Friday Frock, the discussion

I couldn’t think of a frock to do this week, so I enlisted the help of my beautiful, and very fashionable, friend Nadine, to help me dissect the fashions of CITNB favourite Sex and the City.

Megan: So, I’m picking your favourite as either Charlotte or Miranda?

Nadine: Not Charlotte, it’s boring.

Megan: Boring does not equal classic?

Nadine: If it was a different colour, but still plain like that it would look like a school girls’ frock

Megan: Really?  what school did you go to?

Nadine: ok so not quite, but i just think it’s too plain jane, classic or not.

Nadine: Not when the accessories don’t give it due credit

Megan: Hmmm.  I see your point. But then, at the other end, there’s Samantha, which is just all a bit too much, right?

Nadine: It’s quite….eighties

Megan: Yeah, shoulderpad-alicious

Nadine: And the whole red outfit, bag, shoes etc is just too matchy matchy and full on.

Megan: She also seems to have two bags?

Nadine: Nah that’s miranda’s bag around her back.

Nadine: And this may be an irrelevant point, but often when the four are together i look at how they look as a group and miranda and samantha next to each other doing the belted waist thing is too same same for me as well.

Megan: And miranda’s and charlotte’s dress are basically the same but miranda’s is fancier

Nadine: hmmm, i don’t reckon that’s too bad, I think they are different enough.

Megan: So if you were going to wear one (in a world where you have no money or body worries) whcih would you wear?

Nadine: This might shock you but if i was her size, id probably wear carrie’s.

Nadine: Depending on the circumstances, otherwise possibly miranda’s. But there’s something about it that doesn’t sit right with me

Megan: Yeah, I love Carrie’s.  But I’d have different shoes

Nadine: Yeah me too. And i might swap out the pink shirt for another colour

Megan: And get rid of the wierd scarf/brooch combo?

Nadine: I’d def ditch the brooch, not sure about the scarf

Megan: Or is it a tie?

Nadine: I’d have one or the other, not some kind of hybrid.

Megan: i like the pink shirt, but if I was ever going to wear white pants (hahahahhaha) I wouldn’t wear them with black shoes.

Megan: Mmm. With the exception of Carrie, actually, they are all kind of matchy matchy. Miranda’s shoes match
Nadine: and uninspiring

Megan: I should have chosen a better picture

Nadine: We could have discussed the wedding frocks

Megan: oooo. Next week?

Megan:One last question.

Megan: What do you think is in Carrie’s box? Heh.

Nadine: God how did i MISS that?

What’s in a name?

I’ve not read a lot of feminist theory.  I took a Feminist Studies course at university for about three weeks.  After that, I realised there was a lot of reading, which would get in the way of my drinking time, and that the lecturer didn’t really like to hear opposing views.  I’m all about the opposing view.  Sometimes I’ll argue the opposite of what I actually believe, to solidify my views, to annoy someone, or just to be contrary.  I’m good that way.

So, I might not know what I am talking about, when I make these arguments.  They come from my life, my thoughts, my opinions, my world, not out of a book I’ve read.  (Not that there’s anything wrong with that – most of my other political views came about that way).  I’m thinking on these things, making a judgement, and having an opinion, and I could be wrong.

I have had several conversations recently, with women both younger and older than me, who used the phrase “I’m not a feminist, but….”.  And to everyone of them, I’ve wanted to scream, “oh my god, yes you are!”  I don’t understand why these women don’t want to be called feminists, except for the whole, hairy legged, feminazi, lesbian thing.  Well, I shaved my legs this morning, and I like boys, and I am still a feminist.  And it is OK to be one.  I’m one, because I believe, fundamentally, that women, regardless of their race, politics, secual preference or age, are entitled to equal pay, equal rights, the right to choose what happens to their bodies and their lives. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still a long way to go.

