Sex Sells, Female Chauvinism, etc.

I finally came in to the salon today to chop off a good amount of my hair and almost every girl I know that's done it can agree with me when I say there is something liberating in doing it - my hair isn't SHORT short right now, but I haven't had this length since the 5th grade so it definitely feels like a big step for me. My hair just got too long and bothersome so I wanted to prepare for the summer, but cutting it also feels like getting rid of extra baggage or removing a big weight off your shoulders. It's especially liberating when a big standard of beauty nowadays is a girl with long, flowy hair; a girl doesn't even have to be that cute in the face but if she has pretty hair guys will automatically go ga-ga for her, so in that sense chopping it off can be like an "I just don't give a fck" to that stereotype. I wish I had enough guts to rock a pixie cut or something, who knows maybe someday.

Another thing I wanted to get to are some observations I made after flipping through a Japanese beauty magazine. Everyone knows how female beauty standards are forced upon women in society here in America, but wow looking through those magazines made me realize other parts of the world are just as bad. Every single girl in the magazine had hair that was a medium shade of brown, the same pale color of skin, the same makeup, but I think the worst part about it was the obsession with having big eyes. Double-eyelid surgery is actually very common nowadays in parts of Asia, to the point where although it is plastic surgery, there's no taboo associated with it. Even if the girls didn't get surgery to achieve this look, there were plenty of advertisements for products that give the extra crease for the eye, like this one.

I don't really get it. I understand cosmetic enhancements such as make-up and hair color, but glue for your eyes to make your skin stick together? I find it really sad to be quite honest. Especially if an underlying reason for it is Asian standards trying to conform to Western standards.

The last thing I wanted to bring up was the thin line between sexy & trashy. Last year I religiously watched that Search for the Pussycat Dolls Show (I can't tell if that makes me cool or lame), but I was only able to catch a few episodes of this season of Girlicious. I actually think most of the girls who made it into the group are really gorgeous and from what I saw on the show they were talented, but I was surprised when I saw one of their first official videos. With a name like "Girlicious", you'd think they'd cater to a younger audience than PCD and be, well, really girly. I was wrong. Here's the "Stupid Shit" video I'm talking about:

I know girls want to be sexy and all, but it's just a little bit too much for me. I'm not even sure what their demographic is supposed to be - their stuff doesn't seem old enough for college kids, but then again I don't see the parents of 12-year olds wanting to rush out and buy tickets for their daughters to see a show like that. The blond one Nichole was soo cute on the show, and now that baby prostitute vibe just seems to be coming back to haunt me in this video. I will give them one thing though - they seem to market themselves as exactly what they are and are not trying to hide behind a cookie-cutter facade, so I can at least respect them for that.

I don't know, I don't want to keep ragging on stuff like this because apparently it makes me seem like a hater. Or if I say what's on my mind about these things I'm just jealous. Riiiiight. But really, is it that my views on this stuff are just "not with the times" anymore? Am I a prude? Is it bad that some things people consider "empowering for women" I want to call "misogynistic?" I have to draw the line somewhere, but I just don't know where to start anymore.

This book will be on my must-read list in the near future:

"Meet the Female Chauvinist Pig - the new brand of 'empowered woman' who wears the Playboy bunny as a talisman, bares all for Girls Gone Wild, pursues casual sex as if it were a sport, and embraces 'raunch culture' wherever she finds it. If male chauvinist pigs of years past thought of women as pieces of meat, Female Chauvinist Pigs of today are doing them one better, making sex objects of other women - and of themselves. They think they're being brave, they think they're being funny, but in Female Chauvinist Pigs, New York magazine writer Ariel Levy asks if the joke is on them..."

No air-uh air-uh

I swear this week is the slowest ever at work and I must have heard that song about 7 times, no joke. That and "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis ,which I can't stand anymore and never really liked in the first place. At least with "No Air" I can listen to the sweetness of my boy Chris Brown. I've said some funny things about CB (my roommates think so at least) but I don't feel like disclosing them right now to save myself the embarrassment.

