Marginal Notes

Hairy Situations: From Vajazzling to Jackets of Human Hair

When the Brazilian wax trend swept North America, I played the game. I thank God that I am too old for the latest packaging trend: Vajazzling.

Although, admittedly, there does not seem to be a cultural age limit on "looking fine on the vagine."

A website for "what moms are talking about" - MomLogic - describes the process of going "bare with flair."

The process is simple: First, you're vigorously waxed down there. Then, Swarovski crystals (or your own jewels) are placed on your nether-regions, in an artful design of your choice. The whole process (including waxing) costs $115 and lasts about five days.

Of course, while women go to great lengths and costs to remove undesirable hair, they are also entrenched in the battle to secure their "crowning glory." While it is undesirable to have hair on your body, a large head of hair is seen as desirable and sexy. In Good Hair, Chris Rock discovers that women pay $1000 for their weaves in addition to to the costs of attaching and maintaining the locks!

And, if it weren't enough that women are busy removing hair down there and adding hair up there, a new fashion trend encourages women to sport clothing made of hair.

Kate Moss wears a Maison Martin Margiela jacket made of blonde hair in one of several special covers for the May issue of V Magazine.

Inspired by the trend, America's Next Top Model recently had the contestants model outfits made entirely out of hair.

You have to hand it to the capitalists: they have us nailed between internalized oppression and conspicuous consumption.

Of course, men are not immune to this hairy marketing: "manscaping" is on the rise. The Art of Manliness comforts men struggling with the trend, encouraging them to embrace their inner Tom Selleck:

It is my hope that many of you who struggle with your hairy lot in life will learn to accept, and even embrace the man that you are. Being hairy isn’t something to be ashamed of – if it’s the way you’ve been made, it’s part of what makes you, you.

So, people, what will we do about these hairy - and hairless - situations?

Stop Socialism. Say No to Socialist Fire Departments.

 The new Flamer Movement growing in America is informed by the simple philosophy:

People should die if the can't afford fire care, and they should go broke if their house burns down. Let the free market decide.

Their Facebook group - 1 Million Strong Against Our Socialist Fire Departments -proclaims:

For too long now, fire departments across the United States have been SOCIALIST organizations, resulting in TAXES on the American people.

FACT: Most Americans never use the socialized services of the fire department. We have the best fire departments in the world in the US, but that doesn't mean that anyone (even non-US citizens) should be able to dial up and have fires put out, etc. There are private companies (Halliburtion, Etc.) who could step in tomorrow and take over every fire department in America and charge the consumer directly.

This is AMERICA. NO FREE FIRE SAFETY.

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in asbestos and carrying a fire hose."

This is THE new political movement in America. The Birther movement and The Teabagger movement have FAILED. We are The Flamer movement, and we are succeeding at tearing down ALL forms Socialism - starting with our Fire Departments.

When it comes to ObamaFireCare, remember, we are: Taxed Enough Already For American Red Truck Socialism.

The Flamer movement is not stopping at socialized fire care. Indeed, the death knell tolls for liberty and freedom so long as any form of socialized care is allowed to flourish.

Say NO to Socialized School Care. Say No to Socialized Road Care. Say No to Socialized Police Care.

How will Canadians respond to the growing Communist Menace?

While recent debates over privatized water heat up,we must ask ourselves if we can risk our freedoms for public water?

How is the water industry supposed to compete with much cheaper public water? This is undermining the free market!

If you are not prepared to die of thirst to protect our liberty and freedom, you are not a patriotic Canadian!

Serious Reads:

'Battle to Keep Water Public is Too Important to Lose' by Murray Dobin via Rabble

'The Perils of Corporatized Water' by Richard Acuna via Winnipeg Free Press

Passive Aggressive Notes and My Growing Disillusionment with Alberta Politics

Oh God, I've had a rotten few weeks.

I have had waaaay too many encounters with stupid, rude and hurtful people. I wish I was a passive aggressive person, but I cope by turning to overt aggression or, alternatively, I repress my emotions and withdraw from people...and the world, as much is possible.

I find some catharsis in a newly discovered website: Passive Aggressive Notes.

In Easter spirit, I'll begin with this note left on woman's windshield, in response to a bumper sticker on her car that reads: “What Would Buddha Do?”

 

This next note - posted on an office fridge - brilliantly captures the passive aggressive spirit. People on Jenny Craig really want to spread the joy of dieting!

Another note proves that one can never be too young to participate in passive aggression. Poor Mom.

While someone warns "Do Not Lean on Airhose," this person says what a lot of us want to say about the Comic Sans font. Sometimes we do want to sweat the small stuff.

Finally, a friendly neighborhood-note-leaver chooses the passive aggressive fake out: "While I appreciate your initiative and hard work I'd like to suggest...Also, I will shoot you in the fucking face."

I desperately want to share all of the things that I am angry about right now.

I have some passive aggressive words for men in politics, including a wannabe mayoral candidate and a pseudo-MP candidate.

"Stubborn malcontent" might be fitting for what have been merely annoying and trivial encounters.

Unfortunately, some of the more serious issues that have recently angered me would require honest and brave discussion. Facing organizational issues within the Alberta NDP and problematizing the belittling of experiences of (less able?) persons with illness when supposedly honoring the grace of another who passed away is something this strong-but-not-stoic woman is unable to do right now.