The Second Simone

Gender Roles in the Jersey Shore

2010-08-06T17:12:00.001-04:00

When in Jersey... I asked my cousins to explain Jersey Shore and the gender roles.

Thanks Teddy and Danielle :)

Seussical Response to Hefner

2010-08-04T00:10:00.001-04:00

Hugh Hefner: 'Women Are Sex Objects'

Dear Hugh Hefner,

Chances are you won't see this post or letter,

But it's not like you could hear me any better.

After all, you are age eighty-four.

And I do not wish to go to war,

but there is one point I cannot ignore.

You said that Playboy does not objectify,

"Women are sex objects," you lie.

Yes, you lie, in bed surrounded by blondes,

Even with Viagra, you can barely turn on.

You think it's attraction to which they respond?!

Response, wait, no. They do it all!

While you're in your pj's, they're making the calls.

Mr. Hefner, I think it's time you come clean,

Admit women are the subject of your magazine.
For without our sex, you would be unseen.

Sincerely,

Chelsea Rising

The Second Simone

Observations: What I Consider Success

2010-08-03T14:11:00.002-04:00

Thank you to the girl who forwarded the Huffington Post article linked to in the previous post.

It kicked my gender awareness back up a few notches.

Chauvinists that are able to state their beliefs with no hesitation, like Hugh Hefner, may frustrate me,

but ultimately, they are fuel for this feminist.

Here is what the 21 year old Chelsea observed and considered successful this morning:

1. I drove safely after reading the Hugh Hefner article. Miracle.

2. While at CVS, on a mission to find multi-purpose cleaner, I actually had to look around to find the aisle. Yeah, it is something I'm proud of, and I was smiling while I searched.

3. While at the library, I returned to my gender studies persona, walking out with nearly the entire "Women's Studies" section. Once again, my floor is covered in books, such as The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf and Babes of Boyland by Gina Barreca. La dolce feminist vita.

4. I experienced a Virginia Woolf moment, shaking my head in utter disgust that there is a "Women's Studies" section and no "Men's Studies."

This was followed by a furious glare, scanning the library at all the books that could have been

if only there were equal educational opportunities throughout the ages.

5. When a 'guy' attempted to talk to me in the library, I was too busy to chat.

He stared at me as if I was lunch, obviously not understanding the real reason I was smirking.

He did not notice the books in between us, my feminist agenda.

The encounter was brief.

The Second Simone is a busy woman.

6. Also, last night when catching up on the newest True Blood episode,

I'm pretty sure it was confirmed that my choice of joining Team Eric was a smart life decision.

7. My new watch is magenta, set to military time.

More photos later,

Rebel with a cause

You're Just A Playboy, Not A Playman

2010-08-03T08:47:00.000-04:00

Hugh Hefner: Women Are Sex Objects

I'm screaming, but I AM BUSY AND HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE BECAUSE I HAVE A LIFE AND I AM NOT AN OBJECT, SO I AM DRIVING MYSELF, SO I WILL DISCUSS YOU LATER OLD MAN. Please read article from Huffington Post...

Words with Teddy

2010-08-01T01:05:00.000-04:00

Fun interview:

And wow Jersey Shore is abundant with gender roles.

NPR vs. FOX

2010-07-30T23:55:00.001-04:00

If you would prefer Helen Thomas' former briefing room seat to be given to NPR, rather than FOX, you may want to join me in signing this petition...

http://pol.moveon.org/nprvsfox/

Let me reiterate, if you would prefer a briefing room seat to be given to National Public Radio, rather than a network for right-wing propaganda that had the nerve to cancel Arrested Development, then join me in signing this petition.

For the benefit of Team America.

(Also, today I went to learn more about iWeb and walked out with a WordPress account, so I'm totally confused and actually enjoying the comfort of understanding Blogger, while playing around. So, to my dismay, my "awesome" website may be up later than expected, but I'm looking forward to this busy week).

Answering ASAP

2010-07-30T12:51:00.001-04:00

Hello Internet, (Conan O'Brien reference)

I just want to let you know that if I have not yet replied to you, especially e-mail, I am not ignoring you! I'm receiving about 200 e-mails a day... responding asap.

This was in one of them... I love it, you might, or not. It's the coming of vampire age blog of Jessica Hamby. Ha!

Babyvamp Jessica

I'd like to add a link for a movement, or charity here.

