An Hourglass's Issues with Angels and Non-Angels

There has been a fair amount of buzz about the #ImNoAngel campaign that is being promoted by Lane Bryant.  That's not surprising.  But there are a couple of points that I want to bring to the forefront.

Overall, I am supportive of the #ImNoAngel concept.
These women are sexy!  That's just undeniable, and the black & white commercial flaunts their smokin' hot curves perfectly.  I'm loving the promotion of self-love, portraying curves as sexy, and perpetuating the ever-growing trend that size 14 is sexier than a size 0.  These are all messages that I am behind 100%.

The snarky attack at Victoria's Secret is a big plus.
The #ImNoAngel campaign is (not so subtly) a challenge to Victoria's Secret's "Perfect Body" campaign.  VS has always featured their lanky, thin "Angels" in catalogues and commercials.  Pasting the words "perfect body" over these unattainable barbies was just too much.  Maybe it is just the sarcasm and callousness that has built inside of me for so many years, but I love a good snark factor.

However, it is an obvious marketing strategy.
While I love the message from Lane Bryant and the delight in the challenge against Victoria's Secret, it is very clear that this is one great big marketing ploy.  The hashtag, for one, just screams for attention.  The line of lingerie is actually called Cacique, but they lopped on an Angel-related slogan (complete with screaming hashtag), despite having nothing to do with the line.  While it is smart on their part, I have a hard time respecting cheap ploys like this one.

Body image, eating disorders, obesity.... these are all very hot issues.  Taking advantage of them to the benefit of your company is shameful.  I'd be much more receptive if Lane Bryant's campaign weren't tied to a line of lingerie at all, and was just about the message.  It would still be an effective marketing tool for their brand, but perhaps not so overtly scummy.

Despite how you feel about either company, here's my real issue....
There is a lot of attention on what size you are.  Victoria's Secret caters to what I affectionately call "skinny bitches."  Lane Bryant caters to what they have rebranded as "her size."  When it comes to clothing, I don't have trouble finding my size.  I have trouble finding my fit.  Confused?

I am a textbook hourglass: the waist measurement is 10" less than the bust, while the bust and hip measurements are nearly the same.  Trying to find clothes that flatter an hourglass but simultaneously do not give the appearance of pregnancy is extremely challenging.  To further compound the issue, I am 5'4", but somehow both short legged and short in torso.  This means that my hourglass is even more dramatic, and most pants are too long.

I am all for the promotion of a positive body image.  I don't think the general public is represented in TV, movies, magazines, advertisements, or any major media outlet.  However, how much meat you have on those bones isn't the only issue.
What about how that body is shaped?



Here's the Lane Bryant Cacique commercial, in case you are dying of curiosity.
By the way, they sell sizes 14-28.  These models are all sizes 12-14.  How's that for irony?
Fun fact #2: Cacique is a word used in the Caribbean to mean "chief."  Also, it's a brand of cheese.

A Visually Impaired Take on "Daredevil"

The husband and I have not had cable since maybe 2011, so I watch a lot of Netflix and Hulu.  Often times, I find myself with nothing to watch in between new episodes of Supernatural on Hulu.  So hubs and I started watching the Netflix original series of Daredevil.

2003 Daredevil (Affleck)

I saw the Ben Affleck flick years ago when it was new, and found it entertaining enough.  Superhero movies weren't as big yet as they are now.  It was 2003, so I also hadn't been diagnosed with Stargardt's yet.  I'll admit that most of my existing Daredevil knowledge comes from this early 2000's film.  I've accrued slightly more trivia over the years, along with the realization that Daredevil is definitely not the most popular or most "OP" of the Marvel heroes.

2015 Daredevil (Cox)

Matt Murdoch aka Daredevil is a blind man with super senses due to an accident involving chemicals.  Super hearing, super sensitive to touch, awesome olfactory, and I assume some pretty pumped up taste buds.  Pretty cool.  I realize it comes with consequences, but I wouldn't turn these super senses down.  Here's my beef.

