Vandalism ventures into a gray (or pink) area

I am not a fan of vandalism and I don't think many other people are either.

I am not a fan of graffiti although some can be seen as art forms or social statements. "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls ... and tenement halls."


While riding the morning bus this week and daydreaming as we waited in traffic, my eye caught an interesting sight.  A billboard for a local rock station had been vandalized.  What was interesting was that the larger than life image of scantily-clad, loose-looking rock and roll chicks had been splattered with pink paint.

Since I happened to have my new camera in my bag of tricks, I took the opportunity to snap a photograph.  

As the bus rolled on, I quietly thanked that vigilante for virtue.  I am far from a prude but I think there are too many public displays of skin and kinkiness invading our communities, assaulting our eyes, ears and psyches. If people want to experience naughty sensations, they know where to look, where to go.  It is troubling that these images are being seen by children or boys who may develop distorted views of what women want. 

Obviously, I am not of the target audience or gender for most of these ads. I wonder if the majority of people who have to encounter these images are in that demographic or appreciate the blatant, visual titillation.

I wonder about the virtue of those skinny, scantily clad ladies - and if a couple of them are natural blondes or... if the chemicals have affected their good judgement.

T

On birthdays, aging and that "joie de vivre"

My birthday is coming up.   I hesitate to announce it since I don't like too much attention.

Considering my chronological age, I can confidently state that I still possess my original teeth, joints, fingernails, breasts and hair.  

I am though having difficulty discerning the difference between what is a hot flash and what is a reaction to recent weeks trapped in an unbearably sticky summer.


On the one hand, my front teeth seem too big, and my breasts seem too small. Heard this since adolescence...

On the other hand, the joints are relatively flexible and the hair is still a healthy, natural blonde mane sans des produits cosmétiques. 

On neither hand are bangles, rings, fake nails or polish.    

I wonder how women can function with fingernails longer than an eighth of an inch?  Is that hygienic or safe?  Is it even functional?  I'd be afraid of hurting myself or scratching a male companion.  Oh, right.  It's coming back to me...

And the colour - how the heck do you ensure the nail colour doesn't clash with your outfit choice each day?  I suppose one could make exceptions as an Olympic athlete - as long as it goes with the bronze, silver or gold! 

Who has the time or expendable income to frequently apply toxic substances and artificial colours.  Then there's the stuff you need to remove the polish a few weeks later. It is a rare occasion that I will apply a thin, clear layer after a quick trim and filing.  At least once it starts chipping, it's not as noticeable as with "cherry red" or "goth black".  The whole thing seems like a waste of resources and time - time I could spend reading or napping!

Speaking of artificial colour jobs: In the past two weeks five people have complimented or challenged the legitimacy of my natural blondness.  Why should it be so surprising that I don't colour or bleach my hair?  The only reality-altering liquid that comes out of a bottle in my petit apartment is wine and sometimes that just makes me giddy, sentimental or more apt to converse en Français.

Yep. Being a natural blonde has been a blessing and a curse for many years.  Poor me.  It has also been an assumed invitation for family and friends to send me copious emails containing dumb blonde jokes. Sigh.

Without seeming too vain, I hope that similar to my dear old Dad's, my hair will gradually change to platinum then morph into a mature silver-gray by the time I reach retirement age.  I also hope to inherit his folksy disposition, keep my mind and hands skillfully busy and continue to maintain a sense of awe.  

According to Psychology Today, if you want to know your true age, don't look at the calendar.  Don't do it!  Put it away.  (I have the same advice for bathroom scales.)   The article states there's a difference between your biological and psychological age.  I don't mind growing old, as long as happens gracefully.  Sometimes I just don't want to grow up. 

Again, I hesitate to announce MY UP-COMING BIRTHDAY  since family and friends may feel compelled to cover the cake with forty-some candles.  Considering that could be a fire hazard during our drought-like conditions, I advise them to use only one candle.  Tell them to make sure the CAKE contains CHOCOLATE.  A bottle of wine is optional.

- - - 

Goodness!  How I have rambled on.  Is that a sign of aging or an inane urge to share my deep blonde thoughts?  

