magnificently uncommon

As I was cleaning out my hard drive, I came across this random .txt file. Seeing as I use word almost exclusively, I opened the file and opened the door to a drunken memory from first semester sophomore year. This has not been altered in anyway. I apologize to anyone this may offend. I still don't know why this is a .txt file.

"we were not alcoholics. but we showed great potential. John, the infinite hostess, was making sure that everyone had enough to drink. Bob, the super senior was scamming on all the girls. i was always at risk. everything blurred and swelled and i needed another cigarette. as the alcohol flowed we all became more aware of inhibitions and phobias. pet peeves and complexes. though out our bingeing- rules slowly came into existence. You do not spill beer on kurt vonnegeht. I spilled and denied and everyone believed in the elegant lie that this was life. in all it's beauty and flaws. this was life. we ate we drank we fucked when the alcohol flowed freely enough. we lived life to its fullest and scoffed at everyone who got in our way. bob was the eternal optimist who left stolen muffins over the house. john cleaned up after him. i sat back and enjoyed it all. bob was 23 but never let that get him down. in his 5 foot 1 frame he used his charming tiny innocence to his advantage. he would hold the refrigerator door open and ask "do you want a beer" and i would always say yes. for some strange reason and despite my 8 am class the next morning- i would always comply when bob offered. john invited high school memories to his house and would ask me, his loving wife, to assist in entertaining. and i , as his loving wife, would agree. and they would sit, gingerly sipping their beer and reminisce on the good ol' days. and i, drunken mess that i was, would sit at my computer and steal bob's music. i had become a professional drunken thief. stealing hair-bands and plugs from parties whenever my alcohol level allowed. but i the voice in the back of my head had a stronger tolarance for alcohol than i."

10/16/2007

This was my final paper for Advanced Composition. Thanks to the beautiful Heather, I found this paper again and thought it'd be fun to share with you all. Enjoy!

Use Sparingly

Once upon a time, children learned naughty words from their fathers when they hurt themselves, not from television or music. There was a time, a simpler time, when swear words were outlawed in most households and offenders were severely punished. It was the time of the American dream, a chicken in every pot and a bar of Dial Soap in every dirty mouth. Of course, those times are long gone. Most of the words once found offensive have been mixed into everyday language. Because of this, most foul words have lost their stench. They have become so diluted that they lack the potency they once had. However, a few words still pack a mighty punch. Cunt is one of the words that has stood the test of time and is still considered a word that is totally taboo.

Dictionaries devote little space to Cunt’s definition. The Oxford English Dictionary simply defines it as ‘the female external genital organs… Applied to a person, esp. a woman, as a term of vulgar abuse’ and leaves it at that. Other dictionaries follow suit. Microsoft Office 2003 does not even recognize it as a