What I got out of Drop Dead Gorgeous

To be clear, I am discussing the independent mock-documentary by Philip Alberton about a dead body being used on modeling shoots and not the comedy about a beauty pageant by Michael Patrick Jann.

I just wanted to be clear since the comedy is the one I thought I was watching but was misinformed and just got physically ill. Instead of passing it up as possibly life-scarring bad luck, I thought I would write a blog about it and discuss what I got out of the movie since I can't seem to find many websites discussing it.

The premise of the movie is a documentary group have come to follow the rise of a young model, Cynthia, as she lands a big modeling contract with a very famous fashion designer. However, on the set, she dies (they suggest an overdose) but the photographer keeps shooting her. The modeling company decide that, in order to stay on schedule, they will continue to use her dead body and excitedly talk about starting a revolution in the fashion industry.

The message from the movie is pretty clear for anyone who can manage to listen to the dialogue over their stomach flipping at the sight of..well,...everything on screen: to the advertising industry, women are meat. We have no soul, no personality, and that is what is truly desired. The photographer in the movie doesn't look at the models' faces when he speaks to them but instead focuses his attention between their legs. When the models' go 'off-screen' to wretch, no one looks twice and later encourages them to lose more weight. The people 'interviewed' who work in the fashion field talk about how the worsts things about the models' are their relationships, their looks, and their need to be accepted. The photographer goes so far as to say that, for these women to be beautiful, they need to be used, abused, and sexualized, and-once they are on the verge of being ruined spiritually- give the impression of innocence and virginity.

Once Cynthia dies, a whole new world opens for the fashion world. No longer is she difficult to work with because they can prop her up, paint her, and dress her as they see fit. They no longer have to worry about complaints of long hours, relationships, and a life outside of her career. They move her and place her as they need and she goes on ice afterwards to await a new day of being used. Because she is dead, she is no longer the problem, it is now the other models who they call in to work with her. They become the ones who are difficult to work with as they don't want to be so close to a body or because, since one happens to be in her twenties, they are too old. One quote from the movie, "For Cynthia, it was too much too soon...wait, how old was she? 18? Then it was too much too late."

In the end of the movie, the advertisement was pulled from magazines and billboards but, because it was so shocking, kept getting reprinted. The designer she was working with went from being hated to admired for his revolution. Models killed themselves to get better work and her agent became the lead agent in dead models. Nothing was learned because society refused to.

Perhaps the dead body thing is a bit far-fetched but, honestly, advertising agencies aren't telling us much different. Women are screamed at from every side and a very early age; this is how you should look, how you should be, what you should be. You are worth nothing if you aren't these things. The images they present to us are unobtainable and often contradictions. We must be sexual virgins, submissive fighters, and commonly exotic. Our worth is determined by our body, our personality is irrelevant. In the end, we become something less than human. Models become mannequins and the end result leaves us with a picture asking a simple question....

Is she even real?

If you would like more information on the topic of how women are used in advertising (I assure you the following video will be more entertaining and better put together than my spur of the moment blog) then Watch Killing Us Softly By Clicking Here

Step One for Self-Sufficiency

If you ask me what my dreams for the future are, you'll get two answers: 1) that I will be a college professor/sociologist without borders 2) that I will be as self-sufficient as economically possible.

I want lots of land, preferably with some woods on it, and a little cottage home with a porch. When I'm not at my job, my time will be taken up tending to the produce DHF and I grow and cooking in a kitchen whose size will not cause me to have a nervous fit (my current one would make a cockroach claustrophobic).

It's funny because, when I was little, I grew up on a farm near the woods. My time was taken up chasing chickens around, avoiding the geese (they get testy), exploring the woods, and playing on the train tracks. I would help my grandmother shell peas and, on a couple of occasions, churn butter and I would wake up to the smell of biscuits and bacon in the morning.

Needless to say, my dream growing up was getting the hell away from their. I wanted city-life, the sounds of cars and people, and the pulse that only downtown can give. Then I moved there and I can the sounds of cars, sirens, and people yelling and the smell of dumpsters and homeless that only a neglected downtown can give.

It's funny 'cuz my dream for the future is the one thing I never wanted. It's weird how that works.

Currently though, DHF and I can't do much for self-sufficiency right now. I'm finishing up my last year as an undergrad (translation=broke and time consumed) and he's working a new job that calls for 12 hour shifts. Neither of us can afford a house here and we find it kind of pointless since we will be moving out of state after I graduate for graduate school. So, since we can't do many of the things we want, we have decided to start planning for when we can.

Our step one involves paying off as much of our debt as possible. He's already succeeded in most of that since he works full time but I'm just getting started today. I have decided to aim for credit cards since my hope for the future is only having one and for emergencies only. Currently, I have five and have plans in the works to bring it down to four by August 26th. Eep! Excitement! Today I plan on setting up a 'pay off schedule' that will help me form a budget and get them all paid off by next May. I may not have a really good idea of it until after I get my car but at least I'll have a general one.

