Quote of the Week- Oceans

"Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore." - Lord Chesterfield

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The Ethics of Where You Spend Your Money

from https://www.facebook.com/ChickfilANB

  There has been a ton of news to come out in the last week that I genuinely have some opinions on, but I am going to start here and see what is still relevant.

I am pretty sure that I don't need to reiterate the recent Chick-fil-A dramas, basically people noticed that President Dan Cathy was giving good chunks of money to anti-gay marriage causes. Then to add insult to injury, he spoke out in support of "traditional marriage" (I have heard the argument that this is somehow not homophobic, but truly I am not convinced. Even a little- much like being "pro-life" it is about shorthanding people who are not like you by taking away their rights, therefore maintaining your own privilege. It is also, for lack of a better word, ignorant). Though I could not disagree more with Cathy's politics, I think something good happened here, and I wish it happened more. 

By being outspoken about his beliefs, Cathy let the consumer know exactly what they were getting with their chicken. The often ignored truth of late captialism is that every choice we make of what to buy comes with all sorts of ideological baggage. Chick-Fil-A and its president has every right to articulate their opinions and lend monetary support their ideals (also, didn't their politics come up before? I know I gave them up in college for some reason that wasn't just because I don't think their product is particularly good). I as a consumer have the right to give them absolutely none of my money ever and encourage other people to do so. Super conservative consumers have the right to eat as much mediocre chicken as they want in honor of traditional marriage. This is democracy a la capitalism, and truly there is nothing wrong with it.

(At the same time, there is also a way for businesses to respect the politics of all their consumers and not put their money into political causes which will frankly be embarrassing hopefully 10 years from now)

What this reminds us all of, no matter what are politics are, is to put our money into ideologies we can live with. The most effective way to do this is buy local- the more you can look into the face of the person you are buying from, the better chance you have of making truly ethical purchases. Obviously, this isn't a fail proof plan- any crazy pants can still open a stand at a farmer's market, but te odds are a lot better. Yes, sometimes things are cheaper if you buy them from large chain stores or restaurants, but you have to honestly ask yourself how they keep prices low, and a big answer to this is not paying their labor sufficiently or treating them right, which is pretty much the definition of unethical production.  

The other really easy way to edit your consumption is start being more selective in your content- sick of only seeing ridiculous skinny waifs as the ideal of women? Stop buying magazines like Marie Claire, which is especially heinous in its shaming of women who aren't white rich and skinny. Frustrated by the portrayal of race and gender? Stop going to movies where there are only white men as the top 5 leads. Send the message that the movies don't get your attention. 

On the other hand, figuring out where companies put your money after you hand it over can be trickier- but this is what i have found out:

If you don't want to funnel your money into  anti-gay marriage groups (or if you do- it's America! You have a choice!), I wouldn't shop at Salvation Army, Target (they are especially awful, and you can read about their conflicts pretty easily online), Walmart, Exxon, Auto-Zone, Brown-Forman (who makes Jack Daniels and Southern Comfort), Cinemark, Domino's, Walmart, and Urban Outfitters.

If you want to support businesses which are taking a stand for gay marriage, I would shop at (or buy, some of these are products not stores) JC Penney, Oreos, Levi's, Microsoft, Starbucks, EA Games, General Mills, Betty Crocker, and the Home Depot. 

If you want to avoid companies with racist politics, do not shop at Lowe's! 

Another choice you can make is to try to avoid stores that still use sweatshops, because no matter whether you are conservative or liberal, if you are a Christian, you should support companies that treat their employees with dignity and kindness. So these are a few that you might want to avoid-  
Walmart (are you noticing how they are on all of these lists- I truly believe that the Waltons are pure evil. They are not right), TopShop, Nike, Starbucks, Disney. Some companies, like the Gap, dramatically changed their policies in the last five years based on pressure about how they were treating their workers, but I would still be thoughtful and look into the places where you are shopping. 

I mean, this is a lot of information. And the longer you look into it, the more depressing it gets, but it is something you HAVE to do. No matter what your politics are! It's called being a good steward in this world.

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Dissertation Update- Oh yes, Those!

I have been working on it! I swear! This summer I have been waiting to hear back from my adviser on my draft. While that has been on pause, I have been taking a seminar on writing dissertations from my department which has made a huge difference in how I see this whole project. It makes it feel less insurmountable to see what my peers are doing and read some finished dissertations. I had o write a short summation of what I am doing, and their feedback on it was so helpful. Now I need to apply that advice to my proposal before I turn it in to everyone.

