world news: elections

The world seems to be a very heated place indeed, and the Iran elections has taken to the stage front and center in the political world. Iran just had elections to vote for a new president earlier this month. Ahmadinejad and Mir Hossein Mousavi were the main candidate running against each. Supposedly, with the millions of Iranians that voted, the government was able to declare the winner in a matter of hours. Basically, the gist of what I am getting is that Ahmadinejad won the majority vote, but many of the Iranians in Tehran, especially young Iranian men, felt that the results were wrong and many headed to the streets to protest and demand recounts. The Ayatollah urged the people to accept Ahmadinejad as the winner.

To people everywhere in the world, what implications does this have for you? When I read about all the unfolding events in the news, it actually made me realize the importance of the individual voice. When I say that, I don’t necessarily mean crying when you feel something is unfair and throwing a tantrum. That can be easily by done by anyone. I mean speaking up for your rights. Mir Mousavi urged his supporters to demonstrate non violence in their protests. Don’t accept things just because it is. To not want change is ludicrous. As individuals we grow and develop and so should society in general. What was acceptable yesterday doesn’t have to be today. What was legal then, could be immoral now.

Use your voice. Listen to controversial music and ask why is it so controversial? Look at a piece of art work that was banned in some era of past. Read a book that you may not necessarily agree with and try to look into the mindset of the author.

And always keep learning for knowledge. For when we have knowledge, we no longer fear the unknown and are able to see the humanity of it all.

Lessons to Learn from Carrie Prejean: First Amendment Rights

We probably all have heard of Carrie Prejean by now. The Ms. California, blond haired (supposedly), blue eyed (maybe?) and big buxom (fakely) 22 year old response to openly gay Perez Hilton's question about same sex marriage. Here was her response:

"I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land that you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage and, you know what, in my country and my family I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anyone out there but that's how I was raised and that's how I think it should be between a man and a woman."

I dont know about you, but I don't think Miss Prejean is the most eloquent speaker out there. First, she started out calling this country great because it is a land where you can choose, but then she said, "you know what, in MY COUNTRY and my family I think that I believe......" So, it seems to me from her response, she is not living in OUR country. She is living in an alternate country where "I think marriage should be between a man and a woman." First offense that she created. She seperated the LGBT from the rest of the country. Supposedly her country stands for tradition, while the other country is full of sin and family is not of importance. The second offense that she created was saying, "No offense..." Don't get me wrong now- I say no offense all the time and I mean it most of the time. But when you are on a public stage, "No offense" sounds like you actually DO mean offense. Once again, harmless words, that offended a crowd of people.

So where does this lead to-
Point number one:
Miss Carrie Prejean was on a public stage. She was a representative for Miss America. The question/answer section of the pageant tests the canidates knowledge and ability to speak clearly and cogently. Imagine her words, instead of being from a 22 year young women, was put into the mouth of a politician. We could clearly say that the quote would not go down in history for being something of insight and praise.
Which leads to Point number two:
She keeps saying that the question was unfair. Why was the question unfair? Sure it was a politically and culturally charged question, but to call it unfair is unfair. It was a question that everyday Americans are facing. It is a part of our cultural climate like it or not. And the question reflected a portion of America. As a representative of Miss America, you should not feel it was unfair, but maybe should have been better prepared.
Which finally leads to a final point:
Yes, we do have first amendment rights: The freedom of speech. And it is great that we can say whatever we want without being thrown in jail or other forms of corporal punishment. But with that right, comes a personal responsibility. That responsibility entails suffering the consequences of what you say.
Did I contradict myself there? Yes- I believe I did. But those are still following, stay with me here for a second.
To put it easily, if you have the right to say whatever you want. I have the right to think whatever I want. If you say something out of your ass, I have the right to believe it stinks and isn't actually a perfume. That includes the masses of America.
Sorry Miss Prejean. I don't for a sympathize with you. You stood on a platform knowing that you had JUDGES and would be JUDGED for your response- for the good or for the bad. And sorry to say, even though I may be somewhere along the same wavelengths as you in my opinions of same sex marriage, I don't think your answer was eloquently put. Maybe, if you spent more time in learning how to speak and less on how you looked, you may not be under the large scale microscope.
And by the way- you were given a chance by Mr. Trump himself, and you decided that you became "holier than thou" in the eyes of America and were too good to do your job. Instead of fulfilling your responsibilities, you felt that things should have been handed to you because that is what you deserved. You became manipulative and wished to use the media scrutiny of your words to your advantage to shirk of going to work so you could play hookie.
You my dear, from your actions- Are a lazy, manipulative, no good fool.
And I take full responsibility for what I just said.

