Ew: Madonna Makes M.I.A. Her Back Up Cheerleader

by Rosemari

Seeing M.I.A. (again) in 2010

I have been a long-standing M.I.A. fan and when I heard that she was going to sing on Madonna's new album, I was intrigued.  After all, Swagga Like Us with one of the best hip hop songs of the decade and and her performance at the Emmy's on her due date was one of the most kick-ass things I've ever seen a pregnant woman do (if you missed it, here's the best video I could find).


M.I.A. pushed the envelope.  She never apologized for her style, her unique (at least for the music industry) femininity that didn't try to hide that she was a woman of color or be a sex kitten for someone else, and speaking up about the things that were important to her (particularly issues regarding Sri Lanka).  Sure, I once got sprayed by a supersoaker filled with vodka at one of her concerts.  But she was a nonconformist, international, young female rock star and sexy in her own terms.  And I needed that. And so did hip hop (can video vixens get any more trite at this point?). 





So, today I watched the new Madonna's video, Give Me All Your Luvin. It features both Nicki Manaj and M.I.A. as backup dancers to Madonna and appear to be more of an afterthought than anything else.  If M.I.A. had been featured in such a supporting role by a male performer, shaking her pom-poms in the background without much of an opportunity to really show off her musical creativity, I would have been disappointed. But this? Really, it's just insulting.  


Everything I loved about M.I.A. was twisted around in this video. M.I.A.'s cheer-leading uniform, her blonde wig, the product placement.  And, worst of all, those ridiculous spiked heels.  

The Crazy Ones Lead the Way

by Karrin

I came across this YouTube video, posted by cherumaz and originally from Apple, and it got me to thinking about what it means to be different. We like to believe we are a curious species ready to learn and explore new territory.  The truth is, it’s not popular to question the current ways in which we live.  New ideas are not always welcome.  Those who go into unfamiliar territory are not always joined by others.  The unknown is dark and different; there is no way of knowing what will be there.  

If the few “crazy ones” go out on a limb, and either fall off or get some fruit, many others learn what’s possible.  Our human potential depends on those who are willing, to ask different questions, and go where the masses refuse to.  It is lonely to be one of the few, but the payoff in being “ahead of the times” is worth any feelings of isolation. To be ahead of the times is to be misunderstood by the many.  The many discharge emotions while the few make plans and execute them. 

The more people complain about new ideas the more it helps new ideas to spread.  In exploring new ways of doing things, experimentation is necessary.  The bold ones in this life are willing to experiment, mess up, and start over. They are willing to be laughed at and called Crazy for legitimate reasons.  The Crazy Ones teach the most.  They are the ones people are curious about, even if people don’t fully understand what they are up to. There isn’t much that can be said to the Crazy Ones that can stop them from pursuing what they know to be true.  Pay attention to the Crazy Ones; give it time, they may not be as crazy as you think they are.

Job Hunting Without Congress (and Other Appendages)

by Rosemari

In August, I graduated with my Masters from American University.  Like most of my fellow graduates, I hit the pavement, trying to find a paying position between pulling espresso shots and my dream job.  Along the way, I got bundles of advice from all kinds of great, helpful people.  Some of it I knew (networking is important; don’t have typos on your cover letter or resume).   Some of it was new (you will be judged based on your social media presence; your personal references can be held against you). And some of it was, for lil’ ol’ me, somewhat shocking to hear in 2011. Here are a few “gems:”

Photo source

1.     “Do you have any advice on people I might want to reach out to?” – me to a director of a large government agency in an informational interview

“If your parents know members of Congress, you should call them now.” – Director of aforementioned government agency

This advice exemplifies nepotism at its best.  When I walked into his office, I had already proved myself with two months of quality work.  But after this comment, I knew that no matter how hard I worked or how much I deserved a position, it wasn’t going to be enough to land me a full-time jig (at least not in his mind).  While it was an extremely condescending moment for me, I also knew it was, in part, the truth.

2.     “Should I apply to this department?”  – me  to a very helpful manager in a large government agency

“Yes, but you won’t get in. And if you do, they will never promote you or let you try anything new.  You are a woman and it’s still an old boys club.” – Very helpful manager in a large government agency

Old boys club? Huh? In 2011?

While I hate this advice, it came from one of my biggest cheerleaders, who tried every trick in the book to make sure I was gainfully employed.  I knew that it was well intentioned – the last thing she wanted was for me not to reach my potential because of a silly thing like gender.  It made me wonder how many of my applications were overlooked because of my gender.  And whether or not I wanted to spend my professional life breaking through glass ceilings.

3.     “This position about international family planning looks awesome.  What do you think of the organization?” – Me to an international family planning consultant

“[The organization] is only good if you have a penis.” – International family planning consultant

Errr... Well, I guess won’t waste my time spell checking that cover letter.  Once again, even if I landed a position in an organization like that, I knew it would be an uphill battle.  And I also knew that thanks to decades of work done before me, I was privileged to encounter this response a handful of times.  But, in my opinion, a handful is still too many.

Luckily, I am extremely fortunate to find gainful employment that I love, with a little help from Facebook, a former classmate, and a great organization willing to take a chance on me.  But I wonder how discrimination plays either for or against job hunters every day – and whether or not people are typically so forthcoming in saying it out loud.

