Screw you, Mr. Camping

I gave it some thought and I wanted to say something about the Rapture.

Mr. Harold Camping. You’re a douche.

The definition of free speech is as follows:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

However, Freedom of Speech is repealed when it incites violence or appeals solely to prurient interest.

Well, Mr. Camping, given the nature of the world today, the acts of war and mass murder in foreign countries, the high unemployment rate in our own, recent forces of nature that have left millions without homes and more dead, and given you’re pitching billboards warning of earthquakes and destruction, you are in very poor taste. Someone should sue your ass.

I lived in Miami during some of the most devastating Hurricanes. It only takes the spread of fear to cause mass panic. Even during what might only be a Category 1 storm, people marched into Walmart and Publix not only for water and canned food, but for extra ammunition for their rifles. When some random hick, well respected by the Evangelical set, makes a prediction that the world is going to end, what do you think hardcore believers might do?

Will we hear stories over the weekend that some hateful KKK member with nothing to lose started burning down synagogues? Or that rape, murder and theft rose 20%? I got more than 10 Facebook invitations to the end of the world party or the rapture orgy. The CDC blog posted an article about surviving the zombie apocalypse for Pete’s sake! As a culture, why do we buy into this nonsense?

Something tells me this is either a really ignorant man trying to spread fear or one big marketing ploy by Walmart. Either way, let’s stop tweeting about this bologna. Mr. Camping isn’t worth our time.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

What I hate most about smoking is the way it makes my teeth feel.

I think we are all self-abusive. It manifests in different forms and as much as I’d like to say I’ve never participated before, it would be a lie.

I just have more tells now.

It’s not wrong to say I do a lot and I get a lot done but the truth is, I’ve never worked that hard. I was smart enough to stick to what I was good at during college. I don’t remember ever studying. My college roommate would get mad that I’d written a paper in 3 hours. She started two weeks earlier.

We both took the Bar Exam. She studied her ass off and graduated from Harvard Law. I opened the book MAYBE 4 times. I scored pure average. I didn’t want to be a lawyer. I don’t think I’m quite that good to bullshit my way through a juris doctorate, and I didn’t want to waste 100K testing it out.

When I smoke, I feel how bad it is for me. I have a line up of “reasons” to continue.

I only smoke twice a day (unless I’m with someone who smokes heavily, then I’ll probably match them. Second hand smoke, - might as well enjoy it).

I’m in France (Above rule applies).

Fortunately, that’s all I can come up with other than I enjoy it.

I think it’s a good reflection of what I allow myself to get away with in my life.

I’ve managed to graduate college with great experiences and relationships. I’ve almost graduated with my M.A. degree (Tell #2 – finish my friggen, god forsaken thesis! It’s about Wonder Woman! What am I waiting for). I have a good job; I’m learning a lot. Could be a nice career and it could lead me right into something I’d really like to do in the next decade. (Tell #3: I should be reading more financial-ey things).

Trouble is, I have no discipline.

We want what we want when we want it and historically, I get what I want; but now it’s not as easy. I don’t just want a new pair of shoes or to kiss some cute boy. I have a life plan that spans the next fifty years – literally, and while I know exactly what I have to do, I have a difficult time pushing myself that much harder to do it.

This is the reason why we all aren’t successful. You don’t find success; you build it, with one pyramid-sized block at a time. Like the Ancient Egyptians, we have primitive tools to get there. Developmental influences and socio economics play a major role. No matter how many times I hear it’s about pulling yourself up by the bootstraps, I still read things like women make 81 cents to a man’s dollar; and that was in the WSJ, which is a conservative newspaper…

For all the bureaucracy and negativity in the world hindering our paths, it has been my experience that if you are a kind person who listens to people with no malice in your mind, you will do well in life. That’s the only thing I can attribute to my success thus far.

I live in Monaco now. The investment firm I work for is based here and they asked me to move for a while so I could learn. Truth be told, I’ve been doing more assistant type stuff for incompetent men, but I spoke up, questioned why I wasn’t doing what I came here to do, and got it. Aside from some organizational issues – like, I’m supposed to accept delays and forgetfulness as part of French demeanor, and the fact that Europe pre war real estate means the Battle of Pavia, it’s not so bad.

