Natalie
Natalie
I can understand your aversion to texting, but I think that, like everything else, it's a fine practice if used in moderation. There are just some situations where texting is prefferable over calling or meeting in person (or when meeting someone in person isn't possible). I rely on texts for times when I need to contact someone but I know they might be in class, in a meeting, or otherwise indisposed.
To me, a text message is like saying "Hey, whenever you're free, please read this. But it's not terribly urgent, so don't stop what you're doing. If it was terribly urgent, I would call you." Similarly, if I'm bored, I can try texting a friend. If they're busy, I don't want them to drop what they're doing to talk to me, or I don't want their phone to ring in an awkward situation, but if they're free they can text back. A lot of times I'll text just to see if now is a good time to talk or not.
I've never been one to obsess over the particular wording of a text. But I can say texting played a small part in my relationship with my boyfriend (who is now my husband) when we first started dating. Texts can be like love letters, to be kept in your phone and read over and over fondly =)
Renee
It totally is exciting. I am an only child and I get so excited if I start dating someone with a "different" family. Step siblings, step parents...I mean family in general can be a drag, but as someone in a family of three I always envied all of the people others had to call or bicker with. You can't bicker with anyone like you can with a family member and I only have two!
Renee
exactly, i mean when i look back on so many things i wish i had just enjoyed them instead of looking ahead towards the next goal. high school, sports seasons, college - all i saw was the finish line and then i came to realize after what a wonderful experience each of these things were.
Natalie
My mom did wedding cakes and catering for many years, and I can definitely say June and July are the most popular months for weddings =) I think it's a combination of the warm weather for outdoor ceremonies, and the fact that a lot of people take their vacation time from work during the summer. There are also holiday weekends like Memorial Day that accomodate guests being able to attend.
It can be both fun and frustrating to learn the origin of some of our cultural practices! But you're right, it's best just to take them with a grain of salt and continue attaching whatever meaning you like best. Most brides wouldn't like the idea that the origins of flower-carrying were to mask body odor, and nearly all brides carry a bouquet these days regardless of the wedding month. Luckily, historical gems like these have been burried so long, nobody else knows about them either! It's much nicer to just say the flowers add to the beauty of the bride =)
There are soo many things like that where the old meaning or reason for the ritual is offensive, disturbing, or unpleasant, but the new meaning we've attached is totally great! Why wear white as a bride? Not because you're "pure" for your husband, but because it's your special day and you get to wear the fanciest dress, in the color that most easily shows dirt, and not have to worry about it. You get to dress like a queen if you want to for one day of your life! =)
And despite the original meanings, or even the meanings we have attached to our rituals, I love tradition and rituals! Sometimes as an American, I feel like I don't really have any culture. America is such a young country, and such a mixture of cultures, we don't really have a lot of traditions and things like that. I don't know why traditions are so fun to me, but I love that brides wear white and carry flowers, and all the other little things like that in life. Of course, you don't have to follow the traditions if you don't want to, but having some to follow if you want makes life a little more special!
JStrand
I loved that you touched on the originality thing. I've been so baffled by the criticisms that she's "ripping things off" - incorporating symbols/ideas/styles/and references is a way no only to push the genre or the style, it's also a way to make it more complex and interesting by creating layered intertextualities. Lady Gaga is "speaking" within a specific cultural frame those references also help give the work meaning.
Rae
I watched the video and it was definitely provocative. And I didn't really get it to the end. All the references though that you pointed out make sense. And I agree, while others are very critical of her "originality" I find that her videos in general somewhat refreshing and feminine empowering compared to the other mainstream videos which have such a predictable theme - money, oversexualized women, and alcohol.
Rae
Anti-chic flicks? That's SO fitting.
I really like your last sentence. Sometimes we are so focused on goals and timelines in relationships (although I don't think there's anything wrong with having them - I actually believe you should!) that we don't have enough left over to enjoy the present.
Chloe
Yes, I think this is a nice, easygoing way to look at monogamy. People are not robots, and their lives are also not scripted either. It's impossible for everyone to stay with one person for the rest of their lives, because our emotions are so complicated, and rather fickle at times. People have different desires and viewpoints about relationships, and I feel that we shouldn't judge or moralize about their opinions. The shape of families and couples are so varied now, and isn't it more exciting this way?
Rae
Completely agree! This is a brave post and so worthwhile sharing. A few interesting notes:
Re: Being sexual synonymous with "independent/strong" not necessarily the case...
Yes! Our physical reaction to sex is much more emotional/dependent than say, a guy's. If anything I would be worried that being sexual can arguably create a dependency. You can argue all you want, but scientifically speaking we can't deny that our physiological response is different than guys and we need to be aware of it!
Re: Finding the right guy to be intimate with...
I think this touches on a few different things. While some people may argue that sex is just sex, something physical we all need to express... I think it's important to note that it's also an intimate thing to share with someone. Well, at least that is what I believe. Waiting for the right guy to be intimate with is a smart move! One that I hope more younger women make.
Also, this reminds me of how important it is as a female to really own oneself; to be really comfortable with who we are on the inside and out. When we really are comfortable with our own selves, the intimate part of sexuality becomes much more enjoyable.
This is a great post to discuss things that have become quite taboo in our culture and yet... it's something we should be open to discussing. Thanks, Hillary!!
Again, all things in moderation =) Even though I consider myself to be a "moderate" Facebook user, it's still the only way I contact some people. People who are casual aquaintances, old high school friends that I don't really talk to anymore, people who went to my high school that I don't know that well. Basically, people who I wouldn't have a reason to keep their phone number or e-mail address. I really love being able to network with those people, see what they're up to, and maybe find out we have a shared interest.
The problem with Facebook is that even those who use it in moderation are giving up something valuable to this company: loads and loads of personal information. It would be nice if there were an alternative to such a valuable networking tool.