Scoala de soferi

Ceva mult mai groaznic. Ceva care ex-plică întregul mister al şalului şi scoate la iveală întreaga lui valoare... Scuză-mă, cred că e şeful...
într-adevăr, sunase cineva la uşă. Anthony îşi stăpîni nerăbdarea cum putu şi-1 aşteptă pe inspector să ,se reîntoarcă. Acum era sigur pe poziţii. De îndată ce-i vor lua amprentele, îşi scoala soferi vor da seama de eroarea comisă. Şi apoi poate îlA^a suna şi Carmen. Şalul Celor  o Mie   de   Flori !   Ce  poyeste stranie ! Exact genul de poveste care să cre-eze cadrul adecvat pentru frumuseţea   desă-vîrşită şi sumbră a fetei. Carmen Ferrarez...
Se smulse din visare... Unde stă atîta ins-pectorul ? Se ridică şi deschise uşa brusc. în încăpere domnea o linişte stranie. Să fi ple-cat ? Nu fără să-i spună un cuvînt...
Se grăbi spre cealaltă cameră. Era goală ; la fel şi salonul. Ciudat de goală. Avea un as-pect pustiu, dezordonat. Cerule ! Picturile lui pe email... argintul !
îngrozit. străbătu în goană tot apartamen-tul. Aceea^! poveste ; apartamentul fusese go-lit, Toate obiectele de valoare — şi Anthony poseda gustul rafinat al unui colecţionar se-rios de lucruri mici — fuseseră luate.
 Scoala de soferi este cea care va ofera tot sprijinul pentru a descoperi libertatea de miscare si bucuria de a conduce odata cu constientizarea responsabilitatii pe care o are fiecare sofer.
Va invitam sa studiati conditiile de inscriere si preturile cursurilor in paginile urmatoare, iar daca gasiti de cuviinta sa va alaturati familiei soferilor puteti sa ne contactati.
Cu un horcăit, Anthony se împletici pînă la un scaun pe care se prăbuşi cu capul în mîini. îl trezi soneria de la intrare. Deschise uşa şi se pomeni în faţă cu Rogers.
—    Vă rog să mă scuzaţi, îi spuse acesta. Dar domnii şi-au închipuit că s-ar putea să aveţi nevoie de ceva.
—    Domnii ?
—    Cei doi prieteniai dumneavoastră, dom-nule. I-am ajutat la împachetat cît mi-a stat în puteri. Noroc că aveam două valize bune în subsol. — Ochii îi căzură pe podea. — Am măturat cît am putut de bine, domnule.
— Ai împachetat lucrurile aici ?,   mugi Anthony.
—    Bineînjeles, domnule. Nu asta aţi do-rit ?,Domnul cel înalt mi-a spus să împache-tez şi, dacă am văziit că eraţi ocupat să vor-biţi cu celălalt domn în camera mică, nu am vrut să vă deranjez.
—    Nu eu vorbeam cu el, zise Anthony. El vorbea cu mine... Afurisit să fie !
Rogers tuşi.
—    îmi pare foarte rău că a fost necesar, domnule, spuse.
—    Necesar să ce ?
—    Să vă despărţiţi de micile dumneavoas-tră comori, domnule.

Clarifications and That Damn Dworkin Quote

Amy said the following in the Comments of this post:

"I'm a radical leaning feminist. I, so far, haven't done much in the way of activism - am, I guess, technically still a baby feminist, but I do have plans. This post was a real kick up the arse to me, to actually stop mulling things over in my mind, and actually get off my arse and do things. I can't say that I was thrilled by the anti radfem tone, but I can see why you would be angry, and hey... I'm not saying you should sugarcoat it or anything like that ... What I'm saying is, like I mentioned right there, I'm a rad-leaning feminist...but I don't feel like I should be painted with the same brush you dubbed other feminists. I'm not perfect - as a person (who is) or a feminist (no such thing as the perfect feminist). I don't get involved in any blog wars between different perspectives of feminism, as far as I'm aware.