And that's why I am going...

Back to the gmail page,

The Second Simone

Finale Finally

2010-07-30T00:51:00.000-04:00

Midnight was the end of the Western Civilization course. My summer begins when I wake up today.

Last essay topic? Hitler. When it was submitted, I felt like I defeated Germany.

And I'm anti-war, so it was brief euphoria until my conscience kicked in.

Then I stopped skipping around.

"Auf Wiedersehen Adolf"

Actually... there's a final for another course when I wake up. Just one.

PictureShow continues:

Oh, Lily.

TIME FOR:

GENDER STUDIES

COMMUNICATION

FILM

INTERVIEWS

PHOTOGRAPHY...

and BOSTON?! Yes, Boston. The one place in the world I vowed never to return.

VYB

iWeb

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia hahaha

and modeling, speaking, living...

Inception

Remember Me

Dress in Message

reading sociology textbooks by choice

Stop Motion

and taking pictures underwater!

Awesome wishes,

The Second Simone

I've been ready for take off.

Good Goddess!

2010-07-28T13:18:00.000-04:00

Simone de Beauvoir is discussed in the Western Civilization textbook.

Good Goddess.

Of course, along with Jean-Paul Sartre, but the importance, to me, is that she is included in the history..

I did not expect to come across the Dada movement either... I forget so much from my past, it is quite scary, almost as if someone takes shifts with me for living my life.

In 5th grade, I was in a Dada performance. There's a video and pictures somewhere...

That is one of the many "that explains it" events of my life.

"The acts of life have no beginning or end.

Everything happens in a completely idiotic way."

- Tristan Tzara, Dadaist poet

There were a few other quotes from yesterday's homework that I would like to add for future self reference and to share:

"I am twenty years old; yet I know nothing of life but despair, death, fear, and fatuous superficiality cast over an abyss of sorrow. I see how peoples are set against one another, and in silence, unknowingly, foolishly, obediently, innocently slay one another. I see that the keenest brains of the world invent weapons and words to make it yet more refined and enduring... All my generation is experiencing these things with me... What do they expect of us if a time ever comes when the war is over? Through the years our business has been killing... Our knowledge of life is limited to death. What will happen afterwards?" - Erich Maria Remarque

"Perhaps history will point to these years as the moment when man's inventiveness finally outbalanced his moral growth, and toppled him downhill." - E.M. Forster, optimist obviously

Aww! How cute! Wishful thinking about mankind!

The next quote I am adding because I do not yet understand the last line and wish to know it's meaning.

"Fanatacism turns into a means of salvation... politics becomes an opiate for the masses...

and reason veils her face." - Thomas Mann

NOTE TO THOSE THAT KNOW OF MY PHOTOGRAPHY:

If there is any photo you can think of that stands out as needing to be part of my new website, please let me know! Thanks. It's difficult narrowing down thousands of photos, so grateful for JPG and Lomography contests, otherwise I'd be lost in this regard. Even if I don't wish to say it, I'm even quite appreciative for all of the portfolio reviews and 'critiques' right now...

Well, most of them. Some were out there.

Time for a lunch date before World War II.

Prove Yourself Textbook... Please

2010-07-27T12:21:00.001-04:00

YES! SUCCESS!

I AM HAPPILY ABOUT TO START THE WESTERN CIVILIZATION CHAPTER

THAT TALKS ABOUT EXISTENTIALISM!

Now is your chance to prove yourself, American designed Western Civilization textbook...

Now is your chance to talk about Simone de Beauvoir.

Jean Paul Sartre is in one of the homework questions...

WHERE IS SIMONE?

Hidden in the text is our only hope.

If you wrote her out... hell hath no fury like Chelsea finding Simone de Beauvoir written out of history.

Will history be herstory too today?

For the good of man~~kind~~...

At least give her a mention.

Ready, Set, Publish

2010-07-26T20:38:00.000-04:00

Okay, so, even though I would like to publish my iWeb site tonight, chances are it might take longer than that. When it is ready, all of these blog posts will be saved and I will be transferring the chelsearising.com domain name to my new site. A link to these "older posts" will be included on the new site.

Hope that makes sense. And the other post was just another blog post, not day 2 of 500 Days of Chelsea. It was also an example of the progression of empowerment, but I have Western Civ. homework.

