I Don't Like It...

So there's been a PM going around Facebook lately, a secret "women's only" message with the intent of raising breast cancer awareness. In short you post "likes it" followed by the current location of your handbag in your status. Mine for example would read: "Miranda Fullerton likes it on the table by the front door."

It's a copy of the very successful thread in a similar vein from sometime last year (or even 2008 perhaps, it was a while ago) where women were sent a message telling them to post the colour of their bra in order to raise breast cancer awareness. Facebook feeds were filled with every colour of the rainbow, and comments from confused men (who were completely outside the circle) and women (who had yet to receive a message themselves) wondering what was going on. This campaign was so widely followed it made the news, and because of this coverage men and women were actually made aware of the cause it was supporting. It also had a tenuous, though physical link to the cause, because while simply peeking down their shirts to check what colour bra they were wearing, women actually looked at the body part in question and were subconsciously reminded of the importance of checking your breasts monthly for lumps, bumps or other changes, which can be a precursor to breast cancer.

This new meme however does not seem to have that physical reminder of what we're supposedly trying to protect by posting these "I like it" statuses, nor is it having the widespread re posting the bra colour status had. In fact, I am extremely doubtful it is raising breast cancer awareness in any way.

I received the same PM a few months ago, and it fizzled out without success. It has already been done, laughed over and forgotten, why try to revive it when it received such mediocre response in the first place?

Few women, and even fewer men actually understand what is going on. When a woman asks the question, she will receive a PM from one of her friends explaining this secret code, but the men (who can also get breast cancer) or whose wives, sisters, mothers or daughters may have fought it, and may want to support the cause are kept in the dark. The PM specifically states to send it only to female friends. How can you raise awareness when you're keeping it so secret?

Not to mention, how many of the women who have re posted this status can honestly admit to having thought for more than a second about breast cancer, researched a way they can help, donated to an organisation that is trying to find a cure, or in some other way genuinely spread the news that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

The status doesn't relate to the cause it claims to support. Posting the location of your handbag in a mildly suggestive fashion has nothing to do with raising awareness, so much as raising eyebrows regarding your sexual preferences. Since this status has come to light, "I like it on the floor" has become one of the most commonly searched phrases on the Internet, and not breast cancer support groups, organisations or ways to help.

The same PM that has set me ranting specifically states "we had men wondering for days" (referring to the bra colour craze.) It's not about breast cancer, so much as confusing men and hoping they will infer something entirely different from it. If the intent of posting statuses like these is to play mind games, and prove the theory that "all men think about is sex" then don't hide a sexist attempt beneath the guise of a far more serious cause. It's insulting to the husbands, brothers and fathers you post chain statuses about singing their praises and displaying to everyone how wonderful, loving and smart they are, and it's insulting to women. Women are fighting to not be viewed as sex objects, and to be seen as intelligent, creative individuals who were put on this earth for more than men's pleasure, so why then undo all this work by posting something like this that is intended (despite the worthy cause it is lingering behind) to be taken in a sexual nature?

I ranted similarly (although much more briefly) in my status earlier this evening, and received a comment (which has since disappeared, although I did not delete it) that it was just supposed to be a bit of fun, and that I should let people do what they want. I respect that Facebook is a public forum, and that people have the right to post what they want, as I have the right to post this. However if it's a bit of fun, don't hide behind a serious cause to legitimise a silly, sexist game. Have your game, but be upfront about it.

I'm not going to personally hunt down every single person who re posts the "I like it" status and flame them in the comments, all I am going to do is keep deleting the PMs as I receive them, keep the location of my handbag to myself, and hope that if you're going to participate, you'll also take the time to check your own breasts, think about someone (a sufferer, a carer, a relative) affected by breast cancer, or click on a link & donate some money.

In memory of Cathy Miller - RIP 2010

As you might have noticed...

I am well past the point of being tactful, diplomatic and caring about your situation, and said this is the last time I want to hear about it or will say anything of it but just a few points I feel I missed, so that I can close Pandora's Box again. (Because hey, I'm never done w/out a blog post)

• This thing with your uncle does not affect you. I'm not saying your dad was right to do what he did, but it's between your dad & his brother.


• The way I see it, your uncle only rang you to start more shit and spread gossip. Don't play into his games.


