Ravings of a Random Mind...

I thought I'd make a "Top Ten" or whatever random numbered list of things I have learned in my life (some of them quite recently) that I wanted to be sure to impart to any offspring I put out into the world, but then I decided I liked the idea of a rambling sort of account, since that's the way I think most times. Then I reconsidered, because what if I want to reference things? It's much easier to say "See #17", than "Remember That Thing I Said About Being Happy?" So the list is numbered, but many of these things are going to be interrelated, some may repeat, but are stated in different ways, or may be different evolutions of the same thought. What can I say, I ramble, I like metaphors, and if I can find a better metaphor, it doesn't necessarily mean I'm going to abandon the one previous. There will probably be further posts referencing this one, expounding upon it, et cetera. Well, I'm not dead, yet, and until I am, I fully int...

There seems to be a large segment of my community (that would be the LGBTQI... Community) who, while on the one hand are quick to demonise Heteros as Homophobes, also seem to turn those same Hetero Hunks into sexual objects. I've never understood the idea that one would be so attracted to something that one simultaneously finds so repellent. Nor have I ever understood the twisted logic it takes to reverse-misogynize them into sexual objects as a means of disempowerment. I don't fall for "Straight Boys". Sure, I find all kinds of men attractive. Men. Guys who know who they are and project the confidence that goes along with that. I REALLY fall for guys who look at me and say "Wow, you're amazing, and I want to spend time with you"; guys who are interesting, well-balanced, and impetuous enough that I turn around and say "Absolutely! You're intriguing, tell me more." This petty posturing of "I'm Straight", or "but... G...

Alice's Mother : Where is your corset? And no stockings! Alice : I'm against them. AM : But you are not properly dressed. A : Who's to say what's proper? What if it were agreed that "proper" meant wearing a codfish on your head? Would you wear it? AM : Alice. A : To me a corset is like a codfish. Honestly, I am of two minds on what is "proper" dress. 1. One should dress appropriate to the season, venue, and event; one should dress appropriate to one's body type. [i.e., leggings are not pants - the outline of your genitalia should be covered in public; grown men should not wear short pants in the City; do not wear hiking gear to the Opera or Ballet; socks and sandals are just plain out - pick one and stick with it; belly-bands, whale-tails, rear-cleavage (of either gender), undergarments (thongs, whale-tails, bra straps, knickers) should be covered (the occasional waistband while reaching or bending is going to happen, but should be mi...

Haven't written much in quite awhile - not because I haven't anything to say, but more motivation/timing. Random blog ideas pop into my head, but by the time I get home and read my (sometimes) emailed notes, the fury/inspiration/drive to put pen to paper (or fingers to keys) has vanished. No more. With the Blogger mobile app, posts should revert to their former abundance. Huzzah!

Seriously. It's not like the rest of us are throwing you to the lions. Get off that cross; somebody needs the wood.

This morning I ran across this ad from Renault. Now, I realise that the primary focus here is to sell cars, and the target demographic is a more Socially Progressive market - but they aren't the only people who are going to see the ad. I'm sure it'll be up on tellys all over, and as you can see, it's on the interwebs as well. So the question I have is this: Does the Commercial nature of this type of media (advertising)  cheapen the value of promoting social change and a more equal society?   Is the good done by exposing the public to diversity, to showing the "other" as "normal" worth more than the manipulation of the public by Mad Men?  When does it stop being a force for good, and become just one more gimmick.

TIME Magazine is one of the most respected Media outlets in the US. So why is it altering the cover stories for it's US market? Here is the cover for the 5 December 2011 issue. Notice that the European, Asian & South Pacific issues all have a common cover story - only the US edition is altered. Interesting to know that TIME has a different cover for US consumption than the rest of the world. Not for the first time, but definitely one of the most enlightening disconnects. Here is the cover from the 8 August 2011 issue, where "Travels Through Islam" is the cover story - everywhere but in the US, where "ISLAM" is a bad word in much of the country. It says a lot about the quality of conversation in our country - that discourse on world events is not only discouraged, but that our Media actively restricts access to the information that we need to have a healthy discussion - on any topic. If you don't believe that your "news" is being spoon-f...