• He can hear a conversation from a rooftop or from blocks away.  The scene where he is kicking Vladmir's ass?  The cops get the jump on him.  Shouldn't he have heard them coming long before they arrived?  I mean, maybe he was really into the pummeling, but there were a lot of cops.  That's a lot of noise.
• The guy obviously doesn't need his cane to get around.  I assume this is his attempt at pulling a "Clark Kent" persona of a normal blind guy.  If that is the case, he is doing a terrible job.  My biggest pet peeve:  He is way too good at looking people in the eye.
• I posed the question of how Murdoch picks things up off the ground in one simple swipe.  Hubs suggested that vibrations and sounds let him "see" it, in his way.  I guess.  But what about Stick?  How does Stick seem to have the same super senses that Murdoch does?  Being blind and bad-ass doesn't give you super powers.  I promise.
• With his other four senses all suped up, he gets around Hell's Kitchen with ease.  However, this dude still needs braille to read.  You can't smell, taste, or hear the written word.  That means that he can't read signs on stores, or read menus, or even see the crosswalk sign turn and give the "ok" to cross.  Which super power does he use to conquer these foes?

We haven't finished the show yet.  I'm sure I'd find more qualms upon examination.  These are just some of the things that I think about from my side of the visually impaired table.  There may very well be an answer to each of them tucked away inside the expansive Marvel universe somewhere.  But, in my opinion, being a regular guy with four amped senses and zero sight does not a superhero make.  That's probably why he gets his butt kicked so much.

Prologue

I tried the private blog for my innermost thoughts, designated for my eyes only.
I tried the public blog that was super structured and somewhat impersonal.

But I watched a movie recently, and I think I'm ready to handle the public free-form blog.
Here's what I've got going for me this time:

• I'm no longer an angsty, whiny teenager.
• I am reasonably skilled with spelling and grammar.
• I'm honest, but not insensitive.
• I've got quirkiness to spare, but not so much it's off-putting.

That being said, I'm not going viral anytime soon.  I have a few things going against me:

• My life is far from drama-filled.
• I'm not super smokin' hot with an Instagram packed full of scintillating selfies.
• I've never been popular in any format, and I don't see the universe doing a 180 now.
• I'm not as well versed as I could be in the realm of optimal exploitation of social media.

I guess I could beef those lists up a bit, but they both have four, making them even, so that looks nice.  I'll stop there.

Chronicle of Furbabies, Part II

(moved from partner blog, originally published 4-15-15)

Spring has sprung.  Warmer weather means several things at the shelter.  (1) The kitties are shedding.  More fur is flying and more hairballs are appearing.  (2) More kittens!  We've already seen little guys from 2 days old to 4 months old.  (3) More turn-over, as more people are going out to adopt.

I don't post every cat I see.  Just the ones that have a story or a face that I'd like to keep for the memory banks.  You won't see many of the kittens here, as they get fostered rather quickly.  That means that I usually only see them once before they get scooped up.  It's the loves like Weston and Midnight that I cherish.  (My current loves are Noodles, who just got adopted, and Frosting - food naming of both cats is purely coincedental).

A shorter entry this time.  There will be another, though.




Carlie - in my last post, I told Norm's story.  He was scared and defensive and slowly improved.  When he went into foster, that improvement saw a huge growth spurt, and he got adopted shortly thereafter.  Carlie reminds me of his story.  She, too, is declawed, and came in as scared and defensive as can be.  She hid behind the bed in the back of her cage, hissed at the mere sight of other cats, and threatened to bite if you fussed around her too much.  I've included three pictures of Carlie, who I call my Carlie-bird, because the pictures alone are evidence of her slow improvement.  She is still moody, with good days and bad days, but I take my time with Carlie and have learned what she likes and what she doesn't.  She has become so much more comfortable at the shelter and has given me more trust over time.  I know that if my little Carlie-bird got a foster, she would be one amazing little girl.

10/23/15 UPDATE: Carlie was adopted by an elderly woman who loved her immensely, but had to return Carlie shortly thereafter.  She became too ill to take care of Carlie.  She is now back with us at the shelter, but she's in one of the larger crates with things just the way she likes them, and her attitude is the best I've ever seen it.  I'm still super hopeful for my Carlie-bird.

Carlie's first shelter pic

Carlie's second shelter pic

My Carlie-bird!

