Sexism

Sexism. This is a topic I've been thinking a lot about lately.
Women have been deprived of equal rights for hundreds of years. It was only in 1982 that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms gave all Canadians equal rights to one-another; and the idea that nobody was above anyone else.
All Canadian women were officially allowed to vote in 1940 (Québec being last). I believe for Ontario it was 1918. Women weren't even given the right to vote because men wanted them to be able to have more rights (well kinda..) but the real reason was because of conscription.
Today in Canada still, women are typically being paid 70% less than men. I didn't know that. I believed they were being paid equally -because I wanted to believe it... because they wanted me to believe it.
What I really wanted to talk about more specifically though, are the different ways men and women react to each other in certain situations.
Scenario #1
Let's say a woman see's a very attractive looking man. Hypothetically they're at the beach and the man is tan with a very fit body. The woman might give him a head nod or say "hey good looking" (something like that). Chances are, the man will be pleased and reply in the same manner or even maybe say thank you. I've never seen, or heard of a man becoming outraged by a woman complementing a man on his body/appearance, have you?
Scenario #2
At the beach again. A man see's a beautiful woman with a fit body, and perhaps a tan? He gives her a head nod and say's something along the lines of, "how you doin'?" Chances are the woman wouldn't react like the man and calmly reply in the same manner. She would most likely become insulted and go off ranting "How dare you talk to me in that tone of voice", or "how dare you look at me like that! Stop staring at my body!". Just a guess. I mean, am I the only one who while reading this can imagine it really well?, as if it were legitimate. It's probably because you've heard about it, experienced it yourself, seen it in real life or even on TV.
But why is it that women act so much more differently than men in these situations? Women tend (not always, but usually) to take such offence when they're being complimented like that, yet they would have no trouble doing the same thing to a man? Is it because women have only more recently been given equal rights? Is that just the way women are? For gosh sakes, I am a female and it doesn't even make sense to me!
I understand that women want to be treated equally and not every woman wants to get hit on wherever they go, but it's meant to be a compliment for the most part. I also understand there's a line that clearly states 'too far' Danger, Danger! For the most part I feel men respect that (...in Canada.) But why is it that a woman can treat a man the same way a man would treat her that she didn't appreciate, and see it as okay? A woman might tell a man he has a great body, but if he said that to her she might take offence and become defensive. She might ask for a picture of his chest but if he dared ask her he'd be in hot water. Why though? I understand the woman's POV to a certain extent, but when they're 'acting in the exact same degrading manner' it just makes NO sense!
I thought math was hard to understand, women are even harder...

Judge A Book By Its Cover...

Don't judge a book by  its cover.
For the most part I totally agree -it's a great message, right? It's always good to get to understand something better before making a final first judgement.
Buuuuuuut... I have to also think, don't people dress and say certain things to get their message of who they are across? They understand the way they dress will cause others to have certain reactions. Most people accommodate to receive the type of reactions they want, right? Don't we act specifically to our desire the first time we meet someone or try something new? Don't we usually want people to remember who we are based on first impressions? 
Maybe I'm crazy. 
I personally think that judging a book by its cover is usually necessary. It means relying on your instincts and using common sense. Obviously it won't always guide you in the right direction all the time, God knows life is full of surprises - good and bad.
So go ahead, judge a book by its cover.

Nothing but a Tease

Oh you. You are nothing but a tease. You play with the girl's heart's and then you tear them apart. You lead them on and watch as they're left a-stray. How cunningly evil of you!
Well now you've reached me. What do you think you'll do? We won't know because I like making the first move. Men don't like that; women making the first move. Most of them feel like it's taking away their masculinity. But we're living in the 21st century and women have fought for rights to be treated as equals, so it's gosh darn time we use this opportunity to do what women have been oppressed of doing for so many years.
I made the first move and I think you're turning me down. I'm not a fool but boy oh boy did you lead me on... Are you rejecting me because I took away your 'power'? You liked me before -I'm not overly cocky, I know you liked me. Maybe you still do.
I'm going to try and find out without looking like a fool. I can take a hint but you're not exactly dishing them out.
There's also this sadistic part inside of me, that wants you to feel lead on like I am feeling. That's wrong of me, I know, but I just can't help it. I hate when people play me a fool and I am not fond of surprises. I'm going to keep trying, even though I know I shouldn't. When will I learn? And when will he learn, that a girl's heart is not a toy? Silly, silly boys. 

