Kise

Whoa, Nelly! What Happened?

2007-05-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

Nelly Furtado, a proud Canadian, started her career as singer and songwriter, releasing an album in 2000 named "Whoa, Nelly!". You may remember this album for the fun-loving lyrics of "I am Like A Bird". Her videos showed her smiling, laughing, and running through a grass meadow. Sounds innocent enough, right? It was. And I don't know about anyone else, but I had a great deal of respect for someone like her making it as a musician without using her sexuality to sell albums. Unfortunately, this didn't last very long. By 2003, she shed her girl next door look, and gave into the pressure surrounding the music industry to "take it off". What happened to her!? She has recently recorded a NEW album...named "Loose"..(?). Song titles include: "Promiscuous" and "maneater". Interestingly enough, this image turn around happened right after she became a mother (hmm..). What I find especially strange about this sudden surge of sexuality is that she did this complete transformation in just a couple years. This was not the overly sexual teen image that matured into a more sophisticated ( and modest) look...it was the opposite. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this "new Nelly look" seems to be less of a change of attitude on her part, and more like something she was told to do because her albums weren't selling very well. This marketing strategy seemed to pay off, because she has since teamed up with rap/ pop artists Timbaland and Justin Timberlake. Good for her. But it just would have been refreshing to see, for ONCE, an artist who doesn't give into the over sexualized music industry. Music artists should not feel like the only way that they can sell more albums is to take off their clothes and sing unintelligent songs about their sex lives. Oh, promiscuous girl, you already know...I am so disappointed.

Stop The McDiet!

2007-05-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

If "Super Size Me" didn't make an impact on anyone, I don't know what will. It seems like artery clogging food is everywhere. High-fat, high-calorie fast food is available to us in thousands of restaurants, such as Mcdonalds.Are people saying no to this food, because it may kill them someday? Most definately not. They are gulping it down as fast as humanly possible ,often with the help of chanting friends, and then....GOING BACK FOR MORE. No wonder a quarter of children are obese, which is DOUBLE the rate of a generation ago. (By the way, when I say "double", I am NOT reffering to a double cheeseburger...I know what you were thinking.) Just think: If you were to eat a basic medium meal at Burger King consisting of a Whopper with cheese, french fires and a vanilla shake. In that one meal ( that you proudly gulped down as fast as you could) are 87 grams of fat and 1,480 calories. Who cares, Right? Well, the average amount of fat a person should eat a day is about 65 grams, and the caloric intake should sit around 2000! To calculate how many calories you should be consuming a day, go to:http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm or http://www.weightlossforgood.co.uk/calorie_intake_calculator.htm
Calories aside, fast food is not good for us in any way. For example, the heaping amounts of sugars and salts, a seemingly harmless ingredient is added to our food excessively, making it extremely unhealthy for our bodies. The point being: when we eat too much of a so called "healthy" substance, it can become dangerous. We have absolutely no sense of portion control anymore. It's like we are eating for 2 people...or 4...or 6. Bagels used to be 2 to 3 ounces, or about 200 calories. Today they're about 5 to 6 ounces, which is more than 400 calories. (By the way, a 5-ounce bagel is equal to five pieces of bread or 15 cups of popcorn!) Why are people going out of their way to make the food they eat even more unhealthy than it was when they ripped it out of the frozen cardboard package?! People POUR fat on their meal, because it "tastes better." Give me a break. That already-fatty-enough clump of god-knows-what does NOT taste better! Now, after what you have learned, answer with careful consideration: Do you want fries with that? ;)

Obsessions...Gone Too Far

2007-05-17T11:22:00.000-07:00

The two photos shown here are parody ads illustrating the way that our culture demonstrates our need to feel desirable, and the extremes in which we will go to achieve it. The original advertisement, for Calvin Klein's perfume and cologne collection "Obsession", features well known English supermodel, Kate Moss. Each of the advertisements that Kate Moss is shown in use very explicit sexuality to sell the product. One of the first controversies involving Kate Moss was surrounding her weight, to which she replied "It was just the time. It was a swing from more buxom girls like Cindy Crawford and people were shocked to see what they called a 'waif'. What can you say? How many times can you say 'I'm not anorexic'?". The problem with these types of girls modelling in perfume ads such as this, is that it feeds the obsession in our society to be as thin as humanly possible. Kate Moss, weighing a mere 100 pounds when the original "Obsession" ads were shot, portrays "thin and sickly" as beautiful and desirable. Unfortunately, Calvin Klein isn't the only company to feature women this thin in their ads. Check out http://home.pb.net/~karyn1/pictures.htm to see more disturbing ads featuring women that look as if they are on the brink of death. These types of images make women feel inadequate, and they become obsessed with achieving the "perfect body". No wonder eating disorders are on the rise. The parody ad of the woman bent over a toilet clutching her stomach sheds a scary, but realistic light on what is happening to women everywhere. Seeing women so thin in advertisements is unhealthy, and should not be shown. Calvin Klein ads for the male version of the "Obsession" cologne are far from being acceptable as well. The original, almost identical to the parody ad above, show men with toned, fit bodies and bulging muscles. Once again, these images do not accurately portray the average man. This type of man, raging with testosterone is featured in every advertisement as the "most desirable man". Like women, men have become so obsessed with looking and acting a certain way in order to be "perfect". Cosmetic surgery and eating disorders for men is becoming increasingly more common, and advertisements such as these are to blame. They give men unrealistic ideas about the way thet are supposed to look, which make men feel like they aren't masculine enough, and attractive enough to the opposite sex. This poses as a huge dilemma for both men and women. The desire to feel attractive has become such a huge part of our lives, and people are willing to do just about anything to get to that point. Advertising such as the images shown in Calvin Klein's Obsession ads are dangerous, and the parody ads above do an excellent job in showing us just how absurd and sickening they truly are.

