Halves.

Sometimes I feel like I'm not fulfilling whatever purpose it is that's been set out for me. Like right now. I'm sitting in a cold bedroom (despite the 22 degree sunny weather outside that I've been begging for) and not accomplishing a whole lot, just sitting at my desk, waiting for motivation and excitement to kick me in the face. Since that's totally how it works. It'd be neat to say that I'm leaving to work with kids in Africa next week, but I'm not. I'd love to be able to tell someone, "Yeah! I've opened my own business in the downtown area, the place is booming. You should totally come by," only, I'm unemployed and will most likely remain so for the next long while, let alone having my own business. It'd feel great to tell someone, "Oh, sorry, I can't come out tonight... already got other plans. Maybe tomorrow?" Buuuuut, I'll probably hang out here tonight and watch re-runs of CSI Miami and watch my parents go to bed at 8 with barely a hello to each other because they're both so tired from working so much overtime every day.

As you can see, I'm feeling a little lost within myself at the moment. Don't worry, it happens now and again, as I'm sure it's happened to you too at some point. Direction needs to come and dance naked in front of me because I'm tired of half-drawing pictures and writing fractions of songs because my brain can't complete whatever thought it is I'm working on. It's like I'm cut in half - The half that's good at beginning things stuck around, but the half that's good at finishing them went to Hong Kong on a shopping excursion and took an extended vacation because it saw a WICKED pair of Jimmy Choo's in the window and got a job there in order to pay for them.

And because I'm only one-half of myself, I've only got one movement direction. So, I'm walking around in circles, covering the same ground. But a lot of the time, I don't really know that that's what I'm doing. Because I've only got half a brain, too. And brains need two halves to function, unless someone's made you a robo-brain. Which would be sweet, right?

Robo-brains would be pretty cool. But also dangerous, I'd imagine. Boyfriend wouldn't like it; he's bent on the concept that robots will someday take over the world. I wouldn't be suprised either, but still.

There's another thing I've been thinking about - Do people really need to call their partners their "other half" ? I know for a fact that even though I have somebody, I still end up doing most things on my own, probably as it should be. And in my experience, mostly women say stuff like that (unless you've somehow been blessed with an adorably crazy-romantic prince charming. To which I say, I am jealous of you, sister. I am a hopeless romantic myself.) Anyway, sorry lady, but it looks to me like you're a whole, all on your own... two eyes (all doe-like, if your hubby's there) two lungs, two arms, two legs, two feet and two hands... only one heart, though. Maybe that's why they say it; almost everything else in the human body is either paired or symmetrical, but one major thing that jumps to mind that isn't is the heart. You only have one. Pair it up with another person, and you've got two. A pair. Spacially correct. Kinda cool.

But that's probably just me on my whacko thinking spree. No making fun of me -.-

Too many people don't do a lot of what they're supposed to, have you noticed? Which is most likely why everybody is cool with divorces now. They can get what they want, whenever they want. Very few rules, very few commitments. "I don't feel like doing that today." Well, fine then. Don't. But I know my grandparents did... and with a little work, you really can get a lot. And feel good about it, too. Why are we all so lazy? Why is it that I can just sit around and do nothing and feel sorry for myself BECAUSE I am doing nothing? Even though it was my own choice?

Ugh.

I want to accomplish. My excuse is that I always seem to try and then for whatever reason, give up part way. Maybe I want a lot handed to me. Or maybe, I burnt out after a childhood of "smart kid" classes and pressure to be the best at everything. Or maybe that's me finding another excuse again.

I believe in making some changes. I've just got to believe and remember that getting moving is worth it.

-Bee

Inside Art

This morning I discovered a new thing that I love, called "inside art." Satre Stuelke is an artistically inclined Manhattan medical student (who likes to take advantage of the exceptionally expensive equipment he's been provided with.) Every one of his art pieces are created using a CT scanner, and the subjects are generally everyday objects: a friend's cellphone, his daughter's Barbie doll, his childhood rubber ducky. He's used the scanner not only to just make pretty pictures, but to also solve problems regarding objects. For example, he put his daughter's toy submarine through a scan to figure out why it no longer would work, and discovered that the gears inside had all rusted together. His main message to people is to, "think about how things are constructed." Yes sir, I certainly will. Because these pictures are COOL.