• Speaking of things that don't affect you. It's none of your business to worry about whether I'm on the pill, or whether I'm an unmarried mother. You're not the one who may end up having a child because of a decision I am making, and you sure as hell aren't proposing to me.


• Oh, and by the way, it is HELLISHLY insulting to have you worrying about that shit. You can barely look after yourself properly, and yet you're worrying about a decision I have made with a lot more experience, research and thought? You may be older chronologically, but that doesn't mean I can't make my own decisions carefully and appropriately for me.
  


• This is a real-world issue again, you have NO idea how things actually work. Unmarried mothers do fine. Women use contraceptive pills for YEARS without falling pregnant. Don't use a couple of sensationalised media stories to make generalisations about your friends, in a situation you know NOTHING about.
  


• Your Dad may not be the nicest person in the world, yet you seem to be willing to hurt him just to side with the majority. Make up your OWN mind.
  


• If it were up to you, you would have NEVER moved out. Giving you that kick start to actually experience the real world and do things on your own was the right move from your Dad. The way he went about it was a unfair, but I agree with his decision.
  


• Speaking of the real world, we do not live in a movie. Not everything has a happy ending like the Brady Bunch. Accept this.
  


• You're wasting time being bitter and upset about something you can no longer change. The house has sold. You have moved house. Get over it.
  


• Speaking of the real world again, you are so out of touch with it, it's not funny. You are not nearly as hard up as you think, but you are making it harder for yourself by your refusal to let go of the past, and to make positive changes even if they are hard ones.


• Your dad may have been unreasonable and rude. But a) he wasn't rude to you and b) in the grand scheme of things, it's nothing anyway. Not to mention if that is the worst thing he has ever done, then you are lucky.
  


• You're almost 30 by the way. The time has come to stop blaming your parents for every single thing that happens to you. You are to blame for how hard you are finding things. C is to blame for making the situation worse, and you in turn are to blame for how bad it's gotten by not growing some balls and telling her to shape the fuck up or ship the fuck out.
  


• Oh yeah, and it's not rude or chauvinistic to give an ultimatum like that when C's behaviour has been rude, unreasonable, manipulative, disrespectful, and completely uncaring to how it made you feel.


• And in case you were wondering about my hard line last night. It was a vicious cycle that was going no where, I was sick of it and someone had to take a bigger step to get things to change... so I did. Sound like a familiar situation, a vicious cycle going no where that you're sick of?


• You need to understand that no matter how many sickeningly sweet lines you can come up with, about how her laugh lifts your heart or her smile brightens your day, or whatever other corny, clichéd lines you choose, it doesn't excuse her making you feel like shit for so long. She is not a perfect princess, and she is at fault for a lot of this, regardless of who took the first wrong step.


• Not to mention bringing this crap that is between your uncle and your father into the shit with C. It will only justify her actions, and give her more reason to continue acting in the small minded, pious way she has been. In turn making you feel worse about the situation.
  


• And don't think she won't use it against you. She has already been using her beliefs about unmarried couples to increase the drama, which was unrelated to the reason she was angry with your dad in the first place. What's to stop her using this shit too?
  


• Oh yeah, and the manipulative little power games she's been playing. Constantly talking about moving to QLD, and asking if you'd go too? Just a game. She has no intention of moving. Testing the waters to see just how much she has you eating out of her hand is all. You don't want her to leave so you bend over backwards even further to make her happy.
  


• And your birthday party, how is she going to cope with that one? By not going to that like she has everything else? A girlfriend who is willing to forgo their bf's 30th birthday just because they can't suck it up and be civil to his parents for ONE FRIKKIN NIGHT is not a girlfriend worth having.
  


• Grow some balls, and some self-respect while you're at it. I absolutely reamed you last night and you barely stood up for yourself. If you can't stand up to a friend, how can you stand up to your girlfriend? Anyone who respects themselves and their family would not put up with their other half calling their father an asshole and senile, and causing a situation which has you in tears. A partner who makes you feel that sad and miserable all the time is not worth your time. Respect yourself and start making changes that reflect that.


• The reason why "nothing else in the world matters" when you're with her is because you're both too scared to confront any of the real issues between you. Again, self respect and balls will help immensely. Stop pretending that everything is perfect for half an hour, and nut out some of this shit that is causing you so much pain.
  