This week I am primarily focusing on a paper about our reperformance of American Moon I am presenting in St Louis, but I still don't have it entirely worked out. I need to get to it, because I am just not sure how to theoretically pull it together

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Wedding Wednesday- Getting Sentimental

This is the very first journal entry where I mentioned the boy on September 14th, 2002:

"The football game was so much fun! I absolutely love my section this year! All of the trumpets are so cool! N A especially. He and I have a good time. He says the trumpets are the heart of the band and he and I are the heart of the trumpets, hence we are the heart of the band!"

And another gem from January 14th, 2003:

"Had a pep band game. Didn't get to flirt with Nick as much as usual because he was writing Mindy a sonnet. Do I have a crush on him? Probably, but I probably won't ever do anything about it. But who knows? If this journal's taught me one thing, it's that only time can tell."

And a mere 8 months later we were officially dating. And a mere 9 years after that we are getting married. Speed Demons.

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Wedding Wednesday- 31 More Good Ideas for ONE Month Out!

from followpics.net/christmas-cinnamon-roll-wreath/‎

Alright people! We are exactly one month out today! So rather than just do one great idea, I figured I would do 31. I probably won't have another chance to trot out the fun ideas I come across on my blog hopping (which is almost over too! I mean, I am watching them slowly wane from my interest- once you have made your decisions, it just isn't as fun). I especially love that Offbeat Bride, and there a couple on here that I have left at the side for quite a while. So anyway, drink this in people, because it is almost over!

Ok!  Off we go!

1. This isn't technically only for weddings (It would be awesome for like holidays too) but for a brunch wedding it would be really cool. I can easily explain why we did our wedding the way we did (we want to dance), but if you aren't dancey, I think a brunch wedding would be so cool.

from offbeatbride.com/2012/07/washington-garden-food-wedding

2. Comic book postcards as your guest book. Very cool. I especially love the way they are displaying them. 

from offbeatbride.com/2012/07/unity-sandwich

3. A Unity Sandwich! As opposed to sand or candles or that business. The Boy HATES those, but we would do this if we could. Just amazing. Lifetime commitments do look like sandwiches. 

from kotaku.com/5930485/

 4. A Tetris Invite- This is Genius!! Would be very cool for a gamer wedding.

from indulgy.com/post/u4sqPheVT1/must-take-wedding-photos

5. This picture of guys getting ready. I just think this is pretty sweet. 

from offbeatbride.com/2012/07/nerdy-wedding-invitations

6. Dinosaur bone motif- I just think this is adorable- very tongue and cheek without being overly cutesy. 

from www.examiner.com/slideshow/wedding-activities-for-kids

7. Kids packs- I like this wayyy better than the coloring books that A) they don't use and B) are usually perpetuating a bunch of heteronormative silliness. I mean, if you are at a wedding for a heterosexual couple, some of this business is hard to avoid, but I think there is no reason to treat it like the only option. Or even something they should aspire to? If you just give them notepads, they can use it however they want!

from whengeekswed.com/blog/2012/04/16/hidden-spiderman/

8. This. I am pretty sure this was described as "something for the groom" but I think this could be awesome for anyone! Think of all the weirdness you could have crawling out of your wedding cake! This idea truly has a ton of potential.

from www.mazelmoments.com

9. This is probably the last time I will post a picture of this wedding, the dream one, on the blog. Yet another picture of it has been circulating around the internet, and it seriously has to be the prettiest yet. This is the reception that launched a thousand paper lanterns. Still, come on people! This is amazing!

from www.uncommonplaceblog.com/2012_07_01_archive.html

10. Having a wedding at the cheesy astro turf oasis in the middle of Joshua Tree. Just so creative and bizarre. I love the kind of intentional cheesiness of it all, but Joshua Tree is also so beautiful, so you get a very strange combination. 

from www.pinterest.com/cocobeancoco/updos-low/‎

11. Bride with each bridesmaid pictures- I really love these, because they turn out so much sweeter than the big group pictures. Melissa did these for her wedding, and I really thought they were great. 

from tiedbowblog.wordpress.com/tag/wedding-chair-signs/

12. Pictures on the back of the bride and groom's chairs. I saw another one in a magazine wherre the pictures were of the bride and groom as kids. I thought that was such a sentimental idea without being saccharine or overly agressive in its cuteness.

from www.pinterest.com/demomorty0/

13. Engagement pictures that prominently feature pets (and maybe nothing else)- this engagement pic is so cool because it isn't trying to hard. But putting them in a studio-like space, the photographer avoids some overly domesticated , Beidermeier style intimacy- but it is still intimate!

from offbeatbride.com/2010/08/guestbook-alternatives

14. A Blue French Horn as your Guest Book- Perfect for the exceptionally avid How I Met Your Mother enthusiast (or french horn players, I guess). 

