Am I an anti-feminist?

Today, other than feeling quite ill, I've spent the day reading essays on feminism. I say reading, technically its re-reading, but since I have the memory of a goldfish, things I read 6-9 years ago, I can't exactly recall.

Reason I went on this little internet search frenzy, is because I got annoyed at a comment I saw somewhere, saying that true feminists (yes, they actually said 'true') do not enjoy pornography. Resent any form of sexual fantasies that may empower the male. True feminists, they don't flirt. they don't have sex, by the looks of it. Especially not with a man.

So as a sexually liberated, flirtatious pansexual, I'm clearly the polar opposite of feminism.

*sigh*

I guess it goes back to the feminist sex wars of the 1980's. The sex positive feminists against the anti pornography brigade. I guess I had kind of hoped we had moved on from this - I mean, we're what, third wave feminists now?

I believe in a woman's choice. In a womans right to choose. I believe women can meet their sexual needs and desires however they so wish - be that porn, toys, fetish, sex with the same/opposite sex, sex with one, or 10 partners - whether that be in one night or not...I could go on forever. At the same time, I support women who decide not to have sex. Who choose monogamy. Who abstain altogther, and everything inbetween.

Women have as much right as men to choose. I dont think thats a particularly radical opinion to hold. As long as they do that responsibly, safely and consensually, who the fuck else has it got to do with? Infact, I find a lot of the things I have named above can be empowering to women, but thats another post altogether.

Laura & I are going to start a zine. I think we've decided it's going to be about sex. Being sex positive, and a feminist - its not an oxymoron. Magazines like Scarlet, it doesnt quite hit it. However, there are ones like Bust and the like out there, but nothing in the UK. And there should be. So, Zine today - who knows where it might go.

I ramble.

In other news, I've decided I'm emotionally numb. I think its safer that way.

Meaning is not in things, but inbetween them

I've spent the day watching films.

Currently, I am watching Velvet Goldmine. A film I watched, without fail, everyday between the ages of about 12-14. I think the last time I saw it I was about 16/17...a frighteningly long time ago.

So I'm watching it, and remembering what I loved about it, how it used to make me feel. It made me want to be a boy. The effortless elegance of the men in this film, the ease at which they were different. In the film men are portrayed as romantic and creative; true poets, tortured souls. I blame this film for my life long love affair with musicians, it epitomised what I wanted in a man; and what I wanted to be.

However, looking back at it now, there is an underlying theme to the film that makes me quite uncomfortable. The women in the film are portrayed as weak, not understanding, in the way, and ruthless, yet powerless to the whims of the men in their life.

That doesn't sit well with me. 

It doesn't sit well, that when I watched this I wanted to be a man. Or boy, as it were. That it made me ashamed of being a girl, made me jealous, (or is it envy...but that is a whole other post altogether) when infact the qualities that I love about the men in the film - elegance, grace, beauty, emotional vulnerability - can often be called classically feminine traits.  But when watching the film I didnt recognise saw that. I just saw boy=good, girl=bad.

That goes against everything I've ever believed, been bought up to appreciate, and the though I now, as a woman follow.

Is it better to be a man? Is one better than the other? I don't think so. I wouldn't change being a woman now for anything. We may live in a patriarchy society, but I'm a stong believer that women encompass a power that men will never be able to experience. When that is reflected more equally in society, perhaps there will be no need for feminism. I'm not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

In summary, I'm glad I dont feel the same towards Velvet Goldmine as I did, but I am glad I can now appreciate the gender play in the film to a better degree.

Bloc Party Lyric Shocker

I've enver really given much though to Bloc Party lyrics. But I heard something today, that just really struck a chord;

"Forever trying to find you on the lips of someone else"

Isn't that beautiful?

Ok, I'm going before I get all emo.

I've fallen in love with a girl.

I've never met her.

I doubt I ever will.

She's paints the most beautiful pictures, and is all crafty - in a good way. Has the most beautiful face, and the most cutest dress sense...and is from Portland. 

