Real Beauty

You know sometimes I read a blog post and find myself getting really pissed off. I’m not talking about just really mad. I’m talking about seething pure anger. Well, guess what. I just read something that really, really pissed me off, and I decided to share it with everyone.

Ashley Simpson recently posted a blog entry about how it was so wrong for her sister to be picked on by the media just because she has recently gained a few “extra” pounds.

Here’s what Ashley said on her blog about her sister’s mistreatment by the media:

“Since when did a woman's weight become newsworthy...

I am completely disgusted by the headlines concerning my sister's weight. A week after the inauguration and with such a feeling of hope in the air for our country, I find it completely embarrassing and belittling to all women to read about a woman's weight or figure as a headline on Fox News.

All women come in different shapes, sizes, and forms and just because you're a celebrity, there shouldn't be a different standard.

Is this something you would say to your wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, or even a friend?

I seriously doubt it.

How can we expect teenage girls to love and respect themselves in an environment where we criticize a size 2 figure?

Now can we focus on the things that really matter.”

-Ash

And here’s what I posted in reply to what she said:

“I agree completely. There is no reason why society should hold physical appearance as being so important. After all, it's what's on the inside that really matters. I think that anyone that helps encourage the media to push such shallow values on society should be ashamed of themselves. Otherwise before too long every teenage girl will feel they've got to starve themselves, dye their hair blonde, and go get nose-jobs just to be accepted as beautiful and worthy of love and acceptance. Seeing as how Jessica has never done anything that could be viewed as helping to encourage these misconceptions (such as playing along with all the stereotypes that the money-mongering entertainment industry pushes on society) she shouldn't be held to these same standards. That would be horrible.”

Did you hear the sarcasm? Do you think she’d understand exactly what I was saying if she read my reply?

I wholeheartedly agree that the media should lay off of people over their physical appearances and weight “problems”. But I also think that anyone who has actively helped to promote these stereotypes deserves what they get when they fall out of line with those same stereotypes.

How many teenage girls do you think have tortured themselves trying to look like Jessica Simpson over the years? How many girls do you think have been picked on and tormented at school because they failed to meet the standards of “beauty” that Jessica Simpson has represented over the years? Hell, even her sister, Ashley, ended up dyeing her hair and getting a nose job just to fit in better with these same standards. Ashley should know first-hand how these preconceptions can make you hate your own appearance. Yet she played along, right beside her sister, and helped give strength to these stereotypes, by changing herself for the media and it’s marketing giants.

As long as people throw money at an industry that glorifies unattainable “beauty” standards, there will be pain and torment projected onto the “normal” people of the world and the celebrities that fall out of step. The problem is too many people actually believe television. Television brainwashes each new generation of teenagers into believing the media’s standards on beauty (which are then used to sell beauty products, hygiene products, designer clothing, and diet programs). At no time are they encouraged to appreciate the true beauty within themselves and those around them.

Let me just say that I don’t believe Jessica Simpson has become fat. I actually think she’s gone from totally unappealing and anorexic to almost hittable. I must tell you though, that I don’t have a “normal” view of beauty. I generally don’t find myself attracted to blonde, skinny, Barbie types. I’m more into healthy women with darker hair. Seeing someone’s ribs poking through their skin is a total turnoff for me, and I generally prefer women with some muscles and overall thickness to them. Women with flawless skin and perfect button noses do nothing for me. Scars, tattoos, and piercings are much more interesting. But let me state these are only my own personal views of what is attractive. I am in no way saying that skinny blondes, with flawless skin and perfect button noses should feel bad about their appearances. I’m just saying that the individual traits of beauty that each and every one of us has should not be overlooked or cheapened by preconceptions of “acceptable beauty”.

So in closing, I’d like to say love yourselves. There’s no one else like you out there. That’s something to be proud of. I know High School can be hell and you might start to believe what most High School students tell you about beauty. But don’t listen to them. Don’t look to MTV or any other television channel for icons of beauty. They are clueless. Don’t believe what the commercials tell you either. Clairol, Almay, Old Navy, Jenny Craig, and all the others can’t see how truly good looking you are in your own way. They just want you to feel bad enough about yourself to see their products as a solution to all your problems. Don’t look to Oil of Olay or Just for Men to tell you what is truly attractive. I’ve seen plenty of people that didn’t get “fine as hell” until they got some years on them. If you don’t believe age can add beauty to a person, then tell me why do we have Milfs and Cougars? If they weren’t attractive, we wouldn’t have a term for them now would we?

