came up empty, with maybe two random single sentences of support by someone who called themselves a “hard rocker” or an equally anti-establishment label. I did, however, find this quote from McCain 2002 memoir, “ ‘A rebel without a cause is just a punk. Whatever you're called - rebel, unorthodox, nonconformist, radical - it's all self-indulgence without a good cause to give your life meaning’ ”. In this instance, Mr. McCain was actually right. I know that with very few exceptions, McCain supporters would be as disgusted as I was by my experience. A self-indulgent outer facade doesn’t make up for a lack of understanding of what this election truly means to all citizens.
After two days of inner-dialogue, I opened the sack from Hot Topic to pack a Halloween gift for my friend. I picked up the pin and the irony was so funny I couldn’t contain myself. I ran to tell my husband my discovery, laughing and slapping my hand across my forehead. In two days I hadn’t been able to understand how those people felt cared for or bolstered by McCain’s policies when their choices are something that McCain himself clearly wants nothing to do with. Looking at the pin I understood. It read: “Stupid Lamb”.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Vestments: Off My Chest
I am awaiting the dawn of the "Prada Politicians". Their arrival is imminent, and some have already begun to infiltrate. They're slow moving, like zombies, to keep us from catching on too quickly. Seriously though, I feel like the women involved in this year's political campaign are turning into bad replicas of Sex and the City characters. All of them land somewhere between Charlotte and Samantha on the fashion Richter scale. Additionally, I don't recall the outward appearance of any recent male politicians making such big news, outside of a few bad hair jokes. The detailed review of the physical, and therefore strictly female, spectra of these women is one of the most sexist and dirty political tactics I've seen throughout this entire campaign.
Hillary Clinton has always received a good amount of attention for her personal style, but the point at which this entire concept "jumped the shark" was when she was persuaded to leave off a diamond ring her husband gave her in order to display a more respectable amount of bling. Whether your platform focuses on family values or not, a ring on your hand from your spouse shows nothing but commitment. The irony here is that Sarah Palin's role in her daughter's pregnancy and inevitable engagement has been so highly celebrated . Even though the GOP won't acknowledge the ring's existence, it's being used to bolster the wholesome image of the deeply damaged Palin family .
But accessories aren't the only source of contention is this campaign. The main culprit is the clothes themselves, and not only due to Sarah Palin's recent shopping spree. Absurdity of apparel began, for me, when someone priced the clothes that Cindy McCain and Laura Bush wore to the RNC. Mrs. McCain's total came to over $300,000! To use one of Mr. McCain's preferred euphemisms, “Joe the Plumber” could certainly not afford to buy his wife a similar outfit. Additionally it is not lost on me that Mrs. McCain and Samantha Jones from SATC could exchange wardrobes and no one would be the wiser! Mrs. Bush's ensemble was more on par with her standard of living, costing somewhere between 3 and $4,000, which I appreciated at the time of the report, and still value today. If Mrs. Palin's desire is to come across as an ordinary hockey mom, then following in Laura’s footsteps would have been the wisest decision for her and her party.
Just as jewelry isn't singularly responsible for the fashion faux pas’ on this journey to November, neither are the Republicans alone in their gluttonous glamour. As much as I respect the Obama family, I was saddened to realize that Michelle had the help of Oprah's makeover team to polish her appearance for major events ( I can't find this link anywhere!, can you help, please?). I want all of these women to enjoy the once in a lifetime experience that the expedition to the White House brings, but not at the expense of their humanity. They are, after all, supposed to represent all Americans, and more specifically all American women. Hillary's stylist was quoted as saying that clothing someone like these ladies would normally be an honor for any designer.
She found it strange that Sarah Palin hadn't been given more business-couture clothes for free! That, for me, is even more outlandish that the GOP spending all of that money on beautification of Mrs. Sarah.
There is a crisis of vanity in America, and the women of the 2008 Presidential campaign have not escaped it's clutches. As our economy continues to falter and we await some sort of saviour, the American delusion of what a politician is to look like stands in the way of financial competency. I don't believe this is what's important to women in this election, and yet it receives so much news coverage that it's hard to ignore. I guess you can only re-do a suit and tie so many times, but I feel like this issue of fashion is just not worrisome with male politicians. On the contrary, maybe I'm just naive, or just a woman, so I'm noticing all of these things more often. Perhaps it's because we are still unused to seeing women in this role, so the box we want to squeeze them into hasn't quite been hammered down yet.
Moreover, it's sad that I made a comment about Sarah Palin needing to wear her hair down, and the next day read somewhere that she'd been advised to do exactly that . Her hair shouldn't be a main issue, and I shouldn't put weight into the subtleness of her mane. It's ridiculous that Michelle's beautifully arched brows are probably the result of Oprah coveted eyebrow guru. I don't want them to be another "bridge to nowhere". It's sickening that the GOP made such a stink about Sarah Palin's lack of retouching on her Newsweek cover . I don't want these women to be "retouched". Who they are, as mothers, citizens, and females, is drastically more important.
