tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44321249572434640812024-03-13T07:21:25.568-07:003 Standard StoppagesJuliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-24926527112918462272010-05-13T09:34:00.000-07:002010-05-13T09:35:44.974-07:00I can't think of anyone to be our flower girl (or boy) and/or our ring bearer. Ugh. Why do I feel like I know zero little kids that are part of or close to our family?Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-62308825005275124452010-05-11T08:37:00.000-07:002010-05-11T08:44:18.590-07:00I haven't posted on my blog in a long time. I feel unaccomplished today.<br /><br />I feel not good at my job. I feel not good at being an artist. I feel not good at being a rider. I feel good at being a fiancee, but not good at being a wedding planner.<br /><br />Things I need to do:<br />- take vacation time<br />- make things<br />- ride things<br />- buy a couch<br />- and dressers<br />- and lots of bookshelves<br />- find an MFA program<br />- make things so that I can get into an MFA program<br />- make phone calls<br />- talk to my mom more often<br />- talk to Joy more often<br />- go to Chicago so that I can try on wedding dresses<br />- go to the Farnsworth House so I can decide if I want to get married there<br />- organize my mail<br />- pay bills<br />- make some more money<br />- make my fiancee happy<br />- celebrate graduations and birthdays<br />- say goodbye to my friends<br />- wish them well<br />- make more thingsJuliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-59774507145398802612010-03-18T08:59:00.000-07:002010-03-18T09:34:43.692-07:00I have cramps right now. And my period. Maybe that is why I was so sad watching 16 & Pregnant last night. It was also a very sad episode because the mother wanted to rear her child but her parents made her put her son up for adoption. It is gut-wrenching to watch a mother tear herself from her newborn when she doesn't really want to tear herself. Lori wanted to stay whole and staying whole for her meant keeping her child, no matter how hard it would have been.<br /><br />Like an elephant, I would charge and demolish a person who tried to tear my baby from me.<br /><br />I want so badly to be pregnant and to raise a child so that I can be whole, so that I can be inseparable for another being (literally). Of course, the act of child birth is already an act of tearing baby from mother. Which, I think will be traumatic for me personally. I will have a hard time ripping my child away from my body. But with that, there are a million joys that come from holding and cuddling and teaching and feeding and growing with child.<br /><br />The act of adoption is a second act of tearing. This is the right choice for some mothers and some childs, of course. But I cannot begin to imagine the trauma of first physically tearing child from mother and second sending mother to one home and child to another. Birth mothers often hold their babies once out of the uterus and a get a chance to hold, cuddle, feed, breathe child. But then they must be torn again. Not just the mother is torn, the child is also torn.<br /><br />Adoption is a the best option for some mothers and some fathers and some childs and I do not fault mothers, fathers or childs who come to this conclusion after careful consideration. In fact, I empathize greatly with them and appreciate their strength to overstep all intuitive and physiological signals that urge mothers (and fathers) to keep childs. But it is violent. Adoption is the ultimate act of cleavage.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-14032318103844271602010-03-18T05:59:00.000-07:002010-03-18T06:00:41.448-07:00It is so foggy right now that when I look outside my window, all I can possibly see is the color gray. Or grey.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-79293444723838457952010-03-17T23:16:00.000-07:002010-03-17T23:17:19.951-07:00The things inside of me want to make.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-15689619176617061042010-03-11T17:33:00.000-08:002010-03-11T17:35:52.931-08:00I want to pick my life up<br />Out of an IKEA catalog,<br />With Mary Jo.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-40094205186309114862010-03-11T17:31:00.000-08:002010-03-11T17:33:00.510-08:00I forgot what I was going to post. It is so irritating when that happens.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-79448934470789436212010-03-04T07:41:00.001-08:002010-03-04T07:42:50.345-08:00<span style="font-style: italic;">Morning Edition</span> on NPR featured a very poignant piece on campus sexual assault and rape. I wish I could get everyone on campus to listen to this. Or everyone in the country.<br /><br />Please <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124272157">listen to the article</a> and share it with EVERYONE!Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-15782523127115625312010-03-03T15:11:00.000-08:002010-03-03T15:12:37.942-08:00Oh! I've thought of another thing that I can look forward to: BASEBALL SEASON! YESSSSSSSSS!<br /><br /><br /><br />In other news, I hope this stupid vacay dilemma for the T&S concert gets sorted out.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-3961029186201671202010-03-02T09:54:00.001-08:002010-03-02T09:54:25.029-08:00Crazy crazy crazy.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-79145545004788519782010-03-01T09:30:00.003-08:002010-03-01T09:30:46.300-08:00There's a whole in my heart.<br /><br />It was created when the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics ended.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-33320185987186855862010-02-26T11:30:00.000-08:002010-02-26T11:31:00.369-08:00<a href="http://www.galesburg.com/columnists/x1595501112/Tom-Loewy-Knox-College-senior-talks-about-love-for-Galesburg">Maurice McDavid</a>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-9966189857774071192010-02-25T15:16:00.000-08:002010-02-25T15:26:16.229-08:00Responding to an anonymous letter is not like boxing with a shadow. A shadow is inanimate and inactive. Writing or receiving a letter, whether or not you sign it or it is signed, is still taking an active role. Unless you have ever interacted with a shadow that writes and presents arguments, this situation is not like boxing with a shadow.<br /><br />Not responding to anonymous letters is a passive response. Not responding is sulking.<br /><br />Responding to anonymous letters (while I do fault the original accuser for failing to identify her or himself) is proactive and offers some attempt to create a dialog, to address concerns, to present various viewpoints and perspectives. Responding to anonymous letters allows you to empower yourself, even if the person who wrote the letter has decided not to empower him or herself.