I believe he is used to my nightly retelling of news stories I have read throughout the day, rantings on why the world is unfair to women and minorities, and my readings on the childfree movement.
What a trooper!
So he gets credit for this blog.
I started a new book last night, "Young Wive's Tales". A compilation of stories from various feminist and progressive female authors. Being fed up by sites like "The Knot", having refused to even glance at an issue of "Brides" magazine, this was an oasis in a desert of gender stereotypes and stores attempting to make a fast buck off of desperate newlyweds.
These traditional bridal media outlets minimize the significance of a lifetime commitment, all to look pretty on one day. An author in this book described getting engaged as "feeling like a sell-out". I honestly couldnt agree more.As a feminist, it's easy to feel this way I think. Perhaps why I am choosing to forgo much of the bridal consumeristic culture. Another book I have recently picked up is "Cinderella Ate My Daughter". Read it!!!
O.k. I know you most likely wont, so I will sum it up in 3 sentences.
When you know a young male child, you tell him "You are so smart, clever, athletic, strong!"
When you know a young FEmale child, you tell her "You are so PRETTY!"
Thus reinforcing for the rest of her life that all she needs to be loved is to be attractive, case closed.
Don't even get me started on bridal barbie. Granted I always put my Barbie *shudder* in the sexiest cocktail dresses she had at all times. But then again, I don't believe I had a Ken. My Barbie had an entire harem of New Kids on the Block dolls to choose from.
That lucky bitch.
The Game of Life.
How this game is even still sold in stores I have no idea.
In case you have lived in a cave on the moon for the last 50 years, I shall summerize it.
Choose to go to college or not.
Get job and be assigned salary (and people call Obama a socialist?!)
Stop!!! Do not proceed in Life until you marry.
Be forced to have as many children as you land on. No one asked you what you want in Life right?
Pull random cards, blah blah blah.
At the end, add up all your money and see where you end up. (Poor house, Mansion...)
Maybe some people found this fun....?
This is how I remember a game of Life going as a pre-teen (they didn't call us that back then!)
Pull career card: "I want the rock star card" "Sorry, you got accountant" "But I hate math!!!"
STOP! Get married: "I don't want to get married!" "You have to, just put a blue peg in your car" "I don't like blue, I want a pink peg... Fine, but I'm not letting the blue peg sit in the car"
Congrats! A child: "I don't want a kid!" "You pulled the card, take a peg!"
I usually ended up with about 8 child pegs and would sulk and put them under the board.
There you have it. Life. The very meaning of human existance narrowed down into a 45 minute "family" board game. Even as a 12 year old, I was a cynic. Granted this is the same 12 year old who had a thing for George Orwell and did a book report on 1984.
(I adored growing up with an older brother whose book shelf I could raid.)
I am willing to admit I think too much. Life would be easier if I chose the easy route.
But I choose to stand up. How? I'm not quite sure.
There are a few things I have figured out about my future.
-I adore my "husband".
-Toy poodles make excellent children
-I look best as a blonde
-I cook because I have culinary training that shouldn't go to waste, not because I have a uterus.
-I would rather stand up, speak my mind, and be thought a fool than to keep quiet (and remove all doubt?)
*Thanks Lincoln :-)
Beyond that....who knows.