Skip the Stilletos: Six beauty habits men wish you'd skip

Today, as I do everyday, I was surfing the three main sites that I go on to every morning: yahoo, facebook, and msn. There was an article in Msn that had caught my eye. It was written by a man and the title of it is the title of my blog. The article did not seem to be anything overly special and it talked about how guys, esp the this particular writer, liked women who seemed to be natural. At least that is the gist that I was getting. That to me was not that interesting. The interesting thing was the responses of many of the people. There seemed to be a lot of people who were offended at the fact that a guy was suggesting that a woman need not wear heels or to go a little less on the anti aging creams. My response to those women is what really do you want??
do you want to have guys look at you as merely objects? Do you really want to be just a possession that is looked upon as a decoration? A Christmas tree that puts ornaments on itself? (Nothing wrong with Christmas trees.)
Maybe in the natural world, mating is a game where we must be our flashiest in order to attract the opposite sex for reproductive/survival of the species purposes, but for me, when you are in a loving relationship, you dont need to have to paint yourself orange and pink to keep your partner. At that pt, your partner will be entralled with who you are, not what you look like.
Dont get me wrong now. I think clothing/jewelry/accessories is beautiful and it is what makes humans unique. I for one like to actually see people in traditional clothes because it shows diversity. It is just that when one becomes obssessed with the way they look to the pt of unhealthiness, is when I think it crosses the line. When we are so worried of aging, that we are scared of living: that to me wrong.
And can I say something.....I for one am getting sick of people on tv always getting made over. If you are mistaken, you may think I am against cleansing- I am all for grooming and bathing to those of you who are probably now thinking I am some sort of hippie liberal freak. (which I sort of am.....) But really, those people who get made over, they were beautiful from the start. They had their own mark of individuallity. But then, add some makeup, cut and dye their hair, and buy them some expensive pairs of clothes: and VOILA! They start to look exactly like each other. A stepford.
So maybe you can see where my point is leading up to. I feel it is fine for women and men to want to look their best and to want to dress well, but I think it is perverse in the fact that many feel it is neccessary to have to conform to a certain standard or certain look. I for one dont represent that certain "golden goddess" look and I am happy to say I am glad to not be that look. If you are that look, that is great- if not, that is great too. Be proud of who you are and be true to yourself.

Ironies

Okay- so I found out people here are completely different from people I know: or wait- maybe completely different from the walks of life I come from. Or maybe- just completely different from me.
as ironic as it sounds, it takes me fully aback when people ask highly personal questions. the ironies comes from me sharing blogging experiences- that is not very personal, one may proclaim. But the blogs that I type are thoughts that I want to share. I guess in my mind, there are certain topics that are taboo that I won't just ask anyone. To ask personal questions, they have to be really close to me. Even then, I am hesitant in asking because it is not my business to pry.
there was a time where I used to think that everyone was "just like me." I realized now that those thoughts were only but mere vanity. The reason that everyone was just like me was because I usually surrounded myself with people who were just like me. Now, I am with those who come from all walks of life. I feel as if I experiencing a culture shock. And as much as I like diversity, I sometimes have a bitter aftertaste in my mouth from all the spice.
I guess that is what leaving ones comfort zone seems to do to us. It forces us to see and taste the variety of life. And many times, that taste is acquired.

Long Hair

Her crowning glory is her hair.
I get so many compliments and comments on my hair on a daily basis. Right now, my hair is long, curly, and down to near my mid back. Whether for the good or the bad, people always have something to say about: and so do I.
I have a love/hate relationship with my hair. The love is that it is an expression of my family. My mother said that when she was younger, she used to have just as long and as curly hair as mine. She used to tell me stories of her mother brushing her hair and plaiting it before she was to go to school. She also said how she would wear flowers in hair for outings. Even to this day when we go to India, we females wear flowers in our hair. My aunt, who am I am told that I have an uncanny resemblance to, also used to have long curly hair. I never actually met her, but I wonder what she would have said about having to maintain it. My cousin, who is extremely beautiful- to me she looks like a true Indian princess, and no- not the fair skinned Bollywoood actress type: but the dark skinned maiden of the south with a cherub face and deep dark kohl lined/expression filled eyes, also has curly long hair.
The hate comes in a deep self loathing. My hair has taken on an identity of its own. It is almost its own person. I hide behind it. it is a veil that hides me from the world and helps to mask my own insecurities. It is almost like it is a characteristic of my personality and I detest that. There is a secret part of me that dreams that I could liberate myself from its enchanting hold. That secret part wishes to be a rebel: a true liberal whose identity is not wrapped in the physical image but in the characteristics behind it. I secretly wish that I could cut my hair chin length, or even just shoulder length and have it straightened like a 1920's flapper or a 1930's feminist.
But I have no guts and that is what I loathe. To even cut my hair an inch scares me. It scares me so much that I haven't done it since my sophomore year of college- and that was nearly four years ago. I have no guts because I know deep down inside I have grown used to the comments about my hair and it is almost like I expect it anywhere I go.
Until I am able free myself from perception and illusion- my hair will remain. And till then, I guess I am true representation of myself: Maya. A shadow.

But don't tell anyone. Because its a secret.

The dig deeper

I have done crazy things. Wild things. Things no one will ever know: Until now. It is funny though- when people first see me, they usually think that I "am not that type of person." And when I hear this, I stoically smile and secretly laugh to myself. What type of person did they initially expect me to be? Sorry, but that is not the complete me. The complete me is actually a quandary. A mystery. Something that I need to search in my quest as I blog to get the answers to the wonders of myself. It is hidden within the layers of clothes, garbage, makeup, jewelry, bullshit that I give to people on a daily basis. It is hiding somewhere within the insecurities of my long hair. It wants to gain redemption and demand that humanity realizes its true existance within the mask. And with that said, it is time to start removing the first layer. The layer of deceit.

A sun salutation to myself.

Well, as for a first day of blogging, I guess I must introduce myself-
Hi my name is Preethi.
Hmmm- that was too boring
Okay- Mera naam Preethi Hai.
That was too much of a "northie" wannabe. Let me try again.
Hola. Me llamo Preethi.
I guess I tried to put my minor to good use and I am now bragging. One more time.
Yenoda payer Preethi.
Okay- I feel stupid. Like someone will tell me not to say that. Horrors and flashblacks! I lied. Once more!
Okay- fine. My name is Preethi.
It means dear or love.
I love to think I am a dear lover, but I will bet other people will beg to differ.
Introductions kinda suck dont they? You know you have so much to share. So much to tell- so much to release that you would probably not tell a soul in real life, but share in an alternate reality. So enough of formalities and political correctness. Time to dig the dirt.