Sunday, December 14, 2008
Mason Williams - Classical Gas
So I just went to a Christmas Concert by Mason Williams and Friends and because it is 40 years of the song Classical Gas they showed this video from 1968. I thought it was great and amusing. I was recently told it is not "very funny" as it is not "ridiculous humor" and does not meet the mark of "funny" deemed appropriate by some of my peers. Regardless I hope you enjoy it.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Procrastinating
It is Sunday night and I have had the last two days to accomplish something towards my goal of finishing for finals. But I have accomplished very little. I have this thought that I will have plenty of time to finish it all. The same time I am consciously wasting now. I just can't bring myself to do anything. Drafting sounds hard, reading is tedious and writing complicated. So I am procrastinating this work that I think I should be doing wishing it would do itself. So I will leave this post with yet another quote something from about a year ago:
"Life begins to make sense when every action you take, you take with yourself and your future in mind. It is not selfishness as selfishness implies greed... No simply allowing yourself the pleasure of being you is the most important thing you can do. You need to make yourself a priority in you own life."
Monday, December 1, 2008
Formulaic Life
I am traveling on a path,
journey through life
waiting to reach the next
Stop,
Location,
Destination,
where I will make sense of my wanders.
I am done with
formulaic patterns
required of school
always the same
teaching, learning, regularity.
I am bound,
Trapped
by what my professors
want, teach, think.
I itch for freedom from monotony,
Boredom.
I am searching for something.
Afraid it will take a lifetime to find
yet it stares back
like it is right in front of me.
I have claimed,
demanded,
asserted,
that my education is my own.
I made it my life,
guiding force.
I consumed it.
Now
I need to
claim my life,
demand my future,
assert my happiness.
I have looked and not found myself in
Wrong places, spaces, ideas.
You do not reside in other people, classes, groups.
True identity comes from within and that is found
right where You are,
right where You sit,
right where You live.
journey through life
waiting to reach the next
Stop,
Location,
Destination,
where I will make sense of my wanders.
I am done with
formulaic patterns
required of school
always the same
teaching, learning, regularity.
I am bound,
Trapped
by what my professors
want, teach, think.
I itch for freedom from monotony,
Boredom.
I am searching for something.
Afraid it will take a lifetime to find
yet it stares back
like it is right in front of me.
I have claimed,
demanded,
asserted,
that my education is my own.
I made it my life,
guiding force.
I consumed it.
Now
I need to
claim my life,
demand my future,
assert my happiness.
I have looked and not found myself in
Wrong places, spaces, ideas.
You do not reside in other people, classes, groups.
True identity comes from within and that is found
right where You are,
right where You sit,
right where You live.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Random
I was looking through my journal that I write in on occasion .. and saw this. Something I wrote not to long ago but didn't really remember. Make of it what you want...
"Life is a Blank canvas until you paint it. Your life can change in the instant it takes you to pick up the brush" -Jessica George
Sunday, November 16, 2008
True Beauty
True BeautySMILES in the face of tragedy
STANDS when life pushes her down
SPARKLES without a spotlight
Becomes the JOY of the moment
Fights her battles with STRENGTH
VALUES family and friends
Knows BEAUTY dwells within
Allows TRUTH to surface
Holds on to HOPE
LIVES in the present while
REMEMBERING the past
Knowing the FUTURE lies ahead
(picture of my mom)
Full disclosure: my mom just got done with chemo treatment. Now her hair is growing back.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Right or Left
A majority of the population is right-handed. I join in this majority but in an effort to think differently; I like to experiment doing things left-handed. I am fairly good at writing left-handed while taking notes during class although it takes much more time. So just now I was playing around with my computer settings and changed my mouse to "left-handed." I caught on quickly to navigating around windows and on the internet but I found it to still be odd. I didn't understand why I thought it was so weird (besides that I have always used my right hand.)
Suddenly I figured it out, the way the mouse pointer is tilted, with the pointer end on the left top corner, works with being right handed. It is angled this way because when you write right-handed you pen/pencil is tilted that way. I thought it was odd that it didn't change tilt with the change of which hand you make the mouse. All it does is change the buttons on the mouse. I searched through all the possible settings for the mouse on my computer and besides the "right-handed tilted pointer" there was an actual right hand pointer option. I found that all the options were "right-handed." I am surprised that with all this new technology having the mouse tilt the other direction like when you write left-handed is not an option.
I would guess that most left-handed people have just become accustomed to the "natural" right handed mousing "option" especially when using a computer in a public setting. So changing their own personal computer would only make using other computers more complicated, unless they are going to change the settings every time they use a computer.
What does everyone think?
Friday, October 10, 2008
Facebook Sexist?
