feminism or journalism

It appears that more girls and women are now missing from the planet, precisely because they are female, than men were killed on the battlefield in all the wars of the 20th century. -- Kristoff, NYTimes, Aug 2009

have the conversation

i've been flipping between two songs this morning..one is a version of the gayatri mantri a friend shared with me last week and the other is a christian rock song: show me what i'm lookin for by carolina liar.

friendinCHat: [is this] transition towards faith? [or] in general - nothing specific?

i say:
what feels good...feels good
if it speaks to your heart....have the conversation. thats how i see it

news?

what's happened to news these days. why is this a headline on CNN's webpage?

Country singer faces down tough economy. Male singers regularly photographed wearing a hat are usually covering up a receding hairline. Not Jason Aldean -- he's doing it to signal his commitment to country music. He's also conscious of what people pay to see him. full story

i don't get it.

Slumdog Millionaire & Indian Pride: "Get Over It"

Today's rage: A Time article expounding India's disfavor with the Western hit movie Slumdog Millionaire.

A great movie I must say. Although I can understand one of the comments in the article stating that Indians already see the filth/slum-life/begging all day and that when they go to the movie theaters they don't want to endure that. They would rather escape. Understood. That's why Bollywood movies are quite fantastical in their storyline and in their dancing glory. Okay, so I give them one there.

BUT to say that the movie is not realistic is to say that you are living in your own world. Because you have money in India does not mean that suddenly the 3rd world is no longer a haven for corruption, poverty, abuse, or any of the sadness no one wants to acknowledge. This lack of acknowledgment is precisely what leads to lack of development. No education - no power. Come on. Why is this so hard in this day and age to accept of the educated population in India. The article rightly comments that those in Dharavi (a slum in Mumbai where parts of the movie were shot) have sung praise while those who have risen the economic ladder in India shell their criticism at the film for its lack of "reality" and use of "well worn cliches." If I met that woman I'd have one thing to say sister: Your brothers are contradicting you when they say that its "too much reality" for a Saturday night and the cliches are not well worn. There are plenty who are unaware of the disparity -- particularly those outside your borders.

The truth is they feel its unpatriotic. By they I'm referring to Indian natives/residents. Unpatriotic is failing to acknowledge the truth - not hiding it for fear of embarrassment. When US movies were first floating the world and Indians (having not been exposed to other aspects) the average American was assumed to be a borderline alcoholic, sex-obsessed, lazy individual. Stereotypes - yes they can run wild and plant themselves in culture for generations.

I think we, Americans, are still trying to show Indians that we're not all about sex, drugs and alcohol and perhaps we have a long way to go. Still - you don't see us complaining that our independent films or our artistic literature are not being advertised amongst the world population. I also have no shame criticizing my own president for being a moron (and, neither does the other 79.999% of the population.) We're over ourselves. Indians - time for you to do the same.

no thank you!

Lately, I feel like everything I do these days is defined by my brownness. I hate it. I do not want my Indian ethnicity to define me as a person. Me as a person is multi-faceted I promise you. So multi-faceted I confuse myself more often than not ;-)

There are so many things about being Indian that actually cause me discomfort and shame: the inherent racism and classism in the indian mentality, the over-concern of society's image of you, the Victorian 'holier than thou' attitude, the deep-rooted shauvinism....i could go on and on because i feel like these are thrown in my face almost every other day!
1. I just finished talking to a friend of mine who is Indian who's first response when reading this horrendous story of an Indian man who murdered his estranged wife..was..and I quote "i beleive its not as straightdforward on the woman's side... as it is being projected." First response!
2. the Victorian 'holier than thou' attitude is not my brilliant assessment. google Indian history and you'll find that this ridiculous part of the culture that promotes and incestuates the religious basis for castes stems from a cultural depravity.
3. Indian gossip. women create little gossip circles at *every* social event. and when you aren't close enough to whisper to your neighbor...the desi chick in you've never met will update you in the elevator on what the others in the building are doing.
4. Yes, also I'm becoming bitter about not being able to fairly associate with those of the opposite sex because I'm picky and if I continue to be subject to rules like he must he have certain colors, resume lines, and religious affiliations I'll be forced to learn to like cats. Cats are scary, smelly and moody. I have enough female friends to now add a furry she-friend to the mix.
5. My Indian blood, if you will, has left me at odds with my project management. I don't feel like I can question those above me (typical Indian mentality) even though I know that's not how things work. I'm working on this but da--it, why can't we just find a way to erase the brown factor?

What's going on? I'm an American before anything else. I need someone to remind me. Where have all the Americans in my life gone?

Said friend (above) offered to help locate a job for me in India should the economy tank to the point that I am working at the dry cleaners (re: a comment I made about previously working at the dry cleaners.) I'll take the dry cleaning job here before I move to India. No thank you.

McKinsey on Healthcare Value Creation

Excellent 5 minute summary on Healthcare Value Creation across the sectors within Healthcare. Note providers. That's why we aren't getting jobs there. Pharmas, sigh.

