It has been a long time since I posted in this blog, largely because I am not sure what to do with it. At times, I am tempted to post things of a more personal nature and at times I feel that this should be completely apersonal. I dont know where it is going to go. Perhaps there is a brilliant line between personal and worldly (not that I believe they must be totally seperate, or that they are even at seperate ends of a binary).

I had the pleasure of spending Thanksgiving up in Seattle, Washington with my mother;s family. I hadnt seen many of them in 5 years, which isnt that long with regards to the adults, but when we are talking about my little love bundles of cuteness that some people call cousins, it is forever!

Both of my little muchkins of love are of normal/typical size for their age/height. For anonymities sake, I will henceforth call them lovemonkey (9 year old female) and spazmuffin (13 year old male).

Both lovemonkey and spazmuffin (who are brother and sister) live about an hour outside the city on a farm that their family runs themselves.

One of the first things out of spazmuffins mouth to lovemonkey was that she was big boned. Please note that this is not the case whatsoever. I quickly shut it down, saying that it wasnt true and wasnt something you said to a person.

I do not know how this topic is normally dealt with in their family. I do not know if this is a constant barrage of misinformation. I do know that lovemonkey mentioned about 4 or 5 times throughout the week that a) she needed to exercise or b) she was too fat to be a model or c) her jeans were tight because she was getting fat (um... your supposed to outgrow your clothes when youre a little girl).

It was so sad for me to hear/see that my little love monkey already has these thoughts. Eating disorders run through my family like RuPaul runs through Gay Pride, but I absolutely positively do not associate it to genetics alone.
And I sit here, a week later, pondering what I can do about this situation. I live far away and do not get to see them often. How can I explain to spazmuffin, who is a very sweet and caring young man, that saying these things to any woman or man in his life is highly detrimental. How can I make sure lovemonkey gets the support she needs to not head in the direction that I did... that her mother did... that 99% of my family did.

Perhaps all I can do is love her and be someone she can talk to, even if it is only on the phone.

Coffee House Confessional/ AKA what I heard while I was trying to get shit done

I have a confession. I cant work at home. I have never been able to.
Instead, I go to the coffee house of my choice (I have one for every mood) and turn into a diet coke/academia lush and powerhouse through work like a motor boat on the mississippi.

What I overhear never ceases to amaze me.
Today, sitting behind the anorexic mothers club (I say this in jest as I did suffer with a serious eating disorder and can absolutely relate to the torture of anorexia first hand)
Mom #1 (to baby) Youre so fat arent you? Youre just a fat little boy, you need to lose weight huh?
(to other mother) You know, we took him to the doctor and he said that appearently we shouldnt worry and it is normal for babies to be chubby like this.
Mom #2 Im still glad I have a skinny little girl

LATER ON

Man who works at said coffee house: I like the spray on salad dressing, because I know exactly how many calories are on each bite.


And with that, I get up and ask for a refill of my diet coke.

Todays Representation of Capitalism through Food:

Types of M&M's currently readily available on your local store shelf:
Milk Chocolate
Milk Chocolate Peanut
Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter (my fave)
Milk Chocolate Almond
Milk Chocolate Raspberry
Milk Chocolate Mini's
Dark Chocolate
Dark Chocolate Peanut

I spent last night with some of the most beautiful women in my life at the Artivist Film Festival at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. The opening night feature was a movie entitled America The Beautiful.
I will include a description below, but I want to say that if ANYONE has the chance to see this movie, PLEASE do and take all your friends/kids/family....heck, take your enemies, with you...

About "America the Beautiful":

BE THIN. BE YOUNG. BE PERFECT. BE BEAUTIFUL. Through wit, humor, and inspiration, "America the Beautiful" challenges mainstream "beauty" and asks the question: "What is real beauty?" "America the Beautiful" takes us on an inspirational and informative journey through the fashion world, the cosmetic, diet pill, pharmaceutical and plastic surgery industries. The film also addresses how these industries influence our expectations of women, and how they affect women and girls struggling with eating disorders, self-esteem issues, and depression. "America the Beautiful" ultimately reminds all of us what true "beauty" is all about!

And if you live in Los Angeles be SURE to check out the Artivist Film Festival. Now in it's fourth year, it support the arts as they relate to activism and social change.

4 things you can do in 4 minutes to make a difference!

From Hollywood to Down Under an underground "Love Your Body Mafia" has taken hold. Sticking post-it notes with messages like "Start a revolution, love your body" in bathrooms, magazines and all sorts of places, the women (of which I proudly include myself) of We Bite Back
have been biting back at all that negitive self talk. Post a post it today! You never know who will see it.
Check it out We Bite Back Post It Revolution


Is Disney joining in on the weight bashing?
According to Rachael over at The F Word
they are, and she gives you something to do about it!
Take 5 minutes today to make yourself heard!
Disney's Wall-E

Combat other's negitive food comments! Do you ever find yourself in the market next to someone reading labels? What is your response when the person your with says "I know I really shouldnt eat this, but...."
Take 3 seconds to tell them that... Gasp! "Its okay to eat what you want."
Heck, if youre really dedicated to the cause, you can even remind them that eating enough is infact good for your body and metabolism!

Fancy a weekend away? What about a massage and a new neckace? Would you like your money to go to a cause you believe in?
Check out NEDA's (National Eating Disorder Associaton) annual Love your body Auction in the next month and the proceeds will be donated to NEDA.
And if nothing strikes you.... remember, this twisted barbie is always in the mood for a good massage!
NEDA's Love Your Body Auction