My Mom is a minister's wife. She married my Dad knowing that a certain persona would be expected of her wherever we lived. She adamantly refuses to fill the mold. Always herself, she supports him in his job as he supports her, and doesn't give into the pressure or the low level glamour that could come from the variety of dinners and events they attend. In the same manner, I wonder if Jackie O's style was something cultivated by a team of high paid stylists, or simply her own style exemplified. In a way, Megan McCain's greatly publicized tattoo she plans to get if her father wins says it clearly, "Life Free, or Die". I know, very well, that she wasn't talking about clothes or even the death of self, but that's what this microcosm of vestments is causing right now. Unconscious and grandiose decisions like these continue to deflate the credibility of the election process and the American dream.
A co-authored version is here: http://www.crabbygolightly.com/sellingperfection.html
Thanks!
Hillary Clinton has always received a good amount of attention for her personal style, but the point at which this entire concept "jumped the shark" was when she was persuaded to leave off a diamond ring her husband gave her in order to display a more respectable amount of bling. Whether your platform focuses on family values or not, a ring on your hand from your spouse shows nothing but commitment. The irony here is that Sarah Palin's role in her daughter's pregnancy and inevitable engagement has been so highly celebrated . Even though the GOP won't acknowledge the ring's existence, it's being used to bolster the wholesome image of the deeply damaged Palin family .
But accessories aren't the only source of contention is this campaign. The main culprit is the clothes themselves, and not only due to Sarah Palin's recent shopping spree. Absurdity of apparel began, for me, when someone priced the clothes that Cindy McCain and Laura Bush wore to the RNC. Mrs. McCain's total came to over $300,000! To use one of Mr. McCain's preferred euphemisms, “Joe the Plumber” could certainly not afford to buy his wife a similar outfit. Additionally it is not lost on me that Mrs. McCain and Samantha Jones from SATC could exchange wardrobes and no one would be the wiser! Mrs. Bush's ensemble was more on par with her standard of living, costing somewhere between 3 and $4,000, which I appreciated at the time of the report, and still value today. If Mrs. Palin's desire is to come across as an ordinary hockey mom, then following in Laura’s footsteps would have been the wisest decision for her and her party.
Just as jewelry isn't singularly responsible for the fashion faux pas’ on this journey to November, neither are the Republicans alone in their gluttonous glamour. As much as I respect the Obama family, I was saddened to realize that Michelle had the help of Oprah's makeover team to polish her appearance for major events ( I can't find this link anywhere!, can you help, please?). I want all of these women to enjoy the once in a lifetime experience that the expedition to the White House brings, but not at the expense of their humanity. They are, after all, supposed to represent all Americans, and more specifically all American women. Hillary's stylist was quoted as saying that clothing someone like these ladies would normally be an honor for any designer.
She found it strange that Sarah Palin hadn't been given more business-couture clothes for free! That, for me, is even more outlandish that the GOP spending all of that money on beautification of Mrs. Sarah.
There is a crisis of vanity in America, and the women of the 2008 Presidential campaign have not escaped it's clutches. As our economy continues to falter and we await some sort of saviour, the American delusion of what a politician is to look like stands in the way of financial competency. I don't believe this is what's important to women in this election, and yet it receives so much news coverage that it's hard to ignore. I guess you can only re-do a suit and tie so many times, but I feel like this issue of fashion is just not worrisome with male politicians. On the contrary, maybe I'm just naive, or just a woman, so I'm noticing all of these things more often. Perhaps it's because we are still unused to seeing women in this role, so the box we want to squeeze them into hasn't quite been hammered down yet.
Moreover, it's sad that I made a comment about Sarah Palin needing to wear her hair down, and the next day read somewhere that she'd been advised to do exactly that . Her hair shouldn't be a main issue, and I shouldn't put weight into the subtleness of her mane. It's ridiculous that Michelle's beautifully arched brows are probably the result of Oprah coveted eyebrow guru. I don't want them to be another "bridge to nowhere". It's sickening that the GOP made such a stink about Sarah Palin's lack of retouching on her Newsweek cover . I don't want these women to be "retouched". Who they are, as mothers, citizens, and females, is drastically more important.
My Mom is a minister's wife. She married my Dad knowing that a certain persona would be expected of her wherever we lived. She adamantly refuses to fill the mold. Always herself, she supports him in his job as he supports her, and doesn't give into the pressure or the low level glamour that could come from the variety of dinners and events they attend. In the same manner, I wonder if Jackie O's style was something cultivated by a team of high paid stylists, or simply her own style exemplified. In a way, Megan McCain's greatly publicized tattoo she plans to get if her father wins says it clearly, "Life Free, or Die". I know, very well, that she wasn't talking about clothes or even the death of self, but that's what this microcosm of vestments is causing right now. Unconscious and grandiose decisions like these continue to deflate the credibility of the election process and the American dream.
A co-authored version is here: http://www.crabbygolightly.com/sellingperfection.html
Thanks!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
In Reply
This post is in reply to my officially crowned Bloggy Godmother's recent post. There are at least 3 other things I should be writing right now, but I WANT to write this. I figured that was a good start, maybe I'll want to write the other things soon.
Six Random Facts About Me:
1. I can sing the pants off any just about any Jewel or Sarah McLachlan song, excluding their newest albums. I was a voice major, at least for a little while. I have papers!
