Its blogging time again, and this blog is unfortunately inspired by late night fashion television and women who lack eyebrows.
Fashion is one of the most puzzling industries I will ever encounter, I mean there are other industries who pride themselves on ignoring practicality but sometimes the fashion industry takes things to a whole new level.
Case, point, match: Prada's hip wader high heel boots.
Now for those who do not follow the seasons of fashion, you may not understand the pressures involved in creating a unique, cohesive and appealing line. Actually most people don't understand the couture fashion world at all. I would like to say I am one of them, however, I seem to harbour fashion as a guilty pleasure, and indulge in fashion television from time to time. This does not mean that I understand fashion, but I do enjoy some of the creative or overall ridiculous attempts at clothing.
The simplistic intention of clothing is to cover your body, but fashion is an entirely different beast. Fashion can be an expression of individuality, conformity, class or lifestyle. Fashion is a social construct whereas clothing is a basic need, that is a human adaptation to regional climate. You don't see someone in the arctic wearing a bikini on main street. But if you wikipedia why we wear clothes, you find the following results: clothing functions to a) serve hygienic purposes b) address environmental conditions c) to establish personal identity.
All of these reasons for wearing clothes make sense, whereas fashion on most accounts does not. But this addresses a sociological perspective towards fashion.
Looking at fashion from a logical perspective, is a little more depressing, and a lot more impossible. Fashion is an artistic expression, and sometimes doesn't fit into the activities of daily life. For example, hip wader high heel boots. I think in order for anyone to rationalize wearing high heeled hip wader boots, they would need to be a competitive fly fisher or at the very least a sewage worker.
However, fashion becomes intriguing if you try and apply it to real life. I know that if I wore many of the outfits from this years spring collection of Gucci, or Valentino, or Dolce & Gabbana I would have difficulty walking, eating, and keeping on a lot of the clothes I tried to wear.
What I would like to commend though, are the people that do ridiculous things in the name of fashion (this is where the lack of eyebrows comes in.) Fashion composition is so much more than just clothing, shoes, and accessories (which seems like a lot to begin with) but fashion also includes hair, makeup and aesthetics in general. But one thing I will never understand is how eyebrows can go out of style.
Most women, and some men participate in some form of eyebrow maintenance.It is a task that has been common practice for at least a few generations; but lately I have been noticing a trend that I thought was kind of peculiar. People have started to shave their eyebrows off and then redraw them, in various shapes and colours. Now I may be wrong, but to me, this is just a demonstration of faulty logic, I mean if they were there in the first place why get rid of them to redraw them? I know everyone who practices this tedious aesthetic task could give me a myriad of reasons as to why this is a better method of eyebrow maintenance, however, I can think of a pleather or reasons as to why this is a bad idea.
1. I think it would be exceedingly time consuming, what if you only have time to finish one eyebrow?
2. I also believe it would be exceedingly difficult to match them in length, shape and height.
3. What if it starts raining and your eyebrows start melting?
4. Every time you shave them your eyebrows grow back thicker and bushier, plus there is the awkward growing out phase.
5. You run the risk of looking surprised all the time.
6. You have the potential to scare small children, or have people tell you, you look like Cruella De Vil.
7. You run the risk of looking angry all the time.
8. You run the risk of looking "unnatural" aka like an alien.
9. People will judge you.
So there you go, nine slightly exaggerated reasons to why "hacking and whacking" is a bad idea. Because face it, people without eyebrows look strange. I am sure this is a very intriguing, and complex topic that takes up a lot of your mental capacity (not). After listening to the topic of my blog, a guy friend of mine sarcastically commented that he thinks about "powdering his eyebrows for at least an hour a day."
So although this isn't a high intensity topic, its amusing, and out there. So beware of melting eyebrows, and hip wading couture.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Turtle Trauma
I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, or if I am the only one ready to stand up for the Turtle population; but Turtles are being abused in the animated world. The Disney Corporation is the worst offender when it comes to animated Turtle abuse. In general, animated characters suffer with ease the pains that a living human being could not dream of, but, Turtles seem to be the class nerd of the animated creature; and as such get bullied by the other more competently animated woodland creatures.
Sure for years the animated world has been surviving personal bombings, fires, arrows, jousting, and other violent tendencies without much in the way of consequences. That being said, in the Disney world, I have also seen a fox shoot a bow and arrow (Robin Hood), an owl impersonate a human (Sleeping Beauty), and woodland creatures clean house (Snow White). These are all tasks hardly acceptable or possible for woodland creatures; but with the power of animation the animal perception can be given human qualities and characteristics. One of the more perfect metaphors between people and their animated doppelgangers.
This says a lot about the way that society views the animal population; we either enslave them into our daily chores and rituals, or enlist them as our companions. Truly though the intentions of animation for the most part are innocent, animators look to make the world more friendly and perpetuate the ideals of a fairytale, for the entertainment of young children. An unexpected phenomena in relation to this intention, is how the animation is received. Often people develop a familiarity with the ideal perceptions that animation creates, and the pure innocence depicts a type of fairytale that every young soul lusts for. These happy warm idealist sentiments often stay with us long past our ascent into adulthood and can further tell us alot about the inner workings of societal relations.
