Patriarchal Pet Peeves

Indignation at society's lack of fairness is something I try to manage wisely. It's rather useless energy and I try to spend time working on the positive tip rather than then neg. But once in a while I get a bee in my bonnet and I feel like now is a good time to get some of my pet peeves off my chest.

1- I can't stand hearing men complain about how inappropriate they think it is for women to put make up on on the train. SHUT UP DUDE. In life, and especially in NYC, every 5 minutes counts and many times that 5 minutes is the difference between being late or on time for work. And sadly, most women feel more confident having a little color on their faces. There might be a lot wrong with that but I would blame the patriarchy there too so we're not gonna get too far in a "make up free face" effort. Might I suggest you join me in my campaign for hand washing stations at all MTA exits? That is a much better use of our energies!

2- Airplane carry on guidelines are inherently sexist. They are generally one small suitcase and one personal item such as a purse, laptop bag or briefcase. Well my friends, women have to carry a purse AND a laptop bag or briefcase. I have personally been stopped multiple times for this offense and it enrages me every time. if all items are not to exceed a weight in excess of 40 pounds, then that should be the stated policy.

3- Working in a mildly corporate environment in New York City I still am absolutely aware of the different standards for appearance between men and women. As I have rather annoying high maintenance hair (yeah it takes a lot of work to look this average) I get totally P.O.'d when I see the dudes in my office stroll in with messy as hell hair, that shit just would not fly for us ladies. I can hear the comments now "what the HELL happened to you?" And not to mention the rumpled Rumpelstiltskin look many of them rock that would only send the message I'm not into if I tried to do the same.

So what can I do about any of these things besides rant on my minimally read blog? Nuthin'. I'll live.

Wednesday Sept. 3rd: a day of action!

Well the world sure can be tedious, especially when the republican (I'm trying to think of a way to say that diminuatively as republicans like to say "democrat party"but so far nothing clever has come to me) party is really pushing it. Ever since the Sarah Palin VP announcement has been made I've done everything I can to avoid hearing her voice. Today at the gym was pretty easy because on the news they had her doing a walk through of her speech but the audio wasn't on. So the image of her is annoying and unpleasant, but her voice is what kills me. Anyway. I will do what I can to avoid hearing her except at the biden debate and do what I can to get Obama-Biden elected in November.

Speaking of feminism and sexism and other annoying things, today in a meeting someone referred to someone as "having a boner for" a certain musical group, and later in reference to getting paid back for a debt in records that he was going to "rape the walls of the store." I didn't confront it, and was sickened by myself for having not.

But in the world of feeling good, those of us who support Manchester City Football Club can be thrilled with the new owners and new signing of Robinho and whhile we can celebrate we can listen to this!