But yeah. That story about that woman, it just, well, it really got me. I mean, that's what feminism is about. I mean, I know I'm guilty of talking about leg shaving and make-up - and I do have my reasons for doing so - and haven't really discussed DV (lack of knowledge mainly and failure to articulate such a subject like it deserves to be articulated). I don't believe the FBH, make up etc blogging makes me a bad feminist...but, honestly, I feel heartily ashamed that I haven't discussed, blogged about DV. That's what makes me a not so good feminist (if there's not the 'perfect' feminist, there can't be a 'bad' feminist). At the end of the day, thanks for this post - it really gave me a kick up the arse (I need 'em sometimes), and has already had an impact on me."

To which I replied: " Amy: you know, your comment was a kick in my arse. I forget at times, that there are plenty of radical/feminists, blogging or otherwise, who absolutely do not deserve to be on the receiving end of that angry spew of hatred. I'm sorry about that, Amy.

And, gracious, you are NOT a 'bad feminist' for 'the FBH, make up etc blogging.' In fact, that's what started my whole rejection of radical feminism to begin with: this notion of real/radical feminist v. fake/"fun" feminism a year or so back. (Frankly, if I never see that damn, snobby "I'm a radical feminist, not the fun kind" Dworkin quote again, it would be a good thing. A post on that, perhaps.)

For the longest time with these blog wars, I tried to be neutral, held back my acid anger side. There have been just too many "last straws" lately. I'm angrier than I've ever been with some of these fools claiming to be feminists. But like Sassy said[in comments], regarding these 'feminists' who make me so angry: 'I think it's important to keep in mind that they are the minority in the movement... it just so happens that they are a very vocal minority.'

I rather tossed that out the window yesterday with all that angry posting. And I really shouldn't. Before Walrus hits me over the head with a pair of iron testicles and says 'Dammit, Kim -- don't apologize for yourself -- GROW SOME OF THESE!' let me say I am not retracting my words towards this select, vocal, hateful group. Also, to my credit, I did say in these comments 'Bear in mind, real, sane, non-hiding being the Internet radical feminist do NOT fall into this category [of my spewing hatred.]' Which to clarify, nothing wrong with BLOGGING, per say. By 'hiding behind the Internet,' I mean those folks who either post and/or blog largely Anonymously (with respect to certain privacy precautions we all should take) who suddenly turn Big Asshole because of the protection of the Internet.

Anyhow, thanks right back at ya for the kick in arse, Amy. I needed a reminder that to lumping folks into one category is stupid, even IF if the name of 'venting' as I did here."

Also, as my own ass was getting a little too sanctimonious for it's own good, I also said at Belle's place under This post: "... back in my rad fem blogging days, I believed strongly blogging/the Internet was indeed an exciting, relatively new tool for activism, feminism, etc. I still feel that way [to a degree] ... I love a good, funny, rambling blog or mulling, thoughtful, informative post or what have you ... I love writing. I can understand the enjoyment of spending hours on a post. But when some of these posts work only to further give feminists a bad name (slut-hating zealots, for example), then maybe it's time to step away from the blog and start getting your fingernails dirty, you know. Or something."

On that Dworkin quote, which is again: "I'm a radical feminist, not the fun kind."

I see this damn quote over and over at radical blogs, often proudly posted in blog headers.

I believe this quote should be permanently retired.

Think about this, those of you who are genuine about your feminism: it's not a statement I feel should be bandied around if you are truly concerned with issues that surround all women. This statement is separatist. It divides women/feminists like no other quote I know. It creates an Us and Them among feminists -- which, until fairly recent words and behaviors of some bloggers, I would have thought no feminist would desire.
For all my anger, I will never, ever believe this dividing and choosing sides does jack-shit for feminism. I get tired of pussyfootin' around certain bloggers and lately, a few need to be called out on their philosophies and behavior, hence, angry rants from yours truly. But even still: if any of these women with whom I have beefs were genuine about burying hatchets and forming truces, I'd be the first one at the Truce Table, all smiles and "I'm ready to listen."

To label a feminist as "the fun kind" is just so damn insulting. I guess a "fun feminist" is one who does any of the following:

-- wears makeup, shaves, wears heels or follows any other trends of stereotypical "femininity"
-- does not clearly oppose sex work such as pornography, stripping, prostitution, etc.
-- does not have a few extra pounds of Fuck Your Thin Ideal on her
-- is married
-- has "bred"
-- is heterosexual
-- is transsexual
-- does not agree verbatim with the Scum Manifesto
-- is Christian (is Buddhist okay? Muslim? Agnostic? Or does one have to be pagan or atheist to be a "serious" feminist?)

