Could anything be more repulsive?

One of my "european-minded" friends recently sent me the link to an article called "A small, vocal group of women wants you to toss out your pads, tampons and liners and go -- no joke -- reusable." The article basically talks about reusable tampons and pads. Ones that the female physically has to clean before using again.

The article should have been called, "A small, vocal group of women who have gone mad and don't bleed between their legs monthly, and haven't bleed for many, many years, thus forgetting what bleeding between thine legs is like."

I am all about the green movement, don't get me wrong. BUT, there are certain instances where it is okay NOT to reduce, reuse and recycle. For goodness sakes, who wants to clean up their own blood? It's one thing if it's a scrapped knee, paper cut... and I'm not even going to get into any more details - the thought repulses me... ewww!

I know I don't have a strong readership on my blog, but I imagine if I did this post would get comments. Anyway - here are some "juicy, aka highly disturbing" tidbits" from the article.

The pretext to this is the crazy woman talking about "pad lingerie." There are sexy animal print designs, lacy designs and fancy colors...

"The pads' colorful patterns bring an aspect of fun to her cycle, Eve says. "I went to a bead store and picked some fancy stones to make a bracelet to wear while I was bleeding," she says, explaining that such activities are positive diversions from cramps and fatigue. Other women, according to Eve, water their plants with their menstrual blood (gathered from the soaked pads) and even use their blood to make artwork.

Eve calls these acts "empowering," and says they help women "cope" with menstruation. While there's nothing inherently wrong with these methods of dealing, most women would just call them gross. Although few may find it necessary to do more with their blood than flush it, Kellogg says women do need to get over their stereotypes of female bodily functions."

I don't have much else to say about this -- other than I find it absolutely REPULSIVE! Who in their right mind needs to be empowered by menstruation? It happens, it's a natural thing. There shouldn't be an excuse to "cope." And if there is an excuse it should involve: binge drinking, chocolate, bubble baths, red wine, chocolate, elastic pants, chocolate, martinis and sweats. *This is how most women cope with their menstruation and feel empowered. *

Good night nurse!

Being married is like being SINGLE

Yes, it is true. Being married is like being SINGLE. Instead of looking for a mate, you look for friends who can relate to the situation. And what situation is that all you truly single folks ask yourselves?

Here is the breakdown. Since we have been married here are some trends I have noticed:

1) People don't call as much.
2) New single friends don't always call you.
3) Other married couples don't always call you.
4) Single non-acquaintance individuals of your age group treat you like a lunatic.
5) It's way harder to meet people. (PERIOD).

Now for some clarifications.

1) People don't call as much. This is true, but why I am not sure. Sometimes I think that folks think that if you are married, you must be busy doing "married couple things." Let me tell you - since being married, we do the same "single" things as we do as "married couple things." Nothing has changed! (Except the phone bill is much lower than before...)

2) New single friends are great, don't get me wrong. But, it's strange, different, lo k sea. I think the assumption is that we probably already have plans or would prefer to stay home and whisper sweet nothings to each other. Let me disclaim this explanation: Almost all of our new single friends are males. I think they think that on the weekends we never leave the bedroom. No need to call and interrupt our "couple time." Oh - pleease! We still need to eat, drink, laugh and socialize with others.

3) Other married couples don't call either. Must be because they would prefer "couple time" versus joint "couple time." Props to them - but Peds and I are both social people. We like to see others - especially those who are in the same situation. Wearing a wedding band doesn't mean you are on house arrest once the clock frickin' strikes 8 p.m. Ay!! I think we need to put out a personal ad "Married couple seeks other married couple friends. Must be adventurous and enjoy good wine, beer and movies. Interest in travel and camping is a plus."

4) This is true. I quote (as Peds and I were leaving a party on a Thursday at 11:30 p.m., since I had to work the next morning at 8 a.m.) "I don't worry about them, they are married." Okay idiot - nice come back. I am so insulted, you pegged me good. Saying married like it was calling me a fatso or a slut. Good one. The sad thing is that this kid probably hasn't had the company of someone in his bed since he was 10 and climbed into his parents' bed after having night terrors. It is strange though - when people hear you are married they look at you differently. (Males mostly, as secretly almost any female desires to married off). I am sure in 5 years this will change, but being in the student crowd does yield many crazy looks.

5) Yes, enough said. Being married, in a new city makes it near impossible to meet new people.
Where do you go out to meet good friends? Just like you don't want to meet a sig other at a bar - is a bar the best place to meet friends? The grocery store hasn't worked. I think we need to try the library ;).