Never forget that most of a person’s overall attractiveness comes from attitude and personality. If you feel good about yourself and the people around you, it will shine through, and anyone with a pulse will see it and react to it. So stay beautiful (or handsome) on the inside and the outside. Being yourself will do more for your beauty than any product will (assuming you’re not a jerk).

I hope that Jessica Simpson keeps her newfound weight. I hope she sets a new standard for women all over the country by publicly speaking out and staying proud of herself. This is highly unlikely though. She’ll probably knuckle under and starve herself in order to make her bosses happy. That’s where the money is anyway. I’m just hoping she’ll buckle up her self-esteem and act with true integrity and use her Pop powers for good. Then I would (for once) think she was sexy, even if she eventually let herself go, and lost a bunch of weight.

Urban Guerilla Gardening

I’ve been trying to think of ways to help people cope with the dwindling economy and I think I’ve got something that might help some folks out. I call it Urban Guerilla Gardening. UGG uses various methods of cultivating vegetables and herbs, that don’t necessarily take up as much time, work, and space as a traditional garden. What most people don’t know is that a lot of vegetables and herbs can be grown in containers, which is much easier than trying to convert your yard into a garden. Growing vegetables in containers also eliminates the need for weeding and frequent watering, which makes the whole process much easier.

Note: If you live in a neighborhood that is controlled by a Homeowner’s Association, you probably shouldn’t read any further. They probably won’t allow you to plant anything other than pre-approved flowers in your yard anyway. As you can guess, I really don’t care for HOA’s or suburban nazi’s, as I like to call them. I’ll save my hate of HOA’s for another blog entry though.

While some people insist on purchasing window boxes and fancy-schamcy terracotta pots to grow stuff in, I prefer to use containers that are free or recycled. Not only is this cheaper, but it also keeps some plastic from making it into the landfill, which goes a long way toward convincing Mother Nature to hook you up with good vegetables. I personally believe that having a hearty respect for nature goes a long way when it comes to having a green thumb. Some people would disagree with me on this, but then I haven’t seen these people grow seven-foot tall tomato plants (like I have) either.

Soil Is Very Important

The first step to growing healthy vegetables is to start with a good soil mixture. I never buy pre-made potting soil from the store. It’s expensive and generally crappy in my opinion. So I make my own soil. I start by picking up composted manure, peat moss, and topsoil from the local store. These usually come in big bags and are fairly inexpensive. Then I mix them in even proportions (1to1to1) either in a large plastic storage container or even in a pile on the ground. It’s not that hard and this mixture will work for almost any type of vegetable. If you’re planning on growing tomatoes, be sure to add a little bit of pelletized lime (about ½ cup per 3 gallons of soil) and stir it in. This keeps the soil from being too acidic and burning the tomato plants.

Start Seedlings Indoors In Order To Get A Head Start

If you are starting seedlings in trays, you will need to mix a soil mixture made specifically to help the seeds sprout and take root. To make this mixture, simply take your premixed soil mixture and mix it half and half with peat moss.

Most seedlings (especially tomato and pepper plants) can be started in seed trays. Or if you’re in a recycling mood, you can use 16 oz. drink bottles. Just cut the bottle in half, put a few holes in the bottom. Then add soil, seeds, and then water it. If you split the side of the top of the bottle, it can be slid down over the top of the bottle bottom and act as a terrarium until the young plant gets too big and needs more headroom. Always take the cap off the top of the bottle of course. This ensures there is adequate airflow and mold does not grow in the bottle.

Once you’re young plants have established a good root system, they can be transplanted to your main growing containers. Seedlings can be started indoors near windows in order to get a head start on the spring growing season. Just make sure something is under your seed trays to keep water from seeping out onto your precious belongings.

The Five Gallon Bucket – The Messiah Of All Growing Containers

One of the handiest containers to grow tomatoes and peppers in is the five gallon plastic bucket. Not only is it the perfect size, but it also comes with a handle that can be used to move the plants if they ever get in the way. You can either buy these buckets at the store, or you can do what I do and scavenge them from local restaurants. These buckets are used to ship anything from pickles, to cake icing to stores and restaurants and they usually get thrown away. You can either ask someone to save buckets for you, or you can dig them out of the restaurant’s dumpster. I’d suggest asking someone to just leave them by the back door for you. Not only does this hook you up, but it also keeps them from having to tote the buckets to the dumpster.