2. My favorite TV show of all time is Ally McBeal. My current affliction in True Blood.
3. I have an unnatural love of Twilight. I am of the Jacob persuasion.
4. My children each have one name that came either from a Neil Gaiman book, or a dream I had while pregnant.
5. I have never dyed my hair. Ever. I did have quite a few perms as a child though!
6. I was chastised in Sunday School as a child for saying Away in A Manger was my favorite hymn. Apparently it was only reserved for Christmas. It's still my favorite, even though I am a wayward church-er.
EDIT! I forgot to tag anyone!
Ummm...
1. Emblita, because she just sent me the most amazing package I have ever received. And the circle must never be broken!!! ;)
2. Constance (the first), because I H-E-A-R-T her.
That's all I can think of right now...
Six Random Facts About Me:
1. I can sing the pants off any just about any Jewel or Sarah McLachlan song, excluding their newest albums. I was a voice major, at least for a little while. I have papers!
2. My favorite TV show of all time is Ally McBeal. My current affliction in True Blood.
3. I have an unnatural love of Twilight. I am of the Jacob persuasion.
4. My children each have one name that came either from a Neil Gaiman book, or a dream I had while pregnant.
5. I have never dyed my hair. Ever. I did have quite a few perms as a child though!
6. I was chastised in Sunday School as a child for saying Away in A Manger was my favorite hymn. Apparently it was only reserved for Christmas. It's still my favorite, even though I am a wayward church-er.
EDIT! I forgot to tag anyone!
Ummm...
1. Emblita, because she just sent me the most amazing package I have ever received. And the circle must never be broken!!! ;)
2. Constance (the first), because I H-E-A-R-T her.
That's all I can think of right now...
Thursday, October 23, 2008
It's my Bloggy and I'll Write What I Want To!
So, Halloween. It's coming. My house is decorated, not the extent it was last year, but pretty done up none the less. My boys costumes are almost finished as is mine and my husband's. I found out this week that the Festival at my husband's school (he's a professor, ooh lala!) is actually on Halloween night. Our plan is to take the boys Trick or Treating around the neighborhood early (5-6ish) and then head over to the "Festibul" as Winston termed it last year. So my question is, do I keep my costume on to go to this thing? Or do I take it off? The last time I went in full costume I was Frida Khalo and won second in the costume contest. This year I'll be Bella a la Prom from Twilight. What do you think?
Also, Wednesday's birthday is ON Thanksgiving this year. My parents are planning on coming, which I'm actually excited about. Usually it's just me and my boys, hubby included, on Thanksgiving. We usually see my MIL at some point during the day and even eat at her house some years. Even so, I've never gotten to share the traditions I've started for my own little family with my parents and I'm so looking forward to it. We have our own food traditions that I've established in the past few years, on top of all the fun things I want to do for Wednesday's birthday.
I was having trouble coming up with a theme, and then it hit me that I can do over the top Thanksgiving stuff! In the newest Parents magazine they have a pattern to cut out Turkey feathers to put on the back on a kid's high chair. I could do that for everyone! And the new Martha Stewart Living has a recipe for Candy Cornucopias which is so freakin cute. I already have a lot of Fall/Thanksgiving decorations, and can continue to find/make things before the party. I want the boys to do a big collage again this year. Last year it was Halloween themed, but this year I want it to be Thanksgiving/Birthday/Winter so we can hang it up for Wednesday's party! Also, instead of part hats I thought I could make a bunch of pilgrim hats. No head dresses as I can't bring myself to be THAT historically inaccurate! Dream catchers might be nice to have for everyone. Happy wishes for everyone after a Happy Birthday!
To make things extra special for him, I was thinking of doing a birthday meal either the night before or after, depending on when my parents are here. That way we can continue our every-Thanksgiving eats as usual, and still have a fun meal for birthday time. I'm thinking butternut squash lasagna, turkey meatballs in the crockpot, and green bean casserole that has chips on the top instead of the onion things. I want to make my appley cake I made for Winston's class at camp and maybe a pie as well!
Also, Wednesday's birthday is ON Thanksgiving this year. My parents are planning on coming, which I'm actually excited about. Usually it's just me and my boys, hubby included, on Thanksgiving. We usually see my MIL at some point during the day and even eat at her house some years. Even so, I've never gotten to share the traditions I've started for my own little family with my parents and I'm so looking forward to it. We have our own food traditions that I've established in the past few years, on top of all the fun things I want to do for Wednesday's birthday.
I was having trouble coming up with a theme, and then it hit me that I can do over the top Thanksgiving stuff! In the newest Parents magazine they have a pattern to cut out Turkey feathers to put on the back on a kid's high chair. I could do that for everyone! And the new Martha Stewart Living has a recipe for Candy Cornucopias which is so freakin cute. I already have a lot of Fall/Thanksgiving decorations, and can continue to find/make things before the party. I want the boys to do a big collage again this year. Last year it was Halloween themed, but this year I want it to be Thanksgiving/Birthday/Winter so we can hang it up for Wednesday's party! Also, instead of part hats I thought I could make a bunch of pilgrim hats. No head dresses as I can't bring myself to be THAT historically inaccurate! Dream catchers might be nice to have for everyone. Happy wishes for everyone after a Happy Birthday!
