I've been reading some really cool books, books that are probably regarded as feminist but not as femi-nazi. The last one I read was called The Mommy Myth and it was not only funny but really eye-opening. The girls and I all went to the library today to return our last batch, and then I caught sight of this book:
Oh, my.
I picked it up from the shelf and refused to look at it very closely. I thought, wow, I love that cover... it must be a kitschy, campy, fun book. Right up my alley.
Oh, wow. It is totally NOT.
I opened to a random page a few minutes ago. Page 86. The bold headline on that page: Don't Expect Your Husband To Clean. A-who and the what now? Are you fucking serious?
I read that out loud to my husband. His eyes got all big. "Who the hell wrote that book?" he asks me.
I look at the page. "Must have been my father, because it says It's your job anyway, so just do it." We laugh. This has got to be a running joke of some sort, to sound like it's all 50's housewife but then they hit you with the big, modern twist.
Then I read the part that says to shut up your screaming that hubby doesn't contribute at all... that if you "start turning up the heat in the bedroom" (cough, choke) then it will pay off in spades later on.
Oh, wow. Oh WOW.
That's right, ladies, if you want a new dining set and a diamond ring, get dirty with the breadwinner and you will get what you want! If you want your husband to take out the garbage, why, a blow job oughtta take care of that wish!
I flipped to the front to see what credentials the author, Darla Shine, has to make stay-at-home-moms know that she's got the answers. I couldn't find anything in the way of an author description, but she prays a lot, used to work before she had kids, and claims she is "every woman" (that's a direct quote). She also claims to have once been a feminist (at which point she disses feminism, wrongly I might add, because "the feminists sold us a raw deal"). And for some reason she is obsessed with believing that the television show, Desperate Housewives, is how real North American women are living their lives, and now she is going to set us all straight on how to behave.
Did I mention she disses her own family in here, comparing herself to her sister-in-law (Darla, of course, comes out on top) to showcase how "women use motherhood as an excuse to not have it together"? Of course she thinks feminism is wrong... because the Sisterhood never advocated selling out other chicks to make yourself look good, and Darla rather likes that game.
Oh, boy.
I don't know whether to read this book, cover to cover, and devour every word of it out of complete disbelief that it exists... maybe I'll find the big joke somewhere. There's got to be one, perhaps in small print. Or maybe I should just dump it back into the return bin at the library. Right now, in the middle of the night.
Obviously there is a market for this book. The publisher wouldn't have shelled out to produce it if there was no one to buy it. I'm sure there are women out there who will treasure this, find it enthralling, and nod over every command to stop whining, wake up, stop being a bitch to everyone, fuck your husband all regular-like, and see how wonderful Darla's life is because she's followed her own advice and it works in her particular situation.
It's just that I'm not that market. And for some reason, all I can think about right now, is what Cate's reaction to this book would be.
Oh, gosh. Oh, golly gee.
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Thanks to Bookishly Fabulous for pointing out that Ben Sollee was recently on NPR's "All Things Considered" (July 5, 2008).
It would be seem that Sollee is looking for a fight with Kanye West, who recently disappointed fans at Bonnaroo for being two hours late (performed at 4:30 am). He made national/internet news by blogging about the venue's inability to setup the lighting and Pearl Jam was already an hour late.
This "open letter" song to Kanye West basically tells off West that "you don't need a light show, just good flow".
You can read more about Ben Sollee on our previous W♥M articles.
Other interesting music news: Facebook's a hotbed of celebrity gossips. Lilly Allen and The Chemical Brothers' Ed Simon are back together. Apparently they both changed their facebook status to "in a relationship" and immediately thousand of fans wrote to congratulate them.
Björk seems to be canceling a few concerts, citing throat ailment. I'm not sure why that's so closely followed by the media, but Ex-Whitesnake guitarist is dead. Does anyone even know his name?
The outrageous headline of "Kylie Minogue Saves Fan from Suicide" makes it sound as if Minogue was there on the rooftop talking that person down. The truth is, the fan was listening to his iPod and her song came on and he suddenly didn't want to stab himself. (Lame, right?)
Also, some idiot stole the headstone to Joy Division's Ian Curtis' grave. I hope his ghost haunts him.
The sad news of the collector's mentality of the CD box sets are on its death bed (hint: maybe it's because it's too expensive). The Yahoo story (written by Ed Christman) paints a picture that "Boxed-set sales have fallen off the cliff; they went from something to nothing".
Even at price slashed to about $29.99 (from the regular $49.98), sales continues to decline. At the end of the article, they mentioned that the limited-edition box for Nine Inch Nails' "Ghosts I-IV," ($300) sold really well.
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Links:
weheartmusic.com
Islam Reps Enlists U.N. to Prevent Anti-Islamic Speech
While the Religion of Peace Tortures and Murders Christians Globally
It is not Politically Correct to point this out these days: Islamic nations and nations with a significant Islamic population persecute, torture, rape and murder Christians to an intolerable degree compared to a few enlightened writers vilifying Islam with words in nations which the population of Muslims are the minority to nearly nonexistent.
