I'm a femenist

I wear makeup. I like getting a weekly mani/pedi. Though I've never attended a rally, I'm a feminist. My stay-at-home mum brought me up that way.

I love this PSA on women's issues. It clarifies, so simply, the on-going struggle of achieving male-female equality:



Even though we have made giant leaps forward for women's rights, we're still not equal with men on a global level.

I am lucky that I live in a country that gives women comparable rights to men. I've had equal access to education. I can vote. And if I rode a horse, I could sit astride. But how many of us remember a female student getting the school dux or a high OP? And how many of us now work for a female CEO, CFO, Director or Manager? What happened to all those studious, smart and ambitious girls? Life choices, career advancements... they seem to be a little harder on the fairer sex.

I am also aware that, at least on a social level, I am often judged simply becuase I'm female. And not just by men. Regrettably, I find that I judge woman, too. Maybe that's just human nature. I will try hard to change mine... and I pray (for the sake of our future daughters) others will too...

Return to Sanity

A woman in he US was stopped and held by TSA because she requested her milk not to go through the x-ray machine (under TSA guidelines, breast milk is considered a medical liquid and can be given an alternative security check). Obviously the TSA agents didn't like her tone or attempt to dictate what should be done with her breast milk: they not only searched her several times, but held her in security long enough for her to miss her flight.

To me, this is a gross over-stepping of authority by persons who chose not to use any common sense.
There's just no real sane reason why this behavior should ever be tolerated. And to think that this US citizen was in such a powerless position, that she wasn't even able to question what was happening to her... scary.

See the footage here:

Growing Up is Hard to Do

Maybe growing up isn’t so hard, but getting older definitely is.

I remember a time when all I worried about was how many weeks it was until Christmas or my next birthday; or whether or not I would like what my mother was cooking for dinner. It was a time when pain was easily soothed by a couple of choc-chip cookies and a glass of cold milk.

Life is different at 30. At 30, everything seems more complicated and worrisome, and no amount of cookies will make it better. In fact, with its fat content, it’s bound to make things worse.

I don’t feel any older than I did at 21, but my body and my surrounds do a good job at reminding me. Every time I look into the mirror, I curse its lying reflection: that can’t be me, can it? When did those wrinkles, grey hairs, and chicken wing arms sneak up on me? Best to stop looking in the mirror.

But there’s one morality check, one happening that reminds us all that ageing is inescapable: the first time you see your parents “old”. I’m not talking about viewing them as being adult, uncool, daggy, older, stiff or conservative… but the first time you see your own mother or father grayed, wrinkled or hospitalized (due to age related sickness). Suddenly the focus on the grey hairs, wrinkles and turkey necks fade, and you’re forced to re-evaluate your own mortality.

My mother recently had a stroke. It was her second stroke in three years. She’s doing well, luckily, but seeing her in the hospital was unnerving. Seeing her look frail, weak, subdued, and old was scary. It’s the kind of growing up that’s hard to do.

Home and alone, I decided to look through some old photo albums. In a clarified moment, I realized that the farther along life’s path I move, the farther along they move too. Although I feel less-than rushed to get married and have children, my parents aren’t going to live as long as I do.

Soon after opening a bottle of red, I had a second enlightening moment: wine is so much better than cookies and milk. Maybe this getting older thing isn’t so bad after all.

Hump day videos

Enjoy a couple from Kevin Hart...

Jokes.com
Kevin Hart - Play Mode
comedians.comedycentral.com
Kevin Hart Seriously Funny Kevin Hart Stand-Up Kevin Hart Jokes

Jokes.com
Kevin Hart - Calming Down
comedians.comedycentral.com
Kevin Hart Seriously Funny Kevin Hart Stand-Up Kevin Hart Jokes

Jokes.com
Kevin Hart - Calming Down
comedians.comedycentral.com
Kevin Hart Seriously Funny Kevin Hart Stand-Up Kevin Hart Jokes

Passion or commitment?

Working in a creative industry that is largely transient, there is very little loyalty. I don't know what it's like to be given "long service leave", and I never will. The longest period I've held a job for is 2 years. But I do understand what it is to be passionate about the type of work you do, and how important it is to stay committed. But which is more important in determining long-term success?

Some people think that passion is the cornerstone of creating a truly happy and successful career. But the way I see it, you can be passionate about a thousand different things at the same time - a religion, a hobby, a person, an ideal - but you can only really be 100% committed to a few things at the same time. Plus passion is flighty, depending wholly on an emotional connection.... but commitment? Commitment requires steadfast dedication regardless of emotions, ideals or a changing landscape. You are either committed or you're not.

My father once told me that marriage is the same way. "It's the commitment part that's most important", he'd say. I'm not the right person to make an educated guess about commitment vs passion in a long-term relationship, but I do know this one thing: I've always approached love from a passion perspective, and I'm still single.

Hands behind your backs, boys

When my little brother Dean was 2 1/2, he thought it was pretty damn funny to strip down to the nud (diaper and all) and run around the house when my parents had guests over for dinner. It was cute and funny.

Now he's in his early 20's. He still thinks a nudie run is a pretty hilarious party trick. Unfortunately, the Victorian Police don't think so.

Dean was no doubt the instigator when he and 8 mates decided to strip down to nothing but their runners (he's strongly believes in good foot care) for a streak through the streets of Melbourne last night. According to Dean, they were being cheered on by passers-by in the street, egged on my motorists beeping their horns and adored by women of all ages looking on (I doubt the latter) until they literally ran into two cops walking the beat. The cops, one male and one female, made them line up in a single file facing the road with their hands behind their backs.

"Cold night for a run, isn't it boys?" the copper asked while walking the line of embarressed boys. "You look cold. Glad to see you had the common sense to put on some decent shoes, though. Well done."

The copper made them stand still, naked, for a good 10 minutes before marching them all back to their hotel for clothing. He then took their out-of-state contact details (they were on a end-of-season footy trip from Gold Coast), and gave them a warning. I doubt Dean will ever take his clothes off again.