Peoople, I am off into the wonder world of airport security, plane food, and abnoxious fellow travelers. I'll keep you posted on the developments as soon as internet is available.
Toodles.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
On Britney and bride kidnapping
I’ve decided that this blog has turned into some sort of a ranting blabber but I promise, I’ll try to write about more light-hearted topics soon.
Anyhow, I was watching PBS the other night and they had a story about bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan. I saw the second half of it, I had to see what the Britney and Kevin hoopla was all about. Not surprisingly, it left me feeling nauseous. I admit, there may have been other causes for the nausea, but watching K-Fed tongue-ing Britney, who was chewing gum at the same time, was fairly repulsive.
So when I switched to PBS, a young Kyrgyz lad was on a look-out for his soon-to-be bride who essentially is some chick he thought was cute. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find her and decided to kidnap her friend instead whom he hadn’t met before but thought she would do fine. The translation of his thoughts about her was something along the lines of: “I liked her looks.” Anyways, his parents were really excited about the kidnapping, especially the mother who apparently needed someone to tend to the family’s flock of sheep. Yep, life in Kyrgyzstan is never dull. So they bring the poor girl to the family’s hut and the girl is crying the whole time, saying that she came to the big city, Osh, to earn some money and attend the University; clearly, sheepherding wasn’t her plan. After some persuasion, which to me seemed really acted out, they let the girl go who then proceeded to run like the wind. OK, I made up the running part.
The story goes into a tragic event where a woman was kidnapped and a week later, the body was delivered to her parents’ house. Apparently, she had committed suicide and the father suspected that she had been raped.
But the narrator ends with a more uplifted story about a woman who got kidnapped and now lives happily ever after with her dashing Kyrgyz husband and is now 2 months pregnant. The wife said something along the lines of: “Being kidnapped is not so bad. Now I have someone to dream with.” And the female narrator comments that despite feminist views of women’s rights, perhaps bride kidnapping is not so bad after all.
Which brings me to the point of the day (which I then decided to discuss with my friend on the phone and I have a feeling that she thinks I am on crack. Which I am but that’s a new post). You hear a lot about these traditions that emphasize male dominance. But then you learn that some women (not all but a fair amount) are actually happy with the tradition and want to keep it going. In fact, during the story, a mother said that she wouldn’t be opposed to her daughter being kidnapped because bride kidnapping is in “Kyrgyz blood.” So essentially, according to our standards, bride kidnapping is wrong, against women’s rights and those who subject themselves to it, don’t know any better and blindly comply with traditions.
But who says they’re wrong?
I tried to bring this point as far as female genital mutilation (and I already predict that there are a whole lot of people out there already rolling their eyes, that is if they even get to this point), which is not much different from our ways, mainly make-up, cute outfits, maybe even plastic surgery, to make ourselves more desirable for the object of our desire. Of course, at the same time, I don’t want to say that I am all about tearing out a woman’s clitoris and sewing her vagina shut. That hurts. A lot. And for a long time. Not to mention other awful consequences and lack of any sort of enjoyment of sex. But my point is that a lot of this is driven by the human desire to be attractive, to be accepted, to be desired, and, ultimately, to be with another human companion. Whether being cut or kidnapped or wearing a mini-skirt with uncomfortable high heels.
And men undergo similar process, although they don’t cut their genitals (unless they decide to convert to Judaism to impress a lucky lass) but I know a whole lot of men who do things to make themselves be more desirable, whatever desirable means for them or women they are lusting after.
So ultimately, as long as there is a choice, especially when it’s something as drastic as genital mutilation, a tradition is a tradition. Despite the fact it may make someone uncomfortable. As a side note, several societies in Africa have stopped practicing genital mutilation with the help of men who spoke and took action against mutilation. Yet, despite this, women continue the practice.
Anyhow, I was watching PBS the other night and they had a story about bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan. I saw the second half of it, I had to see what the Britney and Kevin hoopla was all about. Not surprisingly, it left me feeling nauseous. I admit, there may have been other causes for the nausea, but watching K-Fed tongue-ing Britney, who was chewing gum at the same time, was fairly repulsive.
So when I switched to PBS, a young Kyrgyz lad was on a look-out for his soon-to-be bride who essentially is some chick he thought was cute. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find her and decided to kidnap her friend instead whom he hadn’t met before but thought she would do fine. The translation of his thoughts about her was something along the lines of: “I liked her looks.” Anyways, his parents were really excited about the kidnapping, especially the mother who apparently needed someone to tend to the family’s flock of sheep. Yep, life in Kyrgyzstan is never dull. So they bring the poor girl to the family’s hut and the girl is crying the whole time, saying that she came to the big city, Osh, to earn some money and attend the University; clearly, sheepherding wasn’t her plan. After some persuasion, which to me seemed really acted out, they let the girl go who then proceeded to run like the wind. OK, I made up the running part.
The story goes into a tragic event where a woman was kidnapped and a week later, the body was delivered to her parents’ house. Apparently, she had committed suicide and the father suspected that she had been raped.
