Tag Archives: Gloria Steinem

A Couple of Things…

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1. As the seasons change from summer to fall, I continue to kayak until conditions change to when it’s so windy when one paddles, you barely move. But for now, the perfect conditions prevail.

photo of Channel Islands Harbor kayaking

2. I saw a great t-shirt that read: “I’m not completely useless. I can be used as a bad example.” #TrueDat

Steinholding competition
Man on left won the competition

3. It’s that time again when beer-filled steins are aplenty, bratwurst and sauerkraut sandwiches are all the rage and people arrive wearing goofy German clothing, of course I’m speaking of Oktoberfest. I attended the 2nd annual Oktoberfest at the Ventura Fairgrounds this week and I was a little annoyed that you have to pay to get in, you stand in line for an “over 21” wristband, you stand in line for a beer ($15-$30 each), you stand in line to order food and then wait in line to pick it up and while all the time you’re being overwhelmed by German polka bands.
I did indeed enjoy the sandwich along with a warm soft pretzel straight out of the oven along with my beer (sorry…did not opt for German). I also enjoyed the Steinholding competition. I had never witnessed (nor heard of) one before. People lined up with a beer stein in front of them filled with water (no need to waste good beer), and then they pick it up and the last one to hold it with out spilling a drop wins. Turns out, there’s a US Steinholding Association which delineates rules for the competition. I won’t list all (you can read them here), but these are my favorites.

  • The arm holding the stein must remain parallel with the ground and, from a side view, should remain close to perpendicular with the line of the torso from the neck to the bottom of the rib cage.
  • If any amount of the liquid filling the stein spills or drips off of the stein, the competitor is immediately disqualified, regardless of the number of strikes otherwise assigned.
Photo of friends David and Marnie with me

I did mention people dressed up in their best “traditional” German garb, well I came across two of my father’s friends (and mine), David and Marni who were all about the festivities. It was good to catch up with them!

Late for the Sky advertisement
Aaron Orbit and Travis Greer

4. Congratulations to local filmmaker, Travis Greer, on his short film, “Late for the Sky.” I caught a screening of it last weekend here in town at the Cinefest held during ArtWalk Ventura. Both Greer, and local musician/artist, Aaron Orbit starred in it and it was really well done. I was enthralled by the cinematography. The close ups were amazing and truly mesmerizing. A job well done and the film was the winner for Best Comedy.

5. Checked out an early morning screening of “Digger” this past weekend. We’re talking 10:10 am which one would think is too early for popcorn, but not this popcorn lover! “Popcorn for breakfast, it’s your choice!” should be the campaign of the next Orville Reddenbaker ad run.

As for the movie, if you see it, I hope it sticks with you and makes you think. You need to pay attention and follow the plotline. #Deep

Digger movie poster

6. Things that live in my head rent free:

  • Tom Cruise’s latest movie, Digger
  • (To be continued…)

7. Why is prostitution illegal and not porn? Of course prostitution is legal in areas of the state of Nevada; and as I delved into the subject, I found that porn is argued that it’s a first amendment issue with actors regarding “artistic expression.”
But if a woman is 100% willing and not under duress, why is it illegal? It’s her body.
I thought of this workaround: Start a FansOnly page, and prostitute one’s self, but position it as being hired for an art project so she would film it in order to post it so it would pass the First Amendment rights provision. The “John” would either give consent to be filmed or be blindfolded, which could be fun.

While researching this, Wikipedia provided this tidbit: “Prostitution is illegal in every US state except Nevada, where licensed brothels are permitted in some counties, and Maine, where selling sex is decriminalized but buying sex is illegal.”

artwork of Famous last Words episode

8. If you get a chance, watch the episode of Famous Last Words on Netflix featuring Gloria Steinem. There are now three episodes, I’ve seen Steinem’s and Jane Goodall’s, and will get around to watching the one with Eric Dane who passed away from ALS. At the time of the recordings, the person being interviewed is promised that no one will see it until they have passed away. But you can’t help but think what other episodes are in the can just waiting for that someone to die. #KindaGrim

9. From my favorite quotes file: “Why is it immoral to be paid for an act that is perfectly legal if done for free?” – Gloria Allred