And I think that saying you are not a feminist (when you really are) undermines that.  Because it implies that either you feel you don’t need to be, or that you don’t want to upset anyone by owning it.  I’m not saying you have to shout it from the rooftops, or introduce yourself as “Hi, I’m Megan, and I’m a feminist”.  But at the very least, shouldn’t you admit it to yourself? It doesn’t mean you have to do anything about it.  You don’t have to sign petitions, or go to rallies, or read a book, but if you think you should be allowed to choose whether to take your husband’s name, whether to go to work or stay home and raise your kids, or whether you will even have a husband, you are a feminist.  Own it.  Denying it just makes the word, and therefore the idea lose its power.  It’s about your choice as a woman to chose who, where and what you are.

Two examples.

One of my pet peeves is the construction “chairperson”.  Or spokesperson.  Or (shudder) fisherperson.  I never thought I’d have anything in common with Bob Jones, but there you go.  Aside from the whole lesbian conspiracy part, clearly.  Why can’t we call them what they are?  Sure, if you don’t know, spokesperson is the appropriate thing, because to say spokesman has the implication that only men can do it.  But when we know what they are a woman, what is wrong with spokeswoman?  Or forewoman, or chairwoman? Being a woman doesn’t change their ability to do the job, does it?

Also, please don’t automatically assume that I’m a Ms.  Seriously.  I understand the etymology of the honorific, I do.  But here’s the thing.  I don’t care that I am not married.  Well, I do, in a “I’m going to die alone” context.  But not in a political context.  That I’m not married does not make me less of a person.  If it is right for you, call yourself miss. I’m happy to be 30 and single, so I’ll take my mail addressed to Miss Megan Wegan thanks.

I know I find it annoying when my hands are “trapped inside the blanket”

Friday Frock: Polo Edition

Despite the fact this week has been crappy, I am firmly of the belief that spring is here, and summer will be following swiftly behind.  Which is exciting, because that means it is BBQ, long lazy days in the sun with beer and pinot gris, and beach hair, which is my best kind of hair.

I’ve also been waiting for months to try something I saw Nigella do in the middle of winter.  Cartons of sorbet, some spoons and parfait glasses, and dry bubbly to pour over top.  Mmmmm.

And if someone were going to have the kind of tremendously classy barbecue at which someone did that, they would need a great outfit.

And you couldn’t go too far wrong with one from Pretty Woman.  As long as you chose the right one.  No, not the one with the boots.

This one.

Matching hat, white gloves, and champagne.  Once again, mmmmm.

And because there’s not many pictures online of this dress, I found you a video.  Complete with German voice over.  Enjoy.

Wondering

If this is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Way to go, NZ book council.

So….

Because I know you are dying for if, I thought I’d give you a hair update.  In classic Wanda Harland bullet point style.

• I am now constantly aware of the weather, because of the havoc rain can wreak on my hair.
• I need to buy an umbrella.
• Having said that, when I think it looks frizzy, other people think it is pretty.
• Straightening my fringe doesn’t take that long.
• In fact, all these years I’ve spent keeping my hair long, so I could tie it up, in order to save time in the morning, were stupid.  It doesn’t take that much longer.  Comb, product, scrunch, twirl, straighten, spray, done.
• I live in fear of leaving my straighteners turned on.
• There really is no way to tie it up.  I just end up looking like i have a mullet.
• And the day you leave the house looking like that, is the day you;ll see 5 people you know.
• I really, really, want a thick, shiny red headband.
• I can now wear dangly earrings and my hair down – it’s a whole new world of accessorising. 
• It’s fun to play with my curls.  Different amounts of product, different “twirl”technique, and I get entirely different curls.

So, three weeks in, and the hair has finally grown on me. Someone told me today I looked “sassy”.  I love, for the first time in my life, my curls.  Thank God for Erin, and for having new, fun, interesting hair. 

My mum is visiting this weekend, though, and i have to admit, I am nervous about her seeing it.  I hope she likes it.

Now dear readers, those of you in Wellington, what shall I do with my mum this weekend?  Te Papa, breakfast at Floriditas, the Sunday vege market, dinner somewhere fancy -maybe Pravda?  Any other thoughts? She arrives early Sat, and heads back to Chch early on Monday.

A small tribute to Natalie, because she’s away and I miss emailing her*.

* Also, actually seeing her in person, but I have learned to settle for emailing.

Wondering

If the person searching the internet for “obedient wife” found what they wanted here.

