Time to Let Go

I recently gave up the company that I created. I put a lot of passion into creating swimwear that the world had never seen before. My goal was to not just create unique designs, but designs that would flatter a woman's figure like none other. However, my passion became my burden when my business partner began to meddle in my personal life. Yes, he was a great and supportive friend, and in all friendships there are up and downs, but the downs just began to mount up into an emotional hoard that the producers at tlc wouldn't dare tackle. So it is with great relief that I walk away from the dysfunction. Since the few days that have passed since announcing my resignation I'm sleeping through the nights again and I lost three pounds without altering my diet or eating habits. As C.S. Lewis said "There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind."

It Has Begun...

Faithful readers, the time may be approaching when you can say "I knew her way back when." A very famous name in the swimwear industry recently released a design that looks strikingly similar to one of my own. At first I just dismissed it as coincidence until my business partner pointed out that their IP address was searching my site two months ago. Under normal circumstances I would be very upset but for some reason I am flattered that the big dogs are noticing. I like to think that its only a matter of time before the world takes note.

American Woman

I recently read a blog discussing where the best places are to meet good guys. Some said the grocery store, some said church, some even suggested an expensive gym. Then some guy said all this:

[I just thought it was too funny to not share]

"This is a pretty funny post. All the guys are wondering this too!!!! Survey says 98% of guys want a “good and virtuous girl”. The other 2% are tatted up with gauges and bisexual. I am fed up with American women in general, and the world is too. When I studied outside the states American women were always the brunt of the jokes for being slutty, insane (crying, yelling, acting out, etc.), and acting unintelligent. How many girls do you know not on some prescription drug? Aderall, Zoloft, Xanax, ambien?? None of my buddies take pills to cope, but every girl i know does. I live in a house with two other girls, and their purses are like pharmacies and they would even probably tell you they are nuts. Demanding how much their engagement ring should cost and materialist shi*t like this. I would never even think about trying to date them. American Society (reality TV, retarded magazines, fatherless homes and feminist colleges) has bred materialistic women who are incredibly superficial. Guys like class and you can’t buy it at nordstroms or with some +2′s. We have some of the most beautiful girls in America, but the most morally bankrupt and obnoxious as well. The overall American cultural recession is much worse than the economic recession. If I were to do the internet dating thing, I wouldn’t even check my surrounding area. I would look in France, Germany, Spain, Ireland and Utah."

Everyone Loves You

I recently went to a Chargers game with my girlfriends, amidst all the cheering and beer runs something stood out to me. There was a family in front of us. A young attractive mother and her adorable eight-year-old daughter were sitting in the seats in front of me. As the game went on the little girl stood on the seat of her chair yelling "Gooo Chaaaargers!" It was kinda cute and I didn't mind because I could still see over the top of her head. A couple times she would turn around and proudly announce "I'm a cheerleader." My friends and I just smiled to acknowledge her. Periodically her mother would lean over and say "you are sooo special" or "everyone loves you." When the Chargers Girls came out to preform during half time they did this sexy routine where they would bend over, flip their hair back, fall on the ground and throw their legs in the air, then the dad would say to the little girl "thats gonna be you someday." I chuckled to myself. The dad even asked us if "we've ever seen a prettier little girl in the whole world?" Meanwhile her two brothers seemed nearly nonexistent. This whole observation of family dynamics seemed so foreign to me. I was never groomed to be loud, sexy and ultra confident during my upbringing, but neither was I ignored for three hours at a time.  Oh well, to each their own.

They're Just Jealous

One of my biggest pet peeves is people who are quick to assume that the world is jealous of them. The majority of the time they are just projecting their insecurities outward. For example, when any level-headed person is faced with conflict, their first thoughts are usually "there must be some sort of misunderstanding" or "I don't understand why they would think that." However, a malicious person's first and only conclusion is always "they're just jealous." Next time that you hear "they're just jealous," see if this theory applies.

Piece of Meat

My experiences with steaks have always been hit or miss. Sometimes I get cheap little Denny's t-bones that are tender and juicy. Other times I get fancy/expensive steakhouse cuts that are tough and hard. It seems like its always based on chance whether or not I get a good steak. So I've finally decided to educate myself on what make a good steak, a good steak.