Since the last time I blogged I really have nothing to talk about. No new discoveries, life-changing epiphanies, just blah. Maybe if I had some actual drama in my life I could tell cool stories about things like how my best friend stabbed me in the back, or how I went out of my way just to spite an ex, exciting stuff like that.

I think a part of it is also how I refrain from going in depth about specific issues i.e. some relationship stuff or sex because I don't have the luxury of anonymity in these cases. I tend to talk about that stuff in general because if I say something like "Don't you fcking hate it when your boyfriend _______", everyone would just think "Damn Raf what did you do" haha. Who knows, maybe I do mean it, maybe I don't, but I just avoid that situation in general cuz people be too assuming nowadays. Sometimes it's hard to discern what people are really trying to say when it's on paper, nawmean.

Anyways, one thing I do look forward to is Culture Clash at House of Blues tomorrow, it feels like it's been forever since I've gone to an event like this or anything remotely close to the club scene. I know a lot of SD people that I haven't seen in a while are going, so it'll be good to see some familiar faces up here. Also, I'll probably have more to talk about after making some observations of club rats & manwhores in their natural setting tomorrow, so that means more posts along the lines of "'Bout to roll up in this club" or the Ladies Night part of "What a Week" .

Exciting stuff coming up hopefully, time to study...

"You Smell Like a Baby Prostitute"

Not only is this gem of a line one of my faves from Mean Girls, but sadly this is what comes to mind as I survey the myspace world nowadays. Once in a while I'll log in to my brother's myspace (it's ok, he doesn't care) to see what his friends are up to or because I'm dying of boredom, only to regret clicking on seemingly harmless album titles such as "parties" and the like. I am seriously grossed out. I don't want to see 16/17-year olds wearing shirts attempting to show off their not-yet-in-existence cleavage or booty shorts they won't be able to fill out until the freshman 15. And additional signs of adolescence such as braces and baby fat around the face only intensify this "baby prostitute" vibe that seeps from my screen. Then again, what am I to expect in this generation that worhips BBV & Miley Cyrus.

Case in point: no one is safe from this epidemic. Not even Hannah Montana.

Myspace wars bring the LOLs as well. The comments between the participating parties are always fun to read, but when they decide to step up their game and take it to bulletins, the entertainment value just skyrockets.

Aside from the "baby prostitute" theme, here are some other myspace pictures to avoid.

Awkward situtation caught on camera. Or, "one of these things is not like the others".

Emo/unflattering angle/WTF all in one.

Tattoos gone horribly wrong.

Wifey Skills According to Him

I knew I was going to have some strong sentiments when I came across another article on Yahoo that caught my eye - "What Keeps a Man Crazy in Love". I thought hmmm what other things can people come up with for women to do to please their man... and the genuises at Redbook provided many entertaining but WTF? ways (at least I think) for a woman to blow her man away with her "wonderfulness". But the weird thing is I read the article as if some of my own friends came up with the list because these are things they would totally come up with. Very. Typical. Guy. Things. Such as:

1. Play poker. ->Or any type of video game really would fit in this category as well.
Why: So you can socialize his way for a change.

2. Give the perfect backrub.
Why: Because there's more than one way to make a guy moan in complete and utter satisfaction.

3. Tie his tie for him.
Why: Because it's such a sexy, retro, little-wifey move. ->I would totally fail at this one. And I really hate the word wifey for some reason.

4. Make a mean steak.
Why: That hulking slab o'beef appeals to his most manly side.

5. Wake him up in the morning.
Why: So he'll start his day with a smile - at the very least. ->This one is kinda cute I'll admit.

6. Give him a barbershop shave. ->Like Raf would ever let me do this.
Why: He'll get a sexy little thrill from letting you wield all the power while he submits to your capable hands.