A Couple of Things… Gloria Steinem

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Gloria Steinem past away September 2, 2026 at age 92. To live a life to better conditions for others is a life to celebrate. Taking a look at her Wikipedia page, and watching all the news coverage, I will be forever in awe of her accomplishments. I remember reading Ms. Magazine and following her career. I volunteered in the 70s for my local chapter of NOW in no small part trying to live up to her example.
We’ve all seen changes for the better over the decades and changes for the worse. I’m grateful the younger generation joins in to help to fight the battles yet to be won. As with all people I admire, especially those who set such a great example for others, I don’t weep for the loss of this iconic woman, but rather celebrate the life and choices she made to help others and improve conditions for all.

cover of book

Taken from Steinem’s speech in 1971, Address to the Women of America, she said:

“This is no simple reform. It really is a revolution. Sex and race because they are easy and visible differences have been the primary ways of organizing human beings into superior and inferior groups and into the cheap labor on which this system still depends. We are talking about a society in which there will be no roles other than those chosen or those earned. We are really talking about humanism.”

My friend Linda Le Brock once met Gloria so I asked her for her thoughts:

“When I was around 18 years old, Gloria Steinem came to speak at the local college. My mom got tickets for us both to attend. My mom, raised by a single mom of six during the depression, understood the importance of women’s equality. 

“Gloria was erudite, witty, passionate and preternaturally cool. 

“In 2014, a dear colleague, Marybeth Carty, invited me to a private reception held for Gloria Steinem. She spoke of the importance that each generation must expand feminism to include the most marginalized. 

“After her talk, we stood in a receiving line and got to meet and get photos with her. I was introduced as publisher of the Business Times. She exclaimed, ‘Oh I was a publisher too!’ I couldn’t believe it. Here she was VERY generously comparing me, the publisher of a local business journal to being the co-founder (along with Dorothy Pittman Hughes) and publisher of Ms. Magazine! I was speechless. I just stammered thank you, and she gave me a little hug. I watched as she graciously met, and uplifted in some way, every woman there. The room was electric.

“Thank you, Gloria for everything. And thank you, mama.” – Linda Le Brock

Headlines describing Steinem:

“World Famous Feminist Leader” – People
“Feminist Icon and Ms. Magazine Trailblazer” – USA Today
“Fierce Feminist Trailblazer” – NBC News
“Trailblazing Journalist and Activist” – NPR
“Personification of the Feminist Movement” – NYTimes
“Feminist Icon and Founder Ms. Magazine” – CNN

Gloria Steinem quotes:

“Imagine we are linked not ranked.”
“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off!”
“Once we give up searching for approval we often find it easier to earn respect.”
“Decisions are best made by the people affected by them.”
“A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.”

Thank you Gloria!

A Couple of Things…

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Syd Rose showing off her birthday tattoo.
Syd Rose showing off her birthday tattoo.

1.  My daughter Sydney Rose turned 21 on June 11.  She’ll always be my baby.  Nothing melts my heart more than when she calls and says, “Hi Mama!”

Sydney attended a summer camp when she was in elementary school, I think it was in New Mexico.  It was the first time she was away from home for an extended period of time, a whole month!  When she came back, I went from being called Mom to Dude.  Happy to say she eventually settled on “Mama.”

Sydney Rose bath time

Of course I’ll always have this image of her little baby attitude in my head.  We made a calendar out of this shot.  Too cute!  Love you Sydney Rose!!

2.  I never see Chili Beans on the menu at Mexican restaurants.

3.  I always giggle when someone gets indignant about being called middle-aged.  It’s the period of life between youth and old age.  I guess we could stretch the definition of youth, but come on!  By 35, you ain’t no youngster!!  You can further suggest you’ll live to 125, but even then, at 35, you still ain’t no youngster! You just elongated the period of being middle-aged!

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4.  It may just be me, but I think it’s pure evil of Macy’s to place chocolates next to their cash registers in these beautifully wrapped gold boxes. Milk chocolate with creamy caramel and sea salt, are you kidding?  After one’s ego has been thoroughly deflated trying to find a pair of jeans that fit properly you’re going to tempt me with more calories?  Bastards!

5.  I bought a new bicycle helmet.  Apparently they have a 1-2 year life span.

Pizza Hut

6. Okay, maybe I’m not quite done with my hot dog phase.  Tell me this doesn’t look kind of good!

7.  I’ve decided to unclutter by life. I won’t go so far as to say I was overwhelmed, but I will say I was doing more things that I was not enjoying, than I was enjoying. And that’s not to say I was working too much because I actually enjoy working.  So I’m getting rid of the stress and “clutter” inhibiting my happiness. My motto remains, “Work Hard, Play Harder.”