Dove: Making Us Feel Beautiful, While Selling Us Cellulite Cream

2007-05-17T09:46:00.000-07:00

Dove has just recently made it a point to feature curvier, more natural girls in their advertisements in an attempt to show us that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and ages. The message that Dove is trying to get across to us "normal" people is that we should all be happy with ourselves, regardless the way that we look. Their ads tell us not to change our bodies in a way that gives in to the pressure our society is putting on us. Dove says:

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE THIN."
"YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL JUST THE WAY YOU ARE."

Well...interestingly enough, the ad featured above is for A CELLULITE CREAM...which usually reads: "Change the look of your thighs in 6-8 weeks and blah, blah, blah..."

Change!? Oh Dove, your confusing us.

This whole thing seems very much like an advertising gimmick on Dove's part. Don't get me wrong, I think that it is a wonderful idea to show regular women unretouched. We never see women such as this in a beauty advertisement. And I think this is exactly why Dove is choosing to do this sort of marketing-because it's different. Their smart. Thier making people feel good about themselves. Their contradicting themselves. And their making money.

There is nothing wrong with Doves new way of advertising. Dove's Campaign For Real Beauty is changing the way we look at "beautiful". They are raising awareness, as well as money for camps for children. HOWEVER, they should NOT be telling us that are bodies are beautiful and unique as they are, while SELLING us creams that are supposed to CHANGE the look of our thighs and bellies.

Attack of The Bobble Heads.

2007-05-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

Nicole Richie and Victoria Beckham are two celebrities who have taken it upon themselves to transform their bodies. Not only have they successfully starved themselves, but they have also succeeded in making their bodies look as awkward as an elephant riding a tricycle. Their bony, withered bodies are as unattractive as humanly possible. Their alien-like physique is extremely unnatural, and quite creepy. Their heads, clearly MUCH larger than their sickly bodies looks disproportionate, making them look about as beautiful as the Hasbro reject barbies. Bodies that are toned and healthy: hot. Bodies that look as if they could crumble to the floor: NOT. Why would anyone make the decision to do this to themselves? So many stars are turning to extreme weightloss...and the results are shocking. This trend is absolutely absurd, yet they continue to strive towards the most skeletal figure. An online gallery was created to illustrate just how insane this skin and bones trend really is:

http://www.worth1000.com/cache/gallery/contestcache.asp?contest_id=12209&display=photoshop 09&display=photoshop contest_id=12209&display=photoshop

So my burning question for celebrities is: Since when did having SKIN become a crime?!

"I'm Feeling A Bit Too Happy Today...Pass The Pills"

2007-05-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

Our culture has become obsessed with popping pills at every possible opportunity. It is no longer just a Tylenol for a headache, but now a pill to make you sleep, to make you wake up, to make you happy...and one to make you slightly less happy. We have pills to cure cramps, backpains, swelling, acne, obesity, depression, anxiety. We simply overlook anything we could be doing in our lives to cause the problem, and turn to the bottle( the pill bottle, that is). For absolutely every obstacle we may face in our life, there is a way to escape, or at least feel like your escaping the real way that you feel. It sounds awfully abnormal to me. To feel pain, sadness, and joy are all parts of being a real human being. By camoflauging them with medication we aren't able to truly understand who we are. Instead of looking after the problem, we just cover it up. Whenever something remotely strange happens to our bodies we rush to the nearest doctor for a prescription, or anything that "might help". Not to mention the outrageous list of side effects wrapped around each bottle we consume. There are several pills for something as common as acne, and the list of possible side effects makes it seem hardly worth it. Some side effects of Accutane, a popular acne medication given to teens: Depression ,chapped lips,dry skin, itching and rashes,dryness of nose and minor nosebleeds,joint and muscle pain,irritation of the eyelids and eyes,temporary hair thinning,intestinal symptoms,urinary symptoms,heeadaches,increased sensitivity to sunburn, and decreased night vision.Hah, like THOSE symptoms will make you any more attractive. Some young children are also being pushed into a lifestyle of pill-popping at a young age. When a child is just being themself, young and energetic, everyone is quick to jump to conclusions. There MUST be something wrong, so the kid is diagnosed as having "concentration issues", and is immediately put on meds. Instead of the old fashioned way of dealing with things such as therapy, pills have become the cure-all. Some people are taking so many different types of pills a day, they can hardly keep up with them. The herbal tablets available at drugstores aren't a whole lot better. I think we'de like a little bit more of an explination as to why we NEED to take an echinicea tablet, a garlic tablet, an evening primrose oil tablet, and a green tea tablet EVERY morning.