 Dugan - this guy was a shelter favorite.  He was a complete package.  Laid-back, but so talkative with his manly, raspy meow!  He absolutely loved his wet food, and I quickly discovered that filets were his favorite kind.  I would give him extras every time.  Dugan would give his signature meow every time he'd see you, even if he was super sleepy from eating two helpings of wet food.  He was outgoing, ready to come out of his cage and wander around while you tidied up, but also a snuggler who loved to be pet when you had the time.  He was adopted the second week of April.  <3

Dugan

Frosting - His name is just as sweet as he is.  I call Frosting my little Valentine, because you can see his pink skin on parts of his ears and his face due to his pure white fluff.  When he first came in, we thought he'd be a shy guy, hiding in his littler box.  As soon as his paws hit the floor, he was mister personality, full of confidence and affection.  He likes to be held and cuddled, loves to rub against your legs and leave some white Frosting fur behind, and he's a laid-back boy.  Even when the other cats hiss at him, he just takes it in stride and keeps going.  We found out that he is FIV positive, but like Theo, he is one of the best cats I've come across.

10/23/15 UPDATE: Frosting was adopting in no time at all, and it was one of those bittersweet adoptions - I was overjoyed to see him get a home, but so sad to see him go!

Frosting

Frosting; uncooperative for pictures

Frosting

Frosting; getting reading to scratch

Frosting getting some love (formatting wouldn't cooperate)

Hanson - another good boy, he was a hilarious, stocky bundle of love.  Hanson had a had-pitched meow and a spring in his step.  The two things that got him the most excited, though, were yummy wet food and when you got into his cage.  He would wander around while you refilled his food and scooped his litter, but anytime I got into his cage to sort the sheets in the back or scrub the shelf, he would barrel in, all excited, meowing and headbutting me.  This adorable guy was adopted several weeks ago.

Hanson

Noodles - I think it's safe to say that I was in love with this cat.  He was adopted last week, and it was one of those bittersweet times where I was so happy for him to find his forever home but simultaneously devastated that I wouldn't see him anymore.  Noodles was a regular black cat, but we soon discovered that he was a whiner.  He was frequently whining while in his cage, and with some volume.  The whining would decrease when he was roaming around, but not completely.  He wasn't a fan of wet food and toys were just okay.  When I picked him up, however, the whining stopped and the purrs began.  From then on, I would let him roam for a while each time, but I would also always pick him up and snuggle him.  Even with a face full of Noodles fur, I was in heaven.  We were fast snuggle buddies.  He would even clutch at you when you attempted to put him back in his cage.  It wasn't that he dug in and scratched or that he squirmed and became difficult to place.  It was that it broke your heart so completely that he just wanted to be held and wanted so badly to not go back in - that's why it was so hard to put him up every time.  He just snuggled closer and clutched at you.  I could have carried him around for a lifetime.

Me & Noodles

Me & Noodles

Me & Noodles

O'Reilly - his name always put the auto parts company jingle in my head, but this was one great cat.  He was on the smaller side, but also on the fluffier side.  He absolutely adored attention, and would stand up against your leg to get more attention.  He was adopted pretty quickly, but I always loved being asked for attention by O'Reilly.

O'Reilly, instructing you where to pet him

O'Reilly, distracted by doggies

Chronicle of Furbabies, Part I

(moved from partner blog, originally published 2-26-15)

I have been volunteering with a non-profit animal rescue and rehab shelter for a year now.  I started out by lending a hand at events, but eventually started volunteering at the shelter.  It wasn't until last summer when I started going every week, at least twice a week, to care for the cats, that I fell in love with what I was doing.

I don't get paid.  It's dirty, smelly, hairy work.  I've had my fair share of bites, scratches, and fecal matter.  But hands down, it is the best thing I've ever done.

For some time, I've wanted to capture the memory of the cats that come through the shelter.  Some of them leave I big impact on me and I miss them long after they've found their forever homes.  Even though I'm so happy for them, it is bittersweet not to be able to see them anymore.

Here are the names I can remember and the pictures that I can find.  I hope to keep adding to it.

Barry – he was a swiper, always grabbing at whatever passed by his cage.  When he was out, we was a ferocious cuddler.  Above all, he was a favorite among the shelter workers.  He seems to have mellowed since going into foster.  The shelter has since started a fund for him to help raise money for surgery for his respiratory condition.

Barry

Butternut & Squash – these two were both buff and white colored and part of a larger littler.  There was a digestive illness that went through the littler and left only these two.  This was the second time something like this had happened while I was there.  It was heartbreaking, but I treasured these two little guys all the more.  They recovered and were filled with life.