Mother Nature

I don't know what it is, but whenever I look up at the sky I almost always see beauty. It could be a thunderstorm or raining like crazy, I just find it so beautiful. I'm not even really a fan of nature to be honest... I prefer the indoors for the most part.
I don't even want to travel into space or become an astronaut. I've been in planes before  and just the view of the sky literally takes my breath away...

I guess mother nature is a complicated woman, but extremely powerful and beautiful.
Time for some personal analyzing I guess.
Best to you all over this weekend!

I'm Just Me

I am a liar.
I am a cheater.
I am a thief.
I am human.
I didn't really think about it until the other day, but I have done quite a few bad things in my life. I have hurt others and I have hurt myself. I have broken the law and stolen and lied to one's I love. Then I realized that I did none of these things to hurt others, but to help others. 
I think I feel the consequences of letting someone I love and care about down, are more impacting than doing any of these actions. 
It's not like I run around looking for trouble either, I am a good person. I know that for sure. It's hard to explain. It's like, I would do anything for someone I love, anything. The thought is very scary, yet the thought of losing them is even scarier.
And when I was thinking about this, I was afraid to write about it because... because it was TRUE. I was afraid of being judged by people I didn't know, for being honest. I feel this everyday, I hate it. People should be more accepting, and I obviously have a bit more of growing to do.
When you hear someone say they steal, or they're a thief, you're probably afraid. I would be afraid! What I steal though, I feel it's for the better. If my father is on a diet I will steal his candy and chocolate bars. I will hide them away because I want to help him. It's wrong to take things that aren't yours, but I feel what I'm doing is in his best interest, ya know?
When I lie, it's usually to make others feel better, white lies.
I cheat too. When I cheat it can be to win or lose. Usually to lose to make the other feel better, which is wrong... I still do it. Sometimes if I'm with someone extremely cocky I will cheat to win because I feel I'm helping teach them a lesson. I'm not trying to be evil or anything, I just feel that the impact of them losing is better and bigger than me cheating.
It's a hard thing for people to understand.
Ultimately I am human. I believe that if I can try my best in life and forgive others for the same actions I do, I will be okay.

Actors

Worthless. As in, you have no value. That's not true, its also much too harsh. You have uses, just none I can think of that are beneficial ...

I'm probably sounding extremely rude and unlike myself, but I am not one who goes down without a fight when you stab me in the back. 
Its nothing that I cannot handle, its the element of surprise that continues to hold its grasp upon me. 
I don't believe I was naïve this time, for I was not the only one you had fooled. They all believed your act, you are quite the actress if I do say so myself. You had us all believing what I think was a lie. Well the questions I have are endless... "Why?" Is probably my biggest one but the more realistic one I'd get a better answer for would be, "was it all a lie?" Were the laughs and the smiles, teasing and hugs, were they all just acting? I wonder if you even cared before, or if it was all just pretend. 
To think of all the ridiculous things you could do I'd honestly never guessed, in a million years, this is what you would have done. 
It shocked us all and you left us hurt. You're not sorry -sometimes you know the answer without having to ask the question. 
The worst feeling from this is betrayal. I make friends and I start off by telling them little secrets or unusual things about me most people don't know, so that I can create a bond of trust between us. Once I feel I can truly trust them I let them in on what's really behind the blue eyes and blonde hair. I let them in and I don't hold back. Well when someone has betrayed me and has knowledge of things about me that may not necessarily be bad, just private, it scares me to death. I absolutely hate that feeling of being vulnerable -when at the fall of a raindrop other people can get to know things about me that are private. Things I otherwise wouldn't have told them. They are strangers to me and these are things about my private life, why should they know?
I spoke to my mother about this whole flesh wound and she was very helpful. I don't like talking about my feelings... I like to write (in anonymity mostly). What I appreciated from her was that she spoke to me like an adult. Most adults tell me not to worry about these things and that because I'm a teenager I'm blowing it out of proportion. But I know the truth. This is a big event in my life that's stressing me out. In 20 years I'm not going to think of it as any lesser impacting than it is now. I'm not dying or anything from it, but its not fun and it's hard to go through it almost alone.