Oops.

2007-04-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

Tara Reid, shown here, accidentally flashed her body while at an event. Naturally, a picture would be taken to illustrate this womans misfortune, and posted in every tabloid in America. Not only were several pictures taken, but also a lengthy video of her, oblivious to the fact that her breast was exposing herself to the world. She poses, smiles, poses, smiles, until someone is finally nice enough to inform her of the mishap. After seeing the video of Tara Reid during this very unfortunate event, I felt bad for her ( but only a little, and the feeling quickly passed.) She was clearly humiliated by this, and angered by the photographers who didn't tell her what was going on. They just snapped away, dreaming of all of the money they would make from such a revealing photo. She felt taken advantage of, and showed disgust towards the crowd as she stomped off. She is right in realizing that many of these photographers only care about themselves, and are willing to embarass others in order to make as much money as possible. HOWEVER, "accidents" such as these are becoming much too common in hollywood, and are almost a regular occurance. Wardrobe malfunctions such as Janet Jacksons seem almost planned. It don't understand how a top can just fall off, without a person realizing it. Was there no breeze, Tara reid? Although she seemed genuinely upset with what happened, it seems like celebrities are taking every chance they have to flash their bodies. Britney Spears, just a short time after giving birth to her child, had several pictures taken of her getting out of a vehicle. Clear view, no underwear. Have some class. These people are constantly appearing on front page news with their clothes "falling" off their bodies. They say "Oops.". I say "Hire a tailor."

Eyelash Transplants?

2007-04-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

Originally created to restore the lashes on a burn victim, lash transplants have become the newest thing for celebrities, as well as anyone vain enough with about $6,000 . By using the same technique as hair transplants on the head, the hair is taken from the back of the SCALP, and implanted along the LASHLINE. Ew. The result is thick, long lashes that seem to never end. The catch? They DON'T end, because just like the hair on your head, these lashes will continue to grow the same way it used to. Which means that these people must "trim" their eyelashes in order to maintain their pretty lashes, and NOT sprout a head of hair from their eyes. Ugh, creapy...

Pregnant Women...Beer Ads?

2007-04-19T07:09:00.000-07:00

Who exactly is this type of advertising trying to appeal to?! These two advertisements, that are used in Brazil, show pregnant women holding non-alcoholic beer, and wearing hardly any clothes. Dressed in daisy dukes and short spandex...underwear?...these women are clearly portraying the "party girl" image. With their come hither eyes, they seem like they would appeal to most guys looking for attractive women wanting to have a good time. Except of course, these women are pregnant. Has bearing a child become sexy? I think this definately following the new pregnancy trend among celebrities. More and more stars are showing up at red carpet events proudly showing off their bumps in tight fitting dresses. Women are also appearing on covers of high fashion magazines during their pregnancies. Instead of hiding a bulging baby belly, beautiful women have chosen to embrace it, and show it as a sign of femininity. Therefore, these images may have been used to attract females to their beer. How strange.I think that their marketing strategy may just pay off, as bizarre as it may seem. This is something we rarely see, so to mix something such as drinking and pregnancy seems ridiculous. But is it? I don't think so. Women want to feel sexy when they are pregnant, and be able to go out and do the things they used to such as going out to party. However, there is definately a point where women should realize that their are going to be a mother soon, and dress and act appropriately ( not like the women above) .Women have also become very health conscious and are looking for different options. We have recently seen ads featuring a new light beer, a drink with less carbs/ calories/ fat that are used to draw females into their products. Everyone knows that drinking is unacceptable when carrying a child, but nobody suggests that someone should spend their evenings on the couch knitting up a new bonnet for when the "young one arrives". It's 2007. The beer company is actually making clear connection with what women want, whether we like it or not. I don't think anyone saw THAT one coming. The beer companies haven't been the only ones to use this type advertising. A car company in Spain also used pregnant women to advertise their products. Check out this link to see the ad : http://daddytypes.com/archive/seat_family_sportscar.jpg

Their Parents Must Be Proud.