Butternut

Deloris & Danger – Deloris was a feral cat that spent a very long time with the shelter.  She was pregnant, and gave birth to her littler in the biggest cage at the shelter.  There were five or six kittens, but only one survived.  Danger was a trooper.  He looked just like his mama was full of spitfire.  He was small for his age, but ran around like a crazy man.  Deloris mellowed and, although she was still fond of hiding where you couldn’t find her, she grew to love attention and snuggles.  They were both adopted, albeit separately.

Deloris (on shelf) & Danger (in bed)

Me, attempting to hold Danger

Drew – it was thought that she was a boy, hence the name.  I called her my Drew Drew Bug.  She could be a little moody if the wind blew right, but all in all she was a cuddle bug.  Drew loved snuggles and affection, and was always eager to see you when you approached her cage.  She got adopted, and I miss her terribly.

Drew

Drew

Fillian – this little guy wasn’t with us for long, but he was the first cat that I got to name!  He was a long-haired buff and white kitten.  He was pretty laid-back but very adorable.  He was still a kitten when he was adopted.  

Griffin – this guy was another one of my cuddle bugs.  As soon as you opened that door, his head was nuzzling your hand.  He wasn’t much for being picked up, but was irresistible in every other way.  He was definitely one of my favorites.  Griffin was adopted.  

Griffin

Groot – this picture does not do this little man justice.  Groot was a spirited kitten who loved attention and loved to meow like mad.  He was adopted very quickly.

Groot

Luna & Bellatrix – they came in together, but I’m not sure if they were littlermates.  I was in love with Luna.  She was cuddly when you held her, purring like mad, but the more rambunctious of the two when they ran about.  I called her my Luna Bug.  Bellatrix was more reserved, and she was a little limp noodle when you picked her up.  They were both super sweet.

Luna

Marmalade & Tang – these two brothers were long-haired orange tabbies that went through a rough time.  They both suffered severe eye infections, one of the boys getting it much worse than the other.  They endured applications of eye cream medications everyday.  I would hold these big boys, one at a time, while Anita gave them their meds.  They were so furry that I would instantly get hot and sweaty just holding them.  At one point the vet said that one of the boys might not get his vision back.  Slowly, they both recovered.  Their demeanors improved along with their heath, and the sweet fluffy boys even got adopted into the same home!  

Marmalade & Tang

Marmalade & Tang

Marmalade & Tang get adopted!!!

Midnight – I was enamored by this big tomcat.  I don’t have a picture, but he was a large, long-haired black cat.  He was as cool as a cucumber but loved attention.  I gave him love and affection at the shelter and even visited him during his stay at PetSmart.  I did my best to brush the dandruff from his fur to get him looking his best. I nearly cried when he was adopted.

Moshie – he was so big, but not husky.  Long legs, long torso, long skinny tail.  He loved to be pet, but was so wary while at the shelter. He was in foster for a while before my time of caring for him at the shelter, and I think he was dismayed to be back.  My heart went out to this lanky boy.  He did end up getting adopted.

Nick – Nick was my baby.  He was the smallest in a litter of four, all named with “N” names.  He had a really bad respiratory issue early on, so we separated him from the litter to keep him from getting picked on.  I snuggled him close every time I saw him.  As he got better, he became outgoing and playful.  I still miss him.

Nick

Nick riding to adoptions

Nolan – he was one of the cats in Nick’s litter who got adopted, but passed way from FIL.  It broke my heart when I found out.

Norm – I feel for this poor guy.  His owners surrendered him after 6 years due to having a baby.  He was seriously moody and upset.  He would swipe and attempt warning bites if you got too close to him.  It took him a good month or two to finally start warming up and coming out of his cage.  He was still wary of his surroundings, but you could pet him and he seemed in much better spirits.  I’m so thankful he went into foster.  The last time I saw him was at adoptions, and he seemed to be doing SO well!  He was calm, and at the front of the cage (a good, confident sign)!  I put my fingers through the bars to say hello, and Norm gave me a few kisses!  I have high hopes for this handsome boy.

10/23/15 UPDATE: After a few months in foster with a great foster mom and some pretty awesome foster kitty brothers, Norm was adopted!!!!  Woo hoo!