To make things extra special for him, I was thinking of doing a birthday meal either the night before or after, depending on when my parents are here. That way we can continue our every-Thanksgiving eats as usual, and still have a fun meal for birthday time. I'm thinking butternut squash lasagna, turkey meatballs in the crockpot, and green bean casserole that has chips on the top instead of the onion things. I want to make my appley cake I made for Winston's class at camp and maybe a pie as well!
So in honor of all things Halloween and a Thanksgiving birth, here are some links to the crafts I'm talking about and the Halloween websites I love:
Thanksgiving Crafts: Pilgrim Hats Arts & Crafts - and More Great Family Fun Craft Ideas Pilgrim Hats for my little turkeys!
Make a Dream Catcher for Kids Dream-Catchers.org Dream Catchers for Wednesday's B-day.
A Nostalgic Halloween Just beautiful inspiring artwork.
Bella's Prom Dress by ~Erynne-L on deviantART My ensemble is based on this dress, because it's the one Stephenie Meyer had in mind when she wrote Twilight. Mine is not so releaving, and actually a sleeveless dress with a lace shirt underneath.
http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/ So many good craft projects from all over the interenet!
http://www.shadowmanor.com/blog/ The Art of Darkness, I read here everyday!
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/2008/10/halloween-extravaganza.html An online Halloween Fete, so gorgeous!
http://community.livejournal.com/twilight_crafts/ Twlighty Goodness
http://www.marthastewart.com/goodthings/candy-cornucopias?autonomy_kw=cornucopia&rsc=header_6 Candy Cornucopias
Not so Fantastic, Scholatstic!
Two weeks ago my son brought home his first Scholastic book club order form from pre-school. Just the smell of that flimsy paper sent hundreds of memories from my own elementary experience flooding back to me. I started Scholastic's book club in Kindergarten, and continued in the classroom and by mail until about 6th grade. I immediately sat down with a pen and put stars by the things I wanted to buy for my boys, just like I used to for myself. I even let Winston, the pre-schooler, mark his own choices with the pen. We ordered far too many books; on Halloween, and Jewish holidays, and monsters, and school. They came in last week and I think I was more excited than the boys were!
But there are two stories in the news that are clouding my positive outlook on Scholastic's book club. First, because of a massive campaign by parents here and in Canada, Scholastic has decided to pull the Bratz books from it's pamphlets. Now, I don't like Bratz Dolls or anything else that goes with them. Just the name of the doll itself is enough to turn me off, not to mention their horrendous make up, clothes, and general attitude. What bothers me about Scholastic pulling books is that they, well, pulled the books. There is a fine line that parents have to walk between protecting their children and sheltering them too closely.
Part of the joy, for me at least, of the Scholastic book club program was the ability to pick my OWN books. On the whole, looking at the order form my son brought home, the books in the program are not generally what a parent might choose for their child. There are a few classics interspersed among the titles, but they’re really books that appeal to KIDS. So let you child choose their own book! And if, upon inspection, there is something you don't feel is appropriate, then talk about it with your individual kid. I don't think the entire collection of Bratz literature needs to be pulled. My son gets to pick his own books at the library, and even today got to "wish list" two books from the Scholastic book fair going on right now. He chose a book based on the Littlest Pet Shop toys, which is generally marketed toward girls. Scholastic’s own original defense for including Bratz dolls seems to encourage the focus on the child’s choices stating that their mission was to, “ “offer materials that appeal to children where they are, not where we would like them to be." “
Some of the most gruesome YA fiction I've ever read was ordered through the Scholastic book club. Should R.L. Stine's books not be included because they promote violence? What about Skippyjon Jones? He is ever so slightly, culturally insensitive. Does he need to go too? If the implications of the parents who wanted the books pulled are true, then everything read on a school campus is a direct reflection on the values of the school.
After reading about the Bratz dolls I remembered another Scholastic news story I'd heard about recently. The gorgeous Dana Loesh of Mamalogues posted about Scholastic's denial of homeschooler participation in a contest they were running along with Subway back in May. Essentially, Scholastic and Subway determined that the prizes for their contest would be better fitted to a state sponsored school because they could reach more children that way. They completely ignored the large homeschooling groups, who may purchase their products, and could benefit from the athletic equipment they were donating. Their later apology promised to include homeschoolers in future contests but they were still left out of the current one. So it's alright for Scholastic to pull an entire collection of books from it's clubs because of parental outrage, but it's not ok for parents dedicated to educating their children to participate in their contests?
This, to me, is a very slippery slope that Scholastic is walking on. They're censoring children and parents alike, when they're motto is ""... to provide quality, affordable books that meet the wide range of reading levels and interests of today's students and help every child develop a love of reading." How can children develop a true love of reading when the books THEY might choose to read aren’t available to them?
I will continue to participate, for now, in the Scholastic program at my child's school as a support to him. But I plan to order the most taboo books on the form next month, and to be conscious of their label when book shopping elsewhere.