The facebook default for not having a picture is sexist. It resembles a male head and shoulders in silhouette. Regardless of the fact that we live in a patriarchal society, male is not the norm and half the population is female. I realize most people put up their own photo but to have a default photo that promotes the idea that being male is the norm while being female is deviant is blatantly sexist. The question mark was a much better idea. I really dislike the new silhouette.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Love this Song
I love this song not just because it was featured in Greys Anatomy.... but mostly yes thats why I love it....Also I loved the 'happy ending' to the show last season.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Hope
"'Hope' is the thing with feathers-- / That perches in the soul--."-Emily Dickinson
Hope - Is the sunlight within. - a necklace
Hope. That feeling we hold on to. We hope for a brighter tomorrow, a new day, or a cure to our problems. We hope; sometimes at our lowest low and sometimes at our highest high. However, we remain positive. Hoping. We hold on to that tiny idea that things really will be okay. We build upon our courage and perseverance with life's tough moments when we don't see an end to the chaos. Hope can be religious or spiritual; its history is far and varied. And although we don't always get what we hope for, sometimes just hoping is enough. With each passing day, it is the hope that carries us through.
So I hope that hoping is enough to change the future.
I hope lives are saved, and battles never fought.
I hope for equality.
I hope for clean water and plenty of food.
I hope that words are used instead of weapons.
I hope that people value life, and the worldwide multicultural society we live in.
I hope that each new generation always hopes for a brighter tomorrow.
And although I know that not all these things will happen, it is the hope that they can that keeps me fighting for them today.
Dixie Chicks - I hope
Hope - Is the sunlight within. - a necklace
Hope. That feeling we hold on to. We hope for a brighter tomorrow, a new day, or a cure to our problems. We hope; sometimes at our lowest low and sometimes at our highest high. However, we remain positive. Hoping. We hold on to that tiny idea that things really will be okay. We build upon our courage and perseverance with life's tough moments when we don't see an end to the chaos. Hope can be religious or spiritual; its history is far and varied. And although we don't always get what we hope for, sometimes just hoping is enough. With each passing day, it is the hope that carries us through.
So I hope that hoping is enough to change the future. I hope lives are saved, and battles never fought.
I hope for equality.
I hope for clean water and plenty of food.
I hope that words are used instead of weapons.
I hope that people value life, and the worldwide multicultural society we live in.
I hope that each new generation always hopes for a brighter tomorrow.
And although I know that not all these things will happen, it is the hope that they can that keeps me fighting for them today.
Dixie Chicks - I hope
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
World View
I am a design student (I know this) but I have only more recently begun to realize what that really means. Because I see the world completely different than everyone else. I know technically everyone does see the world differently but I just have not really made the connection between being a designer and my world outlook.
But it is not just designers as recently, on a trip with two other design students, I said, “What a great view” and they said, “Yeah look at the row of greenhouses.” When what I saw was the hill/mountains beyond the immediate row of greenhouses. Is it my optimism and desire to see the world in a good light? Do I just notice the good things? Or do I acknowledge everything but remember to enjoy the good I see? Do I just take pleasure in the little wonders of life?
I wish everyone could see and appreciate their surroundings in the same way I do.
Wherever I go, I notice the space I am in and how it is designed, decorated and its layout. I notice the world surrounding me on all levels the sky, the flowers, the people and buildings, how the light connects one object to another through its shadow. Also, I pick up on the nuances of people and how they act and what they say. I can tell if they are “being real” or not, even if I just met them. My attention to detail means I can recall a situation almost exactly. Although I might not remember everything that was said, I could describe the situation and the space and who was doing what where. I remember faces and not names. I remember appearance and locations.
Some people walk through life and barely notice what they are passing. The world becomes so familiar that they stop looking and noticing its little pleasures, much like how driving the same way every day we stop noticing the journey and only notice if we have made it to our destination. Some are caught up in the world of politics, while others revolve around work, school or family. All topics dominate their thoughts and noticing the world becomes a distant thought.
How can people become so consumed with life that they forget to look around them and see the world for what it is? Do we only notice what we deem important? What is important? What do you notice? Do you only see the destination or are you aware of the path?
But it is not just designers as recently, on a trip with two other design students, I said, “What a great view” and they said, “Yeah look at the row of greenhouses.” When what I saw was the hill/mountains beyond the immediate row of greenhouses. Is it my optimism and desire to see the world in a good light? Do I just notice the good things? Or do I acknowledge everything but remember to enjoy the good I see? Do I just take pleasure in the little wonders of life?
I wish everyone could see and appreciate their surroundings in the same way I do.
Wherever I go, I notice the space I am in and how it is designed, decorated and its layout. I notice the world surrounding me on all levels the sky, the flowers, the people and buildings, how the light connects one object to another through its shadow. Also, I pick up on the nuances of people and how they act and what they say. I can tell if they are “being real” or not, even if I just met them. My attention to detail means I can recall a situation almost exactly. Although I might not remember everything that was said, I could describe the situation and the space and who was doing what where. I remember faces and not names. I remember appearance and locations.
