thefox

**clap clap clap**

Very well said, my dear. It's a hard thing to be strong and determined and to maintain that. Of course, if you slip, you have a huge group that loves you to death and will be there to help you through.

Hello!!

It's really hard to NOT be affected by society's ideal of beauty, when people look at magazines and go, "She's so hot/beautiful," knowing that same woman in real life is a size 0, with ribs sticking out, but the photography makes her look sexy and voluptuous. And then they'll see a picture of a more normal-weight beautiful woman, maybe a size 8 or 10, and say, "Ew, she's fat and needs to lose weight." It's really hard to hear that knowing that the "fat" woman is actually skinnier than you, maybe skinnier than you'll ever be, but through the distortion of photography and/or TV cameras, she looks big.
The lean supermodel is still the ideal...and we KNOW they are genetic freaks or anorexic...and we also know they aren't intended by the fashion world to be the standard, they're just intended to be clotheshangers...but when the size 0's are celebrities, and seem to get the most attractive men, that makes them the standard of beauty.
I've never been one to go along with the social ideal of beauty, for either men or women. The people I find attractive are usually not within that ideal. But it still affects me. I see all these images, and it makes me want to starve myself until I'm 50 lbs thinner. I hate feeling that, but I do feel it...until I tell myself I'm being a fucking moron.
Now, I'd rather just be in the best shape that I can be, with the resources I have. I used to work out a lot more, and I wasn't thin, but I was strong and toned, and physically I felt great. Exercise does make you feel better. Forget diets. Something like 80% of people regain their lost weight after one year. The rest regain it too, just later on. You just can't stick to a deprivation diet for the rest of your life...and your body won't let you. Eating healthy is great, but I think focusing on exercise is the key. You may not lose as much weight, but you'll be healthy, and you'll feel good.

OMG marry me!
ps...thanks for the sparkly lady

Hey darling...I actually wrote about the very topic of changing beauty standards in my latest journal...which is about 5 years long give or take a month. But it's in there. So I won't get into it here.
Curvy ladies are the sexiest. In my mind. Not in the mainstream. But meh, what does the mainstream have going for it besides numbers of sheep?

Oh darlin, I so played the "i'm not so and so's ideal." the guy I dated for 2 and half years (whose breakup influenced and partially inspired the move out here) and he would quite often let me know how far off his ideal i was. He said this was "helping me out" but really he was just a condescending prick.
But LFO doesn't get mean about it, does he? He better not. Or he's got an asskicking coming at him. But I'm sure he doesn't...he doesn't seem the type.

Ideals are bullshit. I mean I suppose it's good to have standards (at least on emotional and values concerns) but yeah, we aren't meant to hold up to ideals. No one does. Even models think they're too fat. Even the skinniest among them does. So many are desperate for big boobs, others would love to cut theirs off. It's natural to worry, but worry is just as useful as chewing bubble gum to solve a math problem (and yes, I think that's a paraphrase from "everyone's free to wear sunscreen" but it's TRUE).

I'm glad you're done with the struggling...there will be bad days, but you can get through them. I'm doing the same thing myself right now. LOL. We so are soulmates.

Well if you can get out here (aka get the gas money, which I know is steep) I can cover you at the bar. If that helps. Or maybe I should just come out and visit YOU. I'm usually out chapel hill way every friday for therapy and auntie time.

Hope your sleep troubles are clearing up (she says at almost 3am )

The great thing about friend requests is you can always say no

Fight the power!
Okay it's bedtime for one rambling princess...

Much lovins and hot smooches sexy mama

PS...sorry I just HAD TO...cause it's true

How about a steakhouse...just kidding!

I don't know. You have a fave choice that you, oh girl who's been cloistered and repressed by school work, have a place that you've been hankering for?

Either way's good for me. I'm feeling fine. I just assumed you'd want to go out since you've been shut in so long, but we can definitely do this at my casa.

Thanks! And yes, the trip is after the last final. Eek! Can't wait!

sorry, teacher girl; I hafsta piss you off again: SGnews: MySpace Ed' Major Denied Degree

Oh yeah. I've had Turning into Darkness singing in my head so much. And Permanent Excuse, and Sugar Coated, and Distant City....Their music is so goooooooood. And I had such a lovely time dancing with you!
We must do it again!