I dreamed of having a balcony over looking the sea my entire life. There’s not much of a view in Brooklyn. Being in this different country and disliking the discomfort, I almost forget that I go to bed at night listening to the sound of waves.

I’m a city girl and I feel strange if I don’t hear sirens passing by multiple times in an hour, but this place is like something time forgot.

I’m not in love with Monaco. It’s nothing but transient rich people beating their taxes.

Side note: Did you know that people in the highest tax bracket in the UK are charged 75% of their wages? And that doesn’t include healthcare!

I wonder if I’ll change my mind? I want to give it a fair chance.

When the CEO called and asked me to move, I was going through a really sad time in my life. There was no doubt I needed a drastic change.

I had my cards read before I left. The woman told me when I came here, it would be like my life flipped and opened up. I arrived almost waiting for it to happen, for a light to go off in my head.

It didn’t.

What I realize though, for all the notes I schedule into my calendar and all the declarations I make about exercising and writing everyday, getting those things done comes from a strength very few of us use. Why would we?

We can live comfortable lives doing the bare minimum – you just have to base your productivity on your comfort level.

I’m not comfortable sitting around. It makes me annoyed and I get ancey. Instead, I involve myself in everything and get angry when it’s not all checked off on my to do list.

I feel like a freak sometimes but more often I feel like the above.

I’m like the Boy Who Cried Wolf in my own head. I don’t even believe my declarations anymore.

What I can say is that when I sit on the balcony I’ve always wanted, and stare at a very brilliant planet Venus, I am grateful and peaceful. With some much needed alone time I can hear my own thoughts. If I can motivate myself to put them to action, I think I’ll be okay.

Now if I believed I’d quit smoking when I get back to New York, I’m gold.

Wonder Woman thesis outline

I would LOVE your opinions of my very rough outline draft.

XO

Intro: Wonder Woman’s stories are a reflection of where women are in American society at the time of publication. During World War II, she was conceived as a way to boost feminist sentiments, empower women, and bring understanding of a changing world to children. In the 1950’s as the country was espousing a return to family values and traditional gender roles, her stories focused more on the ways that Wonder Woman would conform to the feminine ideal and the cult of domesticity. After many years of pigeonholing the character, the women most focused on a feminist revolution reassigned her as their figurehead, citing her 1940’s story lines as guide for the modern woman they were told they could become as children.

It seems however, that Wonder Woman and women in American society in general face these issues cyclically. In each new political climate, Wonder Woman and women at large, see the power they worked to gain, taken away. After Gloria Steinem brought Wonder Woman to light, the conservative Regan-era killed her. Finally, fans were rewarded when beloved artist George Perez gave her a new and stronger origin in 1986 only to be erased and rewritten a decade later. It would be another 10 years before writer Gail Simone took the helm and steered Wonder Woman into the modern age where comic book heroines might be seen as equal to their male counterparts intellectually, physically, and emotionally, but with the anniversary of Wondy’s 600^th issue, all of that progress is seemingly destroyed in an effort to revitalize her image.

Wonder Woman has been strong when powerful writers with feminist inclinations have taken her on. When women are interested in Wonder Woman’s success, she perseveres.

I. William Moulton Marston – creator and writer 1941 – 1947 (his death)

A. He believed in feminism.

B. His work influenced millions of children and have a very wide scope.

C. His alternative lifestyle (bigamist) was often gossiped about and led to a loss of credibility in Wonder Woman.

D. As a result, critics began looking for themes of bondage and homosexuality in her comics.

E. Though many other characters had the same images and storylines, Wonder Woman was called out.

II. World War II – the need for a role model

A. Her stories gave women strength.

B. They brought understanding to children who watched their mothers work and take care of home and family. All mothers were Wonder Women.

