sickeningly-sweet « WordPress.com Tag Feed

You're so cold but you make me alive

Ar Vhee — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 05:12:09 +0000

A thousand miles, I travelled to reach you. This silly love struck smiles appeared, no room left to

Women-baiting.

runesandrhinestones — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:33:00 +0000

Like bear-baiting, but cattier. There is a page on facebook that I’ve come across recently that I think sums up part of this problem. Et voila. I really don’t like this page – it pits women against each other and stating that “curvy girls are better than skinny girls” alienates a lot of people. I know that our society has a lot of problems with eating disorders, body image, self esteem, fat acceptance, health and so on and so forth. I could go on for yonks about this, but I’m not going to.

It would seem on the surface to be a good thing, accepting women who aren’t thin and saying that they are pretty. But there’s one of the many flaws – it’s still objectifying women, still painting them as nothing more than faces and bodies to be looked and judged (even if it’s in a more positive light). Also, what about teh menz? I checked on facebook and couldn’t find any such group for men, but plenty for women. I googled the exact phrase but just switched out girls for guys and ended up with a sea of pages asking guys whether they prefer curvy or skinny girls. Only when I put in fat guys and skinny guys did I get something relating to men themselves.

Also, why is one body shape so much better than another? Skinny women are skinny, whether they work hard for it or just have a high metabolism. Why the fat shaming? It doesn’t help anybody, and if they’re healthy and happy then who cares? What do you think?

On a happy note, I’ve got photos cycling as my background from the last two years with Hairy and it’s both distracting and amazing because it brings back so many memories. I’m off to see the Hobbit tonight, massively excited even though I’ve managed to catch a nightmare cold from somewhere! Yuck and ick and gack. As it’s become a thing in my life, today is Shorts Thursday. I ask Hairy for a preference on what I wear that day (massively makes my life easier in the morning!) and for about a month, on a Thursday he’d always say shorts. So now it’s a permanent fixture although I don’t know how it’s going to work once I get a job.. And to gross you all out, his love about me in the Advent house today was that I’m interesting I like that one.

Sickeningly Sweet – Se den!

ceciliafolkesson — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:57:30 +0000

“There´s no food on this planet that has both fat and carbohydrate at the same time. It´s one or the other. That´s evolution. That´s nature.”

The Skinny on Obesity, del 2

Personalized Advertising--Talk About Sickeningly Sweet

krishnachameleon — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:03:39 +0000

Personalized Advertising

Talk about sickeningly sweet…

As soon as I hear these simpered words:

“My moment, my Dove”, I dive, dive for the remote to turn it off.

Ever since the first time I heard it I have had a visceral and very negative reaction to this

ad, and, in retrospect, realize I didn’t really know why.

Perhaps it was the feigned (and somewhat strained) false sincerity, something I have always detested and associate with a certain (usually female) disingenuousness.

A voice belonging to the type of (insert expletive here) who is phony, faux, will stab you in the back while cooing about “My Dove”.

A voice which gratingly reminds me about something I learned in Advertising 101—

To express empathy smile as you mouth the lines so the viewer can hear the smile…

Oooh…. She did not say that…

Oh, yes she did.

Call it some kind of misanthropy, call it anything you like; fact is I can’t sit through any of these “personalized” ads without feeling manipulated and insulted. I mean, come on, if I have an orgasmic moment it sure as s**** is going to be over something better than a cheap piece of candy. I don’t even like candy, but that’s beside the point as, don’tcha know, every woman at least, will do anything just to taste a speck of the stuff.

Bulls****.

But, ladies, you’re not alone, and guys, don’t think you’re off the hook—pharmaceutical ads with their “free information kits” and “Go to www. Whatever.com for your personalized whatever” are the topic of the next installment.

Footnote: For extra irritation Google “My Dove”: Don’t tell them I sent you; in fact don’t click on anything there. On second thought, just hover over these links and inwardly writhe.

http://www.dove.us/Products/default.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=Brand%202011&utm_term=dove