• And I know it might not end well. And yes, I know that's scary and painful. But really, something needs to change, and if neither C nor your father are willing to come around. You need to be the one to make the decision for them. For you.
  


• And back to the situation with your father and your uncle. You claim to have lost all respect for him. What about his respect for you when he realises his SON has sided with his brother, without even finding out what his story is? You claim you will keep in touch with him 'in a father-son' aspect, but with that attitude, you will quickly find yourself being even further isolated from your father than you are now, and you won't be the one calling the shots.
  


• Instead of making up your own mind, you've gone with the first side of the story you've heard, and and without making allowances for other people. C's being offended with your family for example. They are outspoken people, and to them it was not rude, and they are of a different generation where that kind of discussion was not discriminatory or politically incorrect. They cannot know they were offensive if C did not tell them.


• Continuing with the generation gap, your father is nearly 50 years older than C, in his mind he has the right to demand respect from her and you before he returns the favour. He is in a different mindset to how things work now, and it is up to you to realise that and teach C this if you ever want things to come around, instead of flogging a dead horse by getting him to apologise. C needs to be the bigger person in this, and instead you are letting her be small minded and petty.
  


• By the way, he is very unlikely to apologise for selling the house and having you move either. It was the right decision for him, and bar your resistance to make things work for you, it was the right choice for you.
  


• Drop the 'poor me my life is turning to shit' act. It doesn't make you sympathetic, just pathetic. A 30yo who can't cope with living on his own, doing his own shopping and being responsible for his finances each week? There is NOTHING to have sympathy for there, just a serious 'grow the fuck up and deal with it' mentality. People who are 10 or 12 years younger than you manage this stuff better than you.
  


• Oh, and when you ask for advice on how to make this stuff easier? If you're going to ignore it and complain when everything gets worse, WHY ASK IN THE FIRST PLACE? I have given you suggestions, hints and god knows what from the 5 minute quick fixes to the long term plans, and you haven't taken one of them on board.
  


• And just in case you think I'm being unreasonable, I get that advice may not be taken, but when it is so consistently ignored, and laughed off with a lame excuse instead of even tried ONCE, after I have spent HOURS OF MY TIME counselling you about this, I have every right to be angry.
  


• Open your eyes and take a look at all the things you have the chance to experience and learn now. The glass may not be full, but there's always something in it. You are making everything harder on yourself with your pessimistic attitude. Of course you are lonely, no one wants to talk to you because everything is doom & gloom. You sabotage your own friendships with your behaviour and negative attitude.


• Speaking of negative attitude, you went out with her on Saturday, and the first thing your FB status says and you tell me, was not "Had a wonderful time out with C" but "Got sunburnt" This is what I mean about the negative attitude. You find the bad in all situations, but never the good. And if that was the first thing you felt the need to tell people, it makes me question if you are really happy with her.
  


• Back to C and her stubbornness about giving your dad a second chance, what happens the first time you accidentally upset her, is she going to take the same hard-line "I don't want to see such a horrible person anymore" attitude with you? Do you really want to spend the rest of forever tiptoeing around just in case you do something wrong?
  


• If you're wondering why I'm saying "your family" instead of "your dad & H" it's because H is your family, whether you like it or not. They're getting married next year, and she is your step mother. You still might think it's all too soon, but instead of stressing about this situation you can't change, you need to accept this and move onto the ones you can.
  

I'm beginning to repeat myself a little now, so I think I'm pretty well done. Done with this topic and done with your crap. I don't want to hear about it any more.

They say at the end, all that was left with Pandora was hope, and to continue on this analogy, I hope you take some of this to heart, and make some serious changes.

The Monster's Loose

Whoops.... where did that come from?

Don't ask me for advice on a situation which I coached you about months ago, that due to your own inaction has gotten worse. You'll only piss me off and unleash a torrent of harsh words, followed by my not wanting to know anymore about it. I'm done with this shit. Either grow some balls, or keep handing them to her on a plate.

I will reiterate my advice to you one last time and then I am done. Do whatever you want from there. I don't care anymore.

Umbrellas, Trains & Rude Commuters

Well, winter has once again come to Melbourne, and being a 5 minute walk from a train station I get to watch public transport commuters trudging to and from the station, collars turned up against the wind, side stepping puddles and holding their umbrellas to ward off the constant drizzle that is a Melbourne winter.

