Mental Magpie

I was re-reading my Facebook status and let my mind meander about a little quirk I know to be mine. The 'Mental Magpie', picking up information everywhere and storing it.

Quotes. Recording, saving and using other peoples better put ideas. Be it words of symbolism ("What I Hear I Keep") , Words to fashion my self after ("Be the change you want to see in the world") or words that make me laugh.("I feel really bad, baaad Llama.") I love quotes - what someone else has said better than I could hope to and ponder the meaning I find behind them. When I hear or read something that strikes an interest,  I immediately write it down on any surface to record in a more permanent place later. Permanent place being my big quote book, and eclectic blend of ideas and theology's that put together could only make sense to.... me.


I gather my treasures from all areas: books, ("Remeber if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right, and what is easy... Remember Cedric Diggory.")  movies, (" You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you. /You seem a decent fellow. I hate to die." )  historical figures, ("Vendi, Vidi, Vici") and TV shows...(ahh, Supernatural-Dean-isms make my day).
Little one liners of brilliance that I know I will want to revisit - tidbits that makes me think, smile, cry, and often remind me what I was feeling. I feel the nagging need to record these so I won't forget them as they seem to resonate with me and have significance, even if they are in jest or an example of wit or just clever. 
While reading "Land of Laughs" by Jonathan Carroll I recorded a passage about a mad kite who saw the wind as it's enemy and the sky it's constant battlefield. 
I don't know which causes more pause in my mind-why I love these quotes or what is with my weird need to record them? Perhaps I feel I need a hard copy back up for my unreliable brain? With my love of thought, one would think I would LOVE philosophy. 

But, no, not really. 

I like the quote: Philosophy is the love of logic.

 Maybe I am to A.D.D. for philosophy but I would rather think about how "the hottest places in hell and reserved for those who, in times of great crisis maintain neutrality" then "do people exist when you can't see them? How would you know?". OK, that one does tickle me a bit. OOps, slipped off topic.

Aiding in my 'Mental Magpie-ism" is what I like to call-my kicks. Like a "dog that won't let go till it bleeds" (another quote there-tee hee) my mind sets on a topic and locks it's jaw. I get a taste, then must dive in further. Not too deep-I am not a researcher here, but enough to sate my appetite. 

While re-reading my Steven King library (oooh so good) I was compelled to record the links between his books and all ties to the Dark Tower series. No small feat, Uncle Stevie has been at it a while! 
Say what you will about the DaVinci code, but it sent my mind on a journey that carried on after the book. 
King Henry VIII  with his many wives (prior to the Tudors on TV, mind you) sparked another that expanded to the Tudor Dynasty. 
Cleopatra led to Marc Anthony and an interest in Rome and even lead me to seek the P.O.V. of that tyrant Octavian. 

My latest being Greek Mythology and the Gods. Oh Athena, born of your fathers head (literally), a warrior and symbol of wisdom.


Maybe my 'collection' reflects a desire to write but a lack in personal creativity and ambition. Maybe my mind can only produce <500 word works. Maybe it suggests I am eager for new information and to learn new things. Maybe I should have been a historian. Maybe in a former life I was a bird and kept old habits. Who knows. I'll ponder on it.

Calling all Ladies... time to stick together.

After reading an article in a magazine about women in movies, my mind was left to meander the truth of it. Must say, didn't like what I concluded.

1. A womans roll in cinematic adventures are limited.

2. When something is aimed at women, it is usually met with ridicule.

Would you like me to elaborate?

Thanks, I think I will.

Point one. Woman in movies. We watch movies, right? I know I do, so let's look at the "Bechdel Test". (Recently resurfaced) It asks: 

1. Does the movie have at least 2 women in it?

2. Do they talk to each other?

3. Is that conversation about anything other then a man?

Newer criteria:

4. Do the women have names?

Let's look at some box office toppers:

1. Other Guys. Fail.

2. Inception. Fail. While they do have 2 female protagonists, the only conversation they have is about a male character.

3.Dinner for Schmucks. Fail. Two male leads, any girls are present are 'handbags' to the men.

4. Salt - Fail. But is one of 3 movies in the top 20 with a female lead.

5. Scott Pilgrim. Fail.

Looking at the top 20 movies at the box office right now, I see ONE that fits. 'The Kids Are Alright'. Possibly 'Eclipse' if Alice and Bella ever talk about anything other than Edward.

Upcoming flicks? Harry Potter. Fail. Wallstreet, Fail. Social Network. Fail. I just looked at the 98 'buzz' movies for the fall and found 6 that have the potential to pass. (Won't know for sure until I see them)

Of the 10 Oscar Best Picture Nominated films? I see 5  that might make the cut. Re-read the 4 qualifiers, is it so preposterous to have 2 or more women in a movie that talk to each other about anything other than men? (BTW, if  the rolls were reversed, 1 of 10 best pics noms might not make it. 'Precious'.)

