Now THIS is Halloween!

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The Tattoo Page

No Not Everyone Regrets Their Tattoos When They're Older

The Tattoo Page

Every Year

Ms. Foundation for Women

Happy Halloween!

League of Women Voters of the U.S.

What's Punk?

A guy walks up to me and asks, "What's Punk?". So I kick over a garbage can and say. "That's punk!". So he kicks over the garbage can and says, "That's Punk?", and I say, "No that's trendy!"
~Billie Joe Armstrong

62nd (2010) Primetime Emmy Awards - Jimmy Fallon's Musical Tribute To Concluded Shows

How is it that I only know about this now?

The 2010 Primetime Emmy Award host Jimmy Fallon does a musical tribute to three shows which went off the air in 2010. 24, Lost, and Law And Order.

Clearning Out What Could Have Been

I've been crawling on my belly, clearing out what could've been.
I've been wallowing in my own chaotic and insecure delusions. 
I wanna feel the change consume me, feel the outside turning in. 
I wanna feel the metamorphosis and cleansing, I've endured within my shadow. 
Change is coming. 
Now is my time. 
Listen to my muscle memory. 
Contemplate what I've been clinging to.
~Tool

Eulogy

Aenima is an album by rock band Tool; an album which dropped in 1996, when I was 16 years of age. All these years later; despite an evolution and growth in preferred music styles, I still adore the music of so many of the artists, I appreciated back then. I consider Aenima to be one of the best of the1,500-something albums I own. When I come back to it, I rediscover small nuances which prove to be incredibly powerful.

I came across a cover of the song Eulogy, uploaded by Ginarae on YouTube. I'm rarely drawn to covers, but this woman has a tone to her voice that pulls me towards the screen.

Eulogy has particular meaning for me it was around this time of year, that I lost a dear friend of mine to suicide. The lyrics describe him well.

Eulogy by Tool - Covered by Ginarae -Aug 8, 2009

He had a lot to say
He had a lot of nothing to say
We'll miss him
I'll miss him
He had a lot to say
He had a lot of nothing to say
We'll miss him
I'll miss him
We're gonna miss him
We're gonna miss him

It's so long now
We wish you well
You told us how you weren't afraid to die
Well so long
Don't cry
Or feel too down
Not all martyrs see divinity
But at least you tried

Standing above the crowd
He had a voice that was strong and loud
We'll miss him
I'll miss him
Ranting and pointing his finger
At everything but his heart
We'll miss him
I'll miss him
We're gonna miss him
We're gonna miss him

There's no way
To recall
What it was that you had said to me
Like I care at all
But it was so loud
You sure could yell
You took a stand on every little thing
And so loud

Standing above the crowd
He had a voice that was strong and loud and I
Swallowed his facade 'cause I'm so
Eager to identify with
Someone above the ground
Someone who seemed to feel the same
Someone prepared to lead the way and
Someone who would die for me

Will you?
Will you now?

Two of the most beautiful things to witness

Men embracing is a beautiful thing. Men singing together in a hardcore band or a gospel choir. 

Nude by Rhianna

Pop singer Rhianna has a new fragrance. Why is it that so many singers and actors feel the need to tack their name onto a fragrance? It's become eye roll worthy. More importantly, why is it that she (and/or her "creative" team) decided to dress her Nude perfume in a pink uniform?

It was just recently that I noticed that there are still so many tan/pink/beige makeup products and clothing items that are considered nude. I haven't worn makeup in 12 years, but I do recall owning a nude lipstick. How is it that even now, nude still exists?

Here, Rhianna sports a blonde Marilyn Monroe do, and a nude bra that is nothing like her own skin tone. It pains me to see that corporations continue to ignore that nude comes in different colors.

Things That Cause RAPE

The Other 98%

TEDxTeen - Tavi Gevinson: Figuring it Out

I'm a fan of TED Talks and only now have discovered that TedxTeen exists. How marvelous this is for teens and also for us adults.