Some people walk through life and barely notice what they are passing. The world becomes so familiar that they stop looking and noticing its little pleasures, much like how driving the same way every day we stop noticing the journey and only notice if we have made it to our destination. Some are caught up in the world of politics, while others revolve around work, school or family. All topics dominate their thoughts and noticing the world becomes a distant thought.
How can people become so consumed with life that they forget to look around them and see the world for what it is? Do we only notice what we deem important? What is important? What do you notice? Do you only see the destination or are you aware of the path?
Sunday, May 25, 2008
One Voice by The Wailin' Jennys
One voice. Voices Two. Voices Three. Harmony. Distinct yet the same. Different and blending together. That is what we must do as a people as a country and within the democratic party. We must form a harmony of different voices. Though this can only be accomplished if we are singing the same tune. The question still seems to remain what will the tune be?
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Letter to the Editor
Last week I wrote in to my school paper, The Barometer, in response to a very sexist anti-women article written by Dan Fitzpatrick. As it was a “Letter to the Editor” I had to keep my sentiments short to refute Fitzpatrick’s crazy ideas regarding “true masculinity.” So I would like to take this opportunity to expand on my many thoughts towards that article.
Fitzpatrick starts by saying that the presence of the “Women’s Building, a Women’s Center and the Women’s Studies program” somehow hinders the “cultivating of true masculinity.” I believe he was blatantly attacking these programs as he seems to not know anything about what they stand for and what they accomplish on campus. If he did he would not have included this in his article and would possibly not have written it at all. Not to mention the Women’s Building is just a name. Historically it was the women’s physical education building. I am sure had the women worked out with the men we, women, would have been seen as a “distraction.” So they built a completely different building. I would also like to point out that the men’s physical education building was called, no not the Men’s Building, but Langton. I don’t understand how a title of a building hinders the cultivating of masculinity. Is there something scary about the word “Women?” I guess Fitzpatrick thinks so… As he seems not to dislike the organization, as the women’s building is not an organization, but rather just the words woman/women. He is foisting his problems of true masculinity on women … that’s right ladies … we can shrink a man’s masculinity just by being on campus .. who knew?
However, I seriously do not understand men feeling threatened by the presence of such organizations. The Women's center and program do nothing to hurt men and in all truthfulness help everyone by breaking down stereotypes. Both the Women’s Center and the Women Studies program have been on campus for 35 years. We as women have come a long way in all those years. The center and department have been as much a refuge as a platform for change. And both continue to grow and expand furthering the education of many students with non-tradition subject matter and topics that relate to popular culture.
Before my first women studies course, I did not understand what a feminist was. I came to realize that although I had not applied the term to myself before, it described many things I had fought against my entire life. It described my feelings towards life and lined up with my point of view. Finally I found a word, a group, a commonality with others. Finally, I found myself. I found a new passion and refuse to stay quiet about injustices I see or read in newspapers.
Fitzpatrick continues in his article to mention those tasks he feels are "unique" to men where the title of women can't seem to interrupt the masculinity. However, he uses football, the military, and religion to display his points and these fields are not limited to men nor are the characteristics he says they invoke.
Fitzpatrick starts by saying that the presence of the “Women’s Building, a Women’s Center and the Women’s Studies program” somehow hinders the “cultivating of true masculinity.” I believe he was blatantly attacking these programs as he seems to not know anything about what they stand for and what they accomplish on campus. If he did he would not have included this in his article and would possibly not have written it at all. Not to mention the Women’s Building is just a name. Historically it was the women’s physical education building. I am sure had the women worked out with the men we, women, would have been seen as a “distraction.” So they built a completely different building. I would also like to point out that the men’s physical education building was called, no not the Men’s Building, but Langton. I don’t understand how a title of a building hinders the cultivating of masculinity. Is there something scary about the word “Women?” I guess Fitzpatrick thinks so… As he seems not to dislike the organization, as the women’s building is not an organization, but rather just the words woman/women. He is foisting his problems of true masculinity on women … that’s right ladies … we can shrink a man’s masculinity just by being on campus .. who knew?
However, I seriously do not understand men feeling threatened by the presence of such organizations. The Women's center and program do nothing to hurt men and in all truthfulness help everyone by breaking down stereotypes. Both the Women’s Center and the Women Studies program have been on campus for 35 years. We as women have come a long way in all those years. The center and department have been as much a refuge as a platform for change. And both continue to grow and expand furthering the education of many students with non-tradition subject matter and topics that relate to popular culture.
Before my first women studies course, I did not understand what a feminist was. I came to realize that although I had not applied the term to myself before, it described many things I had fought against my entire life. It described my feelings towards life and lined up with my point of view. Finally I found a word, a group, a commonality with others. Finally, I found myself. I found a new passion and refuse to stay quiet about injustices I see or read in newspapers.