Activist Post: Anonymous Threatens to Kill Facebook on Nov. 5

For Caterpillar:

(Click on the link below for more information)

Activist Post: Anonymous Threatens to Kill Facebook on Nov. 5

A lot of people complain that this attack is idiotic but I disagree. What Facebook is doing is wrong and they are destroying lives of people who are unaware that they've become addicts. There is no longer a sense of privacy. Facebook apps can take your personal contacts out of your iphone (look it up), they keep tabs on things you discuss, and businesses can check their employees or possible employees pictures, statuses, and comments. People have lost their jobs because somewhere in an album is a picture of them holding a beer. Never-mind that they never drank at their job and were at their own house because, with Facebook's help, what you do in your free time is also your boss's business.

We have a right to privacy. Stop selling information. If Facebook continues, they should respect the 'privacy settings' set up by their users. That doesn't just go for other users, it should apply to companies and government agencies.

Because We Share The Same Goals

The Edge of Revolution

The world is on the edge of revolution. Turn on the television and riots are on every station. People are dissatisfied. They have a right to be. For too long, the government and big businesses have sought to quiet us. They have taken away our rights and replaced them with mindless dribble. They say speak freely but not if it is something they don't want to hear. They say right to happiness but limit it to what makes them happy. They say live your life but they make us their slaves.

Large companies destroy the hopes and dreams of those people who open honest business. They treat their employees poorly-some like slaves. They deny promotion and insurances that may benefit the lives of the people they rely on in order to operate. Fat cats get fatter while people who have suffered continue to do so.

Where are the citizens to go when it's government authorities are corrupted? Many are more worried about what big business with it's big wallet wants than they are for the people who rely on them to make their voices heard. The news screams at us that the only way to change things is to vote but all many of us see is a choice in picking the less evil of two 'bought' politicians.

It seems the idea of revolution has become something to fear and destroy. It quakes people who are too distracted by the 'gift' of social media and mindless television to notice that something is terribly wrong. We are in debt, people are losing their jobs, their homes, children are hungry, the elderly are living on pennies, and education costs get higher and higher while loans get harder and harder to obtain. The government gives tax break to the rich while the poor starve in a land of plenty. It's not working. Nothing is working and things need to change.

We are the change. This goes beyond being American or the 'youth of the nation.' This is the human spirit and we refuse to be broken.

Tear Drops and a Mariner's Revenge

THE CONCERT WAS AMAZING!!!!

Oh, my gosh, I don't think there are enough words to describe how utterly amazing it was nor do I think I will be able to relate everything that happened. It's like a happy hodgepodge of awesomeness in my brain. ^_^

I'm not sure where to begin. I guess I can start by saying that I have been to a lot of concerts over the years but this was by far the best and I'm not just saying that because The Decemberists are my favorite band. Many artists will come on stage and say 'Hey, Nashville, you guys rock!' and then pretty much ignore the audience the rest of the time and just do their thing. The Decemberists, however, spoke to the crowd-even so much as responding to things that were called out to them- and made the audience become active in the show. On several occasions, they wouldn't continue playing until everyone was standing, jumping, or dancing. During one song, Colin asked people to get out in the aisles and start two stepping. When no one did, he asked if anyone here even knew how and, when no one responded, he jumped down into the aisle, grabbed a chick, and danced up and down the aisle with her while the rest of the band continued playing. Also, during another song, he jumped back into the crowd and gave his guitar to someone and asked them to do a guitar solo (BTW, Guitar lessons may be in my future).

The concert became more of a play in which everyone had a part. The audience stomped and clapped in rhythm, banged on the seats, and sang along. Everyone was so enthusiastic that they did two encores with one of the songs being The Mariner's Revenge. During this one, the audience was asked that, when the cue was given, everyone was to scream and wail as if they were the ones being swallowed by the giant whale. During that time, DHF and I grabbed hold of each other and screamed at the top of our lungs along with everyone else. During the instrumental part, the entire concert hall was covered in blue light and we all swayed like we were the ocean.

One of my favorite songs they played was This is Why We Fight, a song which reminds us that "freedom cannot be bestowed-it must be achieved" (Roosevelt). Hearing that song live was like a spiritual moment for me. In my truest Christian roots, I even held up my hands as witness :P Looking back, I'm sure I looked silly but heck if I care.

And, because I can't possibly forget to mention this, when they first appeared on stage, I cried. I couldn't believe I was in the same room as Colin Meloy. If you know me, you know how out of character that is for me. I'm snarky and I don't care about celebrities in the least. With this though, it's just different. I couldn't begin to tell you why except that it is and wonderfully so. I cried all through that first song and held DHF's hand and I don't care who knows.