Here’s how I prep buckets and get them ready for planting. First I wash the buckets thoroughly. Then I drill five or six small holes in the bottom of each bucket. This allows excess water to seep out and generally ensures your soil will stay at an optimum moisture level without you having to obsess over it. Then I put about one inch of gravel or rocks in the bottom and top that off with about one inches of leaves. This makes sure the holes don’t get clogged with soil as water drains out. Then I fill the bucket halfway with my soil mixture. Now the buckets are ready to have seeds planted in them or have seedlings transplanted into them.

When transplanting plants into buckets, always be sure to not only bury the roots of the plant, but also put dirt in around the plant all the way up to the first set of leaves. This should fill the bucket up to about 2/3 capacity. This insures there’s plenty of room for roots to spread out and plenty of dirt to hold moisture.

Each bucket will hold two plants max. Any more will stunt your plants out.

Soda Bottles And Herbs

Two liter bottles are very good for growing herbs. Basically you take the bottle and cut it in half. Then cut some small holes in the bottom to allow for drainage. Then fill with soil mixture and plant your seeds. Herbs such as thyme, oregano, and marjoram do really well in hanging baskets too. Marjoram grows very vigorously and will grow back just about as fast as you trim it. It’s got really pretty, tiny, flowers too.

Planting Veggies In Beds

Just about all vegetables grow well in beds. You can either make beds by mounding up dirt in large plots in your yard or you can close them in with railroad ties or landscaping timbers. Many times I enjoy making vegetable beds by filling an old kiddie pool with soil after drilling holes in the bottom of it. Usually when I make a bed, I use my normal soil mixture but also try to put a large amount of composted manure in the middle layer of the bed. This makes sure your plants have plenty of food. Beds work well for: zucchini, squash, lettuce, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, radishes, and just about anything.

Grow Potatoes The Easy Way

Here’s a real easy way to grow potatoes. Take a potato that has eyes all over it. Cut it up so each piece of potato has an eye. Then take a 55-gallon barrel and drill quarter inch holes in the bottom. Then drill a few holes in the sides of it. Now fill the bottom of the barrel with about two and a half feet of soil mixture. Mix the potato pieces into the soil near the top. Now as the potato plants start to grow, slowly fill the barrel with more dirt. The plants will eventually grow up and out of the top of the barrel. When the growing season is done, simply tip the barrel over and harvest your barrel full of potatoes.

When To Water Your Plants

Basically, most plants should be watered when you initially plant them. The soil should be fully saturated with water but not severely soggy. If you can poke your finger into the soil and it comes out moist, then usually you don’t need to water. Plants that are in buckets usually can be watered twice a week unless it is especially hot and dry outside. Beds should usually be watered once every two days. Herbs may need to be watered every day depending on individual needs.

I hope this helps some of you. The thing to remember is it takes at least 2-4 months before anything you plant will be ready to harvest. So if you think you might need to grow some of food this year, then you need to start your plants soon. Depending on where you live, you might have to wait until later in the year, in order to keep cold temperatures from harming your plants. I live on the gulf coast and will probably start my tomato and pepper plants indoors sometime this next week.

If you have any questions, comments, or criticisms, feel free to add them. Thanks and good luck!

Civilized Warfare

For years and years, humans have needlessly killed each other. I don’t know if warfare is a natural inborn behavior in our species, or if we’ve just conditioned ourselves to handle all our disagreements with violence. You’d think with all the progress we’ve made, socially and technologically, we would have found better way to solve conflicts. Unfortunately, when it comes to diplomacy, we’re still living in the dark ages.

This is evident in the global conflicts that have taken place over the last forty years or so. It seems that now we are doomed to a future of killing regularly, no matter how petty the disagreement at hand. Whether we fight for religion, land, oil, or power, there’s always and excuse and an opportunity to spark up a conflict somewhere.

Many politicians have looked upon small level conflicts (such as the war in Iraq) as a way to stimulate the economy, energize the populace, and make a quick buck. I believe many politicians see war as a way to take advantage of the public while eroding our personal freedoms. We’ve traded a lot of our personal freedoms recently due to our fear of terrorism. It looks like terrorists have finally found a way to destroy our country to some degree. We may be supposedly “safer” now than we were before 911, but we have destroyed many of the freedoms that made this country the shining example that enraged so many terrorists to begin with.