Point Two. Ladies, think of any media entertainment that is aimed at us as a demographic. Now think of one that isn't by and large ridiculed. Books, Movies, magazines, TV.... In my experience, I have heard them be the butt of many jokes-because women like them. I don't feel that any of these outlets are substandard and many have merit but are mocked. Why is this? Worst, why do I feel embarrassed liking girlish things? Maybe this is in my own head but I work in a entertainment driven environment (Movie store) and I hear a lot of bashing and mocking to the point where, at times, I won't admit what I like.

Don't get me wrong - I don't like the majority of rom-coms and such fare, but not because they are girly. More so that the scripts are unrealistic and sometimes ridiculous. I live in reality and like my movies to be reasonable if I accept the premise. (For example: if I accept that people live in outer space and there is a large rebellion in the works... then are the actions/reactions of the cast of Star Wars realistic? Is it realistic that a person would cut the belly of a Ton-Ton to save their friend?) If the dialog makes me think "Who would ACTUALLY say that, or who would seriously DO that...?" you've lost me. Also, I freely admit that there are many movies where adding women wouldn't fit in the story. But so very few that do? Really?

I look at the thrashing 'Twilight' gets, and wonder how many of the people bashing it have READ it? Have they even seen the movies? I liked the books-a lot, and my fondness of the movies has wained only because of the media / merchandise blitz that has followed. Eat, Pray, Love (book and movie) has been targeted for no better reason (that I know of)  than it is a story by a girl for girls. The author herself quipped "If women like it, it must be stupid." to make light of the negativity she's been getting.

Why after all this time are our interests still substandard? Women are the majority consumers!!

We can vote right? We have the right to equal pay for equal work, right? Let's also grant ourselves the freedom to like what we like and embrace being feminine and all things that appealing to us?

I'm not trying to be on a soap box here, nor crying the woes of the female world or simpering about being hard done by. I just want to point this out and get your mind meandering as well about the truth of it. 

PS

Seriously, I am going to watch 'Eat, Pray, Love', 'Never Let Me Go', 'The Bridesmaids',  and 'You Again' this year purely to support the few women driven movies there are! Also 'Burlesque' because it's a large female cast AND a musical-I am women, watch me watch musicals, and love it!

Time Wasted Cleaning

The other day I was pondering cleaning and the time it takes out of my life. What started this particular thought pattern was this: my retired neighbours smug look as I moved my lawn (as if to suggest, "It's about time, lazy").  I would like to point out, the single girl gets an unfair deal in the world of chores and cleaning. 

Dear Mr & Mrs  Neighbor: 

I notice that Hubby mows the lawn, collects and takes out the garbage all while the little Missus makes food, cleans / dusts / launders ect. I will have it pointed out that the single girl does it all herself. All that and the kitty litter box. While working full time to keep ownership of the yard she has neglected to mow (much to your disapproval).Also while taking 8 hour breaks to hit Mr Job up for a paycheck.

Love, Me.

As I was toiling in the yard and home (expecting company, so MUST clean because Lord knows-can't have people KNOWING the state of my house at any normal given day) I was composing in my head some time saving measures that, not only made me smile but also, could in some cases work. 

So without further ado, I present:

 "Tracy's Top Ways To Cut Down On Cleaning Time: As the single girl needs more time to pursue other interests."

(a long-ish title but pertinent just the same)

1. Dishes: drink from the bottle, eat from the pot. Cut out the middle man.

2. Laundry: 3 terms: drip dry, commando & Flip flops.

3. Sweeping the kitchen: get a dog. I recommend a pug.

4. Pet hair on furniture: flip method. Leave the couch cushions right side up until company is coming-then flip. **Don't forget to flip back when they leave!

5. Cleaning the shower: Easy, do it while showering. Eliminates both a) getting drips of water up your arm and into your shirt while cleaning over your head (I hate that) and b) the need to shower after cleaning. BTW, excellent rinsing with out getting splashed (as you are already wet).

6. Cleaning the sink: brush your teeth in the shower. Dudes, grow a beard.

7. Cleaning the toilet: 2 words. Public washrooms.

8. Cleaning the fridge: Easy, develop a interest in science. Seriously, we all know how penacilan was invented right?

9. Cleaning Cupboards: Why do this? They have doors, outta sight / outta mind.

10. Dusting: Get a bigger fan. Duh.

11. Mopping: Wet slippers. Guaranteed to get the high traffic areas and can resemble a slip and slide.

12. Mowing the lawn: let it get long enough to hide a budding Eco-system and Green Peace will declare it a protected area! Maybe coax a Greibe to take up habitation.

Neighbors will love what it adds to the neighborhood.

13. Making the bed: Over sized sheets. Tuck them waaaay in under your mattress on all sides, you may not be able to move while sleeping but you can pretend you are getting into the General Lee at bed time.

14. Vacuuming: Keep curtains closed - what you don't see can't hurt you.

15. Cleaning windows: See number 14. 

There we have it - rules to live by! Single ladies are free to dance, sing, read or let's face it, sleep! Never to forget the pearls of Wisdom "It is said that hard work never killed anyone, but why give it the chance?