Having DHF there was seriously the best part of all of it though. I am so happy that I was able to experience this with him. Even though this band wasn't his cup of tea going in, he greatly enjoyed himself at the concert and I think his mind changed about them a little bit. It was wonderful knowing my baby was holding my hand through the songs and actually enjoying himself instead of putting up with it for me.

Before we went into the show, we waited in line at the merchandise table where DHF informed me I was to get whatever I wanted. I just asked for one t-shirt. Disappointed in my request, he got me the shirt, a water bottle, and the limited edition poster (which is now sold out). We have plans to get some items off their website along with a frame for the poster.

The songs played:

Oceanside

Down by the Water

Calamity Song

Rise to Me

The Bagman's Gambit

The Soldering Life

We Both Go Down Together

Won't Want for Love

The Crane Wife (1&2)

The Rake's Song

All Arise!

Rox in the Box

This is Why We Fight

The Chimbley Sweep

----

Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye

The Mariner's Revenge

---

June Hymn

Well, I think that's all I can think of to say. Honestly, I'm exhausted today and I think I may curl up for a bit and watch TV. Night y'all :)

August 8th

Ugh! I have this feeling like I'm antsy but not at the same time. I would be all like 'things need to hurry up and happen!' but things are happening. I'm reading, pondering, working, kissing DHF; you know, all those good things. I even sat down and re-watched Gone With The Wind (BTW, Frankly, he doesn't give a damn).

I dunno though, I think I'm just antsy about all the stuff coming up within the next few weeks. I'm seeing The Decemberists on Saturday which makes me wanna explode with excitement! I'm for real! I mean, I am going to be in the same building as Colin Meloy!!!!

I kinda wanna cry just thinking about it. Also, I just found out that he wrote a children's book (possible birthday present, perhaps? Hmm, perhaps not. Dunno if I can wait that long).

Another great part about this concert, it's in Nashville which means I'll get to see Kristina! I have plans to get to Nashville early so I can meet with her for lunch. That'll leave a few hours to get present for the wedding on sunday (DHF's friends) before crying tears of joy as the second greatest man sings to me. *Happy sigh* He's got nothing on DHF though. Good thing he's already married. I would hate to have to turn him down :P

After all that, DHF's birthday will be coming up, school will be starting, and then I'll be visiting relatives in Alabama. Gosh, so much so soon. I'm gonna try my best to relax and read but, as I said before, I'm getting antsy with my downtime.

As if to prove my point, I'm now bored writing this entry. I think I'll clean. :P

The Story of Peter as told by Madea

(The following is from Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself)

Madea: You know who you remind me of right now? You remind me of Peter. You know who Peter was? Peter was one of the twelve disciplines. And they were out on a boat near an isle in the Greek Atlantic Ocean. And when they was on this boat, a storm rose up and the twelve disciplines, they got really, really worried and upset. They said, "Oh Lord, what are we gonna do?" and they saw something coming towards them that looked like a ghost. But it wasn't a ghost. It was Jesus. And Peter said, "Jesus, if that's you then let me come out to you." You gotta be careful what you ask the Lord for. So Jesus said, "Come on out." So Peter stepped out of the boat and was walking on the water.

On the water. He was walking on the water toward Jesus. Long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he stayed on top of the water. He took his eyes off him though. You know why? He got distracted. You know why he got distracted? See, this is what you got to do. When you got your eye on Jesus, you can't get distracted by nothing. Jonah passed by in the belly of the whale. He looked down, Free Willy, with Jonah inside the belly and it made him distracted so he started to sink. He said, "Jesus, Jesus, help me." Jesus said, "I can't. I got to go to Calvary. I'm late." So Jesus went on to the cross. He said, "Don't worry though. I'm gonna send you a comforter. When the comforter come, you gonna be alright." So he's swimming. He try and swim. He was worried. And Jaws was coming. Spielberg did that Jaws thing. And he was surrounded. You know what happened?

Just in the nick of time... See this is what I'm talking about, when you think you ain't gonna make it, in the nick of time, something happens. Noah came up in the arch. That's right, Noah came rowing up in the arch of St. Louis Arch. He pulled right up beside him. Peter got on there, he said, "Thank you for saving me." Noah said, "No problem, man. It's cool. What up, fool?" So he showed him around. Noah had turned the arch into a cruise ship cause he ain't have nothing to do after he saved the world. Hey, you know who was on there? Eve.

She was in the VIP section. And Peter asked, he said, "Eve, come on, go to the show." So she went to see this show. They had tigers. You know, they had two tigers, two bears, two lions. You know how they had the male and the female. Well, Siegfried and Roy was there, and they had the two lions there. And them Lions jumped up and scratched Eve. That's how Eve get them two paws there. You ever see Eve with the paws? She got two paws right there. Read your Bible some time, honey. Read your Bible.

Last page, promise :P

(That would be DHF, Headmaster)

(Don't worry, Draco. I love you.)

Hell yeah!!

(Note: Nothing belongs to me. Found images while surfing internet and their original sites are unknown to me)