Fitzpatrick continues in his article to mention those tasks he feels are "unique" to men where the title of women can't seem to interrupt the masculinity. However, he uses football, the military, and religion to display his points and these fields are not limited to men nor are the characteristics he says they invoke.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Bill Clinton in Oregon
I saw former President Bill Clinton on his recent trip to Oregon. It was great. I was 10-20 feet from the stage. After he spoke of all the things Hillary will do to change our country he went around shaking hands and such. So of course I pushed my way to the front and I got to shake his hand. It was the highlight of the weekend. Not very often does the opportunity present itself to see and meet a former president.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Design and Feminism
I saw this over on feministing the other day ...
All I can say is wow ... don't you just love design ... seriously WTF?
Monday, April 21, 2008
To Whom It May Concern
Dear “The Media,”
Recent news coverage I find very disappointing. With all the reports on the election, I would hope that voters are not continuously reduced to their appearance and stereotyped by some idea of how their exterior form would control or dictate their vote.
It was mentioned on the CBS evening news that two-thirds of young voters think that race and gender have been brought up too much in this election. And it has, as it seems the media continuously places the American voter into different categories based on their race, sex and age. Then assumptions are made based on these previous categories about how they will vote. News flash people!! Voters vote on issues/policies not necessarily appearances (although someone somewhere might do that).
Even in the CBS evening news, it was implied that people will vote their appearance and not their political beliefs. Specifically through the mention of how more women in the state of Pennsylvania would influence the outcome. Yes! They will influence the result just like everyone who votes influences the outcome. Please STOP implying that voter appearance dictates who they vote for. I am sick of the stereotypes.
Just because I am a woman or a member of a minority does not mean I will vote for the candidate that looks like me. Just because I am young does not mean I will vote for Obama. Quit looking at my appearance in association to my vote. I am a person and as such will vote how I see fit based on the issues I find important.
Sincerely,
American Voter
Recent news coverage I find very disappointing. With all the reports on the election, I would hope that voters are not continuously reduced to their appearance and stereotyped by some idea of how their exterior form would control or dictate their vote.
It was mentioned on the CBS evening news that two-thirds of young voters think that race and gender have been brought up too much in this election. And it has, as it seems the media continuously places the American voter into different categories based on their race, sex and age. Then assumptions are made based on these previous categories about how they will vote. News flash people!! Voters vote on issues/policies not necessarily appearances (although someone somewhere might do that).
Even in the CBS evening news, it was implied that people will vote their appearance and not their political beliefs. Specifically through the mention of how more women in the state of Pennsylvania would influence the outcome. Yes! They will influence the result just like everyone who votes influences the outcome. Please STOP implying that voter appearance dictates who they vote for. I am sick of the stereotypes.
Just because I am a woman or a member of a minority does not mean I will vote for the candidate that looks like me. Just because I am young does not mean I will vote for Obama. Quit looking at my appearance in association to my vote. I am a person and as such will vote how I see fit based on the issues I find important.
Sincerely,
American Voter
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Margaret Cho in Portland!!!
Margaret Cho was so amazing. I didn't stop laughing the entire time. It was totally worth it even if we were sitting at the top ... far far away.. :) And yes I still have the song stuck in my head .... Thanks! Actually I didn't know Margaret Cho could sing that well. My only complaint is that the tour is called "Beautiful" but the "cool" shirts you could buy only went to large and it is the fitted shirt that is really smaller than the size it says. But I love the designs and bright colors. I wish I could have one of each ...
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Debate
So in my opinion Hillary won! I thought she had the best answers and overall was just better at answering. I thought Barack was on the defense most of the time and had trouble explaining things. Also I have thought for most of this entire primary that Hillary actually has a plan and Barack just talks of Change and Hope and doesn't necessarily say how he will accomplish that. Obviously both have made mistakes in things they have said and done in the past but what matters is the future and the lessons learned from the past. Also I like the plans Hillary has for the country with Health care, equal pay, environmental issues, getting rid of "no child left behind" (that has left behind more children than it has helped), and issues surrounding women.
Anyway, could you believe what Barack was wearing? I mean a suit with a white shirt and blue tie. What was he thinking? Doesn't he ever change up his appearance? Why is the suit the right thing to wear? What sort of symbolism does the suit portray? Why do we associate a suit with power? ohh that's right patriarchy = males in power and what do they wear... a suit and tie. Mind you it can't be anything outrageous very pain dark suit white shirt and red or blue tie. Women have more leeway in their dress that the suits can be different colors and they don't wear the tie however it is pretty straight forward that for them to get respect they must wear the same suit that symbolizes power to fit in with the men of the field they are in. This is not any different than a women in a predominately male field dressing and acting the part while they are in that setting. Women must be very confident and sure of themselves. However that woman's confidence does not transcend situations. Women must continuously change how they act in different situations.