I'm sure I'm leaving something out.

Any time I see a feminist site bandying around this quote proudly in its header, their "feminist creds" goes flying out the ass-window for me.

Or forget "feminism" all together: their I Would Like to Hang Out With This Person Factor is greatly reduced.

I have no problem with the first part of the quote, "I'm a radical feminist." If that's your bag, great. Own it, go ahead and be proud of it. But the latter part, "not the fun kind" is just a big red flag that you

1. have clear disdain for those Other Feminists/women
2. are interested in separating "good" women like you from "bad" women like me.

I'm sorry, gals, but that just ain't feminist.
You can fill your bandwagon with Dworkin-quoting feminists from here to kingdom come, but it ain't never going to be feminist.
Wake up, ey?

Additionally, Andrea Dworkin, in my opinion, had some great ideas and some not-so-great ideas. In any case, perhaps she earned the right to make such a statement, popular figure of public scrutiny and attack as she was. If Ms. Dworkin were here to observe these blogwars between feminists, perhaps she'd have a thing or two to say about it herself. (And maybe not -- her call for the execution of Suzie Bright alone clearly demonstrated her feelings towards certain women.)

But at least she got plenty of shit and *took it. I can respect her for being true to herself, if nothing else. But Dworkin's possible earned stripes aside, I still hate this quote and still feel it is profoundly against the interests of feminism.

What say you?

*I understand the "radical" in "radical feminism" refers to the first definition listed in the dictionary: "of or going to the root or origin; fundamental." The second definition of radical is: " thoroughgoing or extreme, esp. as regards change from accepted or traditional forms."

While the word "extreme" can have negative, fanatical connotations, the rest of that definition kicks ass. Who wouldn't, among us self-identified underdog, ranting types, want to be associated with fighting for "change from accepted or traditional forms?" Indeed, how many us have been doing this, is a sense, virtually since birth?

If you're going to own the word "radical," for God's sake, act like a radical. I hear "radical" in the second definition and I think: strong, tough; something I perhaps would want to claim for myself. Ideally, for me, a radical would also be strong of mind and in search of allies -- not for reasons to divide the potential troops.

I don't think of soft, lazy in mind and body, coddled and spoon fed activism in the word radical.

I also don't hear "victim" in this word. Most of all, I don't hear "Oh my goodness, someone spoke ill of my movement! I'll not have it!" in this strong, kick-ass word.

It was that part of "radical" that made me proud to call myself a radical feminist back in the day.

It is that part of me that still respects radical feminism done right.

Which isn't to say one can't act radical in heels and eyeliner either.

Hollywood's Wasting Epidemic Continues

Jaslene Gonzalez, America's Next Top Model winner Cycle 8

Photo is from TheSkinnyWebsite. There is talk in the comments that the above photo of Ms. J was photo shopped. I doubt it. Even so, there's no question the girl is thin: The yellow dress picture is also posted on gossip site Dlisted. What I find most interesting in these posts, per usual, are the comments. Of course, God only knows who these people commenting are. They could be 10-year olds, for all I know.

Paradoxical Bunny, at Dlisted, says: "The person who aspires to this body type is caught in a vortex of raging, obsessive, self-hatred, and is playing a starvation game that cannot be won - because, short of kickin it in a casket, there is no "thin enough", right? ... If only anos could know how loudly it screams to the rest of us how insecure and self-loathing they really are, and how precisely the opposite of appealing, attractive, successful and sexual that whole persona really is. Sad? yes. But personally I find it ignorant. IMHO, of course."
("Anos?") When a person with an ED gets as skinny as Jaslene, s/he is far beyond caring about if the general population finds bones attractive. In fact, often s/he will dress to hide this thinness exactly so ass backward, armchair psychs like Bunny Freud won't feel a need to comment on her/his appearance. Folks with EDs know very well, thank you, about "insecurity" and especially "self loathing." "If only Anos could know," my ass. If only people with EDs could not know. IMHO, of course.
Conky (Dlisted) says: "Give that poor girl a sammich."
Miss Priss (Dlisted): "Damn bitch, eat an eggroll or three!
Aimz (Dlisted): "Someone give her a steak or something!"
iHeartHaters (Dlisted): "She needs some Tiger's Milk bars and a Protein shake."
Zeenie (Dlisted): "Tyra needs to take this ho to dinner."
Rebetta (Skinny): "I feel like sending her some money for a meal."
Kelly (Skinny):"I just want to give her an apple or something."
Here we go again with the "Eat a hamburger already!" thing. As overused and as unclever as "LOL! I think I just peed myself a little" or "Ew! I threw up in my mouth a little." (I hate the cutesy "sammich" used by adults. Where does this come from? I never said "sammich" as a child, ever. ) I don't know why these types of comments annoy me so. I guess it feels a bit like saying "Why doesn't she just leave?" to a woman in a DV situation or "Why don't they just get a job?" to a homeless person.
Like it's that easy, that neatly solved.

