A Note to All Women

As a fellow member of the female sex, I do indeed pride myself of all women have accomplished over the centuries.  From advancements in medicine and other sciences, to the wit and wisdom conveyed in their written works, to the simple daily accomplishments and challenges life throws our way, women have conquered it all.  And quite well, I might add.

In today’s modern world, most North American women at least,  have so many more choices in terms of how they want to live their life, decisions of which our earlier predecessors could have only dreamed.  We can choose where and how we want to be educated.  We can choose our careers in whichever field we desire, from doctors to engineers and everything in between.  We can choose who we want to marry, or even choose not to marry.  We can even decide when (if ever) we want to become mothers, and no judgement or discrimination is passed.  In fact, birth control is very much encouraged and praised in this part of the world.

Rosie - an inspiration to all independent women.  I bet she wasn't afraid of breaking a nail!

However, as far as women have propelled themselves in terms of modern advancements, it seems our generation (as well as the one that preceded us to a certain degree) are not as capable as we thought.  So girls, if you are a home owner, or plan to be one in the future, listen up.

I consider myself to be very fortunate to be with my boyfriend, Kris, an HVAC technician, standing for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.  With the particular hot summer we’ve been having, he’s been spending his days fixing many broken down air conditioners.  As you can imagine, in dealing with so many home owners day in and day out, he’s encountered many people, all with varying degrees of capabilities when it comes to daily home maintenance.  And it’s quite embarrassing what people don’t know about their own home.

Here’s a tip from a recent home owner, to you.  When investing in such an important asset like a house, take the time to learn how it works!  It will save you a lot of time, blood, sweat, tears, and of course, money.  I’m not saying you have to become an HVAC technician yourself, but learn the basics.  Do you know where the power switch is to your furnace?  This may seem like a basic question, but I’ve lost count of the number of times Kris has gone out to a call where a customer is complaining of having no heat because her furnace is no longer working, and it turns out someone simply flicked the switch.  Ladies, this is a stupid and very costly mistake – so know the location of your power switch.  And no, technicians don’t charge by the minute, they charge by the hour.  So, even if all he did was flick a switch, you’re still looking at minimum bill of $100.00. 

Another basic tip – know how to change your furnace filter (yes, your furnace needs a filter) and do so every 3 months.  Again, this is a costly mistake if you don’t do it.  If would astound you how many female customers Kris has dealt with that didn’t even know a filter was needed.  Filters are not expensive and changing them as required will save you a lot of money down the road, especially if you have a pet(s) that sheds.   And this means over the summer months too!

On the left is a dirty filter, on the right a clean one.  Learn the difference!

And just because you have a partner that takes care of these things doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.  Gain some independence!  What if, God forbid, your partner was no longer around?  Would you be able to take care of your house or your car by yourself?  Would you know how to manage your finances and even pay bills? If he’s the primary (or perhaps only) cook in the house, how would you feed yourself if he were no longer around?

It is alarming how hard women had to fight just to obtain the same rights as men, and yet we use the excuse over and over again that these certain areas in our lives are “their” domain.  Although he doesn’t enjoy it, Kris has had to, sadly, charge many widowed or divorced women a lot of money for stupid and costly mistakes.  And time and time again, they always explain that their husband/ partner took care of these tasks.  I can assure you that no HVAC company will waive their fees if you use this excuse, so learn how to do it yourself!

And while it is certainly normal for each member of the household to be responsible for certain tasks, you should BOTH know how to do everything, even if it’s just a general understanding.  And it should be assumed to that these skills get passed down to your children too.

So ladies, there should be no more excuses when it comes to maintenances of big ticket items.  If you’re old enough to have a job in order to be able to afford these things, than you’re old enough to learn how they work.   So, put on your big girl underwear and learn these (very basic) skills.  It will save you thousands in the future.

Maybe so, but you've got to learn the basics!  Take care of yourselves, ladies.

50 Shades of...CRAP!

It seems one can’t go anywhere these days without being visually bombarded with copies of 50 Shades of Grey by E(ricka) L(eonard) James on display.  When this book first came on the market, it immediately skyrocketed to bestseller status and, I had to admit, I was curious.  As I began reading the plot summary and, consequently, reader reviews, I was still torn.  Reviews ranged from “I could not put this book down... Hot, romantic, funny” to “not even worth stealing.”  The majority of the comments seemed pretty positive though, as most of the readers (all women of course) loved the books’ “steaminess”.  I was still intrigued...

When I saw it on display at Indigo, I approached the books ever so slowly, scanning the store quickly in my peripheral vision that no one I knew would see me even standing in proximity to such smut. After all, I'm no pervert!  I read the back of the other 2 novels in the trilogy and even (I can’t believe I’m admitting this now) considered purchasing them!  A few weeks later, I (quite embarrassingly now) suggested the novel as the next read in my book club! (For this ladies, I do profoundly apologize!)

The hype about these books only continued to spread like wildfire, so I began reading excerpts of the first novel online.  It was at this moment that I lost all faith in people’s literary taste.

This would have been infinitely more entertaining.  And probably more realistic.

It’s crap.  Nothing but pure, repetitive, unrealistic, shallow, low-brow CRAP!