Anyway - that is the reflection. Is there a simple answer? No. I talked to my mother about this recently and she said my dad and her didn't really meet people until they had kids. Well... looks like Peds and I have some time to wait - because that is definitely not in the cards anytime soon.

:)

~Me encantaria poder escribir todo de esto en espanol, pero es k esta demasiado chungo.~

Censored

You hear the bleeepppp and assume it was one of the overly used four letter wonders of the English language. Half the time I hear the bleep I already find myself saying or at least thinking the word in my head. No biggie.

What I find repulsive is that things much much worse than a f-bomb are not censored. I think the feeble minds of Americans can handle the cuss words - we all use them from time to time. What we should not have to handle is uncensored verbal violence.

I've been thinking about this theme a lot lately - and more this weekend than most because I had total system overload of Spaniards (god love them, but my brain is still mush!). We were all at a bar and it was the WWF wrestling finals.

I've never liked this type of "sport." I remember my brothers being really into "The Rock" and running around the house pretending (thank god) to imitate the wrestlers. It's besides the point how I feel about the sport. That it is a stupid waste of time, energy and brain power. (Oh - nevermind to qualify to be competing you basically already have to be brain dead and from the Bible Belt -- do you smell irony?).

Anyway, I was particularly disgusted by the intro before fight. Each "fighter" spoke in great extend about how their wishes to maul / gore / induce ungodly pains on the opponent. It was really graphic. If I could have covered my ears I would have. *Note: I do cover my eyes frequently when I don't want to see what will happen*.

What most irked me about these intros was the fact they fricking bleeped out the cuss words. Since when was 'fudge' and any other cuss word worse than listening to someone talk about how they wanted to pummel a human being to the ground and 'have them taste their own blood in the back of their throat."

Isn't that what should be censored?

Regardless - it's not the type of program that any child should be watching. But, if they do -- I think the f-bombs are the least of the problems. Nothing like watching two protein'ed-out meatheads beat the living shit out of each other. Why censor that when you can throw in a few bleeping bleeps instead of addressing the real mother bleeping issue at hand!

Anyway - that's my two cents on the subject. Put another quarter in if you want to hear more.

Americano beauty

I admit instead of doing something more productive with my Saturday night - we stayed in and I watched (and Peds half-did-half didn't) the Miss American Pageant. Miss Michigan won; and let's just say she looked smoking in a bikini, her evening gown and with the vocal practice sang well.

It's not that there was nothing else on TV, because there wasn't; but I watched this to reminisce of my yesteryears. I remember slumber parties of dressing up and casting our votes. This year was yet another disappoint, however; on a much more mature level. When I was 8 I was said that Miss Minnesota/Wisconsin/Illinois did not win. This year I was more disappointed that as hard as the organization tries to do good - they lack the key elements to do so. *It's called brains* And yes, I do not doubt the contestants are all smart and educated women. They are also all size 0 and wearing push-up bras. That is fine. What is not fine is that over 80% of the pageant is based on sheer looks.

The final 10 contestants get 20 seconds to answer a rhetorical questions I swear 6 of the 10 questions either had Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and her lil' sis and Lindsay Lohan. Are these individuals even worth getting more national publicity? Is it necessary to have questions about this? How about our country's political system, health care, repression, unemployment rate (*hello - you're from Michigan and you didn't mention it?), war, pollution... etc. etc. etc. I think these are much more current and, dare I say, important questions.

Should Lil' Spears still have a job on Nik since she's preggie?
How it is that Paris does nothing, but gets so much publicity?
What would you do about binge drinking - like that of L. Lohan?

Come on America. Who gives a shit! Are these really the important issues? The best questions was ... 75% of America don't think the country is heading in the right way - what would you do about this? What the H - E double toothpicks do you say to that? Well the brainster starting talking about rolemodels and then proceeded to waste her remaining 15 secs gabbering on about the infamous names of above (of the Spears, Lohan and Paris variety). **ARRRGG!!!

Frustrating - very frustrating. But, alas, there is mainstream media for ya'll.

Put a pretty face, not to mention skinny, in front of the young audience that is watching the program. (And us closet watchers who had nothing better to do - I know you're out there too!). And what do they see? Young women prancing around in bikinis, revealing and highly impractical evening gowns and singing. The perfect ingredients for a true role model.

Where is my barf bag anyway?

All right, so I am resentful. I always wanted to be in the pageant business. I had my shiny moment once at the 'Sconie State Fair. As I was the summer intern and helping out the chef - we had a guest appearance from Miss Wisconsin. Well, when they announced her name - I oblivious to the announcement, walked out on stage to deliver some things for the chef. Everyone clapped, as I stood there is a baseball cap and over-sized apron. I think the crowd quickly realized that I was not Miss Wisconsin, just the summer intern. Not made-up enough to be the real things. And sure enough, the "real one" walked out moments after this wearing her little skirt and heels. So close... so close.