Enjoy:

I will be so awesome after July 29th, when my summer courses are over. Unfortunately, I have a date with Lenin tonight. There is (wow, watch me procrastinate) one great thing about covering the evil guys of the World Wars in Western Civ. - calling them names on homework is accepted (up to a point of course). Example: Hitler was truly a hypocritical racist with major control issues that, in part, spurred from his mediocrity.

Auf wiedersehen, off to Lenin... :/ NEIN :( !

I believe that's the first time I've blogged emoticons...

"TV Taught Me How to Feel"

2010-07-26T11:13:00.001-04:00

"Now Real Life Has No Appeal"

POW.

Oh No.

Go Fish

2010-07-25T08:34:00.002-04:00

Warning, this is random and contains a brief stereotype that is subject to change

(and please, convince me otherwise, convince me it's equal):

Guys have it easy... with one thing in particular: the dating game.

And yes, it is a game. There's hunting, catching, and prey. You are in or you are out.

You can get out of jail free, or not pass go. You can buy real estate together.

Choose teams carefully, not many do. After all, it is just a game.

Someone draws the cards. Folding is an option.

Pawn for practice and toss when you see a chance to move forward because you have a full house.

The rules depend on what you are playing. Some have less limits than others.

Why? Because sometimes people want more than one queen.

Those are usually the ones that need to get a life card.

In the game of life, there's not even choice as to whether or not you get married, or have kids... odd.

It is all chance, but your turn to roll the dice will come.

There are strategies and tactics.

When you want to hide your emotions on the table, use that poker face.

And if you want to know how your positioning is, you can always check your mate.

It might be time to go fish.

What was the objective?

The queen is considered the most powerful on the board.

Question advice. Question the rules.

Watch as we are told to protect the king that does need directions.

Back to Chelsea's first statement...

Yesterday was the first time I actually met someone and later thought about asking them out, which made me freak out. One reason was because I, personally, am very anti-relationship.

This is not a feminist trait. It is an individual perspective on what I want from life.

Reason: I am 21.

I wish to utilize this opportunity of time to learn about me, to grow, and not be held back by anything or anyone because I need and want to be the best I can be.

Honestly, healthy relationships are rare. Extinct almost.

Either one person is growing, both are going backward, or both are moving forward.

The third scenario is common with the disillusioned.

The other reason... I realized I don't know my stance on girls asking guys out.

I do not yet know if there is a feminist stance that I can join along with.

I do not wish to feel another has any power over me, or my life choices,

even though I would contribute to the ultimate decision.

(How sad it is to think that is a 'privilege' in this world)!

On the other hand, I also don't want feel like the girl that seems more interested.

In general, is there even a mutual way to start relationships?!

It makes me wonder too, if this is the first time I've ever thought about asking someone out, then what was I thinking in the beginning of past relationships? Was I just replacing picture frames?

Do you know how many photos I have?! Boxes. Redecorating is a breeze.

For now, I prefer friends. Motivated friends. Creative, intellectual, and spiritual stimulation.

I am grateful to have that choice.

Of course, after posting earlier this week that I'm single because I care about myself,

this connection happens.

The Creator of the Universe has a very clever sense of humor that both amuses and confuses me.

This could be day 2 of 500 Days of Chelsea, or it could be just another blog post. We'll see.

whoa

2010-07-25T06:14:00.001-04:00

hello techno typos... first blog post sent from ipod... playing with a new photo app.

Biology of Shapeshifters

2010-07-25T04:59:00.000-04:00

I love True Blood...

Mythological Creatures: Shapeshifters

Went to the Fortune Teller

2010-07-24T17:32:00.000-04:00

Well, I actually did.

I love this song. I could actually make a slide show to it easily... with my photographic psychic journey.

I'll post later.

Time to meet a genius.

Something Doesn't Fit

2010-07-24T01:35:00.001-04:00

And no, I'm not talking about a relationship, but Gap's "Born to Fit" advertising campaign. Not everyone reacts to the ad the same way.

I first came across the ad in Allure magazine, and unfortunately cannot find the exact one online, so I'll take a picture later, but it was similar to this:

White model, blonde hair, and abnormally thin. "Put the it in Fit." The ad in the magazine says, "Born to Fit." The fact that we are covering Hitler in Western Civilization right now may affect my reactions... but this ad still makes me feel uncomfortable.

