Hold On One Second Sweetie…

Last week Senator and Presidential hopeful Barack Obama called one of our local reporters Peggy Agar “sweetie”.  Here’s a look at what happened…

 

While some have dismissed this comment as playful (one woman on a local radio show thought it was cool), others have found it a bit offensive.  I for one was a little surprised to hear such a familiar tone taken with a complete stranger.  I found it condescending. 

Let me be clear this is by NO MEANS a political commentary.  (So all you Obama-bots and Hillary-heads step off.)  I am focusing on the sexist comments of a man to a woman.  I’m sure that Mr. Obama was without mal intent. But that doesn’t excuse it.

As a woman whose previous life was in the a very conservative and male dominated corporate world of commercial insurance, I dealt with this sort of language all the time.  I had my boss hit on me and a co-worker tell me that he had a sex dream about me.  In response to such behavior, women face a tricky situation.  You grin and bear it, otherwise, some women feel that they will be labeled a “feminazi” or not a team player, or you firmly let the offender know that his banter or behavior is inappropriate. 

I had a conversation on a similar topic with my girlfriends a couple of weeks ago, and one friend is struggling with a man new to supervisory duties, who treats her like a “woman”.  By that I mean, he opens doors for her (including the car door at one point) and talks to her differently than his male reports.

I’m really interested to know your experiences and how you dealt with them.  What do you think about using familiar language (honey, sweetie, babe) in a formal or business situation?  Have you ever been reprimanded for using these sort of endearments with male inferiors in business?  What is the line?

 

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Fashion Sensei Says…

Clip These Coupons…

Ann Taylor, AT Loft and AT Factory Store Friends and Family 25% off coupon.  Click here to print the coupon and details.

Banana Republic 15% off Coupon any purchase of $75 or more on-line or in store.  Click here to print coupon or access on-line coupon code.  (Please note you may have to magnify it when opening it)

Express- Click here for 20% off a $75 purchase or $10 off a $20 purchase now until April 20th.

Victoria’s Secret- 20% off Terry Essentials on-line use offer code TERRY20 at check out.  Click here and print for $10 off bra & free panty with purchase. Click here for more offers.

 

Strike A Pose…

This stylish Yoga Bag is constructed from “recycled plastic bags picked from the trash heaps of a New Delhi slum. Rather than let them pile up in landfills, the bags are hand picked by women who are paid a fair wage in order to turn trash into high-style treasure. They’re made by an Indian non-profit company that employs and empowers 300 low-caste women who had no employment opportunities. Incredibly, no dyes are used to make the colorful patterns—instead layers of different color plastic bags are simply fused together.”

(click on image for shopping information)

 

Bold And The Beautiful…

Be sure to stop in to your local H&M and check out their tribute collection of Marimekko designs.  The bold prints and reasonable prices are something that we all can appreciate.  Click here for a slide show from H&M.

 

Stuff It!

Now there is a stylish alternative for your sunglasses.  Take a look at this case from hayden-hartnett. (click on image for shopping details)

 

 

 

Shoes…

You never know what  you are going to get when you type this word into Google.  Maybe I’m in a strange mood, but I thought this video was funny.  Now I can’t get the song out of my head.  Please be aware that there is explicit language at the end of this video.

 

Carry On…

There’s just something about paisley that I love.  This bag from kate spade is no exception.

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My Thriller Video

Have you ever dreamed of being in a Michael Jackson video?  Now you can “virtually” star in the famed Thriller video by uploading 3 close up digital pictures of yourself to this site and tadaa, you’re a star!

Why all the fuss?  It’s the 25th anniversary of MJ’s groundbreaking video and a global campaign to help MJ save his Neverland Ranch.  I made that last part up, but it seems that the “King of Pop” has a few financial issues to concern himself with.  But I digress… 

Back to your video.  I can imagine all sorts of debauchery ensuing with this opportunity.  These videos are popping up on YouTube and according to MJ’s Press Release, have been picked up by MTV.

Here’s an example, you be the judge…

 

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Dr. Pepper Free Soda Publicity Stunt

I have been waiting since Wednesday to write about this shameless attempt at publicity.  It seems that Dr. Pepper will offer everyone in America a free soda if Axl Rose will release Chinese Democracy in 2008.

For those of you too young to remember, Axl Rose was in a band called Guns N’ Roses and is credited for songs like “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine”.  Here’s a video…

Good Lord, the hair!

I digress, back to Chinese Democracy.  The album has been in the works for some 17 years now and has cost an estimated $13 million dollars thus far.  It seems that he has made numerous announcements that the work is being released and he will be going on tour only to recant.  Maybe he was too busy getting into fights with the likes of Tommy Hilfiger.  Remember that story? 

Dr. Pepper goes on to say that everyone sans GNR members Slash and Buckethead are eligible for the free soda.

“It took a little patience to perfect Dr Pepper’s special mix of 23 ingredients, which our fans have come to know and love,” said Jaxie Alt, director of marketing for Dr Pepper. “So we completely understand and empathize with Axl’s quest for perfection — for something more than the average album. We know once it’s released, people will refer to it as “Dr Pepper for the ears” because it will be such a refreshing blend of rich, bold sounds — an instant classic.”