FYI: This is about a month old, but I thought it deserved to be posted....
But there are two stories in the news that are clouding my positive outlook on Scholastic's book club. First, because of a massive campaign by parents here and in Canada, Scholastic has decided to pull the Bratz books from it's pamphlets. Now, I don't like Bratz Dolls or anything else that goes with them. Just the name of the doll itself is enough to turn me off, not to mention their horrendous make up, clothes, and general attitude. What bothers me about Scholastic pulling books is that they, well, pulled the books. There is a fine line that parents have to walk between protecting their children and sheltering them too closely.
Part of the joy, for me at least, of the Scholastic book club program was the ability to pick my OWN books. On the whole, looking at the order form my son brought home, the books in the program are not generally what a parent might choose for their child. There are a few classics interspersed among the titles, but they’re really books that appeal to KIDS. So let you child choose their own book! And if, upon inspection, there is something you don't feel is appropriate, then talk about it with your individual kid. I don't think the entire collection of Bratz literature needs to be pulled. My son gets to pick his own books at the library, and even today got to "wish list" two books from the Scholastic book fair going on right now. He chose a book based on the Littlest Pet Shop toys, which is generally marketed toward girls. Scholastic’s own original defense for including Bratz dolls seems to encourage the focus on the child’s choices stating that their mission was to, “ “offer materials that appeal to children where they are, not where we would like them to be." “
Some of the most gruesome YA fiction I've ever read was ordered through the Scholastic book club. Should R.L. Stine's books not be included because they promote violence? What about Skippyjon Jones? He is ever so slightly, culturally insensitive. Does he need to go too? If the implications of the parents who wanted the books pulled are true, then everything read on a school campus is a direct reflection on the values of the school.
After reading about the Bratz dolls I remembered another Scholastic news story I'd heard about recently. The gorgeous Dana Loesh of Mamalogues posted about Scholastic's denial of homeschooler participation in a contest they were running along with Subway back in May. Essentially, Scholastic and Subway determined that the prizes for their contest would be better fitted to a state sponsored school because they could reach more children that way. They completely ignored the large homeschooling groups, who may purchase their products, and could benefit from the athletic equipment they were donating. Their later apology promised to include homeschoolers in future contests but they were still left out of the current one. So it's alright for Scholastic to pull an entire collection of books from it's clubs because of parental outrage, but it's not ok for parents dedicated to educating their children to participate in their contests?
This, to me, is a very slippery slope that Scholastic is walking on. They're censoring children and parents alike, when they're motto is ""... to provide quality, affordable books that meet the wide range of reading levels and interests of today's students and help every child develop a love of reading." How can children develop a true love of reading when the books THEY might choose to read aren’t available to them?
I will continue to participate, for now, in the Scholastic program at my child's school as a support to him. But I plan to order the most taboo books on the form next month, and to be conscious of their label when book shopping elsewhere.
FYI: This is about a month old, but I thought it deserved to be posted....
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Ty's Got Milk
Ty Pennington has most definitely been “Trading Spaces”. Instead of building fantastical homes, he’s the new spokesperson for Similac’s SimplePac . Quite frankly, the formula company’s choice strikes me as slightly odd. I am fully supportive of the men involved in raising children feeding them when able, but Ty Pennington has no children. Therefore, technically, he really isn’t the correct kind of “design expert” required for revamping a can of formula.
I find the tone of both the video and the print ads ( as seen in Parents Magazine) for this Similac SimplePac condescending. First we have a childless man surrounded by supposed mothers who cannot for the life of them function with a regular formula can! As far as I know it’s never been overly difficult to measure out formula. It is because he’s so good at opening a paint can that he has the knowledge necessary to understand an infant’s feeding schedule? The feminist in me balks at the entire notion. Mothers in the ads crowd around Ty as he explains the stay-put scoop, looking like groupies. We don’t, as women, need a Man to help us feed our children. In the same vain, a father doesn’t need a woman to tell him how to shake a bottle up. Ty’s placement in these spreads feels like another shot taken at the empowerment mothers, and parents in general, seek in their roles as caregivers.
Ty does actually have a degree in the design field, having gone to Kennesaw State University and spent numerous years working as a carpenter before his stints on Trading Spaces and Extreme Home Makeover. Still, that doesn’t give him the “street credit” to revolutionize formula feeding. In reading his Wikipedia bio, I found it much more interesting that his mother, a psychologist, worked so tirelessly to help her son through his struggles his ADHD. Rather than pulling the strong-man-carpenter charade in these new ads, I would rather him have taken the route of wanting to make something easier for moms since he was so much trouble for his own. That would have been genuine and relatable. Formula doesn’t need sex appeal.
The women playing the mothers in the advertisements are almost worse than Ty himself. I truly believe they make all mothers look stupid with their revelations over snapping lids and firm grips. Honestly, Similac, could you have made motherhood seem more mundane and ridiculous? Concurrently, the only bottles I thought of when seeing Ty in these pictures were the ones that landed him with a DUI in 2007. I know he apologized sincerely and paid his dues, but it just proves further that Similac did a poor job with these commercials.