I, for one, did not know that Barbie had a skull, or leg bones.

But she totally does.

I also didn't know that Chicken McNuggets had any form of artistic quality, but according to Mr. Stuelke, "They are so beautiful with their breading.... The box design is truly elegant as well." Thank you, artist. You have almost made me appreciate McNuggets a little more.

Some of his other pieces include:

Elephant! His daughter helped him choose the colours for this one.

Beanie bunny. Weird looking.

Anyway. So if you want to check out this guy, here's the link again. Pretty cool stuff. Wish I had a CT scanner to play with (pff, cellphones give off radiation too! They don't shoot it through things, but.... It's not THAT dangerous.... right?)

-Bee

Busts 4 Justice... Really What You Wanted?

Well.


You might recall my recent post about a certain company charging more for larger-sized bras. See, that business decision backfired. Displaying posters with the words, "We boobed." on them, the company Marks and Spencer has now backed off and removed their surcharge on bras sized DD and larger after 14 000 women signed a Facebook petition against the newly added cost.

You can view the press coverage here and here.

The company is now also offering a 25% discount on all bras in an attempt to further coddle the disgruntled chesty women.

The deli bra. For those who just loved the bacon bra

As you can see... I'm not sure how I'm feeling about this victory. I am happy that the women got what they wanted and what they worked for, because everybody feels good with an honest win. But I'm wondering if they really were paying attention to what they were getting. I hope this decision doesn't backfire on them.

As you can imagine, larger-sized boobs need more support, often in different places. The women (even one in this video) complain of larger-sized bras being ill-fitting and difficult to find, which therefore "adds insult to injury" when the price on these bras is raised. In another article I had read (I wish I could find the link, I no longer have it *sob*) that Marks and Spencer claim to have added the extra charge in order to continue re-engineering their larger sizes to better meet the unique needs of these larger women. So, now that they're not only removing the extra (small) charge, I'd assume they're also cutting back the funding that was designed to help the women out in the first place. I dunno, I'm pretty sure I could handle paying an extra two bucks on a bra that is actually going to fit me properly. Especially since I (and most other women too) don't buy bras half as often as other clothes; they aren't a frequent need.

Sushi bra, the healthy alternative!

People need to maybe back off a bit on the sensationalism ("Beckie Williams wanted equality for big-breasted girls. She fought M&S until she came face to face with Sir Stuart Rose. This is her heroic story") and just have a real look at things; if they really prove to be as offensive as you think, by all means tar and feather the culprit until they get the message and cut with the crap. But sometimes, I think this second look at things can flash some little details you hadn't noticed or thought about before. So here's to you, big-boobed women. I hope your efforts get you what you wanted, and not just something else to complain about.

-Bee

Boobs, Some Bacon, and Birth Control (Scary.)

Men, do not fret. There will be a bit of attention for you too, after I deal with THIS, first. I promise.

There has been an uproar. Large-breasted women everywhere are threatening the company Marks and Spencer, because of one thing; They've imposed a titty tax. They have raised the price of their larger-sized bras by £2 , because "they require more engineering, and more materials to create." (I believe it is DD specifically, but i may be wrong.) The company also claims to be unable to remove the charge because of the economic downturn, despite most other companies continuing to charge the same price for bras no matter the size. So, a newly-formed organization called, "Busts 4 Justice" has now bought shares of the company to get in on the ordeal. "If they won't listen to us as customers maybe they'll listen to us as shareholders." (... If you have enough money to buy shares in a company, you wouldn't think the extra £2 they're tacking on wouldn't be that big of a deal. Sigh.)


In response, M&S said: 'M&S offers the most comprehensive DD+ collection and one of the most competitively priced on the high street, with bras in the range starting from just £8 and a 100% silk bra from only £14." I dunno, that's pretty decent. Here I could buy one regular cloth bra for like thirty bucks at La Senza. Sigh. The company also claims to have improved on quality in their larger sizes.


... I am a petite girl. I am proud of my barely B-cup boobs. I recognize it's difficult to find a fit, at times, both in bathing suits and in bras. I recognize I am both smaller than some girls out there, and that there are also some much smaller than me. And I think I can know discrimination when I see it, but I'm not sure this is just a case of discrimination, as so many claim it is.