In my opinion, The Patriot Act and our ongoing war on terror has actually done more harm to our country than good. We are no more safer than we were before 911 (as if that’s what this war was really about to begin with), Bin Laden (or one of his doubles) is still free and bitching up a storm, and more people are pissed at us as a nation than ever before. Of course, civilian “collateral damage” just drives more and more foreign civilians into Alqeda recruitment. After all, we’re the ones responsible for “accidentally” killing their family members. It’s only natural that a son would start to believe terrorist, anti-American, propaganda after we get done killing his father by accident. Drunk drivers “accidentally” kill people in America everyday and you know how easy it is to hate them.

Many presidents and politicians have jumped on the war bandwagon with a fanatical zeal in recent history. Many of them view war as an opportunity to shift blame away from themselves and make a quick buck in the process. It is plain to see that the general consensus among those in power is that young American lives are not as important as gaining political power and exerting control over the world in general. War is, and always has been, a big business and there’s a lot of money to be made whenever you’re willing to sacrifice the lives of fellow humans. I know many politicians have voted for war when they’re own children were in the armed forces. I know they sent their own children to war in the process. The question is how many of those children were sent to the front lines and how many of them were put into more prestigious or safe positions? As a commanding officer, would you want to be held responsible for getting a senator’s son or daughter killed in the line of duty, or would you rather keep them as safe as possible in relation to the other soldiers? As a senator that has sent your child off to war, would you (out of guilt) use your influence to make sure they don’t see as much action as their fellow soldiers? It’s something to think about.

It also seems like the most “righteous” members of our society always push for war, which doesn’t seem logical to me. If you send someone to war and make them kill (and break the big commandment) then if they get killed in the process, they will go to hell. If you kill a lot of bad people, then they go to hell too. So war is a good way of sending more human souls to hell and therefore giving the devil strength, right? Yet pro-life Christians almost always vote pro-war. Shouldn’t this be considered a sin? Supporting something that involves breaking commandments, while also sending more souls to hell, just doesn’t seem right. I know there’s evildoers that kill people for their own evil ends, but if you actually total up the amount of lives lost due to terrorism and compare that to the amount of lives lost due to war and bombing, it’s easy to see who’s sending more people to hell.

I’m not saying that all wars have been pointless. There are many things in life that are worth fighting for, such as liberty and freedom, or stopping genocide (which we evidently don’t do anymore). But there is no reason why we should constantly find our leaders making up excuses to go to war over petty stuff. It seems that most modern wars are fought over oil, or to boost the economy, or as in recent conflicts, to provide some seriously sweet profits for military contractors that are close to the ruling administration. War has become an industry and the leaders of that industry have enjoyed way too much political control.

I know I sound all gloom-and-doom here, but I think I’ve found a way to make wars a bit more civilized. I have concocted a rather far-fetched solution to this endless cycle of rich people sending our children off to die. I haven’t worked out all the kinks, but I’ve got a fairly good blueprint to go on.

I say we take the leaders of each country that has an unsolvable conflict that (in their opinion) merits war, and make them personally responsible for any acts of aggression or lives lost, that they feel is necessary. How do we do this? Well, here’s my modest proposal that I believe will solve our current addiction to warfare:

First we take the two leaders of the opposing countries, that would like to have a war, and you put them into a locked room together. Then we give them all the communications capabilities that they need, such as videoconference, phones, etc. This will insure that they have all the resources that they would need in order to work out a peaceful resolution. Then we tell them they have two weeks to come up with a peaceful resolution or they will be forced to fight to the death in order to resolve their differences. In the case of a death match, the winner wins the war.

I believe that if it is important enough for leaders to offer up the lives of their fellow countrymen, over a disagreement, then they can demonstrate their dedication by risking their own lives instead. It only seems fair that they would take full responsibility for lives lost in war, and I think this is the perfect way to make them take personal responsibility. Then we can sit back and see exactly how many wars will be started over petty things like oil and financial power-play. I have a feeling the world would become a much more peaceful place if we used this method to settle international conflicts. Of course we could always televise any death matches on pay-per-view and use the proceeds to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure. Now that’s war profits I can believe in.