Okay so really, I point this out as I thought it was only fair with all the comments always being made about what female politicians are wearing without focusing on what is really important, the issues. When do you ever see anything written about the male politicians? Were there big discussions on Bush's dress when he was being elected? Even now do people talk of what Barack or McCain wear. (Umm not that I have seen.) I find it ridiculous that women are reduced to female stereotypes and must conform to masculinity within the realm of power. Does Barack not "gush" when he speaks. Would the media ever think of using such a term for him .... Women are still expected to be sexy and attractive and yet professional and not draw attention. WTF? All these expectations and we haven't even moved past clothing. I thought politics was about laws and legislation and what exactly does some one's clothing have to do with that. However women should be able to be sexy and wear feminine things and still be seen as a powerful politician. But it should not the first thing the media mentions in an article. And really it should not be mentioned at all unless it goes all directions. If you want to talk about all candidates clothing feel free but don't single out the women because we conform to the stereotype of an appearance that represents power while trying not to deviate from our gendered box.
Anyway, could you believe what Barack was wearing? I mean a suit with a white shirt and blue tie. What was he thinking? Doesn't he ever change up his appearance? Why is the suit the right thing to wear? What sort of symbolism does the suit portray? Why do we associate a suit with power? ohh that's right patriarchy = males in power and what do they wear... a suit and tie. Mind you it can't be anything outrageous very pain dark suit white shirt and red or blue tie. Women have more leeway in their dress that the suits can be different colors and they don't wear the tie however it is pretty straight forward that for them to get respect they must wear the same suit that symbolizes power to fit in with the men of the field they are in. This is not any different than a women in a predominately male field dressing and acting the part while they are in that setting. Women must be very confident and sure of themselves. However that woman's confidence does not transcend situations. Women must continuously change how they act in different situations.
Okay so really, I point this out as I thought it was only fair with all the comments always being made about what female politicians are wearing without focusing on what is really important, the issues. When do you ever see anything written about the male politicians? Were there big discussions on Bush's dress when he was being elected? Even now do people talk of what Barack or McCain wear. (Umm not that I have seen.) I find it ridiculous that women are reduced to female stereotypes and must conform to masculinity within the realm of power. Does Barack not "gush" when he speaks. Would the media ever think of using such a term for him .... Women are still expected to be sexy and attractive and yet professional and not draw attention. WTF? All these expectations and we haven't even moved past clothing. I thought politics was about laws and legislation and what exactly does some one's clothing have to do with that. However women should be able to be sexy and wear feminine things and still be seen as a powerful politician. But it should not the first thing the media mentions in an article. And really it should not be mentioned at all unless it goes all directions. If you want to talk about all candidates clothing feel free but don't single out the women because we conform to the stereotype of an appearance that represents power while trying not to deviate from our gendered box.
"As a culture, we still aren't comfortable noticing and acknowledging
femininity in the halls of power." Robin Givhan
"I've talked about Rice's appearance at Wiesbaden Army Airfield wearing a long black coat and knee-high black boots. The ensemble had a sexiness to it that we hadn't seen before in any of our leaders of that rank. I think we are still uncomfortable with women of authority who refuse to hide their sexuality behind a boxy suit and sensible heels." - Robin Givhan from the site http://www.imow.org/wpp/stories/viewStory?storyId=933
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Darfur
Last night I had the opportunity to hear John Prendergast speak here at OSU. He spoke about Darfur and Beyond: What we can do to Confront the Human Rights Crisis in Africa. In the beginning he captured our attention with a real story of a mother escaping the genocide of her village only making it out with two of her four children. It is because of these stories that we must do something.
Prendergast mentioned the history of countries and the "growing pains" of new countries. He mentioned how Africa is depicted, in the media, as a hopeless place that is in lots of conflict, from movies like Blood Diamond and others, even when those countries are not in conflict anymore and have been peaceful for some time. He compared the wars of Europe with the wars of Africa. He mentioned how presidents try to make a better legend for themselves in the last months of their term and will focus on things they think the American people want.
But ultimately what he said was that we have the power to create this change we want to see. The fact that we filled up the auditorium on a Friday night to hear him talk shows the interest we have in helping to solve these issues. Writing letters to representatives and senators, calling the white house and letting our government know what we think is important will help guarantee that they do something about it. Also writing to the media and telling them we want to hear more about these issues will help. He said this is the first time there has been a large movement to end a genocide while it is still going on. He mentioned the connection of China's oil in the Sudan and the pressure we can apply to China with the Olympic Games coming up.
Overall it was a good talk ... He did talk for a long time tho ... But it was very informative
Prendergast mentioned the history of countries and the "growing pains" of new countries. He mentioned how Africa is depicted, in the media, as a hopeless place that is in lots of conflict, from movies like Blood Diamond and others, even when those countries are not in conflict anymore and have been peaceful for some time. He compared the wars of Europe with the wars of Africa. He mentioned how presidents try to make a better legend for themselves in the last months of their term and will focus on things they think the American people want.