Thanks for dropping by.  If you liked this blog entry, you can sample wine excerpts from my novel, The Year of the Rabbit.  

(Au sujet du Français, j'ai besoin de quelque gens qui peuvent m'aider traduire le roman en Français (gratuit) durant 2013 et peut être 2014.  C'est fou - ou un bon idée?)


T

A Favourite Blonde Author Offers Straight and Narrow

New Mystery by Sigrid Macdonald, Straight and Narrow

Several years ago, Sigrid Macdonald published a book called D’Amour Road, which was loosely based around the true-life disappearance of an acquaintance of hers in Ottawa. She has since discontinued that book and rewritten large parts of it. The final outcome is Straight and Narrow, a darkly witty mystery with complex subplots.

Right before her fortieth birthday, Lisa Campana goes missing. Her best friend, Tara, is devastated and bewildered. Has Lisa broken her sobriety or has she gone into hiding because she is afraid to tell her partner, Ryan, that she's pregnant and he may not be the father? Worse, Ryan has a history of battery. Could he have harmed her? Take a roller coaster ride with Tara Richards as she falls headfirst into a comical midlife crisis while dealing with the grave situation of searching for her missing friend.

I was one of the earlier readers of D'Amour Road way back in  2007.  Seems like a long time ago in Internet measurements.  I liked the fact that the National Capital FreeNet was mentioned as a resource during the search for Lisa.  

You can get the Straight and Narrow Kindle edition at Amazon.   

Sigrid is one of my favourite blonde writers - and friends.  Read about her other books and her services at the Copy Editing and Critiques blog. 

Sexist public information film about eCards on Valentine's Day

It's funny, except for the "... probably blonde" part. 

Safe computing, all your hopeful lovers!  Thank you, Sophos Naked Security blog. 

T

True Blonde Causes

Back in December I started a True Blondes Directory on my web space at the National Capital FreeNet.  

Its purpose is whimsical yet well-intended to list and promote the causes and services of just a few of the intelligent blondes I know and respect.  There are more.  It's just a matter of time and energy in harvesting them.  

I just recently planted the seed.  Let's see what develops :-) Let me know if I forgot you.  Sorry o_O 

T

Blonde quote about temptation

"I generally avoid temptation unless I can’t resist it."

 Attributed to Mae West

Thanks to Paulo Coelho who listed some of Mae's quotes in his Character of the Week blog posts:  http://paulocoelhoblog.com/2010/12/05/character-of-the-week-mae-west/

From what I have read so far on Wikipedia, I am impressed with her talents.  She seemed like quite the sharp-witted, outspoken and creative woman who moved to Hollywood to become a comedienne, actress and writer.  I am too young to have been exposed to and influenced by her work.  There's still time, I guess ;-^

According to one of her quotes though, she was not a natural blonde.  Apparently, someone wrote a play in honour of one of her dirty blonde quotes. 

And finally, one that caught my attention:

"I’m no model lady. A model’s just an imitation of the real thing."

Be your own real thing, ladies.

I love quotations because...

"I love quotations because it is a joy to find thoughts one might have, beautifully expressed with much authority by someone recognized wiser than oneself."

Attributed to Marlene Dietrich in one of those online "quotes of the day" services.

I love this quote because... its words express thoughts that I could not ;-^ 

Marlene seemed like a classy lady - and blonde for most of her career.  I'm curious to watch Blonde Venus now...

Ah, to be 70 and still a natural blonde

Recently found via Miss Manners: Natural blond tired of doubts. 

I don't think natural blondes should have to explain themselves ;-)

Scientific theories on the allure of blondes

Thanks to Carl at True North Perspective for picking up on this ;-)

Why do men find blonde women so very attractive?

by Carole Jahme who has a master's degree in evolutionary psychology and is the author of Beauty and the Beast: Woman, Ape and Evolution

 "..before bottles of hydrogen peroxide became available, blonde hair in females could be interpreted as an honest signal of youth and therefore reproductive fitness."

"For a female to choose a blond male he must be able to deliver resources (mammoth), as his blond hair alone is not enough to turn her on."   Yeah... For me, the attraction might be older, richer, balding men ;-)