There's at least some truth in it, ladies... I'm sorry to say it, but your over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders really are way, way bigger than mine. More material is needed to hold 'em up, and therefore, it honestly does cost the company more to produce these products. Everything else, besides clothing, is priced depending on size or amount, so why this particular product area was never introduced to this style of marketing, I'm not entirely sure. Normally, if you want more, you pay more... I suppose that's where this company got their idea from.


So, I guess it's only natural they might at least consider charging a bit more for something with more material used in it, though I'd personally prefer that they did not do so even if only to avoid crazy people rioting. Plus, there should be another way to compensate; people can't always help what size they are. I know specialty stores for extra tall people carry products that cost more [my cousin needs to shop at those] and plus-size based stores sometimes do as well. On the other side, children's clothing costs less than those designed for adults. I know that most bra companies do not charge more depending on size, so personally, if I had a problem with hiked prices, I'd shop elsewhere instead. Show these companies what you think through what actually drives them to make changes - money. Just try not to lynch too many executives with bra straps at your protest.

This bra is made of bacon. For serious. Apparently it's impossible to type in "bra" on Google Images and get anything normal-looking.

Now. For those with penises, instead. (What, you didn't like the bacon bra?! D: )


There's a new form of birth control in the works! And this time... it ain't us chickies that have to deal with it. This new contraceptive is a monthly injection that has proved 99% effective at temporarily blocking all sperm production (don't worry, within six months you can get your swimmies back.) Now, it's not completely perfect. Nowhere near that just yet - "One third of participants dropped out before the end of the study for unspecified reasons." Though the article also says there were way less adverse side-effects compared to normal male birth control therapies. So, not sure what to think. But it's a start...? Might be kinda cool if they could get it away from injection form, as well. If all goes well, the developers hope to see it go mainstream in around five years. Men, would you be willing to try a new form of contraception?

I told you.

Leave your thoughts.

-Bee

Looky Looky...

In light of Mother's Day....

Society places a big emphasis on looks, have you noticed? We are suprised by Susan Boyle's talent - why, because her physical form is unnattractive by today's standards? What does that have to do with voice? (Fashion sense, vs sound... hm.) I'm not saying I don't consider physical attractiveness, um, attractive. Because it is. I love finding the clothes that flatter people the most, I love the idea of making houses more beautiful, I love things in general that ARE beautiful. But it doesn't make someone less talented or less less capable of doing things. It also doesn't make me respect myself any less (though will admit I do have days where I'm a bit hard on myself - who doesn't?) It also would not make me resort to spending £10,000 at age fifty on surgery to make myself look like my thirty year-old daughter.

Not that I even have a daughter, but still.

Ew.

Left: Janet, age 50. Right: Her daughter, Jane.

So, the story goes that this woman, Janet, decided it'd be cool to be her daughter's twin. Kind of creepy in my opinion, but alright. Whatever floats your boat. Anyway, so she put herself through £10 000 worth of surgury, which includes two breast augmentation surgeries (the first time one ruptured; then they weren't big enough - they also couldn't save her marriage) going from her normal size to a 34C, then to a DD. She also had a nose job, an eye lift (no more wrinkles!) plumping lip injections, blonde hair extensions, and a new wardrobe (she lost weight.) Whew.

... Hawt...?

"I love us looking the same." Poor thing. Now, I'm all for self-esteem... but I think this went a little too far. We all age, and I'm pretty sure not many people like it. But how much pain do you need to put yourself through before you can be ok with your own appearance? I don't know what to think; I like being able to look nice, but I also think there are ways to do it at any age that don't involve massive amounts of money and hurting yourself. For those who are curious, here's a before and after:

Yeah. So what I'm wondering is, how many people would ever actually consider plastic surgery? I know it's obviously not for everyone, myself included... but I do recognize that for some individuals, it can greatly improve self-esteem, and therefore quality of life. Sometimes it can be used for reconstructing severe problems as well, though I'm asking more about vanity surgeries. How far is too far? Would you feel safe going under the knife?


-Bee