But ultimately what he said was that we have the power to create this change we want to see. The fact that we filled up the auditorium on a Friday night to hear him talk shows the interest we have in helping to solve these issues. Writing letters to representatives and senators, calling the white house and letting our government know what we think is important will help guarantee that they do something about it. Also writing to the media and telling them we want to hear more about these issues will help. He said this is the first time there has been a large movement to end a genocide while it is still going on. He mentioned the connection of China's oil in the Sudan and the pressure we can apply to China with the Olympic Games coming up.
Overall it was a good talk ... He did talk for a long time tho ... But it was very informative
Carl's Jr. Commercial (Mechanical Bull Edition)
Okay so who has seen Carl's Jr.'s latest attempt to sell their six dollar burger using, you guessed it, sex. Now they have used this commercial before but I have seen it several times in the last week on tv. And I am sick of it. Can advertisers really not think of something better than a young white blonde woman riding a mechanical bull with "slow ride, take it easy" playing in the background with close ups of her hips and the obvious sex action that it is implying. REALLY!! This commercial does not make me want to eat at Carl's Jr. in fact it does the opposite and I doubt I will eat there again!
Now I can't say this surprises me looking at all the other commercials Carl's Jr. has come up with, there is the Paris Hilton car wash, the "flat buns," the buffalo wings with waitress and girlfriend, and the milk shake commercial. But these commercials are using women as sexual objects and it is just disgusting. Every time the commercial comes on I start yelling at my television and so I had to blog about it ...
Update: Watch Target Women
Now I can't say this surprises me looking at all the other commercials Carl's Jr. has come up with, there is the Paris Hilton car wash, the "flat buns," the buffalo wings with waitress and girlfriend, and the milk shake commercial. But these commercials are using women as sexual objects and it is just disgusting. Every time the commercial comes on I start yelling at my television and so I had to blog about it ...
Update: Watch Target Women
Monday, March 31, 2008
Confessions of a Feminist Interior Designer
I find myself as a Feminist Interior Designer feeling the need to explain my choices to a populace that may not understand the interconnectedness of these options. How does design fit in with the feminist agenda or how does feminism fit in with design? What constitutes a feminist and can a woman be a designer and feminist or does that cross some weird bound?
I have felt this need since finding both as my passions in life to explain their importance and relation. It makes since to me, two things I am passionate about would have to have similar characteristics. Yet, my design half feels flawed in the feminist world and my feminist half feels flawed in the design world. Also, I would have to say that feminists are more accepting of my design half than the designers of my feminist one. It is not in what they say but their reactions to what I say. I will admit that I, myself, could see both sides of the situation and at first did not think that the two fields could really go together either.
I joined the ranks of those who felt they were “not feminist enough” (as if there was some magical amount of things I must do to be a feminist). I desired to be a “good feminist” to fit in with that community. However, what I failed to realize, at the time, was that to fit in I had “to be real” to myself and to do that I had to be me and stop trying to live up to some ideal I had created of what a Feminist or an Interior Designer was or wasn't as I am both and as both expand the definitions of what they mean. Just as “a narrow stereotype has always eliminated most of the people in the room” I was eliminating myself through my own stereotype. I was making myself not feel like I fit with any group. I truly believe that the biggest hurdle we must all jump over on our path of self discovery is our own thoughts, stereotypes and judgments about ourselves.
So I created this blog, The Design of Gender, where my two halves combine into a whole. Whether you want to admit it or not design has a huge impact on our everyday lives because we live in a designed world that reflects its injustices. People design things and whether consciously or not may stigmatize against another group in society. Societies “norms” can be seen in design, the privilege and oppression can also be seen and created by the design. Looking at race and U.S. history one can see that spaces were clearly designated for certain people. The spaces were designed as separate places. The space we take up as people is defined by our designed world. Looking at the difference between a work environment and a home environment clearly shows the influences of gender on the design concepts. And who exactly designs the stores and houses and buildings we use everyday? There are few women architects.
In this feminist design blog, I can write about a range of topics relating to the designed world, gender, sexism, classism, ableism, feminism, and how these intersect and create barriers for people in everyday life. It is important that new designs stop creating separation and stigmatization. The design world has a huge impact on people. It can reinforce societal standards or break free and create a new world. New Universal Design is crucial to help end oppressions.
*references to "To Be Real: Telling the Truth and Changing the Face of Feminism"
I have felt this need since finding both as my passions in life to explain their importance and relation. It makes since to me, two things I am passionate about would have to have similar characteristics. Yet, my design half feels flawed in the feminist world and my feminist half feels flawed in the design world. Also, I would have to say that feminists are more accepting of my design half than the designers of my feminist one. It is not in what they say but their reactions to what I say. I will admit that I, myself, could see both sides of the situation and at first did not think that the two fields could really go together either.