2007-04-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

We have had the saying "beauty is only skin deep", hammered into us since we were children, but it is hard not to stare at the people who have an appearance such as this. So unnatural, so inhuman..It is difficult to understand exactly what makes a person feel the need to put their bodies through that. Portruding veins, legs that are so big they are unable to walk, and characteristics of the opposite sex are just some of the things that these body builders deal with each day. By pumping their bodies with steroids each day, these people are able to create the body they have always desired. But what would possibly inspire someone to want to look that way?! They are creating monster-like effects by what they are doing. Women, like the ones in the two photos above, are so big their bodies are about to explode. Greg Valentino, a well known body builder, had arms that did just that-Explode. On the following link, you can watch a video that was shown on TLC about his life, and his obsession with having the biggest bicepts in history: http://www.flicklife.com/856b06e1273989422e7d/The_Man_Whose_Arms_Exploded.html

looks aside, this sort of body torture is just as dangerous as having any sort of eating disorder. The side effects and risks of becoming a body builder are unbelievable. When people choose to pump themselves full of steroids they increase the chances of developing serious conditions such as:
High blood pressure and heart disease
Liver damage and cancers
Stroke and blood clots
Urinary and bowel problems
Headaches, aching joints, and muscle cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Sleep problems
Increased risk of ligament and tendon injuries
Severe acne, especially on face and back
Baldness

Body builders seem to think that none of these side effects are serious enough to stop trying to obtain their own idea of a perfect body. They are completely obsessed with what they look like that they are unable to understand the risks involved, and don't seem to care if they are going to end up killing themselves. Even this disturbing list of more side effects doesn't seem to slow them down:

In women- growth of facial hair, male- pattern baldness, deepened voice, shrinking of breasts. In men- infertility, development of breasts, baldness.

Most of the people in the body building industry are risking their lives to be known as the biggest man or female in the world. They clearly do not know where to draw the line between an interest...and an obsession. More awareness needs to be drawn to the fact that these types of bodybuilders are not just big, but they are sick. This is not normal behaviour for a human being, and we have to realize that these people are drug users that are obsessed with their bodies. Many body builders have died, and even more are going to die if they continue to allow body builders to promote what they are doing to themselves, and inspire more people to follow in their tracks.

Why Would A Person Do This To Themselves?

2007-04-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

I find it hard to understand why someone would deliberately deform their bodies in an attempt to be different. I think that the result isn't being different at all, but instead following a trend. A very bizarre trend. There is absolutely nothing attractive about a stretched out ear that you can see right through ( note: the one advantage is that the person behind you is able to use your ear tunnel as a mini spy hole.) Okay, back to the disadvantages. As an adult, if these people still resemble a human being after all of the strange and awkward things they put their bodies through, they will probably regret their decision to purposely destroy their bodies. This applies to any type of piercing that changes the way someone looks significantely, as well as horrible tattoos that, for example, say " I Heart Britney Spears". NOT something they will smile and look down at when their 80 years old while reliving the "good ol' days" when Britney Spears WASN'T in an insane asylum. Or perhaps, when they had ears that DIDN'T resemble dried prunes. This may be the new "it" thing to do, but when these people actually grow up, and decide to start a family, they will be unable to completely undo their teenage years. Most people are able throw out the tube tops and mini skirts, but these people will be stuck with ears that their children are able to hide their old candies in. Oh, I guess that would make two advantages...

Plus Size?!

2007-04-16T09:46:00.000-07:00

When walking through the malls on our shopping ventures, we are accompanied by several other women. These particular women always seem to be around, and don't seem to be very nice. They are always very thin with the perfect porportions, and always seem to be wearing the latest fashions. Theres only one catch: they aren't real. These are mannequins, watching you while you struggle to fit into clothes, wondering why on earth the size 1 that they are wearing seems to be bursting even at the site of your thighs. Their glass eyes seem to be glaring at you through the changing room door. So you leave, only to pass by a new set of women. You recognize these women. They look more real, like most of the women you know. You smile, and look up only to see "PLUS SIZE 14+"..."WHAT!?"...Confused, you look around..there must be some mistake. THAT body is not a "plus size". No, the mannequin you see with a healthy and happy body, the "average body", is actually considered plus size, just like the photo posted above. It is absurd to think a body such as this is referred to as "bigger", "larger"...or even "fat". We need to stop only letting these mannequins into plus size stores, and allow them into "regular size" stores ( nobody is quite sure what is meant by "regular size"). We like these women, and would like to see more of them when we are shopping.