http://www.retailmenot.com/view/mydovechocolate.com

45 Things/People I'm Thankful Are In My Life

Suzanne — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:47:44 +0000

My husband. We both rock our own brand of crazy, but we make it work. I can’t imagine being loved more, or being loved better than I am by Taed. More than that, I’m a better person with Taed.
Keb. If I had known I was going to love being a mom as much as I do to him, I would have had more and started sooner. He’s just a cool kid, with and without our input.
My relationship with my mom. When I was a teenager I was convinced I would move away and *never* talk to her again. Here I am 30 years later, and I talk to her at least once a week.
All of my surrogate mothers. I was so fortunate to have older women who took me under their wings and gave me many a “Come to Jesus” talk. The love they offered me, when I couldn’t give it to myself, was invaluable.
My childhood friends — Jolene, Kristin, Cassie and Cindy. Not too many people have friends from kindergarten, middle school, and high school. Even fewer do more than just Facebook or Christmas cards with their friends. I am blessed to have these women in my life because they all knew me when and can take me down 1,000 pegs if I get too big for my britches.
My “grown-up” friends: Carol, Tracy, Diane, Julie, Erica, Pam and Erin. We’re all teachers, but we’ve come to be more than teacher friends. We are friend-friends who support each other as we grow in our profession.
Hot water. I love having a hot water heater. I am blessed to be able to scorch my skin, come out looking like a lobster, and not be considered a “princess” for it.
Diet Soda. I know it’s not good for me but a girl’s gotta have a legal drug.
My siblings. We don’t always share time with each other, but I am better for having had them.
Starbucks. I’m not a HUGE coffee drinker, but I like to have one a couple of times of week as a treat.
Electricity. What a wonderful gift from the gods. I mean, it can be 32 degrees outside and 94 and a sauna inside. We are spoiled.
Cars. Not because I can’t walk, but because sometimes I don’t want to.
Teaching. After years of not really having a purpose or direction, I found one with teaching. It’s a calling, a frustration, a blessing, and a curse.
Education. I’d never be here if it weren’t for wonderful teachers, supportive parents, and my fairy god parents who all insisted that education was the most important thing I could ever receive.
Ex-boyfriends (or somebodies that I used to know). The only way I can appreciate everything Taed and I have is to look back and see the messes and failures that came before. We may not be perfect, but we’re better than all that.
My niece. She is much more than a niece. She is one of my bonus sisters. She tells it like it is. She’s funny. She shares herself with me. I’m blessed to have her in my life. She brings smiles to my face.
Health Insurance. So many people don’t have this in their lives, and I know that we are so fortunate to have access to the care we need. I never want to take this for granted because it truly has made my life better.
Orchids
Books. Yes, I’m a book junkie and I don’t read everything I buy. Still, I love being transported when I get there.
Gossip magazines. It’s like candy for the mind.
Relatives. They teach you so much about who you are, where you came from, and hold onto history. Close or not, they are the glue.
Target. I just love Target.
Sushi. The Japanese have a way with beautiful food. Tasty too.
Thai. Not just for the delicious yumminess of it, but also because it’s a bond I share with Julie and Erica.
The Internet. How else could I avoid work?
Students. They teach me something new every day. It’s not just me to them, but them to me.
Alone time. One hour a day does wonders.
Washing machine and dryer. I can’t imagine pounding on a rock, hand washing, or that old crank machine.
Garbage and sanitation.
Online shopping. Because I really don’t enjoy shopping by myself in public.
Big girl shops. I hated shopping because there were never stylish clothes for people my size. Now there’s a whole new world.
Whimsy. It rules a great deal of my life. I find it joyful.
Catholic churches. No where else can you see what love, devotion, fear, and artistry can do to promote religion.
The Constitution. Because I don’t want to be told I have to believe or that I can’t speak my mind.
Health. Without it, there’s nothing but waiting to die.
Patience. It’s come to me late (and still isn’t there when I drive), but it’s tempered me.
Loyalty. I am a very loyal friend. I am thankful to have this characteristic because I think it’s been key to keeping so many friends over the years.
Forgiveness. I am so very, very fortunate that my friends, family, colleagues, and students have been willing to forgive me my ignorance, intolerance, the need to be right, judgements, and general obnoxiousness. Without that gift, I’d be alone.
Computers. Without this one, I couldn’t share my warped world view with any one else.
All kinds of bedding in general. Is there anything better than crawling into cool sheets on a warm day and snuggling into the blankets?
Cookies, candies, cakes and ice cream. They make me well-rounded. Literally.
Fast food. I’m not a planner, and this makes life easy.
My parents in general. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. I’m lucky I came around when I did.
Phones. I talk all the time, and it’s my favorite way of keeping in touch.
Love. It doesn’t make the world go ’round, but it make the trip so much happier.

There are so many blessings in life. We’re lucky to get this time to be with others, share our lives, and create small pockets of joy. Some feel a reward follows a life well-lived. I don’t. I feel that this is the only time you have to make an impact, to leave a legacy, and to do it right. I am so lucky to have many people who have helped me, and will continue to help me, along the way.

I don’t say it often enough, but I love you. Dearly. Truly. Deeply. Madly. Passionately. Without reservation.