Okay, seriously? Come on. That's just an obvious no. I realize these are denim jeans. I realize Gap is struggling to find ways to advertise jeans multiple times a year. I also remember that Gap supports genocide by outsourcing in Sri Lanka. So, do not zip it.

In complete contrast, Urban Outfitters is going with, "Find Your Fit," a concept I support.

"Shop Boyfriend" is amusing. The others could be... looked over again.

Oh, Victoria darling. You and your secrets (of genocide). Now we can all buy another miracle bra. This one will make us look two cup sizes bigger! Fantastic I suppose, until the clothes come off, then Victoria might just leave you on your own.

Hahah. Instant fake miracles.

I have no idea how I forgot about screen shots. This is going to be great.

The Snack That Smiles Back

2010-07-23T03:27:00.004-04:00

There was a lot I wanted to write about today, but alas I could not blog. I had places to be and World War I to cover... All 8 of my ethnic backgrounds were involved in that war, even the Cherokee! What have I learned from history? That humanity doesn't learn from history. Amazingly, I learned from last semester not to write obscenities in the side lines of texts that will not remain in my room. However, I was frequently tempted to add the notes, "ironic," "fail," and "epic fail."

180 (sorry if that was your text trademark), if you happen to come across the new Gap ad... let me know what you think of it. It looks like the campaign is called "Born to Fit."

Outside of Allure, Scientific American Mind has an amazing issue out again, this time focusing on how we all hear music differently. We all hear treaties differently too. And sometimes we are expected to hear things that have not been said.

The other day I was able to pinpoint the exact cause and end of a past relationship and realized why I love Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Everything really does end the same way it begins. Whatever the reason. Rinse and repeat.

That same morning, I woke up with an observation. My room is still in disarray, until this manic summer semester comes to a close, but I've found some joys in that. For example, apparently I decided to place fortune cookie fortunes in the moving boxes. Due to the location of the fan, fortunes keep showing up right in front of me. It's always wonderful because I immediately throw out fortunes I don't approve, so it's the best of, landing all around me.

Anyways, instead of deciding to stay in bed for another hour and miss something I wanted to go to, I noticed a face in a portrait amidst scattered prints. Then I thought, if I was meeting with one of them right now, I would be rushing out of bed. And that's when I decided that falling asleep to someone's picture is one of the least romantic things you can do. Why? Because it means the person doesn't motivate you. A motivator makes you want to wake up, to get out of bed, to live. That includes friends. At least in my case it includes friends. I care about myself, so I don't date. I so hope a certain woman is reading this right now so she repeats it to me tomorrow.

P.S. True Blood Season 3 is amazing.

I Will Praise US When You Pay US Equally

2010-07-21T01:39:00.000-04:00

NY Times: The Gender Pay Gap By State

Last year, in Connecticut, women's median weekly wages were 75% of men's.

And what, should I applaud D.C. for having the narrowest wage gap?

I refuse. That may be progress, but it's not equality.

So much for Western global dominance.

You cannot even take care of your own.

And yes,

I will say what the history textbook won't.

Taboo Tuesday: Homoerotic Sports Photos?

2010-07-20T14:40:00.003-04:00

I hope I am not coming off as nostalgic because that would horrify me if I was ever to romanticize high school... but here's an unexpected fact:
I was the wrestling manager freshman year of high school.

Gender fact: there were 2 managers, both girls. The team was all guys. They fought, we managed.

It was not really intentional, more of a sarcastic comment that was a bit misinterpreted. In gym class one day of freshman year, the coach mentioned he needed new wrestling managers. I whispered to my friend something along the lines of, "Wouldn't that be great?" She ran up to him and next thing I knew, we were signed up. (Sorry CB if you're reading this and it's news to you, it was fun).

Sometimes I wish life was like a game of cards, where I could just fold at any time.

Anyways, for some odd reason... which I will leave unspoken of until further investigation of my thought process... that's my introduction to this link on the Huffington Post for:

The Most Homoerotic Sports Photos Ever Taken.

Hut, hut!

Chelsea's High School Gender Stereotypes

2010-07-19T15:27:00.001-04:00

Thanks to this chaotic move, I came across my Creative Writing journal of class free writes from senior year of high school, along with its array of gender roles and stereotypes. Surprised, yet disturbed, that I handed in uncensored secrets that seemed to leave my mind when the words were printed by HP and not by my hand. I found some of my high school commentary entertaining (and others too insightfully personal for the blog, though all are somewhat telling):

Swaying in the wind,

Knowing it captures the attention,

It walks with confidence.