But the narrator ends with a more uplifted story about a woman who got kidnapped and now lives happily ever after with her dashing Kyrgyz husband and is now 2 months pregnant. The wife said something along the lines of: “Being kidnapped is not so bad. Now I have someone to dream with.” And the female narrator comments that despite feminist views of women’s rights, perhaps bride kidnapping is not so bad after all.
Which brings me to the point of the day (which I then decided to discuss with my friend on the phone and I have a feeling that she thinks I am on crack. Which I am but that’s a new post). You hear a lot about these traditions that emphasize male dominance. But then you learn that some women (not all but a fair amount) are actually happy with the tradition and want to keep it going. In fact, during the story, a mother said that she wouldn’t be opposed to her daughter being kidnapped because bride kidnapping is in “Kyrgyz blood.” So essentially, according to our standards, bride kidnapping is wrong, against women’s rights and those who subject themselves to it, don’t know any better and blindly comply with traditions.
But who says they’re wrong?
I tried to bring this point as far as female genital mutilation (and I already predict that there are a whole lot of people out there already rolling their eyes, that is if they even get to this point), which is not much different from our ways, mainly make-up, cute outfits, maybe even plastic surgery, to make ourselves more desirable for the object of our desire. Of course, at the same time, I don’t want to say that I am all about tearing out a woman’s clitoris and sewing her vagina shut. That hurts. A lot. And for a long time. Not to mention other awful consequences and lack of any sort of enjoyment of sex. But my point is that a lot of this is driven by the human desire to be attractive, to be accepted, to be desired, and, ultimately, to be with another human companion. Whether being cut or kidnapped or wearing a mini-skirt with uncomfortable high heels.
And men undergo similar process, although they don’t cut their genitals (unless they decide to convert to Judaism to impress a lucky lass) but I know a whole lot of men who do things to make themselves be more desirable, whatever desirable means for them or women they are lusting after.
So ultimately, as long as there is a choice, especially when it’s something as drastic as genital mutilation, a tradition is a tradition. Despite the fact it may make someone uncomfortable. As a side note, several societies in Africa have stopped practicing genital mutilation with the help of men who spoke and took action against mutilation. Yet, despite this, women continue the practice.
Monday, May 23, 2005
A little irked with Laura Bush
Laura Bush went to the Middle East on a “good-will” mission. According to the New York Times, “she urged rights for Women in the Middle East.”
Now, that’s nice. And I, in no way, want to say that women in the Middle East are not in dire need of equal rights but last time I checked, I was unable to get the morning after pill unless I had a prescription from the doctor. This wasn’t much of a problem for me because I had health insurance at the time and could set up an appointment with a doctor. Of course, I needed the prescription on Saturday and what doctor works on Saturday? Which also brings me to another point – when do people usually have sex? Most likely on weekends… and the morning after pill has to be taken within 72 hours after intercourse. And according to my doctor, the sooner one takes it, the better it works. Hence its name – morning after. Then again, I should be thankful that I don’t live in bumble-fuck USA where pharmacists refuse to fill birth control prescriptions based on their personal ethics and morals.
And currently, women are paid 76 cents when compared to each dollar that a man earns. That is, if women can find a job. Because last time I checked, women still had a higher unemployment rate than men.
So Laura Bush, I am sure it’s noble of you to try to help your husband by sweeping his botched job under the rug but take a look at your own back yard before going out, all high and mighty, calling for women’s rights.
Now, that’s nice. And I, in no way, want to say that women in the Middle East are not in dire need of equal rights but last time I checked, I was unable to get the morning after pill unless I had a prescription from the doctor. This wasn’t much of a problem for me because I had health insurance at the time and could set up an appointment with a doctor. Of course, I needed the prescription on Saturday and what doctor works on Saturday? Which also brings me to another point – when do people usually have sex? Most likely on weekends… and the morning after pill has to be taken within 72 hours after intercourse. And according to my doctor, the sooner one takes it, the better it works. Hence its name – morning after. Then again, I should be thankful that I don’t live in bumble-fuck USA where pharmacists refuse to fill birth control prescriptions based on their personal ethics and morals.
And currently, women are paid 76 cents when compared to each dollar that a man earns. That is, if women can find a job. Because last time I checked, women still had a higher unemployment rate than men.
So Laura Bush, I am sure it’s noble of you to try to help your husband by sweeping his botched job under the rug but take a look at your own back yard before going out, all high and mighty, calling for women’s rights.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Eurovision vs American Idol
So I am quite sure that most of the US population has never heard of Eurovision (in fact, most of the US population hasn’t heard of global warming so why would they hear of a bunch of singing Europeans?). This, I think, is a real pity since Eurovision is pretty much the same thing as American Idol except cheesier, tackier, and much more easier to make fun of!
Just like American Idol, Eurovision has scandals; albeit they are not at par with Paula Abdul’s “coaching” of contestants, but apparently, Lithuania’s contestant Laura (as you can see, she is really cool unlike the rest of us mortals with first and last names) proclaimed that Kiev, the capital of Ukraine where Eurovision took place this year, has more gays than people. The comment itself is fairly amusing, considering that in the past, there were several gays and even transsexuals in the singing contest (c’mon, a singing contest!), thus making me wonder if she thought that Eurovision is a stiff affair fit for afternoon tea and cucumber finger sandwiches.
