This may not be the best post to start out this particular blog, but I am completely over worrying about others’ opinions and perceptions.
Someone recently said to me that they once believed that women could rule the world, but after seeing the way they behave and treat eachother, she’s not so sure anymore.
A little background about me: I consider myself a self-proclaimed feminist. I minored in women’s studies at my undergraduate university. I believe that women are by far the strongest creatures in existence. We put up with so much, can handle so much. I really don’t know if a man could handle the pain, discomfort, and general misery of pregnancy and childbirth. Guys, you think having a cold or the flu is rough? Try feeling worse than that for an entire year and still having to function and go on with life!
From the tender age of childhood, women cope with being told that they are fat and unattractive hundreds of times a day. It’s a wonder that any of us have any self-esteem left. We are praised for being beautiful, cute, and thin, but very rarely praised for our intellect or ingenuity.
Until recently, I too believed that women could rule the world. But after observing some conversations and general “we-hate-so-in-so” discussions on some online discussion forums, I’m really beginning to doubt our abilities to control much of anything.
Why do we bash eachother so much? Isn’t it hard enough to live in this society without being put down by our sisters?
A brief discussion about what I have observed: Woman A in some way angers Woman B. Instead of talking to Woman A about her offenses, Woman B begins a public discussion about A. About all the things she did wrong, how she’s a terrible person…it goes on and on. So what do you think readers of the initial post do? Inquire as to what happened? Nope. They immediately jump on the bandwagon, though they weren’t seemingly involved in the original issue. Attacks range from pulling up posts Woman A made over a year ago and using that text out of context, insulting her family, making fun of her, insulting her. Any time that Woman A tried to say anything to defend herself, the masses either ignored her or ripped her down. It was all very underhanded and “catty” (for lack of a better term).
I emailed Woman A. I asked her what was going on. She had a very, very different side to the story , but was too afraid to attempt a defense of herself or a response because they ripped her down so badly anytime she posted anything. Apparently, the group of angered women even followed her to different sites to continue the drama there as well. She said that they left her nasty comments on public boards, but no one even one emailed or tried to contact her directly. Everything was done behind her back.
If this is the way we act, how can we ever rule the world? How can we ever lead our daughters to thrive and be successful women? I don’t doubt that if this issue had involved a bunch of men, it would have turned out much differently. Man B would have told Man A he was a jerk or he would have simply cut ties with him. Even in my wildest imagination, I cannot imagine 20+ men sneakily attacking and saying hurtful things about Man A. For whatever reason, they just wouldn’t. If they were to say anything at all, it would probably be right to their faces.
I really hope that this group of women don’t act like this out in the “real world” and that this is a phenomenon of online relationsips. My husband, an online comic reader, showed me this comic a few months ago. The language is a little rough, please don’t read it if you think you may be offended.
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19/So, is that it? Are women mean to one another simply because of the anonymity of the internet? Or are we really attacking eachother underhandedly because that's just what we do? I guess I just expect more from the mothers of the human race....
And an action shot of Keira:
I just finished this cute little hedgehog and turtle! They are only about 4 or 5 inches tall! Super cute!
Last week I finished these and am just now getting around to taking pictures. They are very big and I'm so glad there was enough yarn! I was so worried but just kept knitting in hopes that there would be enough. And there was! I'm so happy I didn't stop because I was so sure it wouldn't work out.
Another pair that I am currently working on. Hope I have enough yarn to finish.....fingers crossed!
My newest project. I can't decide if I like, or hate the way the yarn is pooling....it's sorta stripy sorta giant spiral. But I do love the color! I love colors!
I've been working on this pair of longies for a little while. They really remind me of juicy watermelon. YUM! The yarn is an Aran weight Blue Faced Leicester and was custom dyed for me by Chara at Noes to Toes Knits on Dibble Dabble. This is the second time I've purchased yarn from her and I've been IN LOVE both times. The colors are always very vibrant! I'm especially amazed by this yarn because she custom dyed it for me from a picture I sent her. Honestly, this yarn is even more gorgeous than the picture I provided her with! Plus her prices are resonable in a world of VERY EXPENSIVE hand-dyed yarn.
I started these boyish longies a few days ago and I'm amazed how far I've gotten in such a short amount of time. I love the way the colors here are kind of pooling but kind of not pooling. They look so calm and oceany (not a word I know!) Oh and yes, I tend to work on two projects at the same time. It makes it easier for me for some reason....Dunno why....
So this lame drawing and picture are of my idea for a girly soaker. Hopefully I can get to it soon. Obviously it is a ROUGH sketch! I just cannot draw. And yes, I am aware that my handwriting looks similar to that of a 12 year old boy....