Restless movement,

Tights, fishnet tights, begin to pick up the pace.

A minor cause of great destruction

lies vulnerable on the kitchen counter.

Twist to open, but it will not close.

The noise of the party drowns out the footsteps,

As he walks in the empty room

The man in the jean jacket will not resist.

Twisting the top off, but it will not close.

Anonymously guilty, he takes a sip.

A swig, a gulp, a chug, he's done.

The minor cause of great destruction,

Lies violated on the kitchen counter.

(Pantoum: The Encounter)

A door swings open.

Smoke loses resemblance in the fog.

A stranger walked out.

Ashes from cigarettes rest on the lawn chair.

Smoke loses resemblance in the fog.

Her cowboy boots march down the stairs.

Ashes from cigarettes rest on the lawn chair.

Stolichnaya in hand.

Her cowboy boots march down the stairs.

A steady walk, but not for long.

She leaves with a guy she met from the band.

A steady walk, but not for long.

A stranger walked out.

She leaves with a guy she met from the band.

A door swings open.

Choosing a sinner, afraid of the saint,

He refuses to believe his predictable fate.

Gasping for air, he wants more,

only to later call her a whore.

This path embarked, not her fault,

Their way to keep emotions locked in a vault.

Nervously laughing, she holds back her tears,

wishing to mute the sound pervading her ears.

One minute he loves her, the next he's not there.

His voice appears briefly, to be lost seconds later.

What is hidden under the trench coat?

Do you listen to Marilyn Manson?

Did you read "Catcher in the Rye"?

If she had said "yes," would this still have happened?

Do you regret a thing?

Amidst the chaos, lies a sense of restraint,

Locked indoors, trapped inside this, constrained.

Barely able to breathe, with an absence of smoke,

The cup starts to twitch, then the ice, then the coke.

It tips over and spills out onto the floor,

An innocent glass perhaps or an anarchy contributor.

His cell phone list is filled with prior experiences,

he might choose to dial the next time he leaves,

but she knows that,

and so do I.
A trick, a trap. An acrobat of words.

If only your mind would unbutton,

as quick as your shirt.

So, that's a brief illustration of me at 17. I wonder how I would respond to the same assignments today, but for now, I must return to my essay on Apple Marketing and that imperialism homework. Enjoy your Monday.

WTF Vaseline

2010-07-18T13:51:00.000-04:00

CNN: Vaseline skin-lightening app stirs debate

NCADV

2010-07-18T00:25:00.001-04:00

Today I heard something really disturbing, but in an effort to protect privacy, I'll remain silent about the story on the blog.

HOWEVER,

if you or someone you know are victims of domestic violence and need help,

here is a resource:

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Because it's NOT okay.

Thank You Argentina

2010-07-17T18:36:00.000-04:00

Argentine Senate Votes to Legalize Gay Marriage

Hooray!

Within the next few days, Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez is expected to sign the the bill into law.

Thank you.

Team America still has 45 states to go...

~~"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..."~~

Me Tarzan, You Jane

2010-07-16T21:06:00.000-04:00

After asking multiple Petsmart employees whether the Betta fish tank with a divider was a cruel idea, but receiving consistent "no" responses, I bought it. Now I'm back home, as I watch Tarzan, the male betta, continue to try to break through the plastic divider. His new neighbor, Jane, watches curiously. The female betta behaves in the presence of her biological counterpart. Yes, I am conducting gender studies on my pet fish.

Behind them is a True Blood poster. I thought briefly of changing their names to Sookie and Eric, since Tarzan seems to be on the hunt like a vampire anyways.

Jane is protected. Perhaps I should buy her a girlfriend. Then she will have someone to behave with while Tarzan flares up. I wonder if she finds it humorous. He has gotten more exercise today than any other. Betta ~~love.~~

Edit: I take that back! If this is love, it's not a healthy kind...

I decided to take pictures. While doing so, the two tangoed at a fast tempo.

And then Jane tried to kill herself and jumped out of the tank.

Luckily, she's still alive, the net was close.

It didn't take long to learn why this tank came with a lid.

Look at her.

The female bettas cost less.

Pet store gender inequality.