The "B*tch" Myth (?)

Do not be distracted by Amy Adams' assets.Recently, I was flipping through my January Marie Claire and fell upon a quickie interview with the most recent winner of Project Runway Gretchen Jones.  It was a pretty standard fluff piece, except for one statement that really caught my attention:

The only adjective for a go-getter woman seems to be 'bitch'.  You get categorized so quickly, and it's hard to strip away. - Gretchen Jones

Aaaaand I could not disagree with her more.  Sure, if you run around making incredibly inappropriate demands or treat your colleagues with abuse or disrespect, then yes you will get called a bitch... because you are being a bitch.

I consider myself a go-getter.  I make decisions about what I want, think through why I want them, and then I do everything I can to get there.  I am clear with others about what I want, and I bust it to do everything I need to make those goals happen.  In general, I think I'm pretty good at getting what I want most of the time legitimately, without stomping on anyone.  And you know what?  Nobody has ever called me a bitch (other than that guy on the highway!).  Actually, I don't think I've met more than one or two women IN MY LIFE that have dealt with a colleague calling an ambitious woman a "bitch".

About five years ago, a friend who I really look up to gave me great advice.  She said "No matter what's going on around you, be yourself.  If everyone in the room wants to go left, and you want to go right, don't pretend you agree - speak your mind and tell the truth.  That's integrity.  That's being the real deal."

This isn't 1952, and women aren't the tread-upon creatures of yesteryear when it comes to the USA.  People that lose their temper and act crazy will get called names, no matter their gender.  Sometimes, I think women hide behind The Bitch Myth so that they don't have to live up to expectations.  It's easy to be lazy or cowardly when you can pretend brave choices won't make a difference.  Sure, some women work in "Good Ole' Boy" industries where there is a legit gender prejudice to fight against.  Most of us don't.

What do you think?  Am I totally out-of-touch here?  Is Go-Getter As Bitch real... or not real?

When the Commitment is Just TOO High...

I have often played with the idea of getting a tattoo, but it's just so... permanent.  In fact, I've even had a particular design in mind for over a year; I just can't pull the trigger!  Some people look great in tattoos, but I'm not sure I'm one of them.  For all I know, I'll look trashy.  Let's be real here... some people look superhot with tattoos; and and some people just don't.  That's life.  I know a woman who has an entire leg and most of her back tatted up, and she looks fantastic.  One of my sushi-lovin' Bee-friends has a gorgeous back-piece that is amazing.

Since I'm clearly not ready to make the commitment, I found this website to strike a happy halfway point...

It would appear that I can design my own tattoo and "test run" it!  I could see this coming in very handy, especially when batting around a tattoo decision.

Now, will I really ever take the plung and get inked for real?  Probably not, seeing as I am the grand old age of 32 and haven't so much as come within 50 feet of a tattoo needle.  Are you marked?  Do you love it, regret it?  If you aren't, why not?  No interest... or are you just chicken, like me?

Perfect for the Weekend

I have recently become quite obsessed with dance flashmobs.  Totally random, yes?  I just saw this flashmob that supposedly came out o' Belgium, set to one of the most delightful songs that might exist in life. 

Shut up, Julie Andrews is awesome! 

Check it out... The first half is awesome; the second half is fantastic.

Have you ever been in a flashmob?  How was it (so I can live vicariously through you)?!?!?!  :D

A Shortie

Inspired by Not Quite Betty Crocker, I ran my blog through Wordle to see what happens...  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Wordle, it's a website that will count the words in a document, file or blog... and then the words used most are the biggest!  Check it out...

Please tell me you find the prominence of "soda" and "pumpkin" as hilarious as I do.  Dang that pesky Coke - it stalks me!  Clearly I need to lay off saying "Checkity check check check."  :O  I love Wordle! 

What does your Wordle say?

What I'll Be Wasting My Money on Today...

Breakfast:

Lunch:

Dinner:

Those lattes and scones pack a calorie punch!

Yes, friends, today is the return of the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte and the Pumpkin Scone.  Dun dun dunnnnnn. 

Millions rejoice.

As much as I love my pumpkin scone, what I'm REALLY excited about is that the Return of the Pumpkin marks us ever closer to the Return of the Peppermint Mocha, which is the pinnacle.  Nom.  Am I right?

Pasty White Cup... your days are numbered.