Seeing these people pass by, buried in their winter woollies, makes me remember the Autumn and Winter of 2007. I was still working, and using public transport on a daily basis. I was also making fortnightly pilgrimages to the hospital for check-ups as I was also 6-7 months pregnant at the time, not one of my jackets buttoned properly over my belly any more, and yet when I (like so many other commuters) headed for the ludicrously small covered area my local train station provided, I was often left standing in the rain.

One particular day sticks in my mind, I was headed out after work and had to change trains at Ringwood. Unusually cold for the time of year, (it was not yet Easter) there was a biting wind and a steady rain, which even though it was light could soak you to your skin in just ten minutes. Getting off the first train, and knowing I had 10 minutes to wait till the next I headed towards the waiting room & extended roof, looking for shelter, only to come up against a wall of backs as everyone else was struck with the same idea.

It was peak-hour, of course the covered area was at a premium, but as I stood there, huddled with the other passengers who had missed out on the coveted shelter, I looked toward the roofed in area of the platform and realised beneath it was a sea of umbrellas.

Not folded umbrellas tucked beneath people's arms either. Open umbrellas held aloft as their owners waited for the train... underneath the roof! I couldn't believe it, I was stuck there huddled in the rain and wind, with countless other similarly stranded passengers, while a bunch of inconsiderate commuters who evidently didn't think their umbrellas were made to actually get wet. I don't know, maybe they were afraid they'd melt if they made contact with water, like the Wicked Witch from the Wizard of Oz?

Their rudeness too, affected more people than usual as well. On a packed platform it is not unheard of to stand shoulder to shoulder, including to make the most of the precious little shelter provided, it is often a very snug situation, which for the most part is taken with good humour and grace.

A raised umbrella on the other hand creates a "force field" of sorts, as it widens the area a single person needs to occupy, as you need to watch to make sure your umbrella doesn't get tangled with someone else's and more importantly that your eyes are not taken out by the flailing umbrella next to you as the owner, unaware of anything but the phone call they are loudly making waves it around to emphasise their point to a person who cannot see them in the first place. Umbrellas thus force people further apart and reduce the number of passengers who could share in the shelter.

The simple solution obviously is to buy my own umbrella, which I did, twice. But being 7 months pregnant I was lucky if I could have remembered my own name, let alone an umbrella on top of my keys, wallet, phone, and the 40,000 item to-do list I had at work. I am no longer in possession of either of those umbrellas and I can only assume they have gone on to a better place thanks to Connex Melbourne.

I'll willingly admit if I don't have an umbrella & I miss out on a covered spot that's fine. When the area has been occupied by other similarly umbrella challenged commuters. But I don't like being left out in the cold thanks to a bunch of inconsiderate pricks!

So please, if you do have an umbrella & are waiting for a train. Do everyone else who is not as lucky as you a favour and stand in the goddamned rain! That's why you bought it, get your money's worth!

FINALLY FIXED MY COMPUTER!

Wow... I'm posting in TUI for a change!

After weeks of lagging, crashing, swearing and general computer agony I have finally reloaded windows on my computer. This is after nearly 3 years of running the same installation... no wonder I had issues.

The only sucky thing is having to reset everything back to the way I like it, and re-enter all my passwords, so if you don't hear from me for a while, it's because I'm somewhere in the depths of the intarwebs typing my password in over and over again...

It is running like a charm however, and because Ryan got me a new fan it doesn't sound like a jet engine taking off!

Hooray for a working computer! Now I really must make a post about all the motorists on the roads that I hate...

I have not been so offended in ages...

This is just embarrassing, an overseas (US based I believe) pain-relief manufacturer Motrin recently released this disgusting add...

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=XO6SlTUBA38

There are just so many this wrong with this add.

1) It makes babywearing mommas look like ignorant try-hards, who like the teenage girl tottering around in shoes that cause blisters and a dress so tight she can hardly breathe because she's 'sexy', wear their babies because it's 'cool' and will make them look like a 'real' mother.

2) It promotes babywearing as a painful thing to do. This is ridiculous! Even I can wear Zeke, and I have an ongoing shoulder injury and a bad back, and still comfortably tote him around in a carrier wherever I go. Babywearing when undertaken with the right advice and sling for you, (there is lots of advice out there!) is a comfortable and painless experience.