The Popularity of the Ripped Clothing

2007-04-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

Why, in such a wealthy culture such as ours, do we feel the need to dress ourselves in articles of clothing that look like they were dug out of the nearest dumpster? I mean, what could possibly be so appealing about an exposed ( gasp)...kneecap? The trend of the new clothes that look old, has been around for years, and it just won't seem to go away! Ripped jeans for example, are worn by the most stylish of people...oh,and the cast of Lost. They are certainly not warmer, or very functional. These destroyed pieces of fabric are simply unnecessary. Many people wear these clothes to give them a "tough" looking exterior, but it just looks messy. Im not suggesting people be wasteful, and throw out new jeans that you happen to accidentally put a hole in while rescuing a child from a burning building. However, if you have searched at every hip new clothing store for the most damaged jeans you can find, pass over 80 dollars for them, and then proceed to chop them up even more when you get home, PUT THE SCISSORS DOWN.

Why We Can Never Be Superwomen.

2007-04-12T16:50:00.000-07:00

Some women feel the need to save men. Whether their "problem" is a failure to succeed, a lack of ambition, a vicious temper, or a bad fashion sense, we feel like we are able to change them. NEWS FLASH: we can't. As women, it is nearly as impossible for us to transform a man as to climb the walls of the CN tower( unless of course your one of the very few women blessed with webbed feat and inspector gadget-like limbs). Nevertheless, females should abandon their hopes of being the person that is finally able to create the perfect man. If his mother, sister, teacher, and babysitter have all failed, what in the world makes a woman think that she could possibly possess this special power!? The female gender has gotten to the point where we can pretty much do anything...except this. Just give up, ladies. Men don't need a saviour, they need one...or several..stylists, some anger management, and possibly a near death experience ( I don't suggest testing this one out). We are stupid for thinking that a man could, or would be willing to change into the character we want him to be. He wouldn't dare ask the same from you, without expecting to get the boot. It is ridiculous to watch so many women spend years with a man in an attempt to change them. If he needs changing, then he isn't right for you. You can try with all your might to alter your guy, but the reality is that it will only be temporary. These types of changes happen internally, and only if he truly wants to change, so forcing him to be a certain way will only make things worse. If he is a cheater, a liar, or has any other villain-like qualities, then find someone new. Stop running back for more. Once a bad guy, always a bad guy. Women need a new mentality when it comes to dating: Stop trying to save men--we aren't superheros. A man will eventually come along that doesn't require any "tweaking", and that one should surely be a keeper.

Smelly Celebs...

2007-04-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

The paparazzi must have a difficult time breathing in the presence of a hollywood star. Celebrities seem to have all caught on to the trend of entering the perfume industry. Oh, how unique. What a great idea Hilary Duff, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, Shania Twain, ...I'm not done yet...Kimora Lee Simmons, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, AND Jessica Simpson( to mention a few). How about something NEW for a change? With all the florals, musks, citruses and sandalwoods, Im surprised the consumers are still buying it ( yes, that would be us...unfortunately). It seems like now the only way for a celebrity to get a "career update" is to put a perfume in their name out on the market. That strategy clearly hasn't failed yet, because stars are still promoting...and selling... their smells ( yippee.) Not only are they developing their own perfume brands, but dozens of other stars have jumped on the "perfume bandwagon" by appearing ads for preexisting perfume brands. When will this madness stop?Haven't our noses had enough yet!?

Hot Mamas: Have They Gone Too Far?

2007-04-11T11:06:00.000-07:00

Madonna: Singer, dancer, actress, sex icon, mother. Now a woman approaching her 50's, Madonna continues to work hard on her musical career. She has established herself as a music legend, known for her unique look, mucical talent, and her sexuality. As a woman who is very confident with her image, Madonna, even at the age she is, is able to pull off wearing nothing but a spandex suit and a hat ( see above). She spends endless hours in the gym, toning every inch of her body, to the point where she looks better than most twenty year olds. She is not ashamed of her body, and continues to flaunt it. Whether its a photoshoot for a magazine, a music video, or a performance, Madonna has maintained her sexy image. She is proud of what she has : fame, fortune, an incredible body, and kids. How sexy is too sexy when it comes to being a good role model? There may just be a point where a woman must abandon her goal of being the sexiest woman. And I think Madonna has reached it. She looks amazing, and nobody can deny that. Nobody is asking her to wear high waisted jeans, and grandma blouses, but she should be setting a good example for her children. She needs to teach them that people can be attractive no matter how good you look, or how old you are. However, at many of her concerts she chooses to jump around in over-the-top dominatrix gear. Oh, right, it's entertainment. She should entertain us by dressing her age.