Just like American Idol, Eurovision’s contestants get to sing the cheesiest songs a person could ever imagine. Only Eurovision’s are even cheesier! Cyprus’ Constantinos Christoforou enlightens everyone of his virility by encouraging everyone to: “Just cross the line/You have no time/My persistence is outrageous/You'll be mine cause I'm contagious.”
And just like American Idol, Eurovision’s contestants get to wear incredible outfits. Only their outfits are even tackier! Check out the blazers, not to mention hair, on Walter and Kazha (yea, I have no clue about their names either) from Latvia. Being from Latvia, fortunately, I have full rights to make fun of Latvians.
So Bo Bice, Nadia Turner, Constantine Maroulis, and Scott Savol, some of you may look funny, some of you may have funny names, and some of you beat your ex-girlfriend, but you got nothing when compared to the tacky and cheesy international brotherly & sisterly love called Eurovision.
Just like American Idol, Eurovision has scandals; albeit they are not at par with Paula Abdul’s “coaching” of contestants, but apparently, Lithuania’s contestant Laura (as you can see, she is really cool unlike the rest of us mortals with first and last names) proclaimed that Kiev, the capital of Ukraine where Eurovision took place this year, has more gays than people. The comment itself is fairly amusing, considering that in the past, there were several gays and even transsexuals in the singing contest (c’mon, a singing contest!), thus making me wonder if she thought that Eurovision is a stiff affair fit for afternoon tea and cucumber finger sandwiches.
Just like American Idol, Eurovision’s contestants get to sing the cheesiest songs a person could ever imagine. Only Eurovision’s are even cheesier! Cyprus’ Constantinos Christoforou enlightens everyone of his virility by encouraging everyone to: “Just cross the line/You have no time/My persistence is outrageous/You'll be mine cause I'm contagious.”
And just like American Idol, Eurovision’s contestants get to wear incredible outfits. Only their outfits are even tackier! Check out the blazers, not to mention hair, on Walter and Kazha (yea, I have no clue about their names either) from Latvia. Being from Latvia, fortunately, I have full rights to make fun of Latvians.
So Bo Bice, Nadia Turner, Constantine Maroulis, and Scott Savol, some of you may look funny, some of you may have funny names, and some of you beat your ex-girlfriend, but you got nothing when compared to the tacky and cheesy international brotherly & sisterly love called Eurovision.
Friday, May 20, 2005
the most amazing craigslist reply
so as some of you may know, i've been trying to sublet my room for june and july. naturally, i posted an ad on craigstlist. and so far, i've gotten typical responses, something along the lines of: "hi, my name is caitlin :)) and i am from ohio. i need a room this summer because i have an internship at MTV!!!"
today, i received a reply which i think is going to top every reply so far. it's so incredible, i had to share it with you. so read on (and take note who wrote it... and if this works for you, email Misty!)
From: Misty Nicole Spencer <mistys@nychristian.com>
Date: May 20, 2005 10:31 AM
Subject: $625 / 1br - 1 bedroom for sublet in 2 bedroom apartment
To: anon-74230724@craigslist.org
I am looking for housing for our summer interns. The dates are May29-July 24. We are planning to pay the full rent up front. If thiscould work for you, please reply to this email.
Thanks.
Misty N. Spencer
____________________________
Mission/Ministry Teams Coordinator
Manhattan Christian Church
mistys@nychristian.comwww.nychristian.com
1.800.611.8429
----------------------------------------------------------------------
this message was remailed to you via: anon-74230724@craigslist.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------
today, i received a reply which i think is going to top every reply so far. it's so incredible, i had to share it with you. so read on (and take note who wrote it... and if this works for you, email Misty!)
From: Misty Nicole Spencer <mistys@nychristian.com>
Date: May 20, 2005 10:31 AM
Subject: $625 / 1br - 1 bedroom for sublet in 2 bedroom apartment
To: anon-74230724@craigslist.org
I am looking for housing for our summer interns. The dates are May29-July 24. We are planning to pay the full rent up front. If thiscould work for you, please reply to this email.
Thanks.
Misty N. Spencer
____________________________
Mission/Ministry Teams Coordinator
Manhattan Christian Church
mistys@nychristian.comwww.nychristian.com
1.800.611.8429
----------------------------------------------------------------------
this message was remailed to you via: anon-74230724@craigslist.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, May 16, 2005
why grad school sucks!
so tuition and fees go up another 3K and instead of giving me more money in scholarships or workstudy, they increase my loans by the 3K.
thanks, columbia!
thanks, columbia!
what one does when she/he doesn't have a job
sleeps 9-12 hours a day
watches endless hours of talkshows, price is right, seinfeld reruns
spends another 5 or so hours online
drinks
watches endless hours of talkshows, price is right, seinfeld reruns
spends another 5 or so hours online
drinks
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