The Stages of Rom-Com

So, whist enjoying some personal time last night, I decided to watch a movie. I still hadn't seen "When in Rome" and to be honest, I usually go for the romantic comedy. I figure, if I can't have a date tonight, I can watch someone who does! How adorable, some girl gets hit up side the head (figuratively, and some times literally) with romance. It's funny, it's dramatic, it's sugary sweet story that ultimately will leave a bad aftertaste in my mouth. The evening quickly unravels until I am curled in a fetus position telling myself it's not real, it's not real, it's not real. I like to call this process The Five Stages of Rom-Com.

Stage One: Excitement.
It's been a long week, I just need to relax. A movie! Yes, that is the perfect solution, because I can wear sweats and eat chocolate. And I always wanted to see this movie. It will probably stand the test of time! This will be an excellent evening.

Stage Two: Warm Fuzziness
There is no thinking that happens in this stage. As I watch the film, the world is a magical place and this must be how life really is. Lots of awwws.

Stage Three: Dissatisfaction
By the end of the credits, I am aware that there is not a single aspect of that movie to which I can relate. I haven't ever lived/visited NewYork/Rome/Paris. I don't own a dog, meet guys at weddings, or have quirky friends who drag me to secret parties. I don't work for the top _______ company or have a crazy ex/stalker. What am I DOING with my life?

Stage Four: Self Pity
I now know why my life is not like the movie. I am a broken human. Yep, there is something wrong with me. I am incapable of love. I am just a boring person with no life. And I probably don't deserve differently. Wo is me. I am so lame.

Stage Five: Melt down
I now realize there is no point. I might as well finish the 10 lbs box of chocolate at my feet, because that is the only joy I will have in this life. This stage culminates with me crawling in a blanket cave and trying to will myself into unconsciousness.

These stages are not set in stone. Sometimes a stage is skipped over completely. If there are other women present, all stages are amplified. If there is a boyfriend/date present, Stage Three is usually the last.

To be clear, I don't enjoy the last few stages. As soon as the warm fuzzies wear off, I vow never to watch another romantic comedy again, but alas, it is a promise I cannot keep. Last night, however, I made a discovery, I can avoid the last three stages completely if I follow the first movie with the right second movie. I discovered "Mr. Wrong." This mid-nineties movie about "A single and lonely woman finds the seemingly perfect man to date, but soon regrets it when his deranged and possessive other personality emerges and worst still, she cannot convince anyone else of his Jekyll/Hyde true nature." While it's not the best movie ever made, it stopped the viscous Rom-Com cycle. I realized, wow, I don't have a crazy psycho boyfriend who makes my life miserable! Life is great! I love school, and my job, and my normal friend, and I don't have to clean up after a dog. Oh you silly romantic comedies, all I have to say to YOU is whatever. You don't own me. Until next week. I still haven't seen Leap Year.

Movember 2010

Movember (the month formally known as November) is a charity event held during November each year.

At the start of Movember guys register with a clean shaven face. The Movember participants known as Mo Bros then have the remainder of the month to grow and groom their Mo (slang for moustache) and along the way raise awareness and funds for men's health issues - specifically prostate and testicular cancer.

Movember culminates at the end of the month at the Gala Partés. These glamorous and groomed events will see Tom Selleck, Hulk Hogan and Borat look-a-likes battle it out for their chance to take home the prestigious Man of Movember title.

While growing a Mo (moustache) is left to the guys, Mo Sistas (ladies who support their guys or love Mo's!) form an important part of Movember by recruiting Mo Bros, helping to raise funds and attending the highly anticipated Gala Partés.

But it's not all fun and games, so why the extreme behavior?

Which ever way we look at it, men are far less healthy than women. The average life expectancy for men is five years less than females.

The obvious question is why?

The answer is because men lack awareness about the very real health issue they face, have an attitude that they have to be tough - "a real man" and are reluctant to see a doctor about an illness or to go for regular medical checks.

The aim of Movember is to change these attitudes, make male health fun by putting the Mo (moustache) back on the face of fashion and in the process raise some serious funds for men's health issues.

Mo Madness 2009

Shades of Grey

I live in a world of brilliant shades of grey,
Every moment I spend organizing, catagorizing, judging,
Its whiteness or blackness,
Is this one darker than another,
Or am I simply casting my own shadow on it by looking so closely?
These living shades of grey flow into one another effortlessly,
Mocking my straining eyes as I try to separate one from the other.
I hold and compare.
Desparetly searching,
For the minute flecks of white.

Warning! Single's rant ahead!

Do you know what stinks?? All the stupid people and their stupid significant other. Oh! I am SO over everyone I know back home getting married. Being single is not so bad when all your friends are single too. Being single is not awful when some of the early bloomers start to get married. But, being single totally sucks when your last best friend is engaged to be married in a month. And all you want is a freakin' date with a guy that doesn't repulse you! AHHHHHH! So what if another friend starts dating the guy you like, and so what if they are still going strong a year later. Oh it doesn't matter that she is one of those girls that is never without a hot guy who is madly in love with her. And it doesn't matter that she probably knew you liked him. Good for her, she has a guy that you probably never had a chance with anyway. You are probably just too darn fat and ugly for any normal guy to dig you, so get over it sweetheart.

I try to be positive and send out good energy to the universe...blah, blah, blah. But let's be honest here. Being single is just plain awful. It is the socially accepted way to make people feel like there is something wrong with them. "So your still single? What are YOU doing wrong?" What the heck is that? I'm educated, funny, normal looking, spiritual, generally a nice person, but I can't for the life of me find a date, let alone a boyfriend. I'm almost 25 and I've never been kissed. And I know why. I'm not some stupid blonde who is a size 0 and I have standards. I'm not overly picky, but I'm not going to throw myself at any male that moves. If I had spend less time becoming a smart, strong, independent woman, I could have found a man. Because heaven knows, the men can't do it themselves.

I feel like the early version of Lis Lemon on 30 Rock. I'm single and I'm bitter! Watch out!

New Anime Expo CEO

With all the corruption and idiocy in the government and big business, you would think people would just hire younger, more idealistic people. Example: I recently learned that the current CEO of Anime Expo is in the process of impeachment. They hired some business guy, who fired the marketing staff and tried to run the non profit, like a big business. Dude. Really? I heard this from my good friend Miss Casey, who is a huge anime fan, and is also a very business savvy person. Now Miss Casey is a young professional, but I think she should go be the new CEO. Is it so crazy to think that a job should be given based on a persons knowledge of the product? I have a job that I know nothing about or even care about. I don't know how I got the job. I'm all for doing apprenticeships more often. Maybe, we might end up with competent leaders. Wouldn't that be a nice change?

My point is: Vote Miss Casey for Anime Expo CEO. You go girl!

Let's start at the very beginning....

...a very good place to start.

I have recently discovered Dr. Who and this is a very dangerous thing. This show combines several of my favorite things. England (and the accompanying accent), science fiction, and a thrilling story. On it's own, this is enough to keep me watching. But now with the new season starting, with a new Doctor, I am so totally hooked. I like to think of myself as a intelligent woman with at least a measure of maturity, and yet I'm still a sucker for a pretty face. Oh I'm such a girl.