Could she be more perfect? I think not. Other than the fact I've never spoken to her, never will, and hse is (probably) straight and married.

Some of her work I love:

If you would like to buy me, well, everything, she sells her stuff via the beautiful site Etsy.

And she's born on February 13th, which is just the most romantic date - and means she's an Aquarius, which always have me hooked forever, and she's so pretty, I don't know if it's weird to post images of her on my blog though. Probably. But anyway, her art is beautiful, it reminds me of Mark Ryden.

I've not had an unobtainable, non celebrity crush in ages! hehe

A drunk and ill Mel is over and out.

Wishlist

I've been filling slides after slides of stuff I desperately want. Stuff to form the basis of pinning down my 'image' rather than being a higgledy piggledy of stuff that doesn't actually go together/I don't really like.

I thought it might be better to actually put together all of these things I find on my net rambling in one place, so here it is.

I'm in love with modcloth.

If you would like to buy me these things I will love you forever, and pay you in felt animals.

x

The Obligatory New Years Resolutions Post

So, my new years resolutions are as follows;

• Actually go to the gym, since it's free
• Join some sort of active class - swing dance or something
• Really make an attempt of making my own clothes again
• Put together some sort of scrapbook/memory book
• Keep this blog updated
• Read something different; different authors, different eras, non fiction, philosophy
• Go back to education
• Finalise my tattoo plans and finally get them!
• Register with a doctor
• Get my passport, and go to some new countries
• I WILL do New York this Christmas!
• Buy an Acoustic guitar, and get an adaptor for my key board and start playing again
• Go to the theatre/concerts
• Be more spontaneous
• Sort out my finances
• Sort out my 'image'
• Stop procrastinating - rather than mong on the net every night, actually LEARN something or read
• Cook more

Thats pretty much it. I have some personal quests too.

Reasons to be beautiful

So I have finally sorted out my array of blogs, scattered all over the interweb. If you look below there is a mish mash from my blogs over the past years.

I wanted to write today. I haven't written anything in such a long time - that is all I used to do. I used to consider my self a writer, which sounds bloody ridiculous now. I don't know where to start.I'm just an unemployed drunk that talks about sex too much.

It's weird that writing to an empty screen you don't feel alone anymore - the internet, a friend for everyone. What more could we ask for?

A new year. I love how everyone feels at the start of a new year - everyone is full of so much optimism, and emerging blinking into the light of this fresh start, and what it could mean for them. It doesn't matter what last year was like, a change of date will make it all better. A new start. A chance for something better.

Or realisation that the things you aren't happy with have dragged themselves through to the new year with you. Again.

I'm listening to Hole. I probably shouldn't be. It makes me as cynical, and emotional and angsty as I was in my mid teens, but at the same time, makes me feel like I could do anything. Like I'm strong enough to do anything, and everything I could possibly want.

I guess the problem is that I don't know what I want. I want a lot to change. I don't know how to make it change. I want to spend more time with ME. Remembering what I loved, what used to get me excited and passionate. I can't remember the last thing I was passionate about - how depressing is that. I used to have interests, I used to have hobbies, I used to...be someone. Someone that did things. Now I'm just someone that drinks. 

I'm having a quarter life crisis. Turning 23 hit me really hard - in my head I'm still 18. I feel like I don't have time left, enough time left to do the things I want. The things I need. I barely even read anymore. Me, not reading??? It's just not right. And I don't feel right because of it.

I keep having dreams I don't like. I feel...disconcerted. Disjointed. Like I don't know how I am. I have an angsty teenage thing going on. I feel so overwhelmingly emotional and so numb all at the same time, I'm not sure what I prefer.

*sigh*

Over and out.

I'm a long term disappointment to myself

Can I start by apologising to my non existence readers now, this is very much a blog for me to feel sorry for myself in. Look away, I don't want you to see me this way!

I think in my last post I rattled on about being a shit friend. Well, I still am. That's not changed.

What's worse is I'm a shit girlfriend. Or fiance, even. I guess I should probably sort that out before trying to be a better friend.

Oh, and I left my job. My job that I loved. Although, infairness, I probably loved the people more than anything.