C. At this time, Wonder Woman was very powerful. She fought on the front lines, against the Axis forces.

D. This helped young people to recognize that women could be equal to men.

E. Wonder Women of history was included in the comic by female editor.

III. Wonder Woman in the Cold War 1950’s and her return to traditional gender roles.

A. The United States needed stability and as such wanted to return to pre war notions of home and family life. This meant women stayed in the home and were subservient to men.

B. Wonder Woman couldn’t be the odd woman out so she became a housewife with super human strength instead of super hero.

C. The Comic Code Authority was implemented in 1954 and Dr. Fredric Werthham’s book Seduction of the Innocent forced all storylines to fit into specific categories.

D. There was a major decline in the sales and quality of Wonder Woman’s book.

IV. The Feminist resurrection – Gloria Steinem’s mission

A. Publishers depowered Wonder Woman – now Diana Prince – martial arts expert and boutique owner.

B. Women were outraged and wanted Wonder Woman’s powers back.

C. Gloria Steinem led a campaign supporting this and won.

D. Wonder Woman was on Ms. Magazine and became the face of the feminist cause.

E. The television show – helpful and hurtful.

F. Women cared about Wonder Woman and her success. They felt an emotional connection to her, as though someone had taken not only her power, but theirs.

Conclusion: Wonder Woman has just reached a milestone in her 600^th issue. DC changed her iconic costume and her origin under the premise that she needs a modern look that matches the women of today. In her new origin, the Amazons were killed when she was a baby. She was raised by mystic nuns in an urban underworld and it is her job not to save humanity, but to fix herself. Is this an accurate reflection of women today and if it is not, why aren’t more women up in arms over this change? Will Wonder Woman survive another 60-years?

Fat free is the way to be

Today began my 10-day diet, with the hope of losing a substantial amount of weight in 10 days. I'm thinking 10 pounds would be lovely but we'll see. This post will act as a record of my progress. If I fail, this will be a short blog.

Day 1:

I wasn't feeling well today so I woke up really late. I'm not breathing well so I didn't go to the gym. Tisk. I'm trying to work up the energy to go now but I'm going to lounge instead. I had 2 scrambled eggs for breakfast cooked in extra virgin olive oil, a cup of green tea, and half a grapefruit. Then I followed it with a tall glass of water, 5 shrimp, and a whole steamed artichoke covered in pesto. I'm hungry now again so I plan to snack on about 6 large green olives and one biscuit. In a perfect world, I'll wake up early tomorrow and go to the gym before work. I have a long day ahead of me so it'll be hard to make it otherwise. But I will go to the gym or exercise some way!! Good night.

Day 2:

I am a total lazy arse. I woke up super late so no morning gym. I had granola, yogurt, strawberries, and blueberries all mixed together and some green tea. It's restaurant week so this probably wasn't the best timing. For lunch I met my friend at Tao and had vegetable rolls, steak with fries and banana pudding. I ate less than half of everything. I swear once you get away from over eating, your body just can't hang anymore. My co worker did a really kind thing and remembered I'd wanted to try the pretzel m&m's and got me a pack. I had them but it really put me over the top. I was so stuffed and felt horrible. Thus far, I haven't wanted anything else. I had watermelon for dinner. I know exercise would help me get back on schedule and sleep better and all that, but I think I just really need sleep first. Better luck tomorrow.

Day 3:

I put my website up today and sent it around and fretted about it so I don't care that I didn't exercise, again. WTF. Maybe if I start whipping myself. Maybe that'll work because seriously, it won't even be hard. I'm already thinning out and I haven't done physical exercise on a regular basis in FOUR YEARS. I am such a J.A.P. pansey. For serious. I just don't like to sweat. Or wake up. Or do anything when I get home from work. And the only reason this works is because I am cuvey and I have a nice ass and nice boobs. I am grateful and lucky and not trying to be conceited. Trust me. If I had a choice, I'd be 5'7" and shaped like a rectangle, but alas, you play the card you've been dealt.

