Spin me faster like a kaliedosKope...

my FaVoRiTe new artist, Little Boots, has released her latest single, which just happens to be my favorite song of hers, and the video is in kaliedosKope form?!? What could be better? Cheers to this British babe who really sees the world through kaliedoskopeyes...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McdqerXrwXE

I may have taken the longer road, but the scenery was worth it.

Tomorrow I am taking my last final EVER. obviously that is why I'm currently blogging to procrastinate. Despite the fact that I am thrilled, I thought a tribute to the 5 years, 4 majors, 3 schools, 2 countries, and one kick-ass time and now former lifestyle is necessary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRVFfgoIKcg

Hey, you're a crazy bitch

If you're a female, you've probably been called one by either a male or another vicious female. But how legitimate are these claims? What exactly defines a "crazy bitch", what makes a woman act in this manner, and is she really "crazy"? And, perhaps most importantly, are women who refer to other women by these words betraying each other in regards to the tenements and ethics of feminism? 

If we really sit back and look at the criteria for a "crazy bitch" we find ourselves mislabeling women who are strong, fight for what they believe in, openly express their emotions, and who don't take shit from anyone. Perhaps you've been cheated on, and in your efforts to gain vindication and retribution you go a little overboard (think: Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats") and are labeled a "Crazy Bitch." While I am not condoning the destruction of another's property, I think we can all, regardless of gender, understand what motivated Miss Underwood and where she was coming from, as being abandoned and betrayed by a loved one naturally provokes feelings of anger, sadness, and desires for revenge. Everyone who has been cheated on probably feels at one point like bashing in the headlights of their former partner's car with a baseball bat, again, regardless of their gender. Another point to take into consideration is if the tables were turned, a male had been betrayed by this girlfriend, and he hunted out her partner in crime and punched him, such action generally would be viewed as a defense of his honor. Why can't a woman also defend her honor without being labeled as "crazy" by society? Are women not valued for being more in tune with their emotions then men? If this is the case, shouldn't a woman be more inclined to defend her honor than a man? Why do we, as a society, stifle this instinct? 

Alternatively, when labeling occurs between women, it is a betrayal of the ideals of feminism and the work we have done to fight for gender equality. We teach our daughters not to accept the actions of anyone who hurts us or denies us our rights, to be strong, intelligent individuals who fight for what we believe in, yet we are so quick to label a women who acts in this manner derogatively. What sort of double standard are we teaching the next generation, never mind holding our peers and our own selves to?  

Women should not be submissive, should not allow others (regardless of gender) to walk all over them, and should fight the seemingly popular urge to call anyone who does not adhere to the submissive, helpless, and archaic stereotype of what women "should be" as either crazy or a bitch. It is ironic that such action earns us the title "crazy bitch", as it is neither crazy nor bitchy; standing up for oneself and one's values is the least crazy thing a person can do, and allowing oneself to accept or label another with the derogatory title of "bitch" is to allow oneself to succumb to and perpetuate such negative stereotypes against women. 

If you are a man, think twice about what you value in a partner before you call a woman a "crazy bitch." What kind of example would you want her to teach your daughters? One that would encourage her to allow men to dominate her, treat her like a disposable object, and disrespect her rights as a human being? And if you are a woman, what do you gain by calling another a "crazy bitch"? Some sort of vindication? Do you feel better afterwards? Probably not. Alternatively, you have reinforced that negatively labeling women (by either gender) is acceptable, and expressed a view that women should not be strong, independent, or fight for what they believe in. And if this is the case, would you please go bake some pie and leave those of us who believe in and fight for equal rights for all people within society alone?

Made in the 80s Babyyy

A tribute to the fact that my birthday is this week (!), that I was, in fact, made in the 80s, and that I feel legitimately gipped that I was only allowed to live for half of this fabulous decade and had to live them as a toddler at the fashion mercy of my mother and was thus also deprived of the AWESOME outfits of the Reagan era: 80spurple.com. I especially LOVE the Hellz Bellz line, as well as the neon (surprise surprise) House of Cassette jeans. Again, it is my birthday on Friday (hint hint).

Another 80s fav: The emotional 80s teen song of the week segment on my good friend and former roommate, Joe Dupnik's, radio show, Festive Intoxications, which makes me laugh my ass off every Friday from 10-12.  Give your bodonk some exercise too: http://www.myspace.com/festiveintoxications