Sexist crap – from a supposed “radical feminist” – AGAIN

If you don’t feel like reading this latest rant of mine – check out my Gaza-themed guest post on Feministe. I tried to be a little more thoughtful than usual.

Welcome to round 1324573645 of “neener-neener, you’re a SLUT!”

With a feminist bent, no less!

Behold, noted “radical feminist” Stormy, on the subject of rape and “sex-positive” women:

“Blow-up dolls have not stopped rape. Lots of freely available “sex-positive” women have not stopped rape, so it’s not just about jerking off into a hole and freely available sex.”

Oh boy. Ohboyohboyohboy.

Now, I know what you might say: Continue reading “Sexist crap – from a supposed “radical feminist” – AGAIN”

US Airways Flight 1549 and a Gaza protest nearby

First of all, I have a new hero, his name is Chesley B. Sullenberger, he rocks that pilot’s uniform, and he also rocks crash-landings into the Hudson. La Guardia to Charlotte on US Airways? I’ve gone that route many times. I’m still trying to figure out if anyone I knew was on that plane. Anyway, I’m just glad that everyone appears to be OK.

Second of all, here’s what’s going on in Amman today:

amman-protest

This is the only picture that came out somewhat decently (I really need to get my other camera fixed), and what you don’t see, unfortunately, is the abundance of Communist flags alongside Muslim Brotherhood flags. An interesting combination, if I may say so myself.

Anyway, the good news is, it was another peaceful protest. Not at all consistent with the popular FOX News imagery of those “ranting and raving A-rabs.” Considering all of the protests that have been happening here in Amman, I have received several concerned e-mails. But I’m fine, and, like everyone else, just waiting for a truce.

The Fainting Couch: Lessons in Public Humiliation

I went to renew my visa today and after having found my way outside, I had to stand with my head against a tree.

My boyfriend, noticing that I was very pale and probably not having some Silvan Elf moment, bought me a can of Sprite from a cornershop presided over by a young woman who looked like she was wondering why I was lurching up the sidewalk like Frankenstein’s monster so early in the day.

The truth was – I was slain by a bout of nausea and dizziness that could make a grown man weep (or so I would imagine, anyway), but didn’t know enough Arabic to explain it to anyone. I barely tasted the Sprite in my mouth, what for all the bile. I tried to discreetly spit it out, and came face-to-face with a little girl who was standing by her apartment window, transfixed at the scene below.

I tried putting on the “I’m not a weirdo” grin. It didn’t work. It never does.

“If you weren’t here,” I asked boyfriend, “and I were to keel over on this very sidewalk, do you think anyone would call an ambulance?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t imagine that they would in Kiev. They’d probably think I was drunk.”

“Maybe.”

“You know what I’m always terrified of? I used to pass out a lot when I was younger, due to being underweight, I guess, and I’ve always been afraid that one day – someone will grope me when that happens, or worse.”

“You’re morbid.”

That’s not the worst of it, even. Continue reading “The Fainting Couch: Lessons in Public Humiliation”

MY List of the 25 Greatest Movie Characters Ever (So Far)

This one is purely subjective. If you agree with some of my choices, lovely! If not, that’s cool too. I have to say that I generally don’t approach movies in a progressive or affirming ways – I think that sometimes, what makes a great character isn’t necessarily something that’s progressive or affirming. I think that people should respond to characters on a variety of levels – for example, “300,” to me, was both very entertaining and extremely disturbing, much like a lot of Cold War-themed American movies are.

I don’t think that the disturbing factor should necessarily preclude enjoyment, but rather deepen your experience as a viewer (of course, this doesn’t apply to every situation, I’d be a fool if I insisted that it did. This is why I hate people who go – “You can’t watch ‘Munich’? For*snort* psychological issues? What the HELL is wrong with you?” – and wouldn’t do that to anyone else).

Having said that, I like comic roles most of all. Probably because they’re darker in more creative ways, sometimes. And also because laughter is way underrated, even vicious laughter.

And as Rachel pointed out, why were so little women included in the revised Yahoo list? Tsk.

Anyway, here we go:

Continue reading “MY List of the 25 Greatest Movie Characters Ever (So Far)”