"Ew, Look At That. Let's Buy One"

2007-04-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

Want one? These hairless guinea pigs ( yes, that's what they are), are genetically mutated ON PURPOSE to serve our obsession with new and unique pets, and our "so ugly their cute" mentality. We need to stop this. Originally bred for laboratory research, this type of guinea pig has made its way into pet stores everywhere. I find it extremely disturbing to think that people are actually buying these animals to keep as pets. I realize that it is tempting to purchase these creatures out of pity- I know I wanted to. But in order to make these sick types of genetic modifications stop, we cannot promote what these scientists are doing to innocent animals. By purchasing these little pigs, we increase the demand for genetically altered animals. This will lead to more unethical treatment of animals. These poor guinea pigs are prone to more illness than other other guinea pigs, such as skin cancer, upper respiritory and other internal problems. Now that doesn't sound like regular guinea pig sickness, does it? That's because it isn't. Scientists have changed the way that their bodies functions by predetermining their breeding patterns, and other important factors. We should not have the right to do this- to anything. Just imagine if it was an experiment being performed on human subjects, in a twisted attempt to create a new breed of human that is as unappealing as possible. Creapy, eh?

True Love? On TV?

2007-04-10T10:44:00.000-07:00

Is it possible to find true love on a TV series called "The Bachelor"? I doubt it. This show is a complete contradiction of what we have always been told love should be like. Love should not include elimination, camera men, or timed sessions with each other( not to mention the same man dating a total of 25 girls in a matter of hours). I find the whole process quite disturbing, to be honest. This bachelor, seemingly perfect, goes through several "difficult" weeks, narrowing his contestants down to one special lady. This woman will become his wife at the end of the show, just after only a few weeks of getting to know each other in a tropical paradise. Throughout the show, all of the women get a chance to wow the handsome and witty bachelor with their charm and stunning looks. Then, the bachelor will choose to eliminate the women he "just doesn't feel a connection with". They must then pack their bags immediately, and head home. Poor things. This often leads to tears, raging jealousy, and throwing of stilettos. Many of these women of course, are upset by the fact that other women were chosen instead of them, and no longer have the chance of winning the prize at the end of the show ( the man, the money, bragging rights). This is not love,this is a game. When watching this show, you will learn of a gag reflex you never thought existed. This sleazy man seems to have his lines memorized, usually consisting of his dreams, his love for children (and animals), and his desire to find the perfect woman. He kisses each of the girls during their dates, convincing them that he is falling in love with them. He makes them feel special, and beautiful, and then shatters their dreams by failing to hand them a rose and the famous "rose ceremony". How cheesy. Although these women become too emotionally attached, the more I watch the daters, the more I realize how easy it must be to fall in love while in such beautiful surroundings. The dates are romantic and are usually moonlit walks on the beach, days lounging on a boat, scuba diving...you get the idea. These are not typical dates in the real world, and dont include running down to the nearest plaza for some KFC and soda. These women are falling in love with the lifestyle, and not the man. If this man is as smart, sexy, sophisticated, and RICH, as they claim, then WHY the hell does he need a TV show to find a girlfriend? Sounds awfully suspicious to me. In the real world, these couples would never make it. Its easy to fall into lust when there are romantic dates to keep you interested. These girls wear evening gowns the entire time, and put their best act. What will they do when the gown turns into sweatpants, the gourmet meals become pizza, and the morning after exposes bad breath? Now thats true love.

Just Bones Draped in Gucci

2007-04-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

This model is 5'8, and weighs only 88 pounds. She is sick, and starving. Why isnt anyone helping her? Why isnt anyone taking her to the hospital? Because she is busy working. This young woman actually gets paid to starve herself and walk up and down a catwalk dressed in the latest fashions. There's no denying that eating disorders are becoming too common among teenage girls, but for modelling agency scouts and designers to actually hire these girls is beyond my understanding. So who should we blame for this? I think the responsibility lies with the designers. It is their choice to hire girls that haven't eaten a meal in months. They must honestly think a Versace or Gucci gown looks better on a woman whos body looks like a 9 year old boy. Contrary to popular belief, the bodies being shown on Fashion Television on runway shows are NOT healthy. These women were most definately NOT "naturally gifted" with their ribs protruding, their bones weak and brittle, and their eyes sunken into their faces. This took dedication, and their desire to be as thin as humanly possible. These women are sick, both mentally and physically. This illness causes young women to die, and if they are lucky to survive a life of eating disorders, they have wasted years of their life torturing their bodies. Starvation is not beautiful. Womanly curves should be embraced, not shunned. Designers need to stop dressing up these skeleton-like women in their fashions. They are taking advantage of the fact that these women are willing to hurt their bodies in order to obtain the "perfect body". Designers are sending the wrong message to females about healthy body image, and need to stop hiring these starving women.

Since When Does Murder Have Sex Appeal?