So today, I had granola with yogurt and blueberries. Remind me to chop the peanuts next time. Lunch was a shredded beef buritto and they did not skimp on the cheese. I drank water and only had a handful of chips but again, can't eat like I think I can. I'm still not hungry. I had some watermelon earlier and 5 pretzels and 2 crackers. I just don't think I'm going to eat dinner very often unless I start being more active. I feel like the food just sits in my stomach. It's unfortunate. I'm having dinner with my father tomorrow and with my mother Friday (and they're not even divorced) so I was sure to make myself lunch to bring in. I roasted chicken breasts and potatoes. I'll either cut them and mix or put them over spinach. More granola and fruit and yogurt and we'll finish out the week nicely fed. Of course this isn't nearly as hard core as it should be. I still get shit about the time I was doing a 2 week detox and my friend was staying with my boyfriend and I. (My detoxes mean no meat, dairy, processed foods, flour, or fat). We'd been eating mostly vegetables for days and the stir frys weren't cutting it. I started cooking as soon as I got home from work and modeled after a recipe I'd seen on epicurious.com, I prepared cauliflower two ways: puree and steak. My fat-starved loved ones were thrilled when they heard the word steak only to be hugely disappointed when I put a slab of cauliflower, grilled and seasoned on their plates. I've yet to live that one down.

So yeah, comparatively, I'm a ridiculous slacker and this 10-day diet ain't gonna mean shit unless I get off my soft, round ass. I don't know if I'd wear belly shirts again, but I used to. The trouble is I can't remember what it feels like to like the way I look and I can't dig for motivation without a good end point. There's a photo of me at the beach at 18 that I'm going to find and post. Nature is cruel. I never worked out in my life and I always had abs. And then it turns on you and snaps away the ease and makes everything work. The devil works the same way.

Day 4:

When I look back at this week, I'm going to have proof of what a lazy dirt bag I am and my guilty conscience is going to say, "for shame, Dominique! For shame."

Granola with yogurt and peaches for breakfast. I can't tell you how perfect of a breakfast that is. Why stuff yourself with garbage strait off the bat? Then roasted chicken breast and potatoes for lunch. I got home early and had three biscuits and a handful of pretzels. Now there's perfectly fine spinach and peppers in the fridge and I could have made something nice, but for some reason, dinner just isn't appealing to me lately. Tomorrow is a 9pm dinner res. I don't know how I'm going to stay awake for that one. Maybe I'll hit the gym as soon as I get home for some extra energy. Ha!

Day 5:

Again, granola with yogurt and peaches. Chicken salad for lunch. No complex carbs so far. The drinks at 21 - 2 gin with mint and club and a tiny handful of these little crackers. Then dinner at the Modern included one small roll, 1 slice of whole wheat toast accompanied by my steak tartar with a quail egg (yum) and then a lamb saddle with lemon chickpea jus and finished with a hazelnut daquoise. I didn't finish anything in front of me and while I'd normally have picked up the lamb bone and picked it clean, this time I left some behind. I now prefer to feel sated but not overally full. I used to call myself a hamster. If you put food in front of me, I'd eat until I died. It's not worth it anymore. I did no exercise whatsoever so I still suck and I went to bed stupid late. I'm the worst.

Day 6:

Thesis research and lounging around the house all day. It's about par for my Saturday schedule. I had an egg and freshly squeezed oj with Pellegrino. I followed it with angel hair with butter and cheese. Not my best choice. Especially since I was starving when I couldn't sleep and at 5 am had 5 graham crackers.

Day 7:

I had half a bagel, one egg and juice. Then a half of a turkey sandwich, cherries, melon, and pineapple. Followed with some grilled chicken and salad and here's the kicker, cheese fries from Nathan's. It's Sunday and I like to allow myself a freebie. Even though it was disgusting. I don't know why I think it'll be good outside of Coney Island. I'm always wrong.

On the plus side, I spent the entire day swimming in the ocean. The current was really strong and I had to fight my way around the waves. It was great exercise counteracted by the fries.

I'm setting my alarm to 6:30. If I can make it into the gym then and in the shower by 7:30, I'm perfect. But I know my track record and now you know the same. Someday, I'll break this hideous cycle.