Norm

Pumpkin – this girl was our little crazy cannon!  She would fly around the room haphazardly and seemingly never ran out of energy.  She always made us smile.

Pumpkin

Snoop & Dre – these two black kittens are the most beautiful purr machines.  They’re such good boys.  The only way to tell them apart is by their tails – one has a fluffy long-haired tail and the other has a short-haired tail.  They're always happy and never pick on each other.  Whether in their cage or in my arms, they're always purring.  They also love to run around and play when they're out, though.  The pictures are less than impressive as I took them myself as they were waking up.

Snoop & Dre

Snoop & Dre

Snoop & Dre

Spencer – this is another one that my heart goes out to.  She’s incredibly misunderstood and is in desperate need of a foster.  She lived her whole life in a cage.  She hisses and growls at other cats constantly.  I’ve never heard a normal meow from her.  But when she’s out, she headbutts and rubs up against your legs.  She loves to be pet, though not towards her rump.  She whines when you pick her up, but she has never raised a paw or tried to bite me.  She recently went into foster, and I didn't realize I would miss her so much.  I am so happy she's being fostered, though, because it is definitely what this baby needs.

10/23/15 UPDATE: Spencer did end up getting adopted!  It was one of the happiest Facebook posts I've ever experienced!!!!

Spencer

T-Bone – his name and his appetite cracked me up.  He liked attention just fine, but what he was really interested in was food, in any form!  He was found to have neurological condition that made him wobbly, as it affected his back legs.  He went into foster and is now good friends with Barry (mentioned above)!

T-Bone

Tasha – this pretty girl is an utter sweetheart.  She has some sores on her head and neck and a case of ear mites, which got her kicked out of adoptions.  But she is one of my favorites.  She is a beautiful calico and loves attention.

10/23/15 UPDATE: Tasha has been bounced around a bit, but she's back at the shelter.  She no longer has any sores as she did when she was first picked up.  Luckily, she is still as sweet and as pretty as the day she came in.  I cannot wait to see the day that this deserving baby finds her forever home.

Tasha

Theodore – Theo was a shelter favorite.  He was incredibly handsome with his Maine Coon style ear furnings and his stout tabby physique.  I regret that I don't have a better picture.  He loved to give kisses and purr.  He stayed in the shelter for quite a while as he was diagnosed with FIV.  I was thrilled when he found a forever home.

Theodore

Tigger – he’s an orange tabby with the markings that look like dark marbling.  He’s a large lad, and he was at the shelter as a kitten, adopted, and returned for some reason.  He’s the definition of a “good boy.”

Tigger

TJ – my adorable mess.  He may have had diarrhea all over his cage and Albon all over his fur, but all TJ wanted was love.  I cleaned his head and neck with baby wipes and gave his cage a thorough cleaning.  It’s worth it when the recipient can’t wait for you to open the door and pet the everloving bejesus out of him.  When he didn't come back from adoptions, I was so sad that I wouldn't see my messy boy anymore.

TJ

TJ

Turbo – the name says it all.  He was small but frisky!  He was a squirmy cuddler who tended to nibble my fingers, but one of the most adorable kittens we’ve had.

Weston – a recent favorite.  He was very reserved, but incredibly loving.  When I have extra time, I look into his yellow eyes and we have long talks while he gets in some good affection time.  He was my calm, handsome, tuxedo boy.  Every time I did his cage, I would remove the floor covering to shake it out.  He would stay on the sheet as long as possible.  Then, when I'd go to put it back in, he'd jump on the edge of it right away, and ride it as I scooted it in to cover the floor.  I learned that he preferred to sit at the front of his cage, never using his bed when I put it in the back in the usual spot.  I created a special floor plan for Weston, with the bed and litter box up front, side by side, so he could both lay in his comfy bed and be up front where he liked it.  Near the end of February '15, he was no longer at the shelter.  He either went to PetSmart or got fostered.  I hate not knowing, and miss my handsome boy so much.

Weston

Xavier – it was debated as to whether Xavier was a boy or a girl.  Regardless, this one was a beautiful cat who loved to roll on his back in a successful attempt to look extra adorable.  Xavier loved belly rubs!  He was adopted shortly after his arrival at the shelter.

Xavier

Xavier's first trip to the shelter after being rescued