2007-04-03T09:14:00.000-07:00

Why do girls in tight, short, and often soaking wet t-shirts continue to be characters in EVERY horror movie?! I didn't realize that the act of chasing innocent people through forests just to slowly torture each part of their body should go hand in hand with overtly sexual images of women. They aren't even being subtle about it! Just take the two photos I have posted above, for example. Both of these are scenes from two different very popular teen horror movies, Texas Chainsaw Masacre, and Wrong Turn. Now you may not see my point, so let me make it clear. THESE ARE HORROR MOVIES. These plotlines consist of mass killings in the most disturbing ways possible. The characters will all die a brutal death by the end of the movie. But surprisingly, the girls wearing tight jeans and white t-shirts always seem to survive a tad bit longer than any of the other characters (hmmm..). I challenge you to think of some teen horror movies that don't feature an overly sexualized female in the cast. There aren't very many.

We have become a culture that is attracted to things such as torture and murder. We pay money to see 2 hour films filled with constant decapitation, and gruesome breaking of limbs. Murder tools include chainsaws, guns, knives, acid, and any other tools that can be used to hurt the body. Sound appealing? Apparently it is, as well as half naked women running for their lives. Oh, how...reviting. I understand that this is the genre that teens enjoy watching, and they also enjoy seeing very attractive people on screen. However, this odd combination of murder and sexuality is just wrong.

It's Called Exercise - And It's Free.

2007-04-02T08:29:00.000-07:00

It seems like women are constantly being pursuaded to purchase new products that will perfect their bodies. Whether it's through billboards, commercials, or magazine articles or advertisements, theres always something "innovative", that (surprise,surpise) promises to give you a slim, toned, more attractive body. Too good to be true? I think so. The price tag on most of these products exceeds any sane price range, and they each claim to sculpt your body with the use of coffee beans, and citrus, and several other VERY common ingredients. Lets be realistic here, if coffee and lemon were the secret to universally sexy bods, do you not think more people would have caught on by now? Why is it that we STILL have flab, and cellulite, even after these revolutionary products are available to us at the local drugstore? I may know the answer : THEY DON'T WORK. Women need to stop putting their money and hopes into useless ( but oh so colourful) containers full of absolutely nothing that is able to make you look like a supermodel! The only real way to reduce the size of your "thunder thighs" without surgery, is something that is available to everyone, everywhere, FOR FREE. One word: Exercise. It is actually healthy for your body, and has been PROVEN to cause dramatic results. Give it a try. Your thighs...and wallet will thank you.

I'm Outraged!

2007-04-02T08:22:00.000-07:00

I recently watched the documentary "Who Killed The Electric Car?", and I found it to be very disturbing. I learned that not only did we have electric cars on the market, but they were hidden from the most of the general public. The electric car is safer for the enviornment and had the ability to prevent things such as smog. However, these cars were eventually taken back from the people who had purchased them, and crushed into a pile of unrecognizable metal. It was actually quite sad. Though this film seemed to drag on for days, the main message came across very clear: If these cars were so enviormentally friendly, fast, and efficient, then why would they take them away? I think this question puzzles everyone equally, and I don't think that anyone really knows the answer to the burning question "who killed the electric car?". It seems like even the producers didn't even know the answer, since they put blame on several different organizations ( oil companies being one of them.) This is definately an issue I believe more people should look into , because, like me, people may be uninformed as to the safer alternatives that are ( or WERE) available to them. If we want to change the world we can't just sit back and pretend like these sorts of things aren't happening. Someone killed the electric car, and we need to bring it back to life.

Guys: Some Manscaping,Please!

2007-03-29T17:50:00.000-07:00

Im not talking about manicures and pedicures, but at least put in HALF the effort that women put into their appearances. Guys dont seem to truly understand the time we put into looking good ( not to mention PAIN). With all the tweezing and plucking we have to do, Im surprised we even have enough time to spend on anything else. We spend hours at the salon bleaching our hair, sweating in tanning salons, and several bumpy car rides nearly pulling out all of our eyelashes. And what do men do? Well, they most definately dont undergo the amount of pain for beauty that we do. They may argue that shaving their faces constitutes as a "beauty ritual", but I beg to differ. Our legs have far more surface area, so therefore, we win. We are expected to do these things on a regular basis, or we are "letting ourselves slip". Maybe the solution to this issue may not to get the guys to physically hurt themselves in order to look nice( I like guys, and I certainly dont wish pain upon them). The real solution may just be for them to just PRETEND like they notice the things that women spend so much time and money on like our clothes, hair, and makeup. After all, they are usually the reason we do it.

They Arent Handbags!

2007-03-27T11:06:00.000-07:00

Stars such as Angelina Jolie have raised awareness about the issues facing children in impoverished countries. Angelina adopted a child named maddox from Cambodia, and just recently adopted a second child. As a loving mother who has an strong interest in world issues, Angelina is doing what she can to change the world. Adopting a child from a poor country has now become a trend, both within hollywood, and normal households as well. But should something as serious as taking a child from their home and raising them in your own country be a "trend", like uggs, and big sunglasses? Just like having a child of your own, it is a challenge that I don't think everyone is ready for. When we see stars such as Angelina Jolie cuddling such cute children( aw, just look at them!), we have the urge to follow in her footsteps. This is a wonderful thing to do, but should not be a trendy thing that people want to do just because "they" are doing it. These are beautiful, young children that were unfortunately born in a poor country. I just hope that this is becoming the new "it" thing because people are trying to help the world, and not because Angelina Jolie, a style icon, is shown in photos with cute little foreign children. We have to accept that we arent all Angelina Jolies, or millionaires!!