8.   One of my pet peeves is when someone shows up late with an entree to a potluck.

The cat is asking for you.

9.  The other day some random cat attempted to enter my house through the doggie door.  All I have to say is Molly is one bad-ass kitty cat.  Don’t fuck with her.  I went downstairs to find the intruder and there was a black and white kitty with its hair on end yeowing.  I don’t think it’ll attempt to trespass again.  I’ve posted this photo of her before, but this completely epitomizes her.
Now I just have to train her to chase off spiders and raccoons.

10.   I was not surprised by the ton of media coverage when Bruce Jenner made the transitions from man to woman and appeared on Vanity Fair as Caitlyn.  I was pleased most were civil, that is until I came across Jon Stewart’s Daily Show commentary on the media coverage.  Not only was it a great, but he demonstrates so eloquently how society is sexist and ageist.

“Congratulations, and welcome to being a woman in America.” – Jon Stewart

Please do me a favor and take the time to view this.

11.  From my favorite quotes file:  “The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn.” – Gloria Steinem

A Couple of Things…

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Pam and Maggie
oregon_1409_002

1.  The trip to Oregon with Maggie to visit Sydney was super fun.  If Syd Rose started popping out grandbabies for me, I would seriously think about moving up there.  Meanwhile, Portland-Rocks.com could be in the works!  Just sayin’.

There was lots of outdoor hiking with Maggie, good food, cold drinks, and as much time as I could with Sydney in-between her jobs.

2. I saw a cooking website with a blog called, “15 Dinner Recipes Impossible to Mess Up.”  I feel a challenge is afoot.

3. Kobe’s first shot of the season was an airball?  Okay, in all fairness, it’s the preseason; but still, how much does that suck?

4. Did you see those advertisements how Brett Michaels was appearing at an RV Show?  Reminded me of that line in that Don Henley song, “I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac.”  Just didn’t seem right.

5.  On the other end of the spectrum – on the extremely COOL end – there’s this video I saw recently of a school band rockin’ some Rage Against the Machine.  Damn I would have been in band if my school had rocked some Zep or Bowie back in the day.  Check it out:

6. Speaking of music, I wonder, “Is it better to have diminished hearing, than to not have enjoyed live music your entire life?” I pondered this after my Aunt Angie’s recent visit.  She is 86, my father is 80 and he’s going deaf.  She has perfect hearing.  My dad spent his entire life enjoying loud music, his sister hadn’t been to a live music event until this year, not since she was a teenager.  My question reminds me of that famous quoted question “Is it better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all.”

Of course there’s always a good argument for wearing earplugs.

7. I saw someone poise the question, “If you could rid the world of one thing, what would that be?” Someone commented, “Cancer.”
I gave it some thought and I came up with, “Stupidity.”  I figured if we were smarter, we could find the cure or stop it in the first place.

scintillating-scotoma

8. I believe I experienced my first (and hopefully last) scintillating scotoma.  It last about 15 minutes, then it went away.  It could be described as a half circle of refracted light in my vision path, like a floating aroura borialis or light shining through a quartz crystal.   Bright jagged semi circle.  TOTALLY freaked me out!  I’ve read up on them and they usually are followed by a migraine, with or without a headache.  Who knew you could have a migraine without a headache!

9. I hate it when I arrive at an event and run into friends who say, “Oh!  I have that same shirt!”  I guess it could be worse – they could be wearing the same shirt.

evil-raccoon

10. Oh! The raccoons are back.  Yep, I woke up and laid in bed listening to odd noises around the house. So I looked out my back bedroom window, and turned on the outside light to find two humongous vermin walking across the back fence.  They froze at first and then looked up at the house with their beady evil eyes, then continued on.  They had to be at least 45 pounds each. They were huge!!  And again, I live at the beach! So weird.

11. Sometimes when I want to show off, I will work into the conversation that I once dated someone (Victor) who saw Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust tour in the Seventies.  But now I can say, my good friend Linda LeBrock actually met Gloria Steinem.   One degree of separation should account for something, which I guess is that I know how to pick cool friends!

12. From my favorite quotes file:  “Without music, life would be a mistake.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Thanks for listening!