 I hope she knows she's not worth my tears. I'm not going to cry over this loss. She's not worth anyone's tears. Who is, with actions so hateful and unforgiving ? Nobody, that's who. 

I guess the best way to describe it would be if you were watching a horror movie and they have a conclusion completely shocking and unexpected. You cock your head sideways, sitting there in confusion and asking aloud, "what the heck just happened". The surprise ending wasn't good, -most people don't hypothesize a terrible outcome to a movie; who would pay to watch a tragedy when people read and watch movies to escape their own worlds for a bit? You sit there 'curfuffled' and a bit betrayed that you were so mislead. This usually leads to people liking the movie (Ouh! Surprise ending!), while in reality people do not enjoy 'surprise endings' because people have trouble adjusting to change. That's a whole other topic though.
Well, to the girl carrying around the bow and arrows, if you wish to come back I wish you the best of luck. I am a caring and forgiving person but you know better than to take advantage of me, make me look stupid or feel like a lesser. 
I know I have to still face you every day, I'll manage. For now, good luck with your life, maybe someday we will meet again. 

Poetry

Today my friend was texting me about a poetry assignment he had to start. 
I am a fan of poetry and I especially enjoy english class. I wasn't offended when he told me he didn't like poetry, instead I felt empathy for him. I felt em pathetic because I believe most people who do not enjoy reading or writing poetry are afraid of 'exposing themselves'. I don't believe that they don't like it because they do not understand it, I mean, is poetry even really meant to be fully understood? The poet of a poem is writing usually out of emotional frustration and confusion-even the author won't necessarily truly or fully understand the meaning of their work. 
The point is that every reader reading that poem will be able to connect in their own way -not necessarily understand it, just feel an emotional connection of some sort. 
Anyways, back to the whole 'exposing themselves' bit! I believe the majority of my peers would be much too afraid and insecure to write a poem so sincere, deep and soul bearing, because they are afraid of how others will judge them. Just as I know many intelligent people who act dumb or *dumb-it-down* to 'fit in' and be socially accepted. I understand a need and feeling to 'belong' but honestly, that is not how you do it. 
Quite ridiculous.... The people who do this are the people who miss out on life, really. When you're so consumed in how everybody else see's you, you begin to forget about what and who you love, and what makes you truly happy. 
Because of this, you may avoid trying new things which ultimately means missing out on many new, potentially life changing experiences. (Positive ones of course, I'd hope...)
When a new writer picks up a pen or pencil and begins to write, it might not be easy and certainly won't be perfect... Depending on what your view of 'perfection' is, but that's a whole other story!
When a new writer figures out what it is they love to write about, is when they have hit oil
When I begin writing about subjects I connect to on an emotional level I could write forever and I'm glad many other people feel that way. I write until my arm is too sore to write a single word more -always!
Poetry is a great way to cleanse your mind and get rid of that extra stress you bare inside of your body. Its like when I go for a run -new scenery is created in my mind and I can run for miles. When I'm finished I always feel so liberated and better about the situation. My favourite part about writing is that while I have written for others, writing is mostly a hobby I participate in for my own benefit. 
So, I am sorry for all of those who are too afraid of being judged on their work to actually write something meaningful. -i mean, who knows, maybe they have a beautiful talent they have yet to discover !

Who Is That?

When you tell them my name, and they ask who I am, what will you say ? I bet you'll reply "she's the short girl with the really long blonde hair". You'll probably gesture my height and do a *chopping motion by your hip to show the length of my hair, but that's probably all you'll say -it's all you'll need to say.
Most likely you won't take into account with the idea that my personality or my interests are a factor when you're judging me. You won't realize that under my head of hair I have a really big brain, but I can assure you I do.
Why not instead say "she's that girl who is nice to everyone. She's that super positive girl who tries her best at everything. She talks a lot but she's a great listener. She has a very unique style and does what she feels is right, even if she has to do it alone. That's her!"
To think how different our world could be if people started paying more attention to a person's qualities and their uniqueness, rather than their appearance. I think we could all benefit from a world like that -a more loving, caring, and compassionate world.
If only...