from www.pinterest.com/vanityscare/engagement-pix-to-copy/‎

15. Another great engagement picture- God Bless Neon shoe laces- also, couples which are not equally matched in their eccentricity- I totally get that!

from www.geekosystem.com/eye-of-sauron-cake-always-watching/

16. Eye of Sauron groom's cake- Wow I wish I had thought of this! THis cake is AMAZING. Now I just think we need to have a Lord of the Ring's themed party so I can make this cake. Just about the most evil cake ever, in a good way. Seriously, one of my girlfriends with babies needs to have a Lord of the Rings themed 1st birthday party so their kid can eat the eye of Sauron!

from offbeatbride.com/2012/07/jenga-guest-book‎

17. Jenga block guest book- Just, cute. I would prefer a settlers of Cattan Guest Book. Maybe Uno. Or Pirateer.

18. Cookie Bouquet! Another genius sweets-related Idea- It is so sweet and they look delicious!

from www.pettipond.com/image_bf4.htm

 19. Ok, I am not a hot pink person, but I will happily respect any person's commitment to color. The inside of this skirt is just so cute. A great way to spice up a boring white dress.

from weddinggawker.com/?s=harry+potter

20. Harry Potter Engagement Pictures. This is sooooo good. This is why you can't spend too much time on blogs after a decision is done and over with. How do you live with yourself when you realize that you didn't think of a Harry Potter themed engagement shoot? 

from www.pinterest.com/ugotj/baby-shower-ideas/‎

21. Fruit Monster-  I love this guy. Way better than your regular fruit display. The three eyes and strawberry ears are my favorite part.

from www.pinterest.com/coffeehit/wood/‎

22. These signs. I like the mix of fonts and colors on this particular one. 

from www.pinterest.com/smorey10/late-night-wedding-snacks/‎

23. I know I used these before, but they are so cute! You have to appreciate cinammon roll lollipops! (its funny that cinamon rolls came up twice in one post!)

from ruffledblog.com/handcrafted-saskatchewan-wedding/

24. A beautiful Prego bridesmaid! I mean, I have a couple pregos in the mix, and i love the look they did for this girl! I just want them to feel cute too!

from www.chicagoillinoisweddingphotography.com/

25. I go back and forth on loving this and thinking like it looks like a sea of hung up used tissues.My Dad's dog would love it! 

from indulgy.com/post/FKWaFJZFT1/up-fingerprint-guestbook

26. These guestbooks- Probably the Boy's favorite thing we got for the whole wedding. It's very cute!

from etsy.com

27. Brides with Bettie Page bangs. I miss my blunt bangs, but I hear having them for your wedding leads to all kinds of annoyances and such.  Still, this girl looks adorable.

from www.pinterest.com/nannasoozanna/the-groom-and-his-men/

28. Suspenders!  I love them, I love this picture, and I love the commitment of the two guys on the left.

from ruffledblog.com/coral-savannah-wedding/

29. Polka dot bridesmaid dresses- I love some pattern. In Pam and Carlo's wedding, we wore black and white patterned dresses and they were so cute. People shouldn't be afraid of patterns!

from www.pinterest.com/duvadesigns/‎

30. Quilting details. So pretty!

from www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/featured-shop-sibo-designs/‎

 31. This veil. Just beautiful!

Alright people!! We only have 31 days to go!! It's almost the end of Wedding Wednesday!

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♡ PART 4: "PRIMADONNA" ♡ Should have been on my Top 5 yesterday

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5 Things I Love this Week

1. That my brother got a job! Man, I could not be happier (or more relieved) that things are coming together for my brother as he gets moving in his life in LA. So proud of him!

from fabfashionfix.com/beauty-how-to-apply-eyeliner-tutorial/‎

2. Cat eyes- Ok, so I cannot yet do something like this for myself, but a good cat eye just looks so pretty. Still working on making my own, because they certainly look nothing like these ones, but eventually I will figure it out! Hopefully anyway! Still enjoying my brief turn into girlyhood, but I can also sense that this isn't built to last (I just don't have the patience, so I better enjoy it while it still has my attention.
3.Harrison - "that awkward moment when everyone else that shares your political ideals is a moron..."- More specifically, getting in a political debate on facebook and having your conservative cousin basically back you up. It doesn't often go that way, but it did this week and I enjoyed it. (Plus, it is his birthday in 2 days! Yay cousin!

4. This picture. The Boy's family went on vacation last week, and it was saad we couldn't go, but pictures like this make me smile. That is living the good life!

from modernkiddo.com/its-the-modern-kiddo-costume-parade/

5, Little children in Hobbit costumes smoking pipes. Why does this make me so happy? I can't even describe. It makes me want to learn to sew, so my children can someday dress like orcs or something.

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