And the newspaper says..." Usually tame by modern TV standards, the swimwear competition kicked it up a notch. Most contestants wore black bikinis, and some struck provocative poses and twirled as the audience howled."

Enough said. I digress...

Plu-empleada

Seguro que no he escrito el titulo bien -- ni esa frase. Es que a penas uso mi espanol. Me case con un espanol para hablar ingles - o mejor dicho - para hablar spanglish. aycaramba ;o)

So back to the native tongues we go.

Well as of this week I will be employed at three different locations. Call me crazy. Call me an overachiever. Or call me 'working in the non-profit world' and trying to make a living. *s* No, but really I am extremely happy. It finally seems like all my lucky stars are in line. Now we just have to stay here so I can make it all happen - I have a vision - and I know I can make it happen. (Peds si estas leyendo esto - ya sabes ;)).

I have had the same sound byte from our faithless leader in my head ever since it happened that I accumulated so many jobs. (By the way there are at least two others in the pipeline, but I have laid off the overzealous idea that I have 80 hours in a day. I conform with 3). Anyway - there is some clip during the campaign or something or another where he *literally* commends the woman for having two jobs and working 60 hours a week. "Now that is America. The american dream" No - ass wipe that is called making a living! Some of us aren't are fortunate to have one, rock star job that we can punch in a 9, punch out at 5 and drive a sexy sports car. Some people actually have to sweat and get dirty to make ends meet and pay rent at the end of the month. So I laugh at that "the american dream" bullshit. Who dreams about working their life away?

*Please note -- I am very happily employed at multiple locations.* I've just been thinking about all the people who don't have a choice to have just one job. They have to work days and nights. They sacrifice time with their family, friends, sig others, lovers, pets... etc. That is not right. Granted, I too sacrifice that time - but it's because half the time no one is around anyway. I'd prefer to use my brain in so-called "after hours' (Para los espanoles -- es a las 5. No hay siesta y no volvemos a la oficina despues de almuerzo ;) -- como me gustaria tener esto de nuevo...).

I am not sure if this post even makes sense. In a nutshell - I raise my glass (of water, it's Monday) to all those hard-working, crazy Americans out there. Those who work their butts off for the weekend.

~*a

~*Algo bonito*~

Thought I would make a post that is more appealing to the eye... ;).
I haven't had too much time to play with the camera, but when I do I will try to post something.

It is just the beginning of a very eventful week - and I guess that I can deal with beginnings. Life is just full of them. Guess that is what makes it so darn exciting, crazy, interesting, stressful and everything else.

Talk. Talk.. Talk.

Lots in the grey mass right now. I find that every time Peds and I watch documentary films it gets the juices pumping again -- not to mention I am at the turning point of my professional life once again. (For someone my age this isn't normal ;)).

We have recently seen two documentaries -- Who killed the electric car and Jesus Camp.

Each has gotten me thinking. The fact the car companies killed the electric car is moronic. I did not even know such a thing exists. I wonder what other crazy things are going around the street of L.A. these days? (Other than Ms. Spears in her wedding dress). Doesn't seem right to me that only the rich and famous (and communities surrounding those) get to know of these things. Oh well. I guess my life isn't that significant in the Midwest ;).

The other film perhaps got under my skin most. Kids being programmed to live a life without sin. Isn't childhood all about living in sin? Eating more candy than you should, staying outside playing after mom calls you in for dinner, putting your elbows on the table, eating with your mouth open, not brushing your teeth, playing 'make-believe'. I didn't think reading Harry Potter could be the Devil's will. Thought that was childhood. Don't get my wrong religion is great - and something, in my opinion, children should have in their life. However, it should not be force fed - mind-numbing and brain washing. Oh well. Off my pedestal I will go.

The thing that bothers me most about both of these films - is how easy it is for me to believe what I see and be affected by it. I do like documentary films, but it almost makes me crave the other half. It's not the full story - no matter how 'well' they think they do portray both sides. I do not believe everything I hear. But, I guess I do think about the things I see and experience - all too much -- on so many multiple levels.

It's like the Brothers K. -- the layered onion. As you peel away one layer you discover there is another. And another. And another. Etc. Etc. Etc. Sometimes the layers make your cry - blur your vision - pain with hunger.

In a nutshell - I like to think, whether it be relevant to my life or not. I enjoy thinking. :)