And yet an international Mohammedan organization known as the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has proposed a Resolution to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) which was duly passed in 2005 known as “Combating Defamation of Religions” (Mar. 20, 2008 Official OHCHR document).
Here is a summary of the initial promulgation of Combating Defamation of Religions from 2005:
In a resolution (A/HRC/4/L.12) on Combating defamation of religions, adopted by a vote of 24 in favour, 14 against, and nine abstentions, as orally amended, the Council expresses deep concern at attempts to identify Islam with terrorism, violence and human rights violations; notes with deep concern the intensification of the campaign of defamation of religions, and the ethnic and religious profiling of Muslim minorities, in the aftermath of the tragic events of 11 September 2001; urges States to take resolute action to prohibit the dissemination including through political institutions and organizations of racist and xenophobic ideas and material aimed at any religion or its followers that constitute incitement to racial and religious hatred, hostility or violence; also urges States to provide adequate protection against acts of hatred, discrimination, intimidation and coercion resulting from defamation of religions, to take all possible measures to promote tolerance and respect for all religions and their value systems and to complement legal systems with intellectual and moral strategies to combat religious hatred and intolerance; further urges all States to ensure that all public officials, including members of law enforcement bodies, the military, civil servants and educators, in the course of their official duties, respect different religions and beliefs and do not discriminate against persons on the grounds of their religion or belief, and that any necessary and appropriate education or training is provided; invites the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance to regularly report on all manifestations of defamation of religions and in particular on the serious implications of Islamophobia on the enjoyment of all rights; and requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to report to the Human Rights Council on the implementation of this resolution at its sixth session.
The result of the vote was as follows:
In favour (24): Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Gabon, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Tunisia.
Against (14): Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Switzerland, Ukraine and United Kingdom.
Abstentions (9): Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Peru, Uruguay and Zambia. (ANS News Article 4/12/07)
Note this resolution camouflaged to embrace all religions really is to protect Islam from International criticism. Also note that the members of the OHCHR are all Mohammedan nations in which other religions are not tolerated; indeed Christians that live in these ratifying nations are often the recipients of violence and any Mohammedan that converts to Christianity is subject to the death penalty.
It is now 2008 and the UN is attempting to make this a binding International Law which would in effect stifle free speech that exposes Islam as a religion of violence rather than peace.
Jay Seculow of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is stepping up to the plate (along with its European version) to battle the UN on this issue of hypocrisy perpetrated by Mohammedans on the non-Mohammedan world.
Here is an e-news alert a friend of mine forwarded to me:
Christians are under attack.
In Iran, a couple is tortured for reading the Bible. Two men are tried and convicted for possessing Christian books in Algeria.
This is serious. Right now, there is a radical proposal being pushed before the United Nations that will make expressing your faith an international crime.
Speak out for Christianity and you might face the death penalty.
Give generously right now to help the ACLJ's legal defense teams in the U. S. and Europe fight this IMMEDIATELY at the United Nations level - to protect the rights of individuals around the globe who are targeted for their faith!
In countries around the world, Christians are under attack as never before.
I could go on. There are examples of a growing global crisis - Christians targeted, facing the harshest of penalties - often death. Why? For simply sharing their faith or even reading a Bible!
And it could very well get worse.
Now, one of the largest organizations inside the United Nations has made a bold move - targeting you.
The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) at the U.N. is pushing a dangerous resolution - making speaking out against Islam ... including proclamation of Christianity ... an international crime.
It's an anti-Christian measure and it clearly endorses what's taking place in many Muslim countries - where those who even speak out about Islam are severely punished with imprisonment and even death.
This is a travesty! Give your immediate online donation to help the ACLJ - along with our European affiliate - answer the OIC aggressively: Anti-Christian bigotry will not be tolerated!
I firmly agree with Justice Scalia who said in his recent dissent on the Supreme Court ruling on Guantanamo Bay, ''American is at war with radical Islamists.''
We are your voice in this matter at the United Nations. And we are the only ones using the legal process to combat its very perilous resolution.
I have teams of ACLJ and ECLJ attorneys and staff working aggressively on the issue. We are calling on the U.N.'s High Commissioner of Human Rights to vehemently oppose this sinister resolution ...
And focus instead on improving existing international law to protect the religious beliefs of all individuals.
We have mounting legal work ahead of us - researching, preparing reports and oral presentations - on your behalf, to protect your religious freedom.
Please stand with us today in generosity and prayer. We need your help to launch an effective, and successful, nationwide campaign ... and to quickly defeat this dangerous violation of your right to freedom of religion and expression.
Thank you. God bless you for your dedicated membership.
This not brings up sovereignty issues but also Free Speech issues. Also this UN Resolution would in effect validate Islam’s practitioners to commit horrendous acts of criminal violence and murder while demanding that Islam received zero criticism.