I joined the ranks of those who felt they were “not feminist enough” (as if there was some magical amount of things I must do to be a feminist). I desired to be a “good feminist” to fit in with that community. However, what I failed to realize, at the time, was that to fit in I had “to be real” to myself and to do that I had to be me and stop trying to live up to some ideal I had created of what a Feminist or an Interior Designer was or wasn't as I am both and as both expand the definitions of what they mean. Just as “a narrow stereotype has always eliminated most of the people in the room” I was eliminating myself through my own stereotype. I was making myself not feel like I fit with any group. I truly believe that the biggest hurdle we must all jump over on our path of self discovery is our own thoughts, stereotypes and judgments about ourselves.
So I created this blog, The Design of Gender, where my two halves combine into a whole. Whether you want to admit it or not design has a huge impact on our everyday lives because we live in a designed world that reflects its injustices. People design things and whether consciously or not may stigmatize against another group in society. Societies “norms” can be seen in design, the privilege and oppression can also be seen and created by the design. Looking at race and U.S. history one can see that spaces were clearly designated for certain people. The spaces were designed as separate places. The space we take up as people is defined by our designed world. Looking at the difference between a work environment and a home environment clearly shows the influences of gender on the design concepts. And who exactly designs the stores and houses and buildings we use everyday? There are few women architects.
In this feminist design blog, I can write about a range of topics relating to the designed world, gender, sexism, classism, ableism, feminism, and how these intersect and create barriers for people in everyday life. It is important that new designs stop creating separation and stigmatization. The design world has a huge impact on people. It can reinforce societal standards or break free and create a new world. New Universal Design is crucial to help end oppressions.
*references to "To Be Real: Telling the Truth and Changing the Face of Feminism"
Store Layout
So I went shopping this past spring break week and noticed how many stores separate female clothing on the left and male clothing on the right. So why is it that men are on the right and therefore "right" while women are on the left and therefore "other" ? The right side is the most common dominate writng hand. I can't say that all stores were like this but it was enough that I took notice. However, I do remember one shoe store was opposite. Is it just that it is a fifty-fifty shot at which side the clothing lands on or is there another message? Further research needs to be conducted before any concrete findings can be asserted. What does everyone think? Has anyone else noticed this?
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
My Ethnicity Story
I am part of the “standardized test generation” and therefore know how to correctly fill in bubbles on test forms. However, when it comes to the “personal” question bubbles, I always had trouble. I hated the restricted options. How does one who fits in two bubbles respond? And those who don’t fit in any specific category?
See, I have always been very aware of my ethnicity. I have taken pride in being half Portuguese. In the fifth grade, I found it disheartening that I could not bubble in my “halfness” on the standardized state testing form all fifth graders were required to take. The teacher even asked us to raise our hands if we didn’t know which bubble we were supposed to fill in, if we didn’t know what our identity was. I remember her going around the room telling us our racial identity in a quick glance. We all learned something that day; we were white and you could tell just from looking at us. (My school is out in the country in a predominately white area, which could be somewhat of an understatement). I hated that I was denied the right to identify the “other half” that I was. (Yes, even in fifth grade the activist in me thought this was wrong.)
In middle school with more bubble standardized tests, I marked “other” in the race/ethnicity question on the sheet. I didn’t identify as any of the specific groups. I was my own category, my own person, and refused to conform to this notion that I should be one bubble, one identity, one life. However the “other” category has serious drawbacks not only in its name but its position in what being the “other” creates.
Throughout high school, I finally would fill in the “white” Caucasian bubble but had strong feelings against it. But in the eyes of everyone, I was white. I gave in to how society viewed me because the question was ultimately about how I was viewed from society’s standpoint and not my own identification.
During my freshman year of college, I lived in the Residence Halls on campus. I had a completely new roommate and life to become accustomed to. So when about a week into school my roommate decided to ask, “What’s your ethnicity?” My immediate response was to laugh. I have never in my life, before that moment, been asked what my ethnicity was. Even if I never liked identifying as a Caucasian person I knew that was how I was supposed to respond. I laughed at her political correctness of phrasing the question. I laughed at how she picked up on my subtle color difference. I laughed at the awkward timing of her question. Finally what I had known all along became more of a reality. I wasn’t just white; I was half Portuguese.
See, I have always been very aware of my ethnicity. I have taken pride in being half Portuguese. In the fifth grade, I found it disheartening that I could not bubble in my “halfness” on the standardized state testing form all fifth graders were required to take. The teacher even asked us to raise our hands if we didn’t know which bubble we were supposed to fill in, if we didn’t know what our identity was. I remember her going around the room telling us our racial identity in a quick glance. We all learned something that day; we were white and you could tell just from looking at us. (My school is out in the country in a predominately white area, which could be somewhat of an understatement). I hated that I was denied the right to identify the “other half” that I was. (Yes, even in fifth grade the activist in me thought this was wrong.)
In middle school with more bubble standardized tests, I marked “other” in the race/ethnicity question on the sheet. I didn’t identify as any of the specific groups. I was my own category, my own person, and refused to conform to this notion that I should be one bubble, one identity, one life. However the “other” category has serious drawbacks not only in its name but its position in what being the “other” creates.
