With my graduation fast approaching, I was astounded to find that the number one requested graduation gift by girls in the US is (drum roll please)...
A boob job.
Yes, plastic surgery. Would someone please tell me what this fixation with breast size is all about? Why are some girls so obsessed with their perceived inadequacy that they would rather have silicone implants? That seems so weird to me.
And don't assume I'm saying this as someone well-endowed... No, I'm on the small end. But I have never even considered... implants. I'm actually flabbergasted.
And the one question remaining in my mind is,
How do the parents of these girls respond?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
An Update on the OC Transpo Strike
So things are getting a bit ridiculous here in the capital, anyone agree? OC transpo has been on strike now since December 10th of 2008. The City has been putting all kinds of offers on the table, but the Union has consistently walked away, mainly because their demands concerning scheduling are not being met.
I don't think very many citizens of Ottawa are particularly pleased with OC Transpo. Because of the timing, it's being called "the strike that ruined Christmas." Besides drivers who have to deal with heavy traffic, the two main groups of people being hurt by this strike are students and seniors.
Students are beginning to be accommodated with carpooling and some yellow buses, and the City has being trying to coordinate rides for those in need, but still, many are slipping through the cracks. Seniors, many with conditions such as diabetes, are missing their doctor's appointments.
And what of the OC Transpo employees in all of this? They are only being paid $50 a week, and only if they picket a certain amount of hours. Who knows how long the Union will even be able to keep this up? Alain Mercier (Oh, him again... *shudder*) is warning us that, even after the strike, it could be three months- yes, THREE MONTHS- before the buses, which have not been touched in ages, are all back in working order.
I think the City is right to hold firm. Many reasonable offers have been made. However, they are at fault in this: It is their legal right to put together a temporary replacement service. They say that they have only recently become aware of this. So my two questions are as follows:
1) WHY didn't they know? It is their job to be informed on these matters and to consider all options. I think that they should have known, and frankly, I'm not entirely certain that they're being truthful when they claim that they were unaware.
2) Why aren't they acting on it now? Even a partial service would help immensely. I'm aware that it takes time to train bus drivers and set it up, but they're not doing it! And I think that some of the OC drivers would cross the picket lines at this point. That vote wasn't unanimous.
So here we are, with no end in sight.
I don't think very many citizens of Ottawa are particularly pleased with OC Transpo. Because of the timing, it's being called "the strike that ruined Christmas." Besides drivers who have to deal with heavy traffic, the two main groups of people being hurt by this strike are students and seniors.
Students are beginning to be accommodated with carpooling and some yellow buses, and the City has being trying to coordinate rides for those in need, but still, many are slipping through the cracks. Seniors, many with conditions such as diabetes, are missing their doctor's appointments.
And what of the OC Transpo employees in all of this? They are only being paid $50 a week, and only if they picket a certain amount of hours. Who knows how long the Union will even be able to keep this up? Alain Mercier (Oh, him again... *shudder*) is warning us that, even after the strike, it could be three months- yes, THREE MONTHS- before the buses, which have not been touched in ages, are all back in working order.
I think the City is right to hold firm. Many reasonable offers have been made. However, they are at fault in this: It is their legal right to put together a temporary replacement service. They say that they have only recently become aware of this. So my two questions are as follows:
1) WHY didn't they know? It is their job to be informed on these matters and to consider all options. I think that they should have known, and frankly, I'm not entirely certain that they're being truthful when they claim that they were unaware.
2) Why aren't they acting on it now? Even a partial service would help immensely. I'm aware that it takes time to train bus drivers and set it up, but they're not doing it! And I think that some of the OC drivers would cross the picket lines at this point. That vote wasn't unanimous.
So here we are, with no end in sight.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Coalition Put to Bed?
So what is going on in our parliament these days? Do you know? Yeah. Didn't think so. But I bet you're aware of Obama's inuguration tomorrow.