7. Strip. ->No waaaaay, really?
Why: Because he really - please, baby, please - wants you to.

8. Have a conversation with his boss.
Why: Because he or she is the adult who, after you, matters most in your husband's daily life. So you want to play it just right.

9. Throw him a super surprise party
Why: Because he'll never forget you made him feel so special.

10. Leave him a sexy voicemail at work. ->This one is just LOLtastic
Why: So he'll have a really compelling reason to get home on time.

11. Quote at least three lines from "The Godfather".
Why: Guys believe the Corleones know what it is to be a man. Yours just wants to know you get it. Capisce?

12. Make heart-melting chocolate-chip cookies.
Why: Because they're the essence of wholesome, and he knows you're not. A potent combination.

13. Kick his style up a notch. ->Now this one I could definitely do.
Why: Initially, for your own pleasure. But then the compliments will start rolling in, and he'll seek out your impeccable advice.

Now some of these I can understand. But I wish they came up with more original ideas. Make a mean steak? Poker? Strip? Thanks Redbook for the enlightenment. Now here's a list of my own of a couple things guys should do to keep her glued to you! I mean this in all seriousness!!

1. Go shopping with her. So you can socialize her way with her girlfriends for a change. And when you go, don't act like you're being dragged along, act happy alright.

2. Give the perfect backrub. For the same reasons as guys obviously.

3. Clean the damn kitchen. I think I would be in perpetual happy mode if I woke up and came home to a clean kitchen everyday. Apparently one of my roommates hates that I clean it so often and claims he/she would cook more if I wasn't so uptight, but I won't name any names because it would be too obvious (it's the sarcastic/bald one).

4. Make her breakfast once in a while. How many guys actually wake up early enough to sit down and eat breakfast, let alone take the time and energy to make it for their woman? It would be a very nice surprise in the morning to make her feel appreciated.

5. Play with her hair. Just because it feels nice.

6. Strip. No double standards here.

7. Plan a spontaneous day/night out. I've noticed that girls are always the ones in the relationship wanting to go out and do something new while the guys are usually just "whatever" about it. It would be a very nice and surprising change for the guys to take some initiative to plan for once.

8. If you know it's going to piss her off, just don't say it. I'm not talking about when you're already in the heat of the argument and already running your mouths off to each other. This applies to guys in general, not just 2 people in a relationship. I'm talking about, you know, common sense stuff. Like not saying "I'll fcking kill you" or "Maybe you're pregnant", which I have both gotten within the past 2 weeks...fcker.

9. Be punctual. Which means no running on Filipino time. There's a problem if a guy takes longer to get ready than his girl.

10. Quote at least three lines from movies such as: The Notebook. Pretty Woman. Terms of Endearment. The Princess Bride. Clueless. Mean Girls. I don't even know if I can quote three lines from each of these movies, but it would sure be impressive if a guy could. It would show that he is down for the chick flick.

11. Put on a suit. Gone are the days when men were dressed with sexy, cool sophistication on the daily. Women like their men dressed sharp once in while. And there's definitely something about a guy in a suit.

Rock It Don't Stop It

Now more than ever, I dread coming out to high school functions because I don't really have too many people to say what's up to anymore. I feel old but at the same time am baffled at the way I blend in with these high schoolers that look beyond their years (or it could be the fact that I still get "Are you 16?" Damn it). Mount Carmel isn't even recognizable to me anymore, too much of a Westview vibe going on. But of course, I had to come out for MC Airbands to support my brother and let's face it, MC always holds it down when it comes to airbands. This is also the reason I only come out to band/guard shows because MC kicks ass at that too. Anyways, I was expecting a typical MC airbands show with notable guest performers and good competing groups, but if you didn't go this year you missed out!



It's nice to see Mount Carmel keep the tradition alive with current students and alumni on many of the exhibition teams, from 220, Urban FX, Super Galactic Beat Manipulators, Formality, and many other teams. Plus not only do former Sundevils rock it on the stage, but a good number are leading behind the scenes as current/former captains or directors. Great job guys.

The first big surprise of the night was a special appearance by Kevin Brewer of the Jabbawockeez/SGBM. For me, it was surreal that everyone busted out their cell phones and cameras when he came out because I've been watching him since his days on Culture Shock SD/Jabbawockeez in '03 - now he's celebrity status, which is cool but I'm still getting used to it. Raf even introduced me to him a couple times when we ran into him at Barnes and saw him at his old work (Apple Store at UTC haha). It's funny because he only came to watch and enjoy the show, but I guess everyone recognized him so during intermission they asked him to come on stage to introduce SGBM.

But the WTF moment of the night was when Donnie from Making the Band 4 made an appearance! Seriously, WTF? First the hosts from Z90 were talking about the importance of education and saying no to budget cuts, next thing you know they talk about being able to fly "someone from MTV" out here, then what do you know, Donnie steps through the curtain. Now I didn't even think Donnie was that tight on the show, but when he showed up the inner fangirl inside of me came out (think circa Backstreet Boys in their prime) and my first instinct was to scream and wail my arms like a 14-year old. Oy.



"Don't wanna play no games I want you excluuuuuusive"





All in all, it was a very entertaining show - congrats to my brother's group GCA for getting first!

Random Thoughts Post

So Spring Break already passed by like it was nothing, and today was my not-so-dreaded return to school. I did really well last quarter, so I came into this one with some good motivation and confidence. We'll see how long that outlook holds up (ask me at the end of 2nd week maybe? haha) but I'm taking all biology classes this quarter so I really want to take this opportunity to boost up my Biosci GPA up. I don't have much to say about spring break since I didn't do anything too exciting, so this is just going to be another random thoughts post about stuff here and there.

1. I shouldn't be too surprised, but even during spring break I could not escape the Smash pandemic. In SD or Irvine, late night or in the middle of the day, Smash was there. The surprising part should be that I actually considered getting into the game myself. I played video games like one of the guys in elementary school and I'm pretty good at picking up stuff fast, so why not right? Omg what the heck am I saying.

2. I've been obsessing over American Apparel lately. Their stuff is so comfy and they have a lot of basic pieces that you can wear with anything, even if it is a little on the pricy side. However, I have to say that their ads are LOLtastic sometimes. I was browsing through their site on my lunch break at work and became mortified at this half naked chick in only skinny jeans sticking her ass at the screen while gnawing on her finger. Oh yeah and bare breasts too. Nice. Maybe the 70's porn-inspired advertising is part of the appeal.

Notice the great product placement.

3. I would have thrown such a fit if the Jabbawockeez didn't win ABDC. The West Coast pwns so much at the dance scene, it's crazy. Kaba Modern alum/well-known choreographer Miguel Zarate is going to be on that new Bravo dance show Step Up and Dance, so check that out. I'm also looking forward to the second season of ABDC just to see familiar faces on TV, because you know some of the West Coast teams that we've been watching for years are going to end up on there.

4. I've been so proud of myself for my workout ethic lately. I've been going 3-4 times each week, and I'm going to make sure I keep this going into summer. This is the vain part of me speaking, but I found good motivation in buying clothes that I wouldn't wear unless I was feeling really good about myself (aka little red dress). Because first of all, you don't want to look bad in the clothes, and second, you actually want to try because it would be a waste to spend $$$ on clothes and not wear them, right?

5. So to redeem myself from sounding too superficial, I just want to say I really learned so much during the past quarter in school - and it's stuff that I think is actually relevant to life. I'm more aware and concerned about issues that struck a nerve with me, such as women's rights (or lack of them) around the world and global health issues. An interesting book that I read was "Strapped" by Tamara Draut, which talks about why it's becoming harder and harder for people in our generation to get ahead, from rising college costs, the prevalence of debt among young people, and lots of other issues that really got me thinking about my future. It's somewhat of a depressing read, but an interesting one.