So, this Turkish columnist  complained that female Olympic athletes don't look feminine enough.  I'm not going to try and criticize him because that seems a frivolous waste of time; everyone on the internet is already doing it for me, and I'd hate to reinvent the wheel.

But it got me thinking about the frustrations I had just trying to find a decent workout video recently.  I don't know much about Turkish culture; I know what I stand for in terms of feminism and human rights and being fuuucking tired of women being objectified, especially when they're a little busy doing magnificent things like winning gold medals - and I am not particularly educated on the obstacles Turkish women face with jackasses like this guy complaining that they don't look pretty enough while they are accomplishing shit that I'd have to imagine this columnist never will.

But really, is it just culture? Lots of times we attribute commentary like that to a different culture and different set of expectations for women in other countries - but every single workout video I own tells me not only that it will make my body look sexy, but also that I'll look sexy while doing it.  Seriously, I need to look fucking sexy while getting my lazy ass in shape?  I got bored of my collection of...maybe 7 aerobic and yoga work out videos, so I headed to the library to look for some more and, perhaps not so shockingly, not a single work out video directed at men had to do with sexiness, but almost every single one targeted at female audiences highlighted how 'sexy' I'd look while doing it. 

First, it's awkward when your 10 year old sister wants to work out with you and the workout instructor comments 17 times how sexy you must look while doing this move.  Secondly, fuck anyone who thinks women should look sexy while working out.  Who the hell looks sexy while working out??

I repeatedly promise myself that I will become a consistent blogger, then fret when I feel what I have to say is repetitive of other (awesome) soapboxers that have opinions on things.  So today, I've decided to just blog the things I've been pondering today.

Is McDonalds an official sponsor of the Olympics because they think it's good press, or do they secretly want all athletes to develop type II diabetes?

Am I the first person who has sat in the Severna Park branch library and cried while watching (moving) youtube videos?

Is my hair really so bad that the saleslady felt compelled while I was shopping today to thrust a flat-iron into my hand before she even began her push sales speech?  Did she not notice my hair is already about as flat as humanly possible?

Could I pull off a shaved head?

I get that nonprofits are often working on limited budgets, I do.  And I am looking for work with one and understand it may not be the most lucrative job and I am okay with that.  But why is it okay to ask for 5 years of experience for a job that pays $35,000 a year and requires a Master's degree that probably cost twice that in student loan debt?  Why is that okay???

Will my name move up on the library's waiting list for Pretty Little Liars today?  Holding steady at 9, maybe we'll get to 8 tomorrow.

If libraries are quiet spaces, how come there's a children's section?

Should I join the library knitting club and sit with 20 women ages 65+ every Tuesday morning and hear about their grandchildren?  I'd probably get alot of work done on my blanket.

It's Wednesday at 4pm.  I clearly need a job.  What is this post.  Why.

I always love to see people supporting The Trevor Project.  Not just because they are awesome at saving lives and supporting young LBGTQ people in crisis, but also because, without question - any one of those Lifeline Counselors would talk patiently and lovingly with uber conservative anti-LGBT folks, too.  Love, compassion, and support surrounds all that they do, and they'd never want to deny civil rights or compassion or crisis intervention to anyone.

Eat-More-Veggies

I swore I wasn't going to do this.  Blog about Chick Fil A.  Maybe I have years ago, because I've known for years that they donate money to anti-gay causes and being vegetarian/vegan that entire time, I've had little reason to spend money there anyway (oh plus, I like my arteries... even if Chick Fil A donated money to super awesome queer causes, I'd probably skip the fast food and donate directly to...super awesome queer causes).  Anyway, every once in a while I go back through my blog, get self-conscious about my writing, and delete all the old posts.  Chances are good that I've already vented my feelings about Chick Fil A, and chances are that I have nothing new to say given the 15K+ articles streaming through my facebook news feed every day, most leaning left, a few that make me question why I'm facebook friends with anyone who is proud of their lack of support for civil rights and equality.

But naturally, my desire to have the last word or the best word or just MY word has taken over, so here it goes.

Yesterday a relative said to me something about people should spend their money where they want, he respects both sides and people being informed consumers and all.  Great. That makes sense.  Until he continued on that people could do that without sharing their opinion and just keep it to themselves.  He wishes gay activists and allies would just stop talking about it.

I'll admit, even I, queen of never letting things go and always wanting to continue conversations on any social issue (until I win), have gotten a little exhausted of reading incessant facebook comments and article shares on one side or the other of the Chick-Fil-A issue.  But by no means does that mean people should stop talking about it.

I'd venture to say that anyone of the opinion someone should just 'keep it to themselves' that they are upset about systemic, societal discrimination that withholds some of their civil rights - is probably not one of the ones lacking this civil right.  That this person might feel differently if Chick-Fil-A was donating millions of dollars to "Don't let hetero couples get married" type of causes, which I'm fairly certain...don't exist.  If you think someone should just get over something, or keep it to themselves, or stop talking about a social issue - please ask yourself first, why do I feel this way?  Is it because I'm on the privileged side of the issue and NONE of this affects my life negatively in any way?  (Hint: If you are one of these people and answer no, you're in denial).

Okay, end rant that says nothing new on the Chick-Fil-A issue and is clearly my need to vent to a relative that I can't say things to in real life.  Eat your vegetables and continue supporting civil rights for all (as I'm pretty sure my blog is not popular with the anti-gay community and I'm just preaching to the choir).

Eat kale chips. They're delicious.