UGH! Note to self - vodka should taste like vodka! It's an evil thing when you can't taste it!
Eve Ensler was a wonderful speaker. She told us about what VDay has been about all these years, what's been happening, what they've done, where they've been going. I URGE you to go out and pick up a copy of the Vagina Monologues - there is a 10 th anniversary edition that chronicles the last 10 years of the movement. At the booksigning I will...
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VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
beandog:
Whoops, sorry. I didn't mean to come across as if I don't get the point. I think I do. It's actually quite a hot topic in our house these days. I'll explain...
I have a daughter. And a while ago I raised the question as to how I should refer to her vagina (i.e. when she's washing, showering or using the bathroom, etc). At first I thought that I was just being an "awkward guy" about the whole thing - growing up with two brothers didn't help - but I was surprised to discover that when asked, my wife draw a similar blank. Surely her parents must've had a suitable noun that we could adopt and use as our own. In fact I was more surprised that my wife didn't just turn around, call me an idiot and say "Duh, we just called it a vagina, now get on with it!"
The truth is, she has absolutely no recollection of how her parents would talk to her about this area of her body.
At this point it would be reasonable to assume that my wife is in a unique situation, However, it seems that she is not. I widened the search and began asking my female friends. (not as weird as it might sound, a lot of them are parents too and I guess this is the sort of thing that gets discussed). I got exactly the same response from all of them. No one had a word that they felt comfortable using to describe female genitalia to their kids. And not one of them had any clear recollection of any words used by their parents. That INCLUDES the word vagina!!
The extent of the taboo is quite overwhelming, especially that it seems to extend not just to those terms that are perceived as "offensive" but to any euphemism. People just don't seem comfortable using them. Maybe it's just me and my crazy friends!!
Anyway, in the end my wife and I decided that our daughter's vagina should be called exactly that, (unless you have any suggestions?) It does seem that the challenge of "demystifying the snatch" is a larger one than most people would realise, but I'm not sure the world is ready to hear my three year old refer to her "cunt" just yet!! Haha.
P.s. Found this picture online, found it funny and quite appropriate.
I have a daughter. And a while ago I raised the question as to how I should refer to her vagina (i.e. when she's washing, showering or using the bathroom, etc). At first I thought that I was just being an "awkward guy" about the whole thing - growing up with two brothers didn't help - but I was surprised to discover that when asked, my wife draw a similar blank. Surely her parents must've had a suitable noun that we could adopt and use as our own. In fact I was more surprised that my wife didn't just turn around, call me an idiot and say "Duh, we just called it a vagina, now get on with it!"
The truth is, she has absolutely no recollection of how her parents would talk to her about this area of her body.
At this point it would be reasonable to assume that my wife is in a unique situation, However, it seems that she is not. I widened the search and began asking my female friends. (not as weird as it might sound, a lot of them are parents too and I guess this is the sort of thing that gets discussed). I got exactly the same response from all of them. No one had a word that they felt comfortable using to describe female genitalia to their kids. And not one of them had any clear recollection of any words used by their parents. That INCLUDES the word vagina!!
The extent of the taboo is quite overwhelming, especially that it seems to extend not just to those terms that are perceived as "offensive" but to any euphemism. People just don't seem comfortable using them. Maybe it's just me and my crazy friends!!
Anyway, in the end my wife and I decided that our daughter's vagina should be called exactly that, (unless you have any suggestions?) It does seem that the challenge of "demystifying the snatch" is a larger one than most people would realise, but I'm not sure the world is ready to hear my three year old refer to her "cunt" just yet!! Haha.
P.s. Found this picture online, found it funny and quite appropriate.
catwithoutagrin:
I think you've decided quite right! It should be called exactly what it is. It's not something that needs another cutesy name: suzie etc. You could use vulva - which of course encompasses the entire shebang - but then again, that might take some explaining as to what the whole shebang IS exactly & I think that the exact particulars should be saved until maybe age 8 or 9. The point of using the word for what it is is that it creates a sense of posession. This is mine - not anyone else. It is mine and a part of me. I can say what happens to it because it is me and I can say what happens to me. When you find some other way of referring to it then it becomes something apart from the idea of self. It is susie. It is my "monkey" (I swear! I have heard this by more than 3 people) - it makes it not ME. MINE. You see what I mean? I'm really tired tonight - I'm having trouble gathering my thoughts. I worked 12 hours & I have to go back for another hour. So... I hope that makes a little sense!
Tomorrow (Monday - which technically speaking is today) Eve Ensler is speaking in Clemson & then performing the Vagina Monologues. && Doing a book signing. I am very excited about this! I've alwasy wanted to see the play, but let's face it! I live in the south & repression is still Queen, so the performances aren't very well publicised. The only way I found out...
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beandog:
I must say that getting out of work early is one of life's rare pleasures. There's not much that can beat that feeling of heading off somewhere cool knowing that you've left the hum drum of the day to day behind you.
Hope you enjoyed the show.
Hope you enjoyed the show.
catwithoutagrin:
lol - It was great! I'm going to blog on it later. I've never had the pleasure of meeting anyone that isn't in my day to day life that I consider a hero; this was a HUGE deal to me!
Have you been up to anything cool?
Have you been up to anything cool?
The Bobby McFerrin concert was fantastic! It was actually better than I could have even anticipated. There was once vocalist that really stood out though. Beth Quist, previously with Cirque Du Soleil, was this amasing soprano - her piece was a Indian influenced, mesmerising vocal experience. Swing by & check out her website at Best Quist Webpage . So, anyway, it was stunning all in...
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beandog:
Hey, Glad you enjoyed the concert - and how cool that you got to discover a new artist. That's the great thing about jazz and classical. There's so many collaborations going on that listening to someones music will almost always lead you to check out somebody else.