I hadn't been particularly bothered about finding a new job. I've never been out of work for long. The problem I have now though is not only am I really bloody ill, I just don't have the motivation...I've lost all professional self confidence.

I'm scared of applying for jobs, that although I know I can do I always have this "what if" in the back of my mind. I've even considered perhaps doing something like a PA or office manager, because for whatever reason I know I'd enjoy them...but what if I fuck them up? What would I do then?

I give it a week of applying for these sort of jobs, and then all else fails im going to become a cleaner. One where I dont have to speak to people. Right now, that feels about the sum of what im capable of.

Told you I was feeling sorry for myself. And I haven't even told you half of it.

A Friend In Deed...

"So if you wanna burn yourself remember that I LOVE YOU,
and if you wanna cut yourself remember that I LOVE YOU,
and if you wanna kill yourself remember that I LOVE YOU,
call me up before your dead, we can make some plans instead,
send me an IM, i'll be your friend" ~ Kimya Dawson, Loose Lips

This is a blog for my friends. All my life I have rambled on about friends coming before anything else - about how in just a call I'd be there in minutes. Anything, Anytime, Anywhere - my loyalty and and sense of responsibility, of reliability towards my friends has never faulted, and always been a top priority and something I prided myself on.

I sat here tonight, looking at two texts, 3 missed calls, and a couple of online messages - and I realised that I react completely differently now. I get these texts and calls and messages everyday, and I make a point of trying to remember to reply - but it's always a 'I can reply to that later'.

The worst pasrt of this is these are always people I want to speak to, that I would love to catch up with, that I want to see. So why don't I reply? Why have I turned into a shitty friend?

No idea.

But I have a couple of theories; I talk on the phone all day at work, so I can't think of anything worse than doing so when I'm at home. Hence why I don't even look at my phone when I'm at home. Currently I am absolutely shattered once I get home, so couldn't think of anything worse than going out. Last few months we have had a pretty busy schedule so have been going all out at the weekend, and then spending the week recovering!

Rubbish excuses, I know. I just really like time on my own - I'm an only child, it's natural! So between all my other burning the candle at both end activities, I'm treasuring the small time I get to myself.

Anyway, I'm rambling away...The point of this post is to say - I am not ignoring you, I DO want to speak to you, I WILL reply, and I totally want to see you soon, because I haven't seen most of you for ever.

So, to summarise - I'm a shit friend. I'm sorry. I'll sort my act out.

xx

A Friend In Need

So, some people may have noticed i've been quite distant recently.

Well along with the fact i'm just working really hard, and am just a bit stressed out at the minute, I also have decided this is the year where i take no crap from supposed 'friends'.

If you are on my myspace, some of you have been/will be deleted over the next couple of days. I probably wont answer some of your phone calls, or reply to your emails and messages.

Now I know you are thinking 'what a bitch'. But if you are one of the people im 'cutting out', then you deserve to be. You bought it upon your self. Sure its for selfish reasons that im doing this (explained below) but its about time I am selfish - after all, every body else is.

Over the last few years I seem to just be surrounded by people who call themselves friends, but do nothing to suggest so. Im sick to death of always being the one to have to make the effort to get in contact, always be the one to bother organising meeting up, always the one to listen to your moaning...and none of this is returned (or rarely at least).

I refuse to be the friend that is forgotten about any more. I refuse to be the one to always pick up the pieces when your life is a mess, but pushed to the side once you have a better offer.

And really, what I really, truly want, is the same respect, and love and appreciation and thought i give my friends to be returned. I didn't really think it was that much to ask. But for some of you - it does seem to be.

Some of you, maybe I have got it wrong. Some of you might think im talking about you but im not! But i think those who have been shitty friends know who they are. Im not asking for much, but if you dont think you can give that to me, then there is no point anymore.
*** I should add that not all of the above applies to everyone, Sometimes its just bits and pieces here and there. I'm just trying to make a fresh start, with people who regard friendship the same way i do.***
Been nice knowing you.

Melanie