Below is a talk by Tavi Gevinson.

Tavi Gevinson is editor-in-chief and founder of RookieMag.com and writes thestylerookie.com. Rookie, a site for teenage girls, broke 1 million page views within 5 days of launching in September of 2011, and contributors have included Miranda July, Dan Savage, Joss Whedon, JD Samson, Zooey Deschanel, Sady Doyle, Lesley Arfin, and Cindy Gallop. It has received praise from Weekend Edition Sunday on NPR, the New Yorker, and a number of other publications, and, most importantly, the girls who write in to the site. Tavi has also written for publications such as Harper's Bazaar, Jezebel, Lula, and Pop, and is a contributing editor to GARAGE magazine. She is 15 and a sophomore in high school, and also the author of an embarrassing diary recently found from the 6th grade.


Tavi Gevinson

What I love about this talk is that Gevinson reveals just how mature she is as a teen and just how teen-like she is. Essentially she is showing adults that youth does not equate to minimal life experience or a life that isn't well thought out. Nor is she so wise beyond her years that she refrains from using the word "like" or embracing a voice that is indeed very "teen-like."

Official Rookie Website

Rookie Facebook

Love is Better Than Fluff, Cotton Candy, and the Music of Taylor Swift

 (source)

Taylor Swift writes her own music; and because young singers in the mainstream have earned the reputation of letting their studio teams do all the work; she has received much praise from her audiences.

She has also earned praise but mostly intrigue for writing lyrics about ex-boyfriends. The fact that her exes are well known is part of the reason that her songs have become so popular. This has had me scratching my head in frustration from the beginning. Taylor isn't doing anything that is particularly daring or inventive. Writing from personal experiences is an essential part of storytelling and it is a concept that has been going strong for ions.

The degree to which Swift is praised, suggests that it is almost unbelievable that a young woman, who also happens to be a pretty woman; might possess the ability to write her own music. It is apparently even more unbelievable that she might have an opinion or two about the inner workings of relationships. That's called sexism and it is prevalent within the music industry.

It's unfortunate, however, that Swift chooses to write fluffy; surfaced tunes. Swift is certainly her own person and she can write whatever it is that she chooses. My issue is that she is a 22 year old woman who presents herself as a teen or even a tween, in her music.

My first experience with Swift's music took place when I was driving along a freeway in Los Angeles. Across a wall I saw the words, "No amount of vintage dresses gives you dignity", in spray paint. I decided to Google it. I learned that it is a lyric line that belongs to a song written by Swift, entitled, "Better than Revenge."

I went through a few other lyrics from various songs, and found them to be quite empty. What bothers me about Swift is that her lyrics reflect a damsel in distress character and when she sings about heartbreak she is some how a scrappy damsel in distress character. Both are alluring to young men (and evidently some older men) and women alike. Either way, she is reduced to a figure of innocence. Insulting or no; ignorant or no, Swift pushes easy come, easy go, messages.

Natalie Reilly had me beaming when she finally put into writing, what I have been thinking, ever since I heard Swift sing songs about how she was "meant" to be with this guy or that.

“it’s interesting to note how many girls fall so willfully and deeply into ‘the-helplessly-in-love-do-anything-for-a-relationship’ narrative – seemingly without understanding or knowledge, or probably, (truthfully), any care of how destructive this can be.

If this narrative was simply part of growing up; part of being a teen, then we have to ask: why don’t we hear more songs, hell, more Facebook posts, more confessions from boys about the heartbreak that comes from a broken promise, a missed meeting or indeed, A MISSED TEXT? Boys fall in love, boy bands sing about love, but the 'lover as victim’ trope is not half as pronounced as it is in lady music. I would argue it’s because girls are socialised to believe – from the time they are very young – that a boyfriend, no matter how horrible = a life made. And no boyfriend = a life not worth living. With the stakes this high, it's hardly surprising that Taylor Swift’s lyrics resonate with so many teenage girls."