Well, if you remember, the threat of a Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition caused Stephen Harper to ask the governor general to prorogue parliament. We're coming close the the end of the cooling period, however, and the question on everyone's mind (Well, the ones who aren't completely obsessed with the aforementioned inauguration. Look, I appreciate that the US has finally been able to elect a president who is not an old white man. But I live in Canada. We have a government too.) is, now what of this proposed coalition?
As promised, Dion is finally gone. Now, Michael Ignatieff is on the scene, making pretty speeches in the style of... you guessed it. Obama. Seriously, guys, can't we do better than try to be Americans?
But to get to the point, the "c" word has not been mentioned yet. Keep your ears to the ground and your eyes peeled... as the kids say.
Well, if you remember, the threat of a Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition caused Stephen Harper to ask the governor general to prorogue parliament. We're coming close the the end of the cooling period, however, and the question on everyone's mind (Well, the ones who aren't completely obsessed with the aforementioned inauguration. Look, I appreciate that the US has finally been able to elect a president who is not an old white man. But I live in Canada. We have a government too.) is, now what of this proposed coalition?
As promised, Dion is finally gone. Now, Michael Ignatieff is on the scene, making pretty speeches in the style of... you guessed it. Obama. Seriously, guys, can't we do better than try to be Americans?
But to get to the point, the "c" word has not been mentioned yet. Keep your ears to the ground and your eyes peeled... as the kids say.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Highest Canadian Honour?
At President-Elect Obama's upcoming inauguration, the Canadian Embassy will be honouring him with "Obama tails."
Canada's famous pastries were first sold on the Rideau Canal, but have since spread, and are offered in a variety of flavours: maple, killaloe sunrise, raspberry, etc. The newest addition to the menu is the Obama tail; basically the maple tail with an "O" drawn on it. The new creation is avaliable now on the Canal.
Because that's what this world needs...
Canada's famous pastries were first sold on the Rideau Canal, but have since spread, and are offered in a variety of flavours: maple, killaloe sunrise, raspberry, etc. The newest addition to the menu is the Obama tail; basically the maple tail with an "O" drawn on it. The new creation is avaliable now on the Canal.
Because that's what this world needs...
Friday, January 9, 2009
Marketing Beauty
I've recently become aware of an interesting phenomenon: Lipstick sales go up during economic recessions.
Which got me thinking. Lipstick is hardly a necessity, and I can't see how we would need more of it in a recession than normally. Clearly the main consumers of lipstick are women, so I'm going to continue on under the assumption that women are buying all this product.
It's a fairly simple equation: Women like to feel beautiful. Women like to indulge themselves (mmm... chocolate). Lipstick is an inexpensive way to feel special. Normally, not under a recession, I assume these women would be likely to spend more on various other cosmetics or beauty products.
For special occasions, women spend hours of time and hundreds of dollars to feel like they look beautiful. Through advertising, the beauty industry is effectively trying to sell us our own image. And very clearly it's working.
I don't believe there is anything inherently wrong with trying to look good or playing with your image. As an artist and an actress, I actually love it. I wear makeup most days. I love buying clothes that make me feel good. But I try to keep that separation of enjoying my body, compared to frantically trying to chase down an image I can never achieve. I choose to celebrate what I have, not wallow in dissatisfaction.
It's difficult. Because the beauty industry doesn't care about us as people. They are, however, interested in our wallets. For this reason, they prey on girls who only want to feel special and gain approval. They do their best to convince us that we can buy this in bottles and jars. Murale, Sephora... these are entire chains that survive selling nothing but beauty products.
Just know this. Buy that cherry lipstick or green eyeshadow if you want, try it on and let yourself feel glamorous. But don't let it consume you in some desperate attempt to loose yourself searching for whatever is missing. Nothing is missing. You are complete and valuable as you are.
Which got me thinking. Lipstick is hardly a necessity, and I can't see how we would need more of it in a recession than normally. Clearly the main consumers of lipstick are women, so I'm going to continue on under the assumption that women are buying all this product.