Maybe his agent thought he needed an even more wholesome outlet after the reports of Extreme Home Makeover house foreclosures . He should have considered returning to Trading Spaces alongside Paige Davis; their ratings would go through the roof! Basically he seems to be a good guy appealing to the wrong fan base.
FYI:
There's a slighty edited version of this going up at Crabbygolightly today: www.crabbygolightly.com/tysgotmilk
And I'm post it over at opensalon.com right now as well! Come over and read, join if you want, and leave me some comments!
I find the tone of both the video and the print ads ( as seen in Parents Magazine) for this Similac SimplePac condescending. First we have a childless man surrounded by supposed mothers who cannot for the life of them function with a regular formula can! As far as I know it’s never been overly difficult to measure out formula. It is because he’s so good at opening a paint can that he has the knowledge necessary to understand an infant’s feeding schedule? The feminist in me balks at the entire notion. Mothers in the ads crowd around Ty as he explains the stay-put scoop, looking like groupies. We don’t, as women, need a Man to help us feed our children. In the same vain, a father doesn’t need a woman to tell him how to shake a bottle up. Ty’s placement in these spreads feels like another shot taken at the empowerment mothers, and parents in general, seek in their roles as caregivers.
Ty does actually have a degree in the design field, having gone to Kennesaw State University and spent numerous years working as a carpenter before his stints on Trading Spaces and Extreme Home Makeover. Still, that doesn’t give him the “street credit” to revolutionize formula feeding. In reading his Wikipedia bio, I found it much more interesting that his mother, a psychologist, worked so tirelessly to help her son through his struggles his ADHD. Rather than pulling the strong-man-carpenter charade in these new ads, I would rather him have taken the route of wanting to make something easier for moms since he was so much trouble for his own. That would have been genuine and relatable. Formula doesn’t need sex appeal.
The women playing the mothers in the advertisements are almost worse than Ty himself. I truly believe they make all mothers look stupid with their revelations over snapping lids and firm grips. Honestly, Similac, could you have made motherhood seem more mundane and ridiculous? Concurrently, the only bottles I thought of when seeing Ty in these pictures were the ones that landed him with a DUI in 2007. I know he apologized sincerely and paid his dues, but it just proves further that Similac did a poor job with these commercials.
Maybe his agent thought he needed an even more wholesome outlet after the reports of Extreme Home Makeover house foreclosures . He should have considered returning to Trading Spaces alongside Paige Davis; their ratings would go through the roof! Basically he seems to be a good guy appealing to the wrong fan base.
FYI:
There's a slighty edited version of this going up at Crabbygolightly today: www.crabbygolightly.com/tysgotmilk
And I'm post it over at opensalon.com right now as well! Come over and read, join if you want, and leave me some comments!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Hay, Graceful...
I had an envelope come in the mail today from New Zealand. I knew what it was and was so excited I could hardly stand it. It's the picture that JustHay let me choose from her incredible Flickr photostream in honor of her 30th birthday. It's called "Ritual", and shows her baby's curls and towel bib around her neck.
It already means so much to me. She will hang next to Georgia O'Keefe's apples in my kitchen as soon as I find the perfect frame. Her curls remind me of Wednesday's, and it was Winston who wore so many bibs when he was a small little one. That's him in his newest sweater vest, one day into his 3rd ever haircut.
After I opened the envelope from Hay, Winston looked up at me and said, "Mommy, what does graceful mean?" So, Hay, this is for you. Happy Birthday!
4 dictionary results for: graceful
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
grace·ful
–adjective
characterized by elegance or beauty of form, manner, movement, or speech; elegant: a graceful dancer; a graceful reply.
[Origin: 1375–1425; late ME; see grace, -ful] —Related forms
grace·ful·ly, adverb
grace·ful·ness, noun
—Synonyms limber, lithe, lissome.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
grace·ful
–adjective
characterized by elegance or beauty of form, manner, movement, or speech; elegant: a graceful dancer; a graceful reply.
[Origin: 1375–1425; late ME; see grace, -ful] —Related forms
grace·ful·ly, adverb
grace·ful·ness, noun
—Synonyms limber, lithe, lissome.
(Edit: This isn't the answer I gave him. After thinking about it I told him graceful meant a person who moves or dances very beautifully without being clumsy or rough. He also knows what sustenance, ferocious, mysterious, and paleontologist mean! He keeps me on my toes....)
Friday, October 17, 2008
Madonna No Child
In Madonna's first children's book, The English Roses , she tells the story of a beautiful girl named Binah, whose beauty makes her the envy of four girls in her class. The four young ladies proceed to speak badly of Binah and ignore her at school until a fairy godmother comes to them in a dream and shows them the hard life that Binah lives everyday. Now, in the revelation of yesterday's news of the Madonna-Ritchie split, I'd like for us all to replace Binah with Cynthia Rodriguez, and remember Madonna's own rosy message that we shouldn't assume that someone else's life is better than our own. Specifically when your own life, and the one you're considering, both involve marriages and children.