The Turtle is the perfect example of woodland bullying. Slow and somewhat awkward looking, the turtle often gets picked on in many Disney feature films. The first portrayal of a "class nerd" type turtle, appeared in Snow White. The Turtle is used as a washing board, trampled over, and knocked down the stairs more than once, all because it can't keep up with the more fleet footed woodland creatures like rabbits, deer and raccoons. Can you say metaphorical Capitalism? or perhaps Darwinism, and "survival of the fittest"?
Disney could be forgiven for this single offence, I am sure the Turtle wouldn't mind taking the fall in the pursuit of humour in this isolated occasion. However, the awkward Turtle stereotype is perpetuated in Disney's new release; The Princess and the Frog. In the Bayou a poor defenseless turtle is nonchalantly tossed around, by a musical gator and a couple of human turned frogs. Then their is the scaredy cat turtle portrayed in Robin Hood. A perpetuation of the "class nerd" turtle, this Turtle even wears glasses in the fourteenth century. Once again the Turtle is sacrificed for the pursuit of humour, a perpetuation that does nothing to stop the stereotypes of turtles around the world.
The Only Turtles I can think of that have escaped the stereotype of the nerdy inefficient Turtles, are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Who had a short lived Ninja career in the early nineties, a time of pop culture unrest; including the emerge of Grunge and the hiking boots and mini skirts fashion trend fiasco.
But now, a decade into the new millennium, the turtle stereotype stands. Pop culture has even seen the emergence of the "awkward turtle" a hand gesture symbolic of an awkward situation or an event often used by teens and preteens (for the time being).
Most of us are unaware of our Turtle oppression, the animators especially. For the most part the use of Turtles in animation is uncontroversial, and why would it be, a drawing of a turtle is a simple merge of animation and nature. It is when we give turtles the characteristics of a human that they instantly turn into a metaphor.
I am not asking animators to discontinue their abuse of Turtles in feature length films, I do realize that it is all in good fun, I am asking you as the viewer to be aware of animation stereotypes so that defenceless animals are not turned into pop culture scape goats. Or soon we could have the "awkward turtle" (Symbolic of an awkward moment), "The pesky chicken" (reserved for people who will not shut up), or the "mad cow" (for females during a certain time of the month.)
Honestly though, protect the Turtles =)
Sure for years the animated world has been surviving personal bombings, fires, arrows, jousting, and other violent tendencies without much in the way of consequences. That being said, in the Disney world, I have also seen a fox shoot a bow and arrow (Robin Hood), an owl impersonate a human (Sleeping Beauty), and woodland creatures clean house (Snow White). These are all tasks hardly acceptable or possible for woodland creatures; but with the power of animation the animal perception can be given human qualities and characteristics. One of the more perfect metaphors between people and their animated doppelgangers.
This says a lot about the way that society views the animal population; we either enslave them into our daily chores and rituals, or enlist them as our companions. Truly though the intentions of animation for the most part are innocent, animators look to make the world more friendly and perpetuate the ideals of a fairytale, for the entertainment of young children. An unexpected phenomena in relation to this intention, is how the animation is received. Often people develop a familiarity with the ideal perceptions that animation creates, and the pure innocence depicts a type of fairytale that every young soul lusts for. These happy warm idealist sentiments often stay with us long past our ascent into adulthood and can further tell us alot about the inner workings of societal relations.
The Turtle is the perfect example of woodland bullying. Slow and somewhat awkward looking, the turtle often gets picked on in many Disney feature films. The first portrayal of a "class nerd" type turtle, appeared in Snow White. The Turtle is used as a washing board, trampled over, and knocked down the stairs more than once, all because it can't keep up with the more fleet footed woodland creatures like rabbits, deer and raccoons. Can you say metaphorical Capitalism? or perhaps Darwinism, and "survival of the fittest"?
Disney could be forgiven for this single offence, I am sure the Turtle wouldn't mind taking the fall in the pursuit of humour in this isolated occasion. However, the awkward Turtle stereotype is perpetuated in Disney's new release; The Princess and the Frog. In the Bayou a poor defenseless turtle is nonchalantly tossed around, by a musical gator and a couple of human turned frogs. Then their is the scaredy cat turtle portrayed in Robin Hood. A perpetuation of the "class nerd" turtle, this Turtle even wears glasses in the fourteenth century. Once again the Turtle is sacrificed for the pursuit of humour, a perpetuation that does nothing to stop the stereotypes of turtles around the world.
The Only Turtles I can think of that have escaped the stereotype of the nerdy inefficient Turtles, are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Who had a short lived Ninja career in the early nineties, a time of pop culture unrest; including the emerge of Grunge and the hiking boots and mini skirts fashion trend fiasco.
But now, a decade into the new millennium, the turtle stereotype stands. Pop culture has even seen the emergence of the "awkward turtle" a hand gesture symbolic of an awkward situation or an event often used by teens and preteens (for the time being).