And I know what all you Christian Grey lovers out there are yelling at your screens right now.  “You haven’t even read it!  You can’t give an accurate critique!”  Well, I once read a quote that said “Life’s too short to drink cheap wine.”  Well folks, life’s too short to read dreadful literature!  And I certainly don’t consider myself a pretentious reader who only reads the classics!  I’ve read many bestsellers that certainly could have used some help in the prose department. (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy comes to mind.)  But at least the plot was interesting and compelling!  Since when do the topics of rape and abuse become bestseller material?

To summarize this drivel in one sentence, the young, naive (and virginal) main character, Anastasia Steele, (ugh, even the name is ridiculous) encounters business tycoon Christian Grey and the two embark on a “daring, passionate and physical love affair.”  However, once you get past the initial (completely ridiculous) sex scenes, readers will soon realize that the “relationship” Ana and Christian share is abusive.  He’s controlling, he repeatedly debases and ridicules her, and even occasionally “gently” (yeah right) pushes her away.  Ladies, this is what you deem your fantasy? 

For those that haven’t read the book(s), just read the excerpts below and PLEASE explain how you find this entertaining?

“I had no idea giving pleasure could be such a turn-on, watching him writhe subtly with carnal longing. My inner goddess is doing the merengue with some salsa moves.”

(There is just so much wrong with these sentences.  What does the latter even mean?)

 
“I want you to become well acquainted, on first name terms if you will, with my favorite and most cherished part of my body. I’m very attached to this."

(If a guy ever said this to any self-respecting girl, she would laugh in his face!  This goes right up there with guys who name their “members”, and then refer to it often like it’s an actual person.  This is pathetic!)

 “Why is anyone the way they are? That’s kind of hard to answer. Why do some people like cheese and other people hate it? Do you like cheese?” 

(Apparently, this is Christian’s attempt of an explanation as to why he likes to dominate other people.  I have no idea what cheese has to do with any of it, but I guess a lot of people out there like cheese, and perhaps they can relate?)

Yet another "good one" E.L.  You should earn a Nobel for this gold...

 There are so many more “gems” I could include and critique, but I think if I read another, I’m going to scream.   Why is this passing as a “must-read”?  Why have these novels sold millions of copies, and counting? To all those that have spent your hard-earned money on them, did you actually enjoy reading them?  You do realize that this smut is unrealistic and an example an extremely unhealthy relationship. 

I actually find it quite alarming that many review writers wish that there were Christian Greys in the world. “What a steamy fantasy that would be…” quotes one (sadly misguided) “50 Shades” reader.  Ladies, the Christian Greys of the world do exist.  We just call them by different names – rapists, abusers, wife-beaters and creeps come to mind.

So, in the name of all that is holy in the literary kingdom, PLEASE don’t add fuel to the fire and read these books.  Your intelligence and self-respect will thank you for it.

Lord help us...

Everything happens for a reason...and all that

A recent change in my daily existence has brought forth many questions about what I shall do with my life.  Although I was happy as a clam (albeit busy) working 5 days a week as an educator at the Canadian Museum of Nature, nasty things like budget cuts and the “deficit reduction plan” have kiboshed my hopes of continuing in that position.  Without getting into too much of the dirty details, I’m now only working part-time, at a sadly diminished salary. 

What I look like everyday now...

Please don’t get me wrong – I’m extremely grateful to still have a job in this dismal financial environment where jobs are being cut left, right and centre.  However, having just purchased a house and hoping to continue furnishing and decorating said house (not to mention additional minor details such as hydro, water, gas and, maybe some groceries once in a while), it would have been nice to hang on to a job that provided a much more stable future. 

And I’m sure I know what all you mavericks at heart out there are saying.  Where’s the adventure in a Monday to Friday, 9-5 existence?  Where’s the excitement in not knowing whether or not you can pay your mortgage or afford dinner?  Right?  Well, I liked the movie, but a bohemian I ain’t. 

So, after being delivered the news, I had one of two choices.  I could continue to dwell on all the things I could no longer afford to do, becoming increasingly bitter and defeated, or I could start a new leaf.

And this blog represents just that.

So, what shall I do with all this spare time?  Well, I shall write of course!

I’m sure there are many teenagers out there scratching their bed-headed craniums and furrowing their freshly pierced eyebrows (are facial piercings still cool?), wondering why people still write when TXTNG IS SO MUCH EZER LOL!  And as complicated as it can be to decipher the language of texting, I can’t help but think of how many messaged are misread or misconstrued with the increased use of a few words (in some cases, a few letters) that are passing as actual communication!

Offensive? Yes - but it proves my point beautifully.

So, this blog really represents a new beginning for me.  I will use it to give my writing muscles some much needed exercise, commenting on anything and everything that appeals to me (hence the title), while also doing some private writing of my own.  I’m certainly not aspiring to be the next Austen or Angelou, but writing more than just private journal entries has been something I’ve always wanted to do, and consistently used the excuse that I never had the time.  This, the writing deities are telling me, seems to be the time.

I really hope I look like this while I write too...

And while I am certainly guilty of sending short texts while not being completely honest about the message I was trying to convey, here I promise always to use full paragraphs to express my thoughts and never to use one letter sentences. K?