Rose Petal (Dlisted): "Why the hell would they let an anorexic, ugly girl win? Tyra is always saying how we should love ourselves and embrace our bodies, but obviously this chick does not, or she wouldn't have an eating disorder."

Rebetta (Skinny): "I vow to never watch that show or support Tyra Banks again. I have never seen a bigger hypocrite. After she gained weight and was made fun of by the tabloids, she tried to act all self righteous. She was all about the 'younger women that look up to her,' and how her being called fat might make them feel insecure about themselves. I think she has a big say in who gets the winning title, and this is very disappointing."

J (Skinny): "LOL, honestly, what tyra has done is shameful. first, defending plus size girls on her television talkshow, talking about how proud she is to be thicker, to embrace all sizes. THEN, adding plus size girls to ANTM and booting them off almost immediately–while allowing the obviously anorexic one to win. i wonder what tyra will have to say for herself when this girl ends up inpatient!! she made a HUGE mistake, here. she has a lot of repairing to do if she plans to continue promoting a healthy body/image. I BET the next ANTM winner WILL be plus size. i just bet."
There's some truth to this line of thinking, isn't there? What is up with all of that, Tyra?
iHeartHaters (Dlisted): "Who gives a fuck, let the bitch starve to death. That's what I say to anyone who is idiotic & ill enough to deny themselves food. Ditto for the fatties who can't keep away from the donuts. There are more serious issues in this world. Eating disorders are very selfish. I do not deny it's an illness, but it's extremely self-centered. Get therapy, quit thinking about your [GD] food intake and go volunteer at a shelter. There are others who need far greater help. Ok, rant is over."
Okay, Heartie, what you've just said is basically "I do not deny bipolar disorder, diabetes, etc. is an illness but it's extremely-self centered." (???) It's okay, though: even though you appear a dickhead, Heartie, what with "let the bitch starve to death" and "fatties" and "idiotic" and whatnot, you are clearly Mother Teresa in disguise with your volunteer shelter work and concern for those who need "greater help."

Josie (Skinny): "So we should all accept women who are 'curvy,' but as soon as a girl is too thin for your personal liking, 'Eww! Gross! No one should hire someone like that, she must be anorexic!' If you preach size-acceptance, practice it. I saw this season, and in my opinion she’s naturally thin. She’s young and I know many women in their early twenty’s and late teens who are still what you guys would call 'skeletal.' "
There is something to this last one as well.

In order to escape scrutiny, it appears a woman must be exactly "just right."
Except, of course, there's no such thing.
"Just right" is too fat for some, too thin for others.

Too bad we can't all just mind our own bodies.

I continue to be fascinated by the contradiction found in the argument that too-thin celebrities contribute to eating disorders and body hatred in women but that, regardless, over 60% of Americans are overweight. It doesn't make sense. If the media's love affair with skinny women is so damaging, why are so many of us overweight? (That said, Yo-yo dieting, diet fads, bulimia, very low calorie diets and other unhealthy methods of weight loss do mess up effective metabolism. An argument could be presented that the media emphasis on thin, as well as the weight-loss industry, directly effects obesity levels in this way.)
Here's something else: maybe some good has come out of the media's love affair with too thin women. Maybe extremely thin women like Jaslene and Nicole Richie have finally brought us to our senses?

I read all of the comments in the two Jaslene threads. They were, by far, of the "She's way to thin/disgusting" opinion. There's no way all of these folks are "Just jealous!" Because, with the exception of that damn Twiggy, never before have models and actresses been so thin.

Perhaps this extreme thin could be the beginning of the end of the too thin ideal?