I am beyond riffled by Her Madge-esty’s choices for multiple reasons. Having never been a great fan, I’ve always respected her music and mastery at reinventing herself. This time, though, I think her reinvention has finally gotten the better of her. This is mostly because of the three small humans that currently call her Mama, or something like it, everyday. I wonder, as she assumes a new character once again, if her chameleon-like behavior has affected those kids the way it has her past relationships. Was her inability to simply be herself what lead to her past and present divorces? Her move from sexpot to intergalactic hippie after Lourdes was born was encouraging, and I thought maybe she'd finally gotten it. Children are usually very good at upending one's vanity. The fake British accent she donned after marrying Guy Ritchie and moving to London was contemptuous as best, but she seemed stable, if not overly strict, for her kids. Now that entire span of time comes across as just another page in her book, or maybe a documentary considering her recent endeavors!
When the news of Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez divorce came out, I was sure Cynthia was to blame. With the rumors of shopping sprees in Paris and affairs with Lenny Kravitz (chastity much, Lenny?), I confidently presumed that Madonna had been nothing more than a surreal spiritual guide to Alex as he went through a marital rough patch. Perez is reporting now that none of the former rumors about Cynthia are true, and that it's nearly fact that Madonna and ARod have been having an affair. He is also saying that Lourdes wants to spend more time with her Dad, Carlos Leon, in New York. Thinking of the other kids, I can't imagine Guy Ritchie just letting them move across the ocean to NY with no ramifications. It was my understanding as well that it was Guy's constant presence in their lives allowed baby David to call them his “forever family”. Considering what this could mean for that sweet boy heartbreaking. The former Mrs. Ritchie faces the loss of serious time with each of her children, on top of the destruction of two family unions.
Overall Madonna is really just too old for this current stunt. I'm not sure we care to see her newest metamorphosis if coming out of the cocoon means sloughing off responsibility for her children. But then again, maybe she has never known who she is at her core to begin with. It's a mystery. Maybe she could hire Sherlock Holmes to figure it out for her, I hear he's coming to theaters soon with the help of some Guy.
At least if she does end up in a tangled love affair with Alex Rodriguez she has some on the job training to fall back on. I mean, she did star in "A League of Their Own", and looking at pictures from her latest tour, I bet she could give excellent pointers on the protection of his nether regions during a game!
So there you have it! Crabby GoLightly and I co-authored a version of this same article up at Crabbygolightly.com (http://www.crabbygolightly.com/madge.html), please go read it too to get her feelings on this split as well! Also, I', posting this original at opensalon.com if you'd like to come nake comments over there: http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=30401!
I am beyond riffled by Her Madge-esty’s choices for multiple reasons. Having never been a great fan, I’ve always respected her music and mastery at reinventing herself. This time, though, I think her reinvention has finally gotten the better of her. This is mostly because of the three small humans that currently call her Mama, or something like it, everyday. I wonder, as she assumes a new character once again, if her chameleon-like behavior has affected those kids the way it has her past relationships. Was her inability to simply be herself what lead to her past and present divorces? Her move from sexpot to intergalactic hippie after Lourdes was born was encouraging, and I thought maybe she'd finally gotten it. Children are usually very good at upending one's vanity. The fake British accent she donned after marrying Guy Ritchie and moving to London was contemptuous as best, but she seemed stable, if not overly strict, for her kids. Now that entire span of time comes across as just another page in her book, or maybe a documentary considering her recent endeavors!
When the news of Alex and Cynthia Rodriguez divorce came out, I was sure Cynthia was to blame. With the rumors of shopping sprees in Paris and affairs with Lenny Kravitz (chastity much, Lenny?), I confidently presumed that Madonna had been nothing more than a surreal spiritual guide to Alex as he went through a marital rough patch. Perez is reporting now that none of the former rumors about Cynthia are true, and that it's nearly fact that Madonna and ARod have been having an affair. He is also saying that Lourdes wants to spend more time with her Dad, Carlos Leon, in New York. Thinking of the other kids, I can't imagine Guy Ritchie just letting them move across the ocean to NY with no ramifications. It was my understanding as well that it was Guy's constant presence in their lives allowed baby David to call them his “forever family”. Considering what this could mean for that sweet boy heartbreaking. The former Mrs. Ritchie faces the loss of serious time with each of her children, on top of the destruction of two family unions.
Overall Madonna is really just too old for this current stunt. I'm not sure we care to see her newest metamorphosis if coming out of the cocoon means sloughing off responsibility for her children. But then again, maybe she has never known who she is at her core to begin with. It's a mystery. Maybe she could hire Sherlock Holmes to figure it out for her, I hear he's coming to theaters soon with the help of some Guy.
At least if she does end up in a tangled love affair with Alex Rodriguez she has some on the job training to fall back on. I mean, she did star in "A League of Their Own", and looking at pictures from her latest tour, I bet she could give excellent pointers on the protection of his nether regions during a game!