You Are What You Tweet...? An Infographic Review of 2011

by Rosemari


Resolution for 2012: Less tiger blood and more integrity? Here's an infographic from Frugaldad. 



Source: http://frugaldad.com

Trim Down and Keep it Down in 2012

by Karrin

This year, if you are going to lose weight, and keep it off, it’s important to acquire awesome, new habits.  The only way to trim down, and keep it down, is to replace old habits with new ones that work better.  You will become exhausted trying to resist what you can’t have, so focus on what you can have, not on what you can’t.

The secret to losing weight is to come to grips with something called a “healing crisis.”  A healing crisis is a time where you feel worse before you feel better because your body is detoxing.  Losing weight is all about cleansing the body.  Eating junk food will wear out your immune system and make you feel fuzzy.  The only way to lose weight and keep it off is to indulge the body with nutrient rich foods.

If you don’t like green vegetables make sure to take supplements.  You can take supplements full of fruits and vegetables and change your taste buds.  Take a full spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement. Make sure your body has all the perfect ingredients to function properly.  Drink tons of pure water.   Top quality oil assures you will be thinking clearly and not delusional about your body size or image.  Your brain needs fat so eat it and enjoy it.  Nuts and seeds are great sources of fat and protein. Eat meat and starches sparingly.  Include mineral salts in your diet which will help eliminate sugar cravings.  When your body is fed well, your thoughts, posture, and attitude all benefit. 

Make eating and feeling well a lifelong hobby.  Learn to enjoy fresh, raw food.  Nothing is more convenient than a piece of fresh fruit and a handful of raw nuts.  Stock the refrigerator with celery sticks, raw humus, homemade vegetable broth and other simple snacks. 

Learn, explore and experiment with new ways of eating and thinking about food.  Have a plan, be flexible, keep record of what you are doing, and make adjustments as you go.  Some people work best alone and others do better with a partner or group. Figure out what works best for you.  Eat delicious foods, collect the best recipes, and treat yourself to the best rewards each time you set a goal and accomplish it.  Taking care of your body is a lifelong task, go at your own pace.  Trim down, keep it down, and have a great year.

The Very Amazing Vision Board

by Karrin 
 

Making New Year’s Resolutions is in the past. Today, Vision Boarding is the latest rage. It's even featured in one of our favorite new shows, Happy Endings.

Vision Boards on Happy Endings! Image source

A Vision Board is a group of very specific pictures artistically arranged on a board. What is a Vision Board? Here are a few suggestions…

1. Vision Boarding can be done alone or with a group.

2. The proper environment and attitude is essential. The feeling should be light hearted and energetic. Vision boarding is not the time to clear emotional charge; it is a time to be inspired and grateful.

3. Make a plan for each Vision Board. Vision Boards can cover every area of one’s life or just one specific area (such as health, money, or relationships).

4. A clean, organized environment is important. Drinks, snacks, and great conversation makes for great Vision Boarding. Supplies such as poster paper, scissors, magazines, glue, and any special things to glue onto The Vision Board should be available.

5. Vision Boards can be big or small. They can have pictures, words, and artwork. A Vision Board is a powerful expression of one’s attitude, future visions, and top priorities. It is an exclamation of where one is going in life.

6. Look at the Vision Board as many times a day as possible. Share it with family and friends. The more one sees and appreciates the visions on one’s Vision Board the more they attract opportunities to take action and bring their visions to life.

7. It is wise to keep record of the journey from Vision Board to reality including the responsibilities and opportunities that arise. Having the courage to define ones vision, create a Vision Board, and see how the inner and outer worlds come together is worth the effort.

8. Vision Boarding is fun. If it’s not fun, you’re not doing it right. There is no wrong way to make a Vision Board. Everyone is unique. Each person is their own authority in designing their own Vision Board. Vision Boards can be saved and collected from year to year. Vision Boarding is a great way to bring in the New Year.

I Told My Kids I Ate All Their Halloween Candy

by Karrin

Late night show host Jimmy Kimmel asked parents to send in recordings of them telling their children that they ate of the Halloween candy. The montage has been floating around the Internet and, like anyone with a keen interest in children development and diet, I can't help but add my two cents.

The kids different degrees of addiction, their relationship to authority, as well as their primitive responses were insightful. Watching the kids cry was an example of sugar withdrawal in action. We are in deep denial as a culture in relationship to sugar and our attachment to it. 

The parents admitted to being "wrong" in eating all the candy and they offered nothing in return.  Most kids didn't see any hope in finding any resolution to their own parents deviant behavior - they didn't negotiate or suggest that their parents replace the candy.  They would rather take the blame and become enabling to their parents rather than stand up to authority and hold them accountable.  

Spoiler Alert: The final two boys were the smart ones.  The older boy kept his composure, his body posture was impeccable, hands behind his head, looking his mom right in the eye.  He actually tried to make his mom feel guilty. The little boy called it straight up, "You sneaky mom!"  I imagine these two would be reminding their mom that she ate all their Halloween candy every time they wanted a treat, for months or possibly even years to come.

Once again, kids are brilliant, they show us who we are, and help us get our priorities straight.

P.S. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when the kids found out their parents were just playing a practical joke on them!