Days 7 - 11:

I created a menu for myself for the week. I find this makes life a lot easier in terms of preparation and shopping and since I correlated it to my schedule, I know when I can spend more time cooking.

I am having granola with berries and yogurt every morning for breakfast - but not this morning. I had green tea and chocolate milk and I'm not hungry anymore.

My lunches are: Monday: Chicken and rice Tuesday: Egg salad on pita Wednesday: Indian food - I'll probably have a lot of vegetables and some chicken and lamb and limit the nan Thursday - lunch at Maialino - pork fo sho Friday: Hummus with tomato, cucumber salad and pita

Dinner is as follows: Monday was out at 5 Ninth with my parents. I had pork belly with pea shoots and mint, braised baby octopus, sea bream with tomato and lima beans, and a brie cheesecake. Tuesday I had something else planned but ended up meeting my friend for a drink and we had a tiny cheese plate and a very small ham and cheese croquette. Tonight I'm making a steamed artichoke and an orzo salad with vegetables. Thursday I'll have the eggplant and tomato tartine with goat cheese and spinach pesto care of the NY Times recipe that came out over the weekend. I plan to eat at my mothers Friday night but then again, who knows. I'm supposed to have drinks with my friend so I know I have to pay attention to what I eat and try to get some carbs in.

Still no gym. My legs are starting to look more ton and I have that line going down my stomach again. My biggest problem is my thieghs and hips and the reality is that's not going anywhere if I don't work out.

I have two options: I must accept the way I look and dress accordingly or stop being a lazy ass. I'd really like the latter and I think working out would help me to feel more alert and maybe I won't be so tired all the time. It's kind of a chicken or the egg argument there.

I definitely think that planning your menus is important to accomplishing your goals. There are days that I"m not in the mood to cook or forage and I end up eating junk. Mastering this is all about proper preparation. So far, this hasn't been bad. I know I'm going to have to do a really hard core detox before I leave, I just have to plan that out better. I'll fill in updates if they come. Anyone else out there dieting, good luck.

10 lbs in 10 days?

I'm sure it's possible, but it needs to be planned well. I can't just say I'll do it and then not be home enough to go to the gym. Strait up fact: I have a gym in my building. It's five floors above my head accessible by well air conditioned elevator. I have no excuse whatsoever. I am a lazy asshole.

I'm not fat. I'm not fishing for compliments. But the sad truth is that everyone in the world bitches about this issue. I guess most of us prefer to stick to what's comfortable. Our bodies won't switch out for a newer model though. If we don't work on what we have a treat it well, it won't be kind to us as we age. I don't want to be a 40-year old gimp.

I haven't been cooking for myself. Since I live alone I just don't really see the necessity in it. Its a shame because I'll end up getting hungry and making something simple. Too many carbs. I had a mango for dinner last night. But then I make a meal like I did tonight, super simple artichokes and shrimp in a garlic lemon pesto, and wonder why I don't pay more attention to what I put in my body. The real trouble is lunch. I work on 41st St and Fifth Ave. There is nothing worth it in the area. Suitable, yes but the cost is not worth it but bringing something into work everyday is a pain in the ass. Breakfast is easy. I make granola maybe once every two weeks. Basically it's oats, shredded coconut, a variety of nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ad ginger, and then coated in a liquid mix of your choice. I like honey, oil, molasses, maple syrup, and vanilla. The night before work, I put that, berries and yogurt in a tupperware and I have some dope ass muesli in the morning.

My biggest issue is really exercise. Who wants to sit on a stationary machine for long periods of time because it's not me. Once I'm at my goal (15 lbs off the bottom please) I'll probably feel more comfortable going to a few classes during the week. I'll never be a runner, that's for sure. I do love yoga, and pilates, and maybe mix in some dressage, gymnastics, and ballet...

So I'm gonna start on Sunday. I'll keep a log and let you all know how it goes. If I include details and menu items, maybe it can help you too.

I see this crap on magazine covers at the supermarket all the time as well as ads on the side on the computer screen. If I work up the motivation to do this and finally find some discipline, maybe it'll inspire one of you to do the same.

Wish me luck.

