Marginal Notes

Super Men

This past week, I took my nephews to see Superman Returns.

The new Superman character is good looking and charming, but he pales in comparison to my super boys, soon-to-be super men.

Anyone, who knows me well, knows that my nephews are golden in my eyes. 

True, we have had our troubled times.  For instance, when they were about six and eight they loaded up their dart gun (which, incidentally, I bought for them) with spit-covered darts and began shooting them at me.  There was a lot of yelling and crying on both sides, but we got through it.

Anyway, for someone who tends to have an ambivalent relationship with men, I always marvel at what a purely uncomplicated and loving relationship I have with them...and my other male relatives.

This sentiment is alluded to in this cartoon, sent to me by my big brother (another super man, who knows his feministy sister well) which I then forwarded to the Big Daddy of super men (my dad).

My dad reminded me that when I was about six years old, he dropped me off at school and went to give me a kiss goodbye.  Apparently, I hugged him and said, "Daddy, I'll love you until the day I die, but I am too big now to be kissed goodbye."

I guess I was big on autonomy from the beginning; it's heartbreaking really.

Love is the Market and You are the Commodity

Calgary was featured in this week's Style section of The Globe and Mail.  One article features an interview with a woman who operates a matchmaking service in Calgary called CityMYX.

Now, I know that these executive matchmaking services are common in many cities, and not unique to Calgary.  But, I must say I am so worn out at seeing my charming hometown overrun with greed, greed, greed.

The article heralds women to come to Calgary as it is the "jackpot" when it comes to men.  How so?  Is it that the men in Calgary are particularly handsome, intelligent, creative, kind, or charming?  No.  Calgary is the jackpot when it comes to men because:

Calgary men have wealth (which they don't brag about), good careers (which they aren't married to) and a down-home quality (um, they're nice).

Wow.  Unmarried (to their work) and "nice" - that's really shooting for the stars.  Oh wait, let's not forget rich.

And, they are.  At least, the clients of CityMYX are rich with fees of$4200...rich or stupid.

Now, I can't quite figure out how a matchmaking service relates to style.  Perhaps, it is because the women seeking the service are told they need a style overhaul - that is so they look good for the parties in which people go to check out "the merchandise":

Managing people's expectations, she admits, is the hardest part of her job. "Many of my women think they are a 9 but they are a 4. I have to say to some of them, 'I think you need some image consulting.' It's not easy to say, but I have to give them feedback.

Or maybe, these days money is taken as the equivalent of style. 

Strange though how "style" can be so utterly tasteless.

Links:

Matchmaker, via the Globe and Mail

CityMYX - Your one-stop, self-proclaimed "gem digger" service