Most of us are unaware of our Turtle oppression, the animators especially. For the most part the use of Turtles in animation is uncontroversial, and why would it be, a drawing of a turtle is a simple merge of animation and nature. It is when we give turtles the characteristics of a human that they instantly turn into a metaphor.
I am not asking animators to discontinue their abuse of Turtles in feature length films, I do realize that it is all in good fun, I am asking you as the viewer to be aware of animation stereotypes so that defenceless animals are not turned into pop culture scape goats. Or soon we could have the "awkward turtle" (Symbolic of an awkward moment), "The pesky chicken" (reserved for people who will not shut up), or the "mad cow" (for females during a certain time of the month.)
Honestly though, protect the Turtles =)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Green Day
In honour of Saint Patrick's day I thought that I would investigate some of the Saint Patrick's day traditions and their history.
I think it would interest most people that the original colour representing Saint Patrick's day and Saint Patrick himself was not green but blue. According to my "very reliable" internet sources (cough Wiki) the original purpose for wearing green on Saint Patrick's day was the same as it is today; to gain attention.
However, according to my other source: a friend I like to call the "walking encyclopedia" (because he can answer any historical, political, geographical, and economics that ever pops into your mind) The wearing of the Green on March 17 was sparked by conflicts between the Irish and British. According to him, the Irish wore Green uniforms in a historical battle in 1798 to gain attention and blantantly display feelings of nationalism. The wearing of the Green, as it has so affectionately been named, has been representative of Irish nationalism ever since.
Saint Patricks day for Canadians, especially college Canadian's often involves wearing copious amounts of green, copious amounts of drinking and engaging in copious amounts of activities that would not be acceptable on any other day.
On this day be warned before you admit to anyone you are Irish.
And just so that everyone knows, today you are excused from the offence of "fingering" as it is an Irish tradition and therefore acceptable (sarcastic, but amusing). On the same page today you are also excused from the offence of kissing strangers, however I highly advise against it. (It has happened before, it is strange, if you don't know me please don't kiss me) Also, if you do engage in "stranger kissing" I suggest a strength in speedy running, or ninja powers in order to avoid being slapped, kicked, punched, or kissed back? (eyebrow raise)
On that note I will leave you to your shenanigans, and drunken tom foolery Happy Saint Patrick's day!
I think it would interest most people that the original colour representing Saint Patrick's day and Saint Patrick himself was not green but blue. According to my "very reliable" internet sources (cough Wiki) the original purpose for wearing green on Saint Patrick's day was the same as it is today; to gain attention.
However, according to my other source: a friend I like to call the "walking encyclopedia" (because he can answer any historical, political, geographical, and economics that ever pops into your mind) The wearing of the Green on March 17 was sparked by conflicts between the Irish and British. According to him, the Irish wore Green uniforms in a historical battle in 1798 to gain attention and blantantly display feelings of nationalism. The wearing of the Green, as it has so affectionately been named, has been representative of Irish nationalism ever since.
Saint Patricks day for Canadians, especially college Canadian's often involves wearing copious amounts of green, copious amounts of drinking and engaging in copious amounts of activities that would not be acceptable on any other day.
On this day be warned before you admit to anyone you are Irish.
And just so that everyone knows, today you are excused from the offence of "fingering" as it is an Irish tradition and therefore acceptable (sarcastic, but amusing). On the same page today you are also excused from the offence of kissing strangers, however I highly advise against it. (It has happened before, it is strange, if you don't know me please don't kiss me) Also, if you do engage in "stranger kissing" I suggest a strength in speedy running, or ninja powers in order to avoid being slapped, kicked, punched, or kissed back? (eyebrow raise)
On that note I will leave you to your shenanigans, and drunken tom foolery Happy Saint Patrick's day!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
New...
So, this is my first blog and I am not quite sure what to do... so I thought it would be a good idea to let everyone know what I would be blogging about.
I have this quirky habit of making weird, and sometimes comical observations about human interaction and the strange phenomenas within popular culture. Now, I had never thought much about this tendency except to accept it as one of many strange things about me, until a certain friend of mine pointed out that these observations could be insightful if not purely entertaining.
So, I decided that perhaps it would be time to write a blog about these "observations." Therefore this blog will be filled with strange analogies, anecdotes, artistic tendencies, and indrect advice. (I will try to keep the ranting to a minimum.)
I recommend that you take this blog with tea, perhaps some toast and jam and a touch of humour.
If you think this is your cup of tea, I will try to be entertaining if not enlightening.
I have this quirky habit of making weird, and sometimes comical observations about human interaction and the strange phenomenas within popular culture. Now, I had never thought much about this tendency except to accept it as one of many strange things about me, until a certain friend of mine pointed out that these observations could be insightful if not purely entertaining.
So, I decided that perhaps it would be time to write a blog about these "observations." Therefore this blog will be filled with strange analogies, anecdotes, artistic tendencies, and indrect advice. (I will try to keep the ranting to a minimum.)
I recommend that you take this blog with tea, perhaps some toast and jam and a touch of humour.
If you think this is your cup of tea, I will try to be entertaining if not enlightening.
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