So there you have it! Crabby GoLightly and I co-authored a version of this same article up at Crabbygolightly.com (http://www.crabbygolightly.com/madge.html), please go read it too to get her feelings on this split as well! Also, I', posting this original at opensalon.com if you'd like to come nake comments over there: http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=30401!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Boober Juice
or "Bjoo Bjoo" as Wednesday says it. I could never get Winston to call it a name, but I wrote my most favorite thing yet all about it over at CrabbyGoLightly.com
There's some Angelina, some Jamie Lynn, and some ice-cream for everyone! Please go read it, I'm really proud of this one....
www.crabbygolightly.com/breasts.html
There's some Angelina, some Jamie Lynn, and some ice-cream for everyone! Please go read it, I'm really proud of this one....
www.crabbygolightly.com/breasts.html
Monday, October 13, 2008
The two we've lost...
Olive and Lucas. One this year, one last year. There aren't any words for how much they were loved. I love you babies...
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Bushy CrabbyPatties
I'm over at CrabbyGoLightly again this weekend if you're interested.
www.crabbygolightly.com/Bushed.html The permalink isn't working for me, but it's the top story at crabbygolightly.com Today (Sunday). If it doesn't work tomorrow, I'll post the actual piece.
Please add a small shout out to Molly Ivans while we're at it, ok? She was the original...
Sukkot Sanity
Alright, my friends. Winston is out of school for 3 days again next week! I have no problem with him getting extra days away because of where he attends, but it makes him CRAZY! Somewhere inside his very intelligent brain he has convinced himself that it is MY fault that he doesn't have school on certain days.
So I've spent the last 2 days thinking up and planning things for the boys and I to do so that Winston won't turn into a screaming, hitting, uncooperative demon.
Today, we are going to attempt breakfast at Denny's, then the Farmers' Market (I do not like the Farmer's Market, b/c of the people who "attend" every Saturday, but I have to do SOMETHING). After that we have fresh movies from Blockbuster, apple butter to start in the crock pot, a back-of-the-door basketball goal, a tunnel, new library books.... It's going to be a long day...
I have today all planned out on a piece of paper somewhere, I should really find that. Paper found! My writing skills are on serious display this morning. Please forgive me for my poor grammar and unfinished sentences. So on top of all those other things, I have written down that we are playing dress up and dancing to the Halloween music on the TV, possibly going to Hobby Lobby, and painting with apples. Right now, none of this seems possible, but I'm trying to become cheerful and perky.
Sunday is looking like this: Breakfast picnic in the backyard, obtain the newspaper to read comics/look at the ads, ....Well CRAP. Apparently I can't remember anything this morning. Hold on, I'm going to get THE NOTEPAD... Barnes and Noble! That is what's next on the list. I need to get some books for my Mom's birthday anyway, so the boys can come and eat sugary crap and play with trains, etc. After that, please Lord, let there be naptime. Then whatever I can figure out that won't take away from things to do for THREE DAYS after that.
Ugh. It's not that I don't want to do all of these things with the boys. This is just what we used to do before Winston started school. But now that he's into a routine, he gets very defiant about not being in it. Here's hoping that I can make all of this work without killing myself.
Next week he doesn't have school because of a Teacher In-Service Day and Sukkot. I'd like to set up their little play tent and talk about what Sukkot means. I'd also like to take them to the pumpkin patch and on a 3 stop nature walk. Besides that we have Target, Pet Smart, Library, Half-Price Books, WalMart, Park, and very many other things planned for three days of schoolfree time.
That's seriously enough rambling. I'll come back and edit this when I'm awake....
So I've spent the last 2 days thinking up and planning things for the boys and I to do so that Winston won't turn into a screaming, hitting, uncooperative demon.
Today, we are going to attempt breakfast at Denny's, then the Farmers' Market (I do not like the Farmer's Market, b/c of the people who "attend" every Saturday, but I have to do SOMETHING). After that we have fresh movies from Blockbuster, apple butter to start in the crock pot, a back-of-the-door basketball goal, a tunnel, new library books.... It's going to be a long day...
I have today all planned out on a piece of paper somewhere, I should really find that. Paper found! My writing skills are on serious display this morning. Please forgive me for my poor grammar and unfinished sentences. So on top of all those other things, I have written down that we are playing dress up and dancing to the Halloween music on the TV, possibly going to Hobby Lobby, and painting with apples. Right now, none of this seems possible, but I'm trying to become cheerful and perky.
Sunday is looking like this: Breakfast picnic in the backyard, obtain the newspaper to read comics/look at the ads, ....Well CRAP. Apparently I can't remember anything this morning. Hold on, I'm going to get THE NOTEPAD... Barnes and Noble! That is what's next on the list. I need to get some books for my Mom's birthday anyway, so the boys can come and eat sugary crap and play with trains, etc. After that, please Lord, let there be naptime. Then whatever I can figure out that won't take away from things to do for THREE DAYS after that.
Ugh. It's not that I don't want to do all of these things with the boys. This is just what we used to do before Winston started school. But now that he's into a routine, he gets very defiant about not being in it. Here's hoping that I can make all of this work without killing myself.
Next week he doesn't have school because of a Teacher In-Service Day and Sukkot. I'd like to set up their little play tent and talk about what Sukkot means. I'd also like to take them to the pumpkin patch and on a 3 stop nature walk. Besides that we have Target, Pet Smart, Library, Half-Price Books, WalMart, Park, and very many other things planned for three days of schoolfree time.
That's seriously enough rambling. I'll come back and edit this when I'm awake....
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