Sigh. My plans have failed...but if you would like to willingly go anywhere with me, do say the word! You has my number...I can has cheezburger?

This song basically says it all...with very cute little kittens too!!!!!
Really if you haven't seen that site, it's pure gold...click the link at the bottom...

But if you can think of anywhere else to go, I will totally gladly come with. I have to live it up between now and May 29, because after that I'll be out of commission for 6 solid weeks. Modern Dance Boot Camp! But I'm so excited!!!

And it's so great that you're excited about your summer work. It's so not lame. That rules! Being passionate is the roxor!!!1111 (okay I am not sure I used that correctly. but yeah. it rocks)

Dude I loved your blog against theocracy. I read it at the time but I was all being sad and s**t and didn't say anything then. It's so true though. Having gone to a catholic school I was very confused as a kid

Girl, you need to get in some making out the couch time. For real. That's a life experience. And not one that will get you a stomach pump or a night in jail or a liver disease or an addiction. It's the GOOD KIND. It's playful and fun.

Life takes all kinds of odd turns (ha ha I don't think you could even map mine) but in the end it usually works out, and even when it doesn't there's something to do about it. But you're with TFO and that's great and now you've got the school stuff and yay! Go you!

Thanks for the all the loves and hugs and encouragements. You're so very sweet. I loves ya

Those pics are SWEET! That house is freaking awesome. I love the "conversation chair"! And I want an attic like that. That's the shit. And I know what you mean about the staircase shot. Every time I do one of those I think either I will fall or I"ll drop my camera and it will be pulverized. LOL TFO must have felt like a giant!

Big big big huggins to you pretty lady. For real. Let's hit the town!

PS...I hope you've already seen these but...if not...omg...the cuteness
Looking for My Leopard
Fear the Stompy Kittens!

PPS. This comment is like longer than your update. I am the rambling queen!

Looks like you had so much fun!!!!

By the way, if you ever want to head down here to do any research, you are welcome to stay here. I am right smack dab in the middle of about 6 different school systems!!

CPT is awesome. over a dozen tigers!!!

good seeing you too. xo

I'm so psyched for you finishing the semester finally and getting it behind you. Can't wait to get to see you again.

Haha, love the li'l sentence by your name.
Thanks for the suggestions...the IE fix was the one I'd already been trying. Now I'm zooming the page to 105% and that works, but it makes other stuff look a tad wonky. Ugh, this stupid layout. I probably should switch to Firefox anyway. Happy Friday!

Have a good time!

No, it hasn't been postponed. So I'll still be missing you at the party.

Thank you so much for your kind, caring words regarding the loss of my kitty, Newman. I appreciate it greatly.

And I am in absolute agreement with you re. the changes (yet again!) to this site. The format just becomes more and more cumbersome and visually unappealing. Blech.

Take care...

DIng, Ding, Ding! Yeah, Idjiit's on this new kick of making somewhat discrete dirty photos. This was a fun first try.

Oh, and you already know this, but I am your sister in solidarity of hating this new layout!!

Hey, I clicked on your blog link, and when I came to, I had read through most of March and was heading into February. So, this tells me that your writing flows well, is intelligent, and interesting! The story of the kid that brought the knife to school is scary, but what's most scary is that it probably happens all the time, in every city. Young, depressed kids try bringing something dangerous to school to spark some reaction of interest from their peers, in hopes of being recognized, seen and/or accepted. Meanwhile their parents and teachers are often too over-worked to notice in time.

Thank you for becoming an elementary teacher. It, like nursing, or being a police officer, is so important, yet I know my limitations on stress keeps those from being career possibilities for me. Seeing as I will not have children of my own, I have visions of trying to use my career in horticulture to reach out to children and the community, and make a contribution in my own way. But being in a classroom with more than say 3 students at a time, would kill me.

Seperation of church and state?
What's that? Good old GWB doesn't think that's required anymore.

The girl and I are heading back to California at the end of the month, and will be passing through New Mexico and Arizona on the way back... we were planning on hitting the Grand Canyon, but were hoping you might have some cool "locals only" information for us on places to go, things to eat, etc. for us?

Haha, private school FTW!

In other news: How do you guys never make out?