 (source)

So there you have it: patriarchy. It's something that affects us all and it is evident that Swift has not escaped.

In Spark's Fly, Swift sings:

Drop everything now
Meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk
Take away the pain.

In Enchanted, she sings:

Please don't be in love with someone else
Please don't have somebody waiting on you

This night is sparkling, but don't you let it go
I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home.
I'll spend forever wondering if you knew

I can't speak to Swift's personal experiences. I imagine her legions of fans feel they can relate to her music. Although, 22, is considered young, I think she is old enough to have had some authentic experiences. I know, I did. None of us know the ins and outs of her relationships or her worldview of men -- but the qualm I have with her music is that men are the focal point and the running theme of her music floats in a pool of love sick romance.

Reise from Autostraddle makes some good points when she identifies that not only does Swift's music push forward the idea that a woman minus a prince charming leads to impending doom, but her music videos drive this message home through Madonna/Whore scenarios in which blonde equates to good and brown equates to bad. Glasses equal geek and red lipstick equals maturity.

All of this makes Swift more adorable as she rides side saddle on the horse that was Britney Spears' "Not a girl, not yet a woman." As she ages perhaps we'll begin to see that Swift's views on love actually have three dimensions. Until then, the radio waves will by plagued with the misguided notions of cotton candy love and shallow views that are in keeping with the social construct of the feminine.

Parents are often up in arms about the supposed dangers of rock music -- I'm starting to think that it'd be more appropriate for parents to discuss the difference between authentic relationships and teen dream, rather than warn against subliminal messages or ghostly makeup.

Mad, sad, scared, tired, wired. Whatever it is, you'll feel better afterward.

Ms. Foundation for Women

Agreed

The Other 98%

Don't Throw the Peels

The Homestead Survival blog site, tells us what we can do with old fruit peels. Good tips, but I'm more enamored with the beauty of this image.

Green Day, Will Ferrell and His Cowbell

Will Ferrell's cow bell makes everything cooler. Great performance.


East Jesus Nowhere - Green Day with Will Ferrell - Saturday Night Live

Funfetti Twinkie

Cutest Food

Home

From Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

Be

(source unknown)

Makes Sense

Occupy Bacon

Journalism is..

(source unknown)

Let's Get To Work

Yeah, it was like that

Thank you, Johnny

Mirrors Don't Lie

Dreads

Let Us Practice

(source unknown)

I should have thought of this

Machismo Doesn't Work For Me

Rebel Bird

 


The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Even birds protest.

Tokidoki x Hello Kitty Large Handbag - Limited 2012 Edition

New 2012 limited edition handbag from the Sanrio and Tokidoki collaboration collection. To purchase, visit Sanrio, here.

Specifications:

- 10.25"H x 13"W x 7.25"D
- Custom three piece golden charm
- PVC Leather
- Lined inside with limited edition print
- Golden Tokidoki x Hello Kitty decal on front of bag
- zipper closure
- 1 large pocket and 2 smaller pockets inside.

The image I love the most is that of Hello Kitty inside the costume of Donutella. Donutella is actually a little girl. Tokidoki describes her this way:

Donutella comes from a planet where sugar is used as energy. One day while out scouting the milky way for a new fuel source in her donut U.F.O., Donutella discovered planet Earth. On Earth, Donutella was excited to find a lot of sweets and treats to fuel herself and her people. Almost instantly Donutella realized that it would be much better to start a sweet colony here and invite all of her friends than to go back home.

The high heel shoe print, I could do without but the rest is just too good.

Diamond with a Hello Kitty face and bow. Skull charm with a Hello Kitty bow and lastly a pink Tokidoki head and cross bones.

Ellen Degeneres Refuses to Hawk Bic Pens for Women

Ellen Degeneres was asked to promote Bic Pens for Women. Below is a hilarious response to the very sad and tragic reality that companies feast on sexism and therefore perpetuate it. The video is a must see.