Snap to it

So you’ve heard of Snapper, right? The Wellington bus card payment thingee?  That’s meant to be smarter, faster, cheaper, easier?

Yeah, not so much.

Two weeks ago, while i was on the bus, my snapper stopped working.  I tagged on, it was fine, I went to tag off, nothing.  Waved it in front of the reader, and the one at the front of the bus, nothing.  No beep, no “please try card again”, nothing.

I didn’t think too much of it, except for ruing the extra $1.50 I’d get charged.  Then the next morning, I jumped on the bus, and Lo! It didn’t work again.  So I paid my money, and went off to work.  Here’s where my problems really begin.

I called the 0800 number, and said my card wasn’t working.  After explaining that actually, i did know how to hold it in front of the reader, and yes, there was money on it, the call centre person decided it was “locked”, but that I’d be able to “unlock” it at any outlet.

Yeah, tried that.  At 3 places.  The staff had no idea what I was talking about. So, i rang the 0800 number again.  “Oh” they said “No, that was the wrong information.  What you need to do is take it to the railway station.  They’ll unlock it, and then you might need to send it back to us.”

So, wait, I have to go out of my way to the station, unlock it, and then I’ll STILL have to send it back? (Yes, I was starting to get a bit capslocky by this point).  “Yes, it is quite silly, isn’t it?” they said “would you like to make a complaint?”

You bet I would.  I did, and I left them my phone number.  A woman called, and left me a message.  I returned her call, and left her one.  She never called back.  Excellent customer service.

So, can you see where this is going? On Friday, I finally made it to the train station.  Bear in mind, this means more than a week of paying more for my bus fare than I should, and about an hour of my life talking to call centre people I’ll never get back.  And their hold music is Deep Forest.  Gag.

So, I rocked up to the counter, and said “apparently I can unlock my snapper here”.  And the man said “no, there’s no such thing.  You need to send it back to them. ” And judging by the weary way he said it, I’m not the first person that has been told that.

Cue irate phone call to the 0800 number, which may have included the words “I’m MORE than a little bit PISSED off.”

The man on the phone said “oh, you need to go back where you just came from, and get a self-addressed envelope”.  And send it back to us.  So we can replace it.

Which, ironically, is exactly what it says on their website. Nothing about “unlocking”, “train station” or “grumpy station employee”.

18. What happens if my Snapper is faulty?

If you have money on your Snapper, and you’ve held it still to the Reader as per the instructions, then you may have a rare, faulty Snapper. Call 0800 555 345 or email our info@snapper.co.nz and we’ll load the replacement Snapper with the money which we verify was on the damaged / faulty card and get it to you next business day, if we know before 3pm.

And I said, Yes you WILL do that.  Oh, and it BETTER have some credit on it, for the week’s worth of higher fares I’ve had to pay, because your staff don’t know what they are talking about, and the 2 hours of my life I’ve WASTED trying to deal with this.  And how soon can you get it to me?  Oh, by Monday.

And here it is, 4pm on Monday, and complete shocker, NO SNAPPER.

Anyone want to see what it looks like when my head EXPLODES?

[Update: Someone from Snapper called me at 4:30 pm. Not to deal with either of the two complaints I have made, though. To tell me that she'd "pop [my] new card into the post box on her way home”. So, not couriered like I was told it would be, and LIKE IT SAYS ON YOUR WEBSITE? And, also, it will have the $12 credit my original card had loaded on it.  But, no, no extra credit.  So the man I spoke to on Friday who said he would deal with this?  No follow through.  I’ve just sent a very long email, paraphrasing this post, off to the snapper address, but honestly, I expect nothing to come of it.

It also occured to me last night, that because I was told the card would be couriered, I gave them the courier address for my work, not my postal address, so it’s not going to get to me. AWESOME.]

[Update #2: It arrived.  With $20 credit.  Oh well, I'll take what I can get at this point. No reply to my email though.]

[Update #3: Still no response to my email. Wait, why am i remotely surprised?]

Friday Frock: Knit Wits: the Pièce de résistance

….

Yes, yes you are.

Here he is, in full sized glory.  Banana man. But wait, it gets better.

Yep.