Feminism Flare-Up

Watching the Seahawks game tonight I was exposed to TV commercials for the first time in a long time (we only use the digital cable for football) and two commercials stood out.

First, the bad.

This horrible Kia ad with oversexualized girl hamsters. Is there not a single man or woman in that advertising department with any good sense? Maybe I'm more sensitive to this since I limit my media input but it really bowled me over. I know that I've been agitated by music lyrics the last several months for being oversexualized and objectifying to women, I guess this Kia ad was just a stupendously relevant visual aid. 

Second, the good.

While the Kia ad made me sad for humanity I was definitely impressed by this video game ad-not just for it's compelling advertising (even I wanna shoot some aliens now) but for A) having a female character B) having her dressed in a fashion similar to male counterparts instead of wearing half or a third as much clothing and C) having her be brave and strong, not a sissy "rescue me" victim! I also enjoyed the "Guardians of the Galaxy" vibe and humor. That said, I have to limit my intake of mindless violence and I'm not a huge fan of "kill 'em all" video games, but for what it is, I was impressed. 

Having just had a PAX convention in Seattle (not that I attended) I am all too aware of the countless female video game/comic/movie/TV "heroines" that wear barely more than underwear (sometimes less, let's be honest) and it was so refreshing to see a strong female character allowed to keep her clothes on. 

These messages in media really do make a difference and influence our culture as well as our interior, mental landscapes. It's difficult to screen out the onslaught of negativity and sometimes I feel like a prudish hermit but it really pays off for me to avoid commercials, violent movies, and "fake" women. Maybe those messages have hurt you too and you don't even know it! Got dang subconsciousness...ness! 

Oh, and GO HAWKS! What a great first showing. I am excited for the season though a little dumbfounded that it's that time again already :)

Yay fall!

September At Last

Ya'll know that I love fall and while September isn't exactly fall quite yet-sometimes it can be quite warm for us in the PNW-just having the word "September" around has a cooling affect on me.

I have been doing pretty well lately although I haven't hit the "golden trimester" just yet. A little disappointed but while I'm still dodging the barfs every once in a while, I have had the go-getum to take more walks.

Loving those walks. There are some psychotic moments when Fio goes nuts at other dogs but my route limits those encounters and I enjoy the hearty trudge! Sometimes it's 45 minutes, sometimes it's over an hour, either way I lose track of time and enjoy simply walking and thinking, soaking up some UV and seeing some sights. It has been wonderful. I won't lie, I've been a moody pregnant lady but I do think the walks have helped my mood, even if it doesn't eliminate outbursts ;)

Lately I've been feeling grumpy about being so sick and tired. Hoping that this week is the last of my early pregnancy woes (most women see morning sickness leave by 16 weeks and I'll be 16 weeks this Sunday!) but I know that some women feel like crap the entire pregnancy. I'm willing to do the time I'd just really appreciate a week barf-free with some energy and appetite!

In other baby news, I'm on call for a September delivery and excited to do some doula work. I'm a little nervous about managing my pregnancy symptoms during a lengthy delivery but hoping that good ole adrenaline and some snacks will get me through.

The hubster and I have been discussing our babymoon plans and I'm starting to get excited. We have decided to go to Calgary/Banff! Our babymoon window conveniently falls right on our anniversary so I'm excited for that too. Should be a fabulous fall trip with some gorgeous mountains, good food, warm fires, and quality R&R.

Originally we discussed going southwest to someplace cheap and warm but after slogging around in the summer heat I decided I'd had enough. Don't know how he came up with it, but Calgary/Banff came up and after looking into it we decided it was just our style.

In other baby news we've started to rearrange the apartment a little bit. The glider is now snuggled in its designated corner in the living room and we've got some shelf space cleared for baby stuff in the bedroom, even got some bins for baby's clothes and isolated the cat boxes.