Back in skinny jeans

A day in the life of a Pro Blogger

If you want to learn how to make real money through blogging, Darren Rowse's blog ProBlogger.net is a MUST read every day. I've learned so much from Darren and the other bloggers who chime in at ProBlogger. In this clip, we get to see a typical blogging day for Darren in one minute. I just have one question. Does he ever eat or take potty breaks?..lol...

Women as targets of violence online

One of my favorite bloggers, and one that I highly respect, is Kathy Sierra who writes the blog Creating Passionate Users. Instead of speaking at a tech conference today and doing what she does best, Kathy is at home holed up in fear because she has gotten death threats and has been harassed in some frightening ways. In her post today, “Death threats against bloggers are NOT "protected speech" (why I cancelled my ETech presentations),” Kathy shares with us her experience and one of the threatening pictures made of her. It is abhorrent.

Out of fear for her safety, Kathy has cancelled all her speaking engagements, is staying locked in her house, and is contemplating never blogging again. The police in the mean time are looking into the matter. 

The talk around the web is that the treatment Kathy has received is disgusting, disturbing, and unacceptable. But, more importantly it brings up the issue of the level of disturbing and sexually harassing behavior against women escalating in the online world. 

Now before I go on, not all men online are assholes, degenerates, misogynists, or chauvinistic pigs. So, let’s not lump all the guys in one barrel. Many in fact, are quite wonderful, and understand that there is a serious problem at the forefront, and they are trying to do something. Uber-blogger, Robert Scoble has even decided to go silent for the rest of this week as a testament of support for Kathy. Next week, he’s opening the topic up for discussion on how to fix this cultural problem. The problems usually exist with only a few numbers relative to the whole, but the frightening thing is that the level of violence and misogyny in general is escalating. 

So why is that? I think there are multiple factors involved. There’s not one thing to point a finger at, but many factors that contribute. Since, we at Back in Skinny Jeans talk primarily about the media; I will focus on that topic for now. Let’s take a look at the images that people are inundated with in the media. 

I created a collage here that illustrates just some recent examples of what people see every day on how women are portrayed in such mediums as industry magazines, gaming, video, virtual worlds, and even fashion. There has been a disturbing growing trend in fashion with “crime chic” with examples that include Dolce & Gabbana’s gang rape looking fantasy ad, and America’s Next Top Model “crime scene” photo shoot. On the cover of April’s Vanity Fair, there is a picture of Gandolfini of the Sopranos clutching a naked looking woman like she’s some prey he’s captured.

(more after the jump)

The Balenciaga shoe inspired by Kindergarten

The CoolHunter calls this interesting shoe, "When Paris met Lego." I'd also go with "When Kindergarten met Couture." I imagine the Balenciaga designers with a bunch of Playdoh playing shoe Almighty, and what was a sample in creative exploration turned into an actual "It" shoe at the recent Fall 07 shows. How about a pair of these spikes with your skinny jeans?

Lulu inky art

Lately I've been getting into the arty thing in order to culture myself and properly feed my soul because consuming too much pop culture especially celebrity gossip is like eating too much junk food. It's time for detox folks!

I enjoy surrealism, and Salvador Dali is one of my favorites. I've never looked at time the same way since seeing this famous painting of his, "The persistence of memory."

This inky clip here combines some fashion and surrealistic vibes. NOTE: Be patient. It's black the first 15+ seconds.

America's Next Top Model has officially reached vermin level

Only a vermin mind would think that a beautiful murder victim photo shoot is 1. fashionable and 2. tasteful. You have to seriously, and I mean seriously, dig the dregs of the earth, to think that simulated crime scenes with murder victims is hot.

Let's see. We've got gun shots, poisoning, decapitation, strangulation, shoved off a roof top, and oh the Hannibal specialty, organ removal. And to make sure that all is not totally horrifying, the "dead" models were killed by other models and not by some lunatic, rapist Criminal Minds kind of scum. Nope, It's "better" if Giselle or Heidi do the villainous murdering cuz you know these girls are that competitive in real life.

In this shot [no pun intended] of death via electrocution in the tub, this is what judge Tyra had to say:

"(re: Brittany's decision to pose outside of the tub) This was amazing. So, if you didn't speak up, you would have had a beautiful shot, but you spoke up, and now it's probably one of the best of the bunch. (later) She's making those clothes look kind of fierce."