A couple weeks ago I went into Valley Farms Market looking for a good cut of steak, I was quite clueless. I know that more fat equals more flavor but after that all the cuts look the same to me. I couldn't figure out why one was 8.99/pound and an identical one was 13.99/pound. The butcher asked me if I needed help and I told him that I was trying to pick out a good steak for grilling but I didn't know a thing about steak. Of course he recommended the most expensive one, the porter house. He also recommended that I get two pounds.  He said that in addition to the nice marbelization, the marrow from the bone adds flavor.  When I saw that the price came out to thirty-five dollars I felt a little bamboozled. I was wary to not ruin thirty-five dollars worth of meat so I went home and carefully followed all of the butcher's instructions: "let the meat thaw to room temperature for forty-five minutes, lightly coat with olive oil and lightly sprinkle Montreal seasoning, grill on medium-high heat for seven minutes on each side, and then allow it to turn over for another seven minutes. What ever you do, don't close the grill." I did just as he instructed and it was well worth the extra cost. It was the tenderest, juiciest tastiest steak I've ever tasted!

Today I went back to Valley Farms and I asked the butcher what the difference is between a standard t-bone and a porter house t-bone. He said that the smaller side of the t-bone is the filet mignon, so since the porter house is cut near the center it has a much larger area of filet mignon. The difference became obvious, because I do remember the smaller side being my favorite part. He added that if I go to a fancy steak house and order a porter house they will give me a much larger porter house from a Texas Longhorn Steer. He added that his steaks were much better because they are cut from a smaller more stocky cow, an Omaha Angus. He said that Omaha Angus coined the original term "butterball," because of their stocky build and buttery taste. Also if I drive though the country I will see them lying down on their left sides. Since they use their right side to get up, the meat from the left side is much more tender.

So now I can't wait to go to a fancy steakhouse and order a porter house steak. I'll ask if it's from a Texas Longhorn or an Omaha Angus and whether the cute is from the right or left side. I'll sound so smart!

[I also found this very straight forward website that breaks it all down in lame men terms. It even includes how each piece should be seasoned and cooked! Steak Definitions ]

Grimmly Ever After

I've been reading the Grimm Brother's versions of fairy tales and I think I've figured out why my generation is so messed up. Our expectations are a little too high. Original versions of fairy tales typically feature women in competition for patriarchal approval, whether they be wicked step-sister, or evil step-mothers. Many of these tales were collected though the Grimm Brothers works in linguistics and published in 1860. The Grimm Brothers went into village pubs around Germany and compiled these tales, many were refined to communicate important life's lessons for a girls living during that era. Disney took it a step further and made the prince the fulfillment of a young peasant girl's dreams. Disney also left out vital elements of sexuality, unwanted pregnancies, death and abuse that are typical in the Grimm versions of these tales.

Snow White
Contrary to Disney's Prince who wakes Snow White with "true loves kiss," the original prince bumps Snow White's crystal coffin on stone causing her to regurgitate the poison apple lodged in her throat. Furthermore, at first the dwarfs refused to let the prince purchase Snow White because he intended to keep her as his "most prized possession."

The Little Mermaid
After allowing the sea witch to cut out her tongue, the little mermaid had to either marry the price or die. He married someone else and she died. Her consolation was to become a cloud for 300 years. The prince often referred to her as "my dumb foundling."

Beauty and the Beast
Similar to the Disney version, the beast begs Bell to marry her day in and day out, but she refuses because he is an animal. When the Beast nearly dies, Bell realizes that not only does she pity the beast, she values his friendship and platonic love.  He turns into a handsome prince and the good fairy notes that since Bell was able to see past looks, their marriage is based on virtue, hence it will be long, happy and fulfilling. The story is intended to teach young girls that are entering arranged marriages that if they submit to their less than desirable husbands, they will be rewarded.


Cinderella
The Grimm version is much like the Disney version except the step sisters cut of their toes and heals to fit into the gold slipper, plus their eyes are later pecked out by doves.


The Grimm Brother fairy tales can be traced back to earlier versions that make no to reference to a charming prince. For example, Snow White is based on the 1620 Italian Renaissance classic The Young Slave. The young slave Lisa is very outspoken and suicidal rather than passive and useful around the house. Beauty and the Beast is based on the Greek Mythology of Cupid and his wife Psyche. Psyche attempts to kill cupid after being ill-advised by her envious sisters. In the original Cinderella tale a young princess consults her fairy godmother on how to avoid marring her grief-stricken father.

Rather than waiting on guys to fulfill silly girl-hood Disney fantasies, we should teach girls to find their own happiness via accomplishment and self-fulfillment. Then they can pick out a "prince" to share their happiness with.