Shame about the coffee though. I have a friend who owns some shares in Starbucks. His dad told him years ago that he should invest some money and gave him free choice as to where he should put it. He chose coffee!!
Needless to say, he's not seen much of a return so far but insists that his fortune is not far away!
We'll see.
Shame about the coffee though. I have a friend who owns some shares in Starbucks. His dad told him years ago that he should invest some money and gave him free choice as to where he should put it. He chose coffee!!
Needless to say, he's not seen much of a return so far but insists that his fortune is not far away!
We'll see.
catwithoutagrin:
lol - Starbucks is taking over the world, man, I swear. I was quite pleased about all the performers but hers really stood out - she has that sound you know? That just wails through your soul? It was great.
As far as coffee goes everyone says that Tim Horton's is the best, but apparently there's some sort of trade issue with wherever their beans are produced. We can't get it. BUT one of my mates is going to Canada this spring so I've enlisted her help in procuring this miracle coffee. I must have it lol. They won't even ship here from what I understand. I'll let you know when I try it!
As far as coffee goes everyone says that Tim Horton's is the best, but apparently there's some sort of trade issue with wherever their beans are produced. We can't get it. BUT one of my mates is going to Canada this spring so I've enlisted her help in procuring this miracle coffee. I must have it lol. They won't even ship here from what I understand. I'll let you know when I try it!
I am not overly pleased with my outlook on life at the moment. I'm sorta down on everything but music. & While I can trace exactly where & why this started I don't seem to be able to think in any colour but black. Well, ok maybe red occasionally. This displeases me. I'm not some emo bird who'd content to be discontent with everything in...
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VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
beandog:
Well, I'll be the first to admit that I'd only heard of Bobby McFerrin because of "Don't Worry......." but, thanks to you I've just invested a bit of time checking out clips of him on Youtube. Oh man! what a legend! I had no idea. I'm sold. It certainly looks like it'll be a great show. Have fun.
What CD's would you recommend for the newcomer?
What CD's would you recommend for the newcomer?
catwithoutagrin:
Blue Note Years - it's a best of. I'm a huge fan of the album he did with Yo-Yo Ma too, but I don't know the title of it. He did some excellent work with Herbie Hancock (he of the magic fingers) on Round Midnight. Really anything. He'll be playing Europe some this year - you can get his dates on BobbyMcFerrin - there's also this neat little things where you can look at two songs (Don't Worry Be Happy is one) & you can add & delete the different tracks - ..Happy is 8 different vocal tracks laid over one another - & hear each one as it is or with any of the others. I'm very much looking forward to it! I hope you like what you hear of him - if you ever get the chance to see him - it's all improv so it would be very cool.
the theory of linear thought is flawed.
in the byways & highways of ideas & imagings linear thought is inescapable mind-death.
crashing single-minded through barriers constructed to take us in new directions leading to new ideas - theories of life unconstructed.
unfettered thoughts of spiritual madmen yearning for a life undefined.
undefined - unknown.
desires for novelty in dreams.
imaginings of a presence. of earth....
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in the byways & highways of ideas & imagings linear thought is inescapable mind-death.
crashing single-minded through barriers constructed to take us in new directions leading to new ideas - theories of life unconstructed.
unfettered thoughts of spiritual madmen yearning for a life undefined.
undefined - unknown.
desires for novelty in dreams.
imaginings of a presence. of earth....
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running rampant through the lines of communication in us
truth seeps through the crack when no one is looking
lies pour over the bridges we once walked o'er proud
thinking is against the masses and the masses are against YOU
think for self
but never share a thought
orwellian doublespeak will kill us
think globally
think locally
think about who is watching you think
editing...
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truth seeps through the crack when no one is looking
lies pour over the bridges we once walked o'er proud
thinking is against the masses and the masses are against YOU
think for self
but never share a thought
orwellian doublespeak will kill us
think globally
think locally
think about who is watching you think
editing...
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luxdeadfrog:
I like the way your mind works Cat, that's rather a nice piece. There is a poetry group called Urban Poetry Cafe or something like it, but like all groups and boards it takes a little while before you are accepted into the inner sanctum. I used to post there and if you are interested in reading any of my crap, most of my pieces have [Lux] next to the thread name. Like all groups it also has resident experts so if you join be prepared for critisism as well as praise.
Lux
Lux
catwithoutagrin:
I'm not sure I'm ready for too much criticism yet. I'm still letting go off only little bits as of yet. I think it's easier for me to post here because people who are swinging through here are hopefully here as friends and their criticism might be a little more gentle. I hope. I will keep it in mind though. I don't know what I'd ever do if I were accepted into any inner sanctum (I don't even know if I'd know!).
I don't think I want to edit my profile sentence. It says you can replace it with your own, but I think I rather like the constant change. It's neat, like everytime you come back you'll see something new. It's like me, diverse & mutable.
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
ilectra:
So have you found the site to be more to your liking after rummaging around it a bit?
catwithoutagrin:
I has, I has, thank you. It always takes me a bit to get oriented with various sites - MySpace took me a millenia it seems like!
So, the thing to do, other than boards & groups is to post here I'm gathering. Lets people know some more about you. I can dig it. I'm thinking this might be another good place to get some feedback on my writing. A friend invited me to some open readings in Clemson, but honestly, I still have trouble addressing a large group (or even a...
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I'm still trying to figure out how to navigate things on this site. So far, it seems less social than I might have imagined. Curioser & curioser.
elipsis:
get into some groups...
you'll get active soon enough...
you'll get active soon enough...
catwithoutagrin:
Thank you for the advice - I am perusing them now It always seems to take me a bit to get into the groove of things - finding my way around & whatnot.
Hope all is well.