Miscommunication Exemplified.

I’m beginning to think Willy didn’t want to be freed.

Poor Willy.

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For the Love of the Government.

Any time I’ve ever heard talk about the conspiracy theories of the US governement’s involvement in the events of 9/11, I immediately dismissed it. However, after watching a documentary called Loose Change it’s almost impossible to deny the possibility that it could be true. I’ve posted the documentary below, but first, here’s a note from the filmmakers, Dylan Avery and Korey Rowe:

We have tried our best to avoid controversial or speculative topics and have made an effort to focus only on subjects we could prove as fact, supported either by hard, physical evidence, massive amounts of corroborating eyewitness testimony or both.

We have endured a lot of negative remarks and hostility, all for simply wanting to understand more about a terrible tragedy that not only took the lives of thousands of people in the United States, but also took endless more in its name during the wars that followed. We want a new investigation into the events of 9/11, not only because the first one was demonstrably inadequate but also because there has been ample testimony made by enough experts from around the world to bring the findings of the 9/11 Commission into question.

We are not dealing with conspiracy theories. We are dealing with facts. We are asking for the Truth and our requests will not cease until they are legitimately met. Until then, we must continue to ask questions and demand answers.

Note: This is part one. You can stream this on Netflix or watch the rest of it on Youtube. 

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Unconventionally Sexy.

I decided to be unconventionally sexy this year to prevent sexual harassment in public space (Hollaback!).

Horse Driver.

Ps.  If you haven’t seen the movie DRIVE yet, go see it!

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Hollaback, Girl!

I hear it all the time and have said it myself:  “I have the right to walk down the street and not be whistled at by a complete stranger.”  And that’s true.  I agree with you as does Emily May, Executive Director of Hollaback!.   Hollaback! is an international movement to address sexual harassment that occurs in public space by using technology and social media.  (learn more here).  Check out this “Voices from the Field” video:

The thing that is not addressed in the video is why street harassment exists in the first place.  I feel like I’m taking a risk in suggesting this but I do think fighting street harassment includes educating some women on how to carry themselves.  If I walk to the bar wearing 5″ heels, a gold mini skirt, and a sheer black blouse without a bra, and a guy whistles at me, is that street harassment? Or is that a cause and effect kind of thing?  But even that doesn’t really get to the root of the problem in our culture.  There are so many other things like the objectification of women in advertising, for example, which not only shapes the way we, as women, look at ourselves, but also effects how men look at us…  More power to ya Emily May!  Street Harassment sounds like one tough deep-rooted nut to crack.

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Ladies and Gentlemen, the definition of love.

Anyone who can come up with an accurate, all encompassing, universal definition of love should be elevated to the highest place imaginable in society because they will have accomplished the impossible.  In my best attempted, I came up with, “Love is the absence of hate.”  One some level, it’s pretty true.  My new friend Evan tried to challenge me on it:

Evan: How would you define love?
Me:  As the absence of hate.
Evan: But… what about like?  That’s not hate or love.
Me:  Sure it is.  It’s platonic love.
Evan: Fine then what about lust?
Me:  That’s selfish love, which might as well just be hate.

Soon after having this conversation, Evan and I went to see the movie Paper Heart.

If you haven’t already seen the movie Paper Heart, I recommend seeing it.  It’s a good one to see if you’re in a relationship, or if you’re single, or even if you’ve just recently gotten dumped.  (I promise it’s not one of those make-you-want-to-slit-your-wrist romantic comedies that rubs salt in the wound).  I was in a terrible mood when I saw it and yet I laughed the whole way through.

There were a few scenes in the movie that I thought were a little contrived but if you’re able to look past those, it’s a cute story (staged to be a documentary) about a girl whose experiences of “love” have turned her into a modern-day skeptic (Hey! That’s me!).  The film tells the story of her trip across the country to find the answer to her question: Does true love really exist?  …only, she didn’t really find an answer, unless the answer is that she’s the problem… so… yeah.

Why didn’t I think of this first?

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“Carts of Darkness.”

Apparently, riding shopping carts down steep hills is kind of a big deal here among a select crowd of homeless people…

You can watch the entire documentary online here: http://www.nfb.ca/film/carts_of_darkness

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The man code.

Last week I watched “The Bachelorette” and was rooting for David… until he opened his mouth and started talking.  But as much as he annoyed me, I learned something from him that I never knew existed.  Get ready for this…  THE MAN CODE.  It all started when the guys were sitting around drinking (what else to they do on that show?  It’s the only way they can get them to talk).  One guy supposedly faked taking a shot which was a big no-no according to the “man code.”  David was really upset about it and stated that this shot-faking guy should be tied to a tree and beaten.  Quizzical looks were given to which he replied, “What?  It’s the man code!”

Now, what exactly IS “The Man Code?”  Is it an unsaid list of rules that are universally known by men everywhere?  Rules that define manhood?  If that’s the case (and if it defines manhood for guys like David) I imagine it would look something like this:

1. Always pay for your date’s dinner.  To do otherwise demonstrates weakness.
2. If you feel threatened, puff out your chest and talk louder to intimidate and scare your enemy away.
3. You shall NEVER fake taking a shot or any alcoholic beverage.
4. Use macho speak including but not limited to phrases like ”Yo baby – wuz up?” “DAAAMMMNNNN you look good girl,” “Dude,” and when someone crosses you, “He deserves to die.”
5. Never believe “no” really means no.
6. Never accept responsibility for anything that goes wrong;  Always take credit for things that go right.
7. Never be caught dead applying any kind of lip product.
8. Don’t be upset if your girl makes more than you. In fact, embrace it.  And then exploit it.
9. If necessary, use emotional manipulation to get what you want.
10. Any “action” obtained must be embellished ie: a single = a triple; a strikeout = a single.

* In the event that a man breaks any one of the rules listed in the man code, he shall be tied to a tree and beaten.

(Here’s my little disclaimer:  I’m not a believer in the said “Man Code.”  But guys like David make it hard to resist commenting on the ridiculousness of the matter).

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Walken by Wilco.

I was recently introduced to the musical group Wilco (the perks of having friends with great musical taste).  I tired to find a good recording on their song “Walken” on youtube and this is the best I could come up with.  You really gotta check it out on itunes.  I love it.  The song is really quite catchy (and romantic).

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“Adult theme park gets Chinese talking about sex.”

I would put down money that none of you thought you’d see the day when sex became a theme park.  Well, the day is here and I find myself shaking my head in awe.  I’m totally miffed.

According to the article, “China is building its first sexually explicit theme park, and the giant genitalia sculptures and suggestive exhibits are getting many people hot and bothered in a country where talking about sex is still taboo.”

Apparently, the park is more about sex education than anything else but I can’t imagine my high school sex-ed teacher taking our class on a field trip.

The park manager notes, “I have to pay attention and not make the park look vulgar and nasty.”  Interesting task for a park filled with “giant genitalia sculptures and suggestive exhibits.”

Read the article here.

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Hope it gives you hell.

I like this song.

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