Hypocrite - Thine name is Dom - Lost Take 2

So I got addicted to Lost. I'm still convinced that it's a lame ass show with predictable plot and bad acting. Charlie's death scene was so stupid. Like hello, just leave that room and you'd have been fine.

I realized why it was so easy to get hooked though. It's written just like a comic book. It jumps around in time as if it has no meaning. There are a ton of different characters to learn about. There are nothing but sci fi related comicy nerds associated with the show. I get it.

I still think it's stupid but considering I wasted a good 50 hours of my life watching the entire 3rd, 4th, and 5th season, I can't judge anyone else.

I now pronounce you, husband and wife...

I went to a wedding last weekend for a friend from graduate school and I went alone. As soon as I sat down at my assigned table (3 hours late), I realized why it's so important to either bring a date or at least, know a lot of the people there.

Weddings seem to be designed for one purpose: so the people paying for it can network their happiness around. If you're wealthy, it's probably a combination of letting friends and family meet each other to create other romantic bonds while also promoting business alignments. If you're middle and lower class, it's a way to show off the pride you have in your offspring. Granted, weddings are expensive and if you're fortunate enough to have someone pay for your nuptials, give them what they want but damn, there is no shot in hell I'd ever have a wedding like that. I guess I should begin saving now, or my parents will invite the 79 family members I barely know simply to say hi to me.

I arrived at the reception and picked out my table card. My friend sat me with her friends from undergrad and our septuagenarian classmate who didn't dance, didn't drink, and isn't much of a talker. We had dinner with only brief interludes of small talk before the pop music started blaring. When the latest version of some techno-ey electric slide, line dance started, I knew it was time to go.

Maybe there was some dude there I could have sought out for conversation. Perhaps I could have danced next to one of the many sorority sisters, but I just wasn't in the mood.

I left imagining my perfect wedding. Of course it would be on a beach on a faraway island and it would span at least 3 days but it would only include the bare minimum on the guest list. (Sadly, I made this list and I'd HAVE TO invite at least 50 people). If I'm real lucky, only half will be able to make it.

I'd want to rent a house that would be able to hold my entire wedding party and then put the family in a separate place. We'd begin with a welcome bbq/rehearsal dinner. The next day would be the wedding and the following would be a brunch. It is my dream to be able to set the menu and prepare the food with the help of hired cooks. It always amazes me that the food at wedding is so terrible. If I ever have one of these things, I want it to be the main attraction. There are all types of seafood laden menus in my head and I don't know how I'd balance skewering shrimp with getting my hair done, but I know I can make it work.

The entire weekend would be intimate enough that no one there would ever feel like they need to leave early. I'd want to actually sit and enjoy my time instead of walking around a big room saying, "hi, how are you? Thank you for coming." I'd want my guests to thank me for having them and for genuinely wanting them to share this special moment in my life.

When weddings are without that, I feel like they're more of a spectacle than a party. It's all, “look at us. Be proud. Be empathetic.” Hopefully that's enough emotion to enjoy yourself on.

Getting married in itself is really something to be studied. We know that most animals don't remain monogamous to their mates. We know that this country alone has a 60% divorce rate. We know that more and more people are losing their jobs which causes serious financial strain on all couples. So why continue?

My theory is that marriage is a good thing because it provides you with someone who will always care enough about you to want to see you well and that takes the burden off of health care in old age...

Real romantic, aren't I?

Marriage probably happens more often than not because people want to feel they've hit that mile marker. Weddings are a sign of adulthood and it's much easier to throw a party than to work real hard for that dream job.

I know so many people who are getting married, or have gotten married and though I'm of the age when that is more normal, I wonder what kind of time they have and how they're spending it. Why waste your youth on the spectacle? On the declaration of ownership? You'll have at least the next 40 years to do it so why deal with the snoring, the sexlessness, now? Can't you wait?

I don't know if I'll ever get married. I'd like to. Given the intimacy, comfort, and genuine love in my last relationship, I'm hopeful that I can find those qualities in someone I'm more compatible with, but god help him if he wants that big wedding...