Friends, THIS IS PREPOSTREOUS!
to the release of this album next week (?)...
Black Kids are streaming the new album over at their myspace page (Visiting myspace!?!? The things I do for bands i lurve)
You can also hit up their tag in my post to hear a few I've posted....
Here's two from the new (and they'll be in Chapel Hill at the end of September....so over all the bands I want to see playing in Chapel Hill.) They aren't the greatest 'grabs' I've done...but they'll hold me till the album is available. Might need to crank the volume a bit...
This is my first Loathe and Love. Forgive me if I stutter.
Loathe:
- thunderstorms that look like they might become tornadoes
- people who don't signal
- people who pull out beside you at the stop sign
- the feeling of being disconnected from people
- pneumonia
- not having a printer here in my office
- my quilt studio packed up and not available when I want it
- having to shave my legs and pits every day
- coming to terms with deflated dreams
- that my family room television is almost unwatchable during the daytime
- misjudging people and their acceptance of my inevitable potty mouth
Love:
- the sunny skies and coolness that comes after a big storm
- naps on the couch under my Grandmother's quilt
- watching multiple episodes of House and Jeeves and Wooster on my PVR
- going to the library
- getting a large double-double at Tim's
- payment for my writing, so I can donate it to Kiva
- a new Food & Drink magazine from the LCBO
- hearing my kids crack up over something only they understand
- Smike coming home early from work
- orange popsicles
- my wee adorable nephew, and the 1/4 niece or nephew on the way
- my family, and connecting with them on Facebook
- Quincy planting himself on my feet, under my desk
- that Kellie, Mistress and Keeper of the Green Flag, met Stewart Copeland (yay!)
- summer time weather without humidity
- backyard porch parties with friends
- The Body Shop's "green tea" scented oil
- having shaved legs
Things I LOVE:
- MY NEW HOUSE! Last night I started to unpack. Let me just say that built-in bookshelves are a dream! I'll start posting pics soon.
- WALL-E. I'm not kidding. This movie was absolutely spectacular. A million billion stars and thumbs up. (And note this comes from the girl whose jerkface ex works for Pixar -- I wanted to put the movie in the "loathe" column. But I can't. It was phenomenal.)
- Organizing stuff in my new house.
- Being slow at work so I can blog and read Go Fug Yourself.
- AT&T's U-Verse service. It's light years ahead of Comcast.
- My new commute not being all that bad so far.
Things I LOATHE:
- It's 107 here today. Combined with the choking smoke coming off the charbroiled mountains into the valley, I'm considering moving to Hades because it's probably a little more refreshing.
- The forecast of 100+ temps for the rest of the week.
- Spending my slow day at work wishing I was at home unpacking and getting settled.
- Carrying unwieldy empty boxes downstairs. Or through doorways. Or down hallways. Or loading them into cars. Or whatever. I hate empty boxes.
- Not having bathmats. I need to get some ASAP.
- Leaving my phone charger in Iowa which meant that I had to buy a new one in Chicago which means that I now have FIVE chargers. It's a trifle excessive.
This is Mr. Hammonds sophomore album and I've got to say, it's pretty good. Then again, I am biased. Albert Hammond Jr. is my favorite member of the Strokes, or I should say, would seem like less of an a-hole. Don't get me wrong, I like all their albums, but they just don't seem like nice dudes. I don't know, I'm probably wrong. Anyway, I have always liked him and I really loved his 2006 debut album Yours To Keep (which I also wrote about ^.^).
This time around, it does seem like he's having a hard time fixing on a "sound", but that doesn't necessarily mean the album isn't good. Perhaps he's just trying to distance his own sound from his other band. But I wouldn't have found anything wrong with that. Sounding like the Strokes that is. So yeah, I picked the song Lisa and I hope you like it too.
So go ahead and pick up a copy of Como Te Llama today. It's out today
actually. I wanted to do this a couple of days ago, but I've been too busy. So just in time right? Oh, and about a week ago I was at his webpage and it's got this little feature where you can add your picture to the checkerboard background. Well it's pretty much filled up now. I don't know, I thought that was a cute idea. So here is the song I picked and a few links to follow. Commence enjoyment!
Oh yeah! Tour Dates!! go check him out ladies and gents.
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Albert Hammond Jr on MySpace // A. Hammond Jr. dot com
Do you live in or around Cincinnati, Ohio? If so, you're in luck because Scott and the Queen City Voxers Group have organized a Vox user meetup!
WHERE: Ault Park Playground. 3600 Observatory Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208. "We'll look for each other at the playground marked by the red X below. If it's raining, head for the shelter to the north of the [red] X."
To RSVP (which is not essential, but is appreciated), reply to Scott's announcement or send him a private message. All Voxers, as well as their friends and family, are welcome to attend.
If you do attend the meetup, have a great time and please take lots of pictures and send them to me so I can post them in Team Vox for everyone to see!
Thank you so much to Scott for organizing this meetup. Wish I could be there!
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