I’m having one of those days. The type that can’t be improved by consuming ridiculous amounts of caffeine or chocolate. (I tried.) Lately, each time I turn on the news, my stomach begins to ache and I feel like I’m gonna hurl. It’s days like these when the slumping economy, plastic television pundits, and big bank bonuses really bum me out.
Are you like me? Mainstream media got you down? Sick of Edwards? Tired of Tiger? Need a break from the shallow, male dominated 24-hour-blab-fest? Do you crave provocative remarks from women who can lift you up and make you feel good (the kind of healthy escapism that won’t result in substance abuse or an std?) Well don’t despair, because I’ve got a few media feel-better-band-aids...
In a world where feminism means a zillion different things to a zillion different people, there is really only one thing that it seems we feminists can agree on these days. That thing? That Mad Men is f#@$ing awesome. We love it. Feminist blogs that typically have nothing to do with television are falling all over themselves to review each episode, and this feminist right here sets aside each Sunday night for a little quality time with Sterling & Cooper. (You do too, right?)
That being said, in the midst of all that Mad Men love, there is a burning question that remains: How on earth do the employees at Sterling Cooper drink so much during the workday? Did people really used to do that? Well, the staff at Slate's Double X decided to find out what happens when completely sane and sober women drink like Mad Men. Check out the video results:
Like many feminist blog readers and pop-culture junkies, Kelsey and I have been following the hype on Jennifer's Body , starring Megan Fox as a cheerleader-turned-flesh-eating-demon and Amanda Seyfried as her loyal but mousier (Hollywood mousier) BFF, since we watched the preview way back in July. We finally got a chance to see it this Monday, and while hate is a strong word, there was one too many WTF? moments ("867-5309"?!) for us to get a feminist buzz off this flick (especially after being surprisingly touched by Whip It preview). So like the vlogging pioneers we strive to be (did you know we have a video page?) we sat down moments after the credits rolled to give our impressions, which include a primer on Diablo Cody's latest vernacular additions (:30), why we were disappointed (1:13), and of course its redeeming qualities (What? Unlike some people--JENNIFER!--we're not all filled with black bile and bloodlust. 4:19)! Check 'er out and share your own spoiler-filled thoughts on the movie! Transcript after the jump.
From Joe Wilson to that death panel lady, everyone has healthcare on the brain lately (or at least we think they do – who can afford a CAT scan these days?). This includes the folks at Funny or Die, who put this video together. Jon Hamm, Linda Cardellini, AND public healthcare? We'll take it.
Where: Newly renovated Mississippi Studios! 3939 N Mississippi Ave, Portland OR 97227 Date/Time: Thursday July 9th, doors at 7pm, show at 8pm How To: Buy your tickets at the door, or purchase online! More Info: Featuring Sugar Short Wave, Boy Eats Drum Machine,Katie Sawicki, and Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside.Tickets $10 in advance and at the door.
Earlier today some people were discussing their love of the show Reading Rainbow in the Bitch comments section, and I was inspired to do my own Rainbow-style book review. Here are some of my thoughts on Jonathan Goldstein's most recent book, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bible!
To hear Jonathan Goldstein himself read these excellent stories, visit This American Life or WireTap.
Graduate school and the Internet have relegated me (and my attention span) to the land of short stories. It's a nice place to be, especially when Lorrie Moore and George Saunders are there.
What I'm listening to:
King Khan & BBQ Show, Girls in the Garage, The Blow, NPR
What I'm watching:
Arrested Development, The Twilight Zone, Mad Men, 30 Rock