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Health_Care/Strategy_Analysis/Value_creation_in_health_care_A_sector_by_sector_analysis_2240

e-day & the morning after

After almost year of grueling democratic primaries and the fierce debate between McCain and Obama the fight is over. Election day came and left. About 55% of the country woke up this morning doing a silent dance - I know I did.

Last night, knowing that Obama had won was not nearly as monumental for me as I it was quite obviously for others (tears, hugs, street parades, etc.) but often the big moments take a day or so to sink in for me. I'm neither African American nor of Muslim blood but I think its fair to say that Obama's triumph in the 2008 election does speak to one good thing that America can now proudly claim: There are plenty of us who have control over our prejudices. Quite possibly 60 or 70%, right? Not all those who voted against Obama did so out of their prejudice.

There is plenty of anxiety to go around with the possibility of a depression looming over our heads but plenty of power festering about with the new found energy amongst many previously disenfranchised groups: young adults, African Americans, Hispanics, and women. In my opinion the greatest value Obama and his success thus far have brought to the US is the energy that has spawned amongst young voters. These are the same people that will after a few decades (or perhaps sooner) hold positions of great power within our government and within corporate America. I'd venture to bet a politician or ten are growing from this new energy as we speak.

Better said here: http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12511205

recessive economy = recessive care

When you can't afford gas, bills, car, mortgage, and food which do you compromise? Your pills.

Although prescription drugs only account for 10% of healthcare costs in the United States it seems this is certainly an area Americans are willing to compromise on when it comes to their budget. Skip a pill here and there, keep the pain meds and drop the cholesterol ones -- potentially dangerous moves. Certainly agonizing for many too.

I am not the only one asking this: How is it again that the United States is the only developed without a national health care policy?

Disease Prevention the Modern Way

How's about an e-card to notify a partner of your and consequently his/her possibility of infection. inSPOT, the online e-card servicer for electronic cards with STD notification messages was first developed out of an initiative of the San Francisco Public Health Department. I had heard about this new service casually a while back but did not really undersand what it was.

Fox News had an article on it today and it happen to eappear on my RSS feed so I thought I'd do a brain dump. I'm sure there's controversy over the necessity and message this carries with it but I personally think its a refreshingly interesting way to use technology to combat a public health issue. Talking about STDs is scary and awkward -- especially if you're telling someone they may have gotten it from you. Granted if you're close to someone this is an in-person conversation but casual relations are quite common nowadays. E-cards are casual communication -- its a fitting facilitator.

Details are available on the inSPOT website and in this article from PloS Medicine.

Let's Be Lame

Let's get together after work -- us co-workers and gather at a bar and drink and talk about....DRINKING! -- and then drink some more.

and when the conversation slows lets switch to talking about salaries or work titles or our wives that are home taking care of the kids and when that dries up lets make a toast and start all over again.

freaking corporate-ville. exactly how long do I have to pay my dues again? someone show me the way out, please.

It's not clear why even modest amounts of alcohol may shrink the brain, although alcohol is "known to dehydrate tissues, and constant dehydration can have negative effects on any sensitive tissue," says Paul.

So a new study draws a correlation between how much you drink (over your lifetime) and the size of your brain. The more you drink the smaller it gets. I didn't realize dehydration can shrink your brain. Maybe that explains my memory loss - I'm horrible at staying hydrated because I hate drinking water and soda is off limits. (is/was - same deal :))

there was a point to this post but i've forgotten it.

memories come with a pricetag

"Memories come with a pricetag..." Yea? Probably quite true. Maybe this lends itself to a partial explanation for my current quarter life crisis: I'm cheap.

I used to be cheap when it pertained to the pennies in my pocket but I think I've become cheap on my life now. I neither feel motivated nor inspired -- by people or things -- and therefore find myself without the confidence to take a lot of actions in my life that would bring me to a place that is less "crisis" and more "living." I might be the only one that understands today's post but I'm using this as a way of coming to terms with my numbness.

Alas I am waiting for a lightbulb moment to guide me to a new way. Waiting for a lightbulb moment is an obvious useless endeavor. That's not how those moments work!

A friend of mine was discussing her listlessness with me and brought up the philosopher Nietzsche...and I can't recall the quote persay but paraphrasing he says that one must clear the mind and basically become "dumb" to cure restlessness and bring happiness. Hmm...how do you make yourself "dumb"?

corporal punishment in US schools

I have been living in the dark. I had no idea about how widespread *legal* corporal punishment was in the States and particularly in the South. Strange how this map looks like something out of the 1800s. No wonder northern VA has adamantly against being associated with "the South." If you thought the differences had narrowed, think again.

What do you think? Is it a good idea? I think if you think its a good idea - do it at home.

brain fart

just overheard on tv.."golf is like sex. you don't have to be good to enjoy it."

what?! ugh. i hate golf. i guess i'll always find men useless at this rate.