Throughout high school, I finally would fill in the “white” Caucasian bubble but had strong feelings against it. But in the eyes of everyone, I was white. I gave in to how society viewed me because the question was ultimately about how I was viewed from society’s standpoint and not my own identification.
During my freshman year of college, I lived in the Residence Halls on campus. I had a completely new roommate and life to become accustomed to. So when about a week into school my roommate decided to ask, “What’s your ethnicity?” My immediate response was to laugh. I have never in my life, before that moment, been asked what my ethnicity was. Even if I never liked identifying as a Caucasian person I knew that was how I was supposed to respond. I laughed at her political correctness of phrasing the question. I laughed at how she picked up on my subtle color difference. I laughed at the awkward timing of her question. Finally what I had known all along became more of a reality. I wasn’t just white; I was half Portuguese.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Exploring Ableism through Design: A Day in a Wheelchair
Recently, as part of a class assignment, I had to check out a wheelchair and go to my classes on campus and explore how design affects everyday occurrences for different abilities. So for half a day I got to experience ableism and how the designed world helps create and stigmatize people of different physical abilities. We are often taught as young children to not stare at "different" people. But we are intrigued by that difference and look because of it. When does looking change to staring?
Socializing ideas taught at a young age continue into adulthood. Being in the wheelchair, I found myself the center of the idea of "not staring." People would look and then look away. I was there but not really acknowledged. And people would try to help but didn't want to step on my own ability to navigate the world for myself. Some asked while others just opened the door for me with a kind smile. People are nice but still are uncertain of what they are supposed to do and not do when it comes to helping.
My independent nature meant I wanted to do everything myself. Though I don't know what I would have done without the kindness of total strangers. A woman offered to push me up the hill I was attempting to wheel up by myself. I was happy to have the help. It is a tough world out there, navigating in a wheelchair in an environment built for the mythical norm of able bodied people, especially on a college campus built long ago.
However, I found even the newest building, which is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, hard to navigate in a wheelchair. Simple things like the weight of doors or the height of tables and counters were impediments to my normal daily tasks. I would have thought that universal design principles would have been incorporated in this new building that was also designed to be so eco-friendly. One of the positive features was the step-less entry. I could use the same entrance as everyone else. I was not forced because of my different ability to use a back entrance designed after the building was built. Ordering food, using a water fountain, library computer and the bathroom were interesting tasks to complete as well.
After I returned the wheelchair, I had a new found appreciation for being able to walk. I noticed that the smoothness of the sidewalk makes a huge difference and even slight slopes are hard to roll up.
I feel that universal design is important in helping to eradicate ableism in society simply by designing for all abilities. Everyone can benefit from these design principles from children to older adults and parents with children in strollers. Design can promote equality and that is a powerful thing.
The next time you are walking around notice how different it would be in a wheelchair. Are the doors automatic? How are the table heights, or counter heights? Is the brick or the sidewalk going to be a smooth surface to roll over? Notice sink and paper towel heights in bathrooms.
Become aware of your surroundings.
Socializing ideas taught at a young age continue into adulthood. Being in the wheelchair, I found myself the center of the idea of "not staring." People would look and then look away. I was there but not really acknowledged. And people would try to help but didn't want to step on my own ability to navigate the world for myself. Some asked while others just opened the door for me with a kind smile. People are nice but still are uncertain of what they are supposed to do and not do when it comes to helping.
My independent nature meant I wanted to do everything myself. Though I don't know what I would have done without the kindness of total strangers. A woman offered to push me up the hill I was attempting to wheel up by myself. I was happy to have the help. It is a tough world out there, navigating in a wheelchair in an environment built for the mythical norm of able bodied people, especially on a college campus built long ago.
However, I found even the newest building, which is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, hard to navigate in a wheelchair. Simple things like the weight of doors or the height of tables and counters were impediments to my normal daily tasks. I would have thought that universal design principles would have been incorporated in this new building that was also designed to be so eco-friendly. One of the positive features was the step-less entry. I could use the same entrance as everyone else. I was not forced because of my different ability to use a back entrance designed after the building was built. Ordering food, using a water fountain, library computer and the bathroom were interesting tasks to complete as well.
After I returned the wheelchair, I had a new found appreciation for being able to walk. I noticed that the smoothness of the sidewalk makes a huge difference and even slight slopes are hard to roll up.
I feel that universal design is important in helping to eradicate ableism in society simply by designing for all abilities. Everyone can benefit from these design principles from children to older adults and parents with children in strollers. Design can promote equality and that is a powerful thing.
The next time you are walking around notice how different it would be in a wheelchair. Are the doors automatic? How are the table heights, or counter heights? Is the brick or the sidewalk going to be a smooth surface to roll over? Notice sink and paper towel heights in bathrooms.
Become aware of your surroundings.
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