3) The add also made fun of the scientific fact that babies who are worn cry less. I cannot tell you the number of mothers I know who swear by wearing their baby in any form of carrier as a way to keep their bub close, comfortable and peaceful. Nothing turns my fussy, overtired little boy into a mellow baby like popping him in the sling and doing a few laps of the house.

4) The makers of the add also mock the bonding experience that can be had by babywearing. When you wear your baby, you are deliciously close to their soft skin, their warmth is pressed right against your heart (exactly where your baby belongs!), and every step you take you can breathe in that beautiful, sweet, milky, one-of-a-kind 'baby' scent that belongs only to your child... and even while they're asleep your baby will recognise your heartbeat, scent and warmth as a sense of comfort and protection. How is that not a wonderful way to bond with your baby?

I really am disgusted and offended by this, I cannot believe how ignorant the makers of this add are.

When I became pregnant , one of the things I looked forward to most was wearing my child... I researched all the options, and made a choice of carrier based on factors that affect me, and I have found that wearing Zeke is a happy, enjoyable and above all comfortable experience. I love having him close to me when I am out walking or shopping, and he appears to really enjoy being close to me and having a great view of the day's proceedings! Not to mention it keeps my hands free to get what I need to do finished.

For those who choose it babywearing is a win/win situation for the wearer and the child!

All you baby-wearing mothers out there who also find this add rude, offensive or ignorant, please drop by the Motrin website when it is up and running again, and let them know what you think. I will certainly be giving them my two cents!

Nope... not pregnant...

The ticker just re-set itself to 2009 since I forgot to remove it. Zeke is currently an only child, and will remain so for some time!

Not that any of you asked, but I thought I'd let you all know for sure!

Introducing...

I am proud to finally introduce you to my wonderful little boy, everyone meet Zeke!

Ezekiel David

Born: 3 June 2008 10.26am by C-section

Weight: 3406grams (7lbs 8oz)

Length: 48cms



We are doing so well, he is feeding like a champion, sleeps (mostly) well and is generally a beautiful and peaceful little boy.

Birth story to come, it is something of a saga and I am still not clear on what happened when.

Anyway, off to bed to catch what Z's my Zekie-bubba will let me!

10 Days to go...

Well the date I thought our baby would arrive has come and gone. So much for mummy's intuition! However with that date passed there are now only 10 days till the baby is officially due.

Let the countdown begin...

Random Update

So I'm bored and chilling... I've tidied up SO MUCH over the last couple of days I think I've earned a break. Still thinking vacuuming would be a good idea, but CBF anymore.

FINALLY the weather is cooling down. I have been dying over the last few days. Seriously, all I've managed to do around here is thanks to wearing a wet t-shirt. (Which now has chocolate pudding stains on it... yummy... well the pudding was, not the stains)

Had a good night on Friday though, went out and saw Fiona Boyes performing at Bell's Tavern. She rocked as always. The double bass player (from the US) apparently had discovered Bundaberg Rum during his time over here, and from the sounds had enjoyed a few before the show too! Can't fault his taste though. Bundaberg truly does rock!

I've been so busy mostly with just preparing for baby stuff, I haven't had much of a non baby-centric life really. I am planning to get my hair cut again in non-baby news, but nothing dramatic, just a trim.

I've been meaning to write a post about Melbourne weather, public transport, its commuters and their umbrellas for the last while now, but I never seem to get around to it, specially with the hot weather, making umbrellas quite unnecessary. Not to mention preggo brain! (It is a real syndrome people... I am even more vague than I used to be!)

Had a bit of an odd dream last night. I can only blame it on hormones. However, it made me send a message to someone who I have not talked to in quite some time, hopefully they will reply.

Oh, my aunt is coming down tomorrow! (That's the main reason I've been busy cleaning like mad... it would be nice if the place didn't look like a rubbish tip!) She's coming to bring the baby's bed, but it will be the first time she's seen this new place, so it would be good if the place is relatively clean and tidy.

YAY! The wind is picking up, looks like rain. Somehow it feels cozier indoors when it's raining outside. Plus the cooler weather means I can walk again, and there are so many benefits to that... good for me, good for bub, and other than that it just plain gets me out of the house, and anything that means I don't spend forever on Neopets or something has to be good!

Anyhoos Neighbours is on, and Ryan won't be far away with the rest of the things I need for food. Ciao!

Miranda xoxox