<br /><br />Perhaps this person is remaining anonymous because she or he feels threatened or has been emotional or physically attacked recently. Perhaps this author is afraid that she or he <span style="font-style: italic;">will</span> be personally attacked or harassed for writing this letter. There are some instances in which it is acceptable, and in which I would argue, it is best to remain anonymous. Perhaps you have information about a drug lord who has been killing people, wouldn't it be safer for you to report this anonymously? If you are the of the non-dominant gender, race, sexual orientation (or other signifier) it may be <span style="font-style: italic;">unsafe</span> to raise accusations if the person you feel attacked or threatened by has dominance or power over you.<br /><br />Do I think it is better to sign your letters? YES. Do I think it is better to respond to an anonymous letter rather than do nothing? YES. Do I think it is important to take a proactive role in contributing to a safe environment that encourages and creates dialogs about concerns? Absolutely.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-70820202118304002922010-02-25T11:16:00.000-08:002010-02-25T14:20:52.713-08:00<a href="http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/02/25/indecent-liberties-or-sexual-assault">This article</a> posted on <span style="font-style: italic;">Slog, The Stranger</span> Blog, has relevancy to recent events.<br /><br />It is written by Sarah Ann Lloyd, a fellow nova project aluma.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-60765730983732319212010-02-25T07:49:00.001-08:002010-02-25T07:50:37.314-08:00We should all strive to be a little bit less like Rep. Nancy Elliott from New Hampshire, and a little bit more like LBIP, as discussed in <a href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/SavageLove?oid=3489193"><span style="font-style: italic;">Savage Love</span></a> this week.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-90569001907883384472010-02-24T11:51:00.000-08:002010-02-24T11:52:15.317-08:00<a href="http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/sexist/2009/11/09/legal-consent-morning-after-regret-and-accidental-rape/">The System of Sexual Assault and Rape.</a>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-43187241743581143882010-02-24T11:42:00.001-08:002010-02-24T11:43:33.829-08:00I haven't often pondered the fact that we define "consent" as a situation when someone has <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> said no. How alarming.<br /><br />Consent needs to be defined as a situation where all parties involved enthusiastically and verbally say Yes.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-49242354809857945262010-02-24T11:12:00.000-08:002010-02-24T11:39:46.592-08:00Sometimes it is even difficult for me to say NO.<br /><br />I consider myself a well-educated, self-confident, feminist, non-heteronormative, queer female. I am rarely afraid to voice my opinion or concern. I don't think that men inherently are more capable, powerful or should automatically have access to or ownership of female bodies.<br /><br />I embrace my role as a professional in a business-oriented profession. I am not afraid or ashamed to wear short skirts, lipstick, jewelry or sit on the couch, watch my favorite baseball team and shove my face full of nachos and chili. I am do my best to slip through and overstep the categories society typically places someone of my gender and sexual orientation into.<br /><br />It is STILL difficult for me to say the words: "No. Stop what you are doing," in situations where I feel physically, emotionally or sexually uncomfortable. Despite my efforts to move past what are my socially constructed (and reinforced) "normative" behaviors, I have had (before I entered a monogamous relationship with a female), trouble using direct language to prevent unwanted sexual advances or to stop unwanted sexual activity. In situations with unwanted sexual advances, I often found myself acting coy, unoffensive and dismissive--trying to stop the unwanted behavior without being "rude" or "bitchy." (Maybe this is because I often found myself in situations like this with friends and peers whom I respected or enjoyed spending time with).<br /><br />I know that I am not alone. Many of my closest female friends, who are also well-education, self-empowered feminists, have also had trouble saying the simple two letter word "no." I can only begin to imagine how difficult it may be for women who are less self-confidant or feel and even greater need to conform to "normative" female gender roles.<br /><br />We need to talk about this more often.<br /><br />Here is a great article: <a href="http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/sexist/2009/11/03/on-the-difficulty-of-saying-no/"><span style="font-style: italic;">On the Difficulty of "Saying No"</span></a>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-57221362570282216702010-02-24T11:10:00.000-08:002010-02-24T11:11:51.435-08:00Please consider this marvelous, honest and gut-wrenching perspective on sexual assault and rape.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/sexist/2010/02/23/rape-analogy-the-walking-in-a-bad-neighborhood-theory/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rape Analogy: The "Walking in a Bad Neighborhood" Theory</span></a>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-19399935120794330672010-02-23T09:55:00.000-08:002010-02-23T09:56:14.926-08:00If I were in New York, I would be looking forward to the William Kentridge show.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-88859770290664478162010-02-23T09:49:00.000-08:002010-02-23T09:51:46.656-08:00Here is a list of things I am looking forward to in the next two months.<br /><br />- Great Bowls of Soup with Jennifer<br />- Tegan and Sara Concert<br /><br /><br />There are only two things on this list. And Great Bowls of Soup is tonight.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-57784773923884480052010-02-23T08:01:00.001-08:002010-02-23T08:02:01.215-08:00Note to self: don't get very very little sleep then go to work early in the morning.<br /><br /><br />I am not healthy right now (sleep and nourishment wise).Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-74300516017054164432010-02-19T12:41:00.000-08:002010-02-19T12:42:42.158-08:00I'm my own toughest critic.<br /><br />I've always thought this saying was silly, but it <span style="font-style: italic;">really really</span> applies to me.Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-12126962930690170872010-02-18T14:45:00.001-08:002010-02-18T14:45:24.839-08:00<a href="http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1966476,00.html?xid=rss-topstories">Tea Party?</a>Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4432124957243464081.post-1877422389531831362010-02-18T14:23:00.000-08:002010-02-18T14:24:01.263-08:00What is the role and/or purpose of for-profit institutions of learning?Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584430484538372777noreply@blogger.com0