All-in-all Under the Dome exceeded my expectations. Stephen King’s usual techniques that often draw affectionate eye rolls from fans were kept to a minimum in this book. All though there is a definite good vs. evil theme and characters for the most part fall clearly on one side or the other, it seems less like lazy story telling and more like a subtle disconcerting suggestion that when the safe structures of law and societal organization are removed, there’s no telling what we’re capable of. Warning, a few spoilers ahead! When a clear dome made of an unidentified, indestructible substance … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: Regarding Sen. Nancy Ruth: I Don’t Even Need to Say Anything
May 4, 2010 By
We’ve got five weeks or whatever left until the G8 starts. Shut the f–k up on this issue…If you push it, there’ll be more backlash. This is now a political football. This is not about women’s health in this country. –Senator Nancy Ruth (via cbc.ca) * * * * * * * Ok, no I’m totally going to say something. Psych! So, there are many problems with telling the citizens you represent to shut the fuck up. The best part is this is a direct quote from Sentor Ruth’s website: My passion lies within a myriad of issues concerning women’s rights, poverty, politics and economics. Yes, … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: Ada Lovelace Day!
March 25, 2010 By
From the website: Ada Lovelace Day is an international day of blogging to celebrate the achievements of women in technology and science. From Wikipedia: Augusta Ada Byron, was an English writer chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage’s early mechanical general-purpose computer, the analytical engine. Her notes on the engine include what is recognized as the first algorithm intended to be processed by a machine; as such she is often regarded as the world’s first computer programmer. That’s right, the world’s first programmer! Odd how she doesn’t make appearances … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: Orange Prize Longlist could probably beat up Canada Reads
March 16, 2010 By
Seriously guys, this is a bad ass list. Other long lists see this list coming and cross to the other side of the street. Some highlights: Barbara Kingsolver The Lacuna Andrea Levy The Long Song Hilary Mantel Wolf Hall (yes, I know she’s a questionable character but this was a really really long and also good book) **Sarah Waters The Little Stranger** I have left subtle clues indicating which one I want to win. … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: If You Find Yourself in a Kay Jewelers Commerical, Get the Hell Out of There
February 13, 2010 By
So, you expect jewelry commercials to be kind of lame. As you may recall from an earlier post, I generally hate them. They try to sell you overpriced, ethically sketchy, tacky rocks. And these companies have a lot invested in the idea that the womenz are CRAZY for diamonds. For no specific reason diamonds are all we want and these shiny rocks will make us love the men who offer them to us forever. We are simple creatures. But this monstrosity you are about to see (or may have already been subjected to) takes the lameness to a whole new level. Behold, Kay Jewelers’ newest marketing campaign: Dear … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: Blog for Choice Day: Bring it On 2010
January 22, 2010 By
Happy Birthday Roe v. Wade! This year I’m going to try a different approach. I spent a lot of time in the past arguing, fighting and ending up in angry tears trying battle “pro-lifers” and I had to step away from the whole thing for a while because it was turning me into a bitter constantly pissed-off person (I mean, more so than is typical for a feminist!). But reproductive choice is a fight that needs fighting and none of us can afford to stick our head in the sand. So I propose starting this year we decide to fight on our terms. There will be no more arguments about whether foetuses can … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: Because If I Put it on the Internet it Makes it Real
December 29, 2009 By
In 2010 Jane will: Finally get her driver’s license. I still hate cars but asking for rides when you’re 26 starts to feel ridiculous. Leave the continent at least once. Buy some awesome luggage just because. Start kicking boxing again. Totally do-able. Hold me to it, internets! Happy holidays all, see you in the new year! … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: Save One of the Few Remaining Feminist Bookstores
December 21, 2009 By
The Toronto Women’s Bookstore is in trouble and may have to close. I’m a huge fan and in fact can’t think of a more woman-friendly, progressive, well-stocked bookstore. Please donate if you can. Details from the website below. The Toronto Women’s Bookstore is in crisis and we need your help! Independent businesses and bookstores have been closing their doors this year, and after 36 years it is possible that we will have to do the same if we are not able to raise enough money to survive. TWB is one of the only remaining non-profit feminist bookstores in North America, but … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: Canada Reads – Getting Hipper, or am I Just Getting Older?