Double Standard?

2007-03-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

It seems to me like it is becoming increasingly more difficult for female newscasters to make their mark. Have you ever noticed that women that work as a news caster is expected to be very attractive, but we do not have those expectations for men? It seems like women have to try harder to give the audience what they are looking for. When we turn on the news, we often see above average looking women reading the news. Men? Well, they just show up with their wrinkles, balding heads, and big goofy glasses( see Larry King). I'm not saying that those types of men should not be on the news-there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting old. They are extremely talented people that just happen to be lucky enough to get into the business. I just think that it is harder for women to gain this type of respect ( like Larry King) if they are not "picture perfect". They should be noticed for their skills, and not the way that they look. More and more women that work as newscasters are getting obvious cosmetic surgery done. Hmm, I wonder why?

The "Search" Should Be Off..

2007-03-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

"The Search For The New Doll"', a new T.V. hit series has become very popular. It follows a group of girls during a competition to determine "who will be the next Pussy Cat Doll?". The real group, shown here, is looking for a new member. In order to be accepted into their group, you must be able to do three things: 1. Sing , 2. Dance, 3. Dress sleazy. Im serious. The winner will be chosen based on these things only. What I find hard to understand is why groups like this are chosen by agents. In "The Search For The New Doll", the group members aren't even present most of the time. They just go on with their lives while a panel of judges (who are they anyway?) chooses the girl that will soon become a part of their girl group. This reminds me of Spice Girls, N'Sync, Backstreet Boys, all so-called bands that crashed and burned after their agents created a group to suit what they think the public wants to see. They pick and choose girls based on their image to form the perfect group. Notice how it resembles the Spice Girls, except more slightly sexed-up?( you didn't think that was possible, did you?) I just find it very strange how we continue to make groups like this that have nothing in common except* refer to three things listed above*. They shouldn't have a competition to find a new member of their "group". Why do they need someone new anyway!? They most definately have enough girls to fill up the stage with sexy dance moves, which is pretty much all they are good for. Oh, and the ONE girl who can actually sing ( see middle). Don't get me wrong, i've become a victim to this show, like many others of its kind. It IS entertainment...but I just wish the music industry would consist of more "real" artists that werent scouted for a girl band because of their killer tan, and fabulous hair. I, personally, enjoy listening to ( and supporting) music that was written by a group of people that worked together to get to the top, not chosen on a cheesy show.

Cheap Advertising

2007-03-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

This tabloid article disturbs me. It is showing pop icon, Britney Spears, bending over and grabbing for a fallen bottle of diet pills ( ...very attractive shot by the way). Several things bother me about this article. The way that tabloid reporters try to portray celebrities is so sad. Anything that they do is put into the spotlight. No wonder all of the celebrities are feeling pressure to be thin. Other articles being featured in magazines such as this frequently show snapshots of celebs eating dinner, lounging on the beach, or walking their children to school...with giant arrows pointing to their "belly fat" or "cellulite". Give them a break. As soon as the celebs actually give into the pressures they are faced with, then the tabloids pick up on that as well. Another reason this article and photo upsetting is because even though it is just "gossip", I still see it as advertising. For years, Britney Spears has been drooled over by men all over the world for her rock hard abs. Looks like a promotional strategy on Zantex's part to prey on young, insecure girls.......OH WAIT, IT IS. Now I will get to the real reason I am EXTREMELY frustrated with what is happening to our society. Yesterday I decided to go out and buy the latest issue of Cosmo magazine with Eva Longoria on the cover. I enjoy reading the makeup and hair tips, and some of the articles they feature. I tend to skip over most of the pointless advertisements also featured in Cosmo, but one stuck out to me imparticular : "Britney's Diet Pills". Your probably wondering what I mean by this..well, the EXACT same tabloid shot used to give us juicy gossip was taken by Zantrex to PROMOTE their product. It is a complete two page spread with the usual crap about how effective the pills are in weight loss. At the bottom there is a small notice (very small) that reads:
"Although this is a direct reprint of an article that ran in London's Daily Express on September 3, 2005, it is reproduced here for informational purposes only. ...."The republication of this article is not intended to and does not constitute a commercial endorsment or approval of Zantrex-3 by Britney Spears".

Way to go Zantrex- 3--Of course she doesn't approve of this advertisement!! She is now in rehab battling her depression and drug addictions!!