It's a fairly simple equation: Women like to feel beautiful. Women like to indulge themselves (mmm... chocolate). Lipstick is an inexpensive way to feel special. Normally, not under a recession, I assume these women would be likely to spend more on various other cosmetics or beauty products.
For special occasions, women spend hours of time and hundreds of dollars to feel like they look beautiful. Through advertising, the beauty industry is effectively trying to sell us our own image. And very clearly it's working.
I don't believe there is anything inherently wrong with trying to look good or playing with your image. As an artist and an actress, I actually love it. I wear makeup most days. I love buying clothes that make me feel good. But I try to keep that separation of enjoying my body, compared to frantically trying to chase down an image I can never achieve. I choose to celebrate what I have, not wallow in dissatisfaction.
It's difficult. Because the beauty industry doesn't care about us as people. They are, however, interested in our wallets. For this reason, they prey on girls who only want to feel special and gain approval. They do their best to convince us that we can buy this in bottles and jars. Murale, Sephora... these are entire chains that survive selling nothing but beauty products.
Just know this. Buy that cherry lipstick or green eyeshadow if you want, try it on and let yourself feel glamorous. But don't let it consume you in some desperate attempt to loose yourself searching for whatever is missing. Nothing is missing. You are complete and valuable as you are.
Monday, January 5, 2009
The World in Your Pocket
Recently I have been cell phone shopping. I already have a phone, but it's about three years old, and I'm beginning to feel slightly outdated with all the new gadgetry out. Not to mention Rogers Pay-As-You-Go is only cheap if you pretty much NEVER have your phone on.
I used to keep it under $15 a month quite easily... when I was pretty much stranded at my farm anyway. Now, I'm finding myself out and about in the city a lot, with an amazing boyfriend from another school I try to keep in contact with, and it's getting more pricey.
I've found little hidden costs in my own plan. I've kept it very basic, no voicemail or anything. just calls and text, and it's free to receive texts. But I get charged 30 cents for every missed call (so don't call me, guys! Text me and I'll reach you!), among other arbitrary means of stealing my money.
Three other members of my family also need phones soon, so we've even considered family plans. Yeah, um, don't bother. They are no cheaper. Plans are advertised as low as $15... before caller ID, voicemail, and other features. I've lived without voicemail alright up to this point, and I suppose I could keep it up, but I love my caller ID. Many plans won't give you that without an extra $6 a month.
ALL the companies are like this. (Yes, guys, hate to break it to you, even Koodo. They're not so bad, but have you figured out yet that their whole Tab thing really is just another contract?) I've found nothing that would serve me for under $35 a month yet. Not to mention buying the phone itself.
Why can they hike their prices like this?
Because they know we'll take it.
We are all growing extremely dependent on technology and the internet. We'll put up with the cell phone fees and the internet packages because we need them. Or so we've convinced ourselves.
I used to keep it under $15 a month quite easily... when I was pretty much stranded at my farm anyway. Now, I'm finding myself out and about in the city a lot, with an amazing boyfriend from another school I try to keep in contact with, and it's getting more pricey.
I've found little hidden costs in my own plan. I've kept it very basic, no voicemail or anything. just calls and text, and it's free to receive texts. But I get charged 30 cents for every missed call (so don't call me, guys! Text me and I'll reach you!), among other arbitrary means of stealing my money.
Three other members of my family also need phones soon, so we've even considered family plans. Yeah, um, don't bother. They are no cheaper. Plans are advertised as low as $15... before caller ID, voicemail, and other features. I've lived without voicemail alright up to this point, and I suppose I could keep it up, but I love my caller ID. Many plans won't give you that without an extra $6 a month.
ALL the companies are like this. (Yes, guys, hate to break it to you, even Koodo. They're not so bad, but have you figured out yet that their whole Tab thing really is just another contract?) I've found nothing that would serve me for under $35 a month yet. Not to mention buying the phone itself.
Why can they hike their prices like this?
Because they know we'll take it.
We are all growing extremely dependent on technology and the internet. We'll put up with the cell phone fees and the internet packages because we need them. Or so we've convinced ourselves.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)