December 2, 2009 By
It seems the book world has been a bit stressed out lately- with the Kindle sweeping the nation off its feet, a few awards happening with unpredictable results, Margaret Atwood singing us speculative fiction hymns and Alice Monroe popping out of retirement. I mean, had I a fan I would be fanning myself. Exciting stuff! But the problem is the Giller and the other standard Can Lit awards have become somewhat predictable. Pleasingly academic, we all nod along at the choices of the demure-looking jury, buy the winning book for our bookish friend, and then forgot about it. While the Giller winners are … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: Hallowe’en, a day to express your most whimsical, extreme persona…
October 30, 2009 By
…uh, unless you’re a girl. I have to admit I was hoping this patronizing “sexy” costume trend would fade out, but it appears to be going strong. I hope there are some little superhero and zombie girls out there tomorrow night to wear down my cynicism. Image via Sociological Images *UPDATE* Bitch Magazine is on it. Click this link, if only to see the most adorable Wonder Woman ever. … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: TBTN Photos: You Saw Them Here First
October 22, 2009 By
Oh blog, I’ve missed you! Let’s catch up! As you might have guessed by my last post, I’ve spent the last few months helping to organize Take Back the Night here in Calgary, and then the following weeks trying to recover and also move apartments. Phew! But I’m happy to report the event went well- it was a lower attendance than the last few years, but considering it was pulled together by a grassroots group with no organizational backing what-so-ever, not too shabby! I thought I’d share some photographic evidence of the event. On the next page: a rare glimpse of Jane … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: Take Back the Night in Calgary!
September 4, 2009 By
Take note: TAKE BACK THE NIGHT is an annual march and rally to protest violence against women and to mourn the victims involved in these terrible gender-biased crimes. Due to a new by-law making the annual march difficult, this year community organizers have planned a candle-light vigil in place of a march. The vigil will be held at Tomkins Park on 17th Avenue and 8th Street SW on Tuesday, September 22nd at 8pm. Come speak out, read poems, sing, cry, yell or be quietly mindful of the ever-important issue of ending violence against women and girls across the world. Contact Juliet at 403-667-4770 … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: Naming the Nameless
August 22, 2009 By
Calgary doesn’t get too many Law and Order type homicides- typically murders in Calgary are straight-forward gang or drug related. Then there are the murders we don’t hear about, the nameless prostitutes or homeless women whose killers are often never found. Sex worker victims are more likely to be killed by someone who is related to their profession. Half of female victims in other professions are killed by “someone with whom they had had an intimate relationship”, namely boyfriends or husbands.* For me, and likely for most of you, this statistics are horrifying and instill a visceral … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: Oh Facebook ads
August 13, 2009 By
Judging by the picture, I’m going to have to go with “because he can’t figure out how to use his phone.” And the secret common mistake is… dating men who aren’t smart enough to use cell phones. … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: Finally I can start gossiping about the Booker again!
July 31, 2009 By
Oh man, sorry for the sporadic posting folks. It’s been a long month. I promise a real post is in the works! For now, in case you haven’t heard, The Booker Long List: The Children’s Book by A.S. Byatt Summertime by J.M. Coetzee The Quickening Maze by Adam Foulds How to Paint a Dead Man by Sarah Hall The Wilderness by Samantha Harvey Me Cheeta by James Lever Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel The Glass Room by Simon Mawer Not Untrue & Not Unkind by Ed O’Loughlin Heliopolis by James Scudamore Brooklyn by Colm Toibin Love and Summer by William Trevor The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters Who’s … [Read more...]
Written on the Body: The Rom Com Post
July 13, 2009 By
So I’ve been meaning to write about Rom Coms for a while, but have been unsure how to approach it. While it’s tempting to be dismissive and patronizing about the whole genre, the problem is I really like a good romantic comedy. They’re my go-to feel-good movies. I watch them when the boyfriend is out of town while painting my toenails. Seriously. So can I justify my love of cheesy romantic movies with my desire to be a cynical feminist about anything the mainstream media produces? Let’s find out. . … [Read more...]