The Mean Teacher

Suzanne — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:11:36 +0000

I admit that I’m pretty blunt and forthright. I come by it honestly; I’ve always been like this. However, I became more aware of it, and actually more attached to it, once I started teaching. You see, I’ve always worked at some of the less-fortunate institutes in my area. As such, many of the students are behind the eight ball academically. You’d think they and their families would be abundantly aware of this. Yet, when I check old report cards, not so much.

I’ve read report cards comments about how enjoyable a child is. I’ve read that a child should have a great summer. Occasionally I’d see where a child should continue reading or practice basic math facts. I read a lot of “discussed during conference”. What I didn’t see a lot of was that the teacher very clearly spelled out that the child was at risk for failing, definitely needed to be fluent in his/her math facts in order to progress mathematically, and needed to read and be read to nightly. It’s as if the conversations we have among ourselves aren’t happening with our families. Worse? Kids who were promoted who KNEW they couldn’t read and felt so far behind they would hide. There’s nothing worse than not being successful when it’s the expectation. It’s like running a marathon at 600 pounds — hard, humiliating, and soul crushing.

Because of my tendency to tell it like it is (have my Come to Jesus moment with kids and families), I’m pegged as the mean teacher. While it’s true that I’m not into maintaining lies, I’m not harmful to kids. They already know what I see. While they might not want me to call them on it, I definitely think there’s a small relief that comes from not having to pretend anymore. I think if you even asked the students if my assessment was fair, they’d grant you it was. After all, they know if they’re making effort or not. What they say they want is someone to ignore it, to accept their lies that they can’t or whatever. What they get is me.

I’m in their face, pushing them to accomplish, pointing out that they HAVE to learn to work. I force the issue that I don’t care if they like it. The point of education is to get a chance, a hope, a dream of doing what you want and setting your own job rather than having that dictated. It’s not going to happen if you can’t get past the basics. Plus your parents don’t want you living at home forever.

I won’t accept that they know the topic so why should they have to work on an assignment. In theory I already know teaching. Why do I have to continue to get a paycheck? BECAUSE THAT’S HOW LIFE WORKS!

I’m not mean because I expect them to suck it up, do it, move forward, and learn to push themselves. In fact, I’m probably the kindest person they’ll ever meet. ‘Cause if they can make it past me, if they can learn to work the way I think they should, then they probably have a damned good chance at success.

How mean is that?

The Best Thing About Me Is You

Suzanne — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:00:47 +0000

I love this song. I really do. I don’t care if someone thinks it’s treacle or pop or soft rock (who coined this phrase?). Of course it’s a love song, so at first it reminded me of my (mostly) better half, Taed.

Then I got to thinking of the title. Quite frankly the “you” in my life refers to absolutely every good friend and relative in my life. I truly believe that it’s our interactions with others that creates the imprints for who we’re supposed to be. I’m quite lucky in that I’ve managed to surround myself with some pretty amazing people. I’m not saying they’re all 100% the nicest, sweetest, kindest, most compassionate people on the planet. However, when I’m with them, my charge is to change who I am for the better. These people will always demand better from me and are willing to call me out when I don’t make the effort.

I am grateful to all the best things in my life. Right now I’m thinking: Shawn, Jerome, JulieT, Mom, Taed and Keb.

The Best Thing About Me Is You — Ricky Martin and Joss Stone

Things I Love Thursday

Anna — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:55:30 +0000

credit

Happy Thursday! Today has been a gorgeous morning with a cool breeze and potential showers later, perfect weather for taking stock and accentuating the positive!

In no articular order, some cool things lately have been:

❤ Sunshine and green grass. Enjoy it before summer sucks the life out of all living things, including me ❤ I’m going to get to experience a venerable Melbourne tradition. No, not the Melbourne Cup, but the Cup eve and Cup eve-eve You Am I shows at the Espy wrong! It was the Prince in St Kilda ❤ Roses! All the neighbourhood gardens are in bloom! ❤ Dumpling dinners with Jennifer ❤ Nine Inch Nails, Nine Inch Nails, Nine Inch Nails ❤ Package anticipation! Waiting for the results of my recent splurge to wing (or sail) its way to me! Come to me my pretties! ❤ My first custom order! ❤ Perfectly formed and deliciously fluffy clouds ❤ Beers on balconies ❤ Pizza with beers on balconies ❤ and getting excited about my hair appointment tomorrow! New hair! Squeee! ❤

Sigh! Now I’m off to go wallow in all this disgusting positivity, go for a walk in the sunshine, and then off to work.

What’s great about your week? Doing anything fantastical on the weekend? Fill me in!