The woman is dead on the ground, and all Tyra can focus on is the ferociousness of the clothes. Tyra are you channeling your inner Ted Bundy? I have gotten out my pest riddance and have exterminated America's Next Top Model show from my Tivo repetoire.

It's time to bury this rabble called a model reality show. I hope these gruesome fashion folk have jumped the shark and are heading straight into their rightly place in TV oblivion.

[via Feministing]

Britney Spears rushes to molar emergency

Only drama queens can make a toothache sound like a rush to the hospital for a burst appendix. I just had to laugh when I saw TMZ's post about Britney Spears "rushing to the hospital." I laughed cuz, yeah, I got suckered into heading over lickety split to TMZ.com to find out what new drama Britney has stirred up since springing from celeb-hab a couple days ago. It's a sickness. I know.

Turns out the breaking news is that Britney had an ache in one of her molars and went to the dentist to fix the ouchie. It's only her teeth, and we're running around like salivating dogs on the hunt for steak. Come one TMZ. Don't stir up frenzy needlessly. And me, I'll have to go work on that credulous celeb gossip jones.

[via TMZ]

Quote on charm

Tips for the perfect beauty nap

I take naps whenever possible because I find that it helps refresh me. My brain can turn off for awhile, drain, and get clear. It also helps me avoid those head jerk, trying to stay awake moments in the afternoon. You know what I'm talking about. [winky]

During my afternoon naps, I also get some of my best creative inspiration. Before I close my eyes, I hold an intention for ideas, a solution, or answers for anything that I need clarity on, and let my subconscious do it's job. Naps aren't a sign of laziness or old age, they are an invaluable way to recharge.

Christopher Ketcham at the Men's Journal shares some hints for the perfect nap, and explains how much time makes for a good nap. For me, I typically do 30-60 minutes. Nappy time is solace time.

[pic "Sleep" by pedrosimoes7]

10 reasons hindering you from wealth

Do you dream of being a millionaire yet are living on a Payless Shoes BOGO budget when you really want to live on a Manolo Blahnik budget? First class isn't just a better seat. It's a better lifestyle.

Jeffrey Strain over at The Street shows us "10 reasons you aren't rich." Find out what kinds of things can hinder us from having the fortune we desire. Wealth is a mindset, and it's the first thing you need to understand in order to change your financial situation.

Number 7 on the list, "You rely on others to take care of your money," is a common thing that we women do. Ladies, take ownership of your money, and increase your financial literacy. You worked hard for that money, so make it work for you so you get to the point where your money makes you money, and you get to enjoy life.

Why does Wired have a naked woman on the April cover?

{Pulling my hair out} I hate this cover!!! Hate it! Loathe it! Okay, there I have gotten it of my chest. Jenna Fischer, Miss Pam from The Office, is nekkid with nothing but a sign on the cover of Wired magazine's April issue. Actually, it's a two part cover where there is some acetate action going on. The first cover has a picture of Jenna in a short tight skirt business suit printed on the acetate, and the cover underneath is this one where she is naked, up-do still in tact. Top page. She's dressed. Flip page. She's naked.

The story Wired is trying to promote is about the new need for corporate transparency, you know all that getting authentic, "Naked Conversations" type of thing. The need for transparency is so obvious that even the bozos at "The Office" get it. Creative Director Scott Dadich had this to say:

"We wanted a cover that was smart and showy. And as Creative Director I wanted something that hadn't been done before. We settled on the idea of printing on clear acetate. But it had to be interactive. Now you’re in a business suit—now you’re not."

Okay, I get that corporate transparency is an important trend, but why do you have to put a naked woman on the cover to make your point? Why not put one of The Office guys naked on the cover? Oh that's right! {hit myself on the noggin} It's because no one wants to see a naked guy on the cover of a business magazine. Naked guys on covers isn't showy. No it's gross. But naked chicks, weeell that's a different pad of sticky notes.

Frankly, I think you were not being creative at all in this cover. It's familiar boy's club crap. Yeah, just sex up the receptionist. Why didn't you throw in the pot of coffee while you were at it? Naked women on business magazines is just wrooooong, and that's why it's never been done before by anyone with class. For crying out loud, how can you be so progressive and backwards at the same time? It's ridiculous Wired people! This just has sexist bad taste written all over it. This is definitely showy but it is by all means NOT smart. I want to unplug you now.

[source]