Always What You Want

(source)

As you begin to state what you do want—rather than clamoring about what you don't want—you come into your own power. When you come into your own power, you feel better. And when you feel better, those who love you also feel better.

~Abraham-Hicks

My Boots Taught Me How To Grow

The Lazy Pineapple

Weekend Update With Seth Myers and Arianna Huffington

Did you see this on the most recent Saturday Night Live? I did; and it was perfect.

Be My Mermaid

Dreads

Because the Colors Warm Me

Disneyland

Poppy On Her Shoulder

rikers-island via tumblr

Lipstick Red Poppies

caramassacre via tumblr

Water Color Poppy Tattoo

Tattoo by Princesstattoo Silvia, Forli’ Italy via asotherswere via tumblr

Simple Poppies

powderburntothelips via tumblr

Ooooh; detail.

Tattoo acceptance in the workplace

drape wall woman

touch-arts.com

Daisies Transform

SLOVAK PARADISE — with Sevenova Tatiana. via Dreads

Today's Romp Included Awkwardness at Starbucks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 (source)

Went to Starbucks & opened the door for a man. He was visibly uncomfy & clumsily walked backwards behind me as I pulled back the door. He couldn't get access to the door handle because -- well, because I had it in my own hands. He sputtered a few garbled words as I said, "after you." He uttered, "Uh, oh, okay; thank you." If a man or woman wants to open the door for me; that's fine. If a man feels awkward or confused when a woman opens a door for him, that tells me that we hug our gender norms too tightly.

The Ballerina Project: Zarina in Polipoli State Park, Maui

Zarina - Polipoli State Park, Maui (7-80)

Check out the Ballerina Project blog:
http://ballerinaproject.com/

To purchase this or other Ballerina Project images as a limited edition print please follow this link: http://ballerinaproject.com/purchase

When Women Who Think That Other Women Are Asking For It

This photo is via Ana Kasparian from The Young Turks.

The issue I have with this, is that it implies that women who are wearing less are some how asking for it. I'm not a fan of revealing clothing, but a woman could be wearing next to nothing -- or actually nothing -- and that would not equate to asking for it. Unless a woman actually asks for it, one shouldn't assume that she is inviting rape.

One cannot insist that they understand the reasons behind showing skin. When I see a woman wearing revealing clothing, sometimes I think she wants all eyes on her, or perhaps she feels she is dressing just for herself as she feels good in said garb. There's no way for me to know for certain unless she were to tell me.

Although, what we wear has some bearing on what others think, (we most often wear things that we think others will approve of/find acceptable) it is possible to wear clothing just for ourselves. For example: if I wear a dress I am not dressing for men but rather I am dressing for me.

A man who allows a style of dress to give him permission to make advances (in any form, to any degree) is subscribing to the myth that men simply cannot help themselves; that boys will be boys. It is a theory that limits men to a source of minimal intelligence and dangerous behavior. I think we want better for our male friends, lovers, sons, fathers; strangers among us.

Women who believe that other women are asking for it are contributing to what gender studies professor; Hugo Schwyzer refers to as, the myth of male weakness. One should not allow their unease with other women's choices to convince them that they are less deserving of respect and safety.

For the love of yourself; for the love of grace

You can never do too many pliés.

1-2-3

1.2.3. 
by Lady J - 2012©

You're always counting
I said, breathe to three.

Funnel Cake Cupcakes

Wha? How grand. Someone's arteries are hardening as we speak.

Made by 3girlscupcakes

The Ryan Gosling Coloring Book?

How is this a real thing; seriously how is this a real thing? I'm an admirer of Gosling's work and yes he's a handsome fellow: but this?

I can't decide whether this is a comical, lighthearted addition to the already comical public obsession of Ryan Gosling or if this is a sad, overblown, over-the-top addition to the already comical public obsession of Ryan Gosling.

Yep, this is exists. I've almost accepted it. If you're clamoring for this, you do not have my company; but I won't leave you hanging. You can purchase the thing at I Love Mel. Go forth and obsess.