Yes, well I haven’t ever though of anything as “Dr. Pepper for the ears” before.  If that isn’t enough, Dr. Pepper has created its own blog to express your support and adoration of Axl and his endeavor at: www.chinesedemocracywhen.blogspot.com 

I wonder how much Dr. Pepper spent on this ad campaign and who thought it was a good idea. 

 *UPDATE*

11/21/08  It looks like it’s time for Dr. Pepper to pay up!  Chinese Democracy is set to hit stores on Sunday.  According to news reports, Dr. Pepper will be giving out coupons on their website, but for only 24 hours.

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2007 YouTube Video Awards

The winners of the second annual YouTube Video Awards were announced Friday.  Winners were selected from 12 different categories including:  music, sports, comedy, instructional, short film, inspirational, commentary, creative, politics, series, eyewitness and adorable.

In the Inspirational category, a University of North Texas student John Bramblitt who lost his sight to epilepsy is an amazing painter despite the fact he cannot see.

Taking first place for the Comedy category was Potter Puppets Pals in “The Mysterious Ticking Noise”.  At last check, this video has had 36,850,815 hits, but I warn you, this little tune may be in your head for awhile.

To see all the winners, click on 2007 YouTube Video Awards.

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Game-Show-A-Go-Go

Some time ago I saw some of these shows highlighted on Ellen and thought I would pass them along to you.

If you are tired of the Game Shows here in America, take a look at a few that are popular in Japan.  (Air-E if you check out this post, let me know if you have seen these before.)

The first is a show called HUMAN TETRIS.  The participant must contort their body in the shape of the oncoming target or risk falling into a pool of water.

The second is HUMAN BOWLING.  In this video it appears that the man submerges himself in a pool of what maybe gelatin and then runs down a lane head first into a set of 500 bowling pins.

Last is this ridiculous marshmallow eating relay, with a rubber band around their head.  Just a nice little game to play at family gatherings.

Open your mind to a different language

Hi guys, I typically post really light hearted things on this blog; especially on the weekend.  But this weekend I wanted to post something that I found truly inspirational, fantastic and very close to my heart.

I urge all of you who consider yourself to be an open minded person to watch this video of Amanda Baggs from start to finish.  It will be very strange to some of you, but I promise that by the end, you will have something very interesting to think about.

Have you ever felt like you are misunderstood or don’t exactly fit in?  I think we all have.  Now consider Amanda Baggs who communicates via a computer.  She is living with autism, and has a powerful message about who she is and the world she shares with us.

You may gain a better understanding behind her unusual behavior and what an amazing mind she has.

I also urge you to read some of the comments posted on You Tube from people who have watched this video.

Here is an excerpt from Wired magazine in reaction to Amanda.

This movement is being fueled by a small but growing cadre of neuropsychological researchers who are taking a fresh look at the nature of autism itself. The condition, they say, shouldn’t be thought of as a disease to be eradicated. It may be that the autistic brain is not defective but simply different — an example of the variety of human development. These researchers assert that the focus on finding a cure for autism — the disease model — has kept science from asking fundamental questions about how autistic brains function. A cornerstone of this new approach — call it the difference model — is that past research about autistic intelligence is flawed, perhaps catastrophically so, because the instruments used to measure intelligence are bogus. “If Amanda Baggs had walked into my clinic five years ago,” says Massachusetts General Hospital neuroscientist Thomas Zeffiro, one of the leading proponents of the difference model, “I would have said she was a low-functioning autistic with significant cognitive impairment. And I would have been totally wrong.” (wired)

To read more about Amanda click herefor a link to her blog.

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Flight of the Conchords

I’m not sure how many of you have seen this show before, but it’s just hysterical. The show Flight of the Conchords  follows the lives of two New Zealanders, living in New York, who are trying to break into the American music industry with their comedy singles.

The first video takes place in the middle of an attempted mugging.  The guys are asked for their valuables which includes a camera phone; a camera with a phone attached to it and their bikes. (Throughout the show they break out into song in response to a particular situation.)

Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous

The second video is my favorite, please excuse the Spanish subtitles, this was the only version I could find from the show.

Business Time

Jackie Moon

This is what I call fashion!  Take a look at the video below for a full picture. Now that is sexy!

Just in case you have no idea what this is all about, the movie Semi-Pro is coming out Feb. 29.  I was fortunate enough to receive this autographed picture of the star of the movie Will Farrell, I mean Jackie Moon.

Hipster Olympics

While blog surfing on WordPress yesterday morning, I ran across this really funny parody from YouTube called the Hipster Olympics. 

I wish I could remember whose blog I saw this on. (If you are reading this dear blog owner, please leave a comment so that I may give you the deserved credit).

It’s very irreverent, so if you are easily offended, be sure to give this post a pass.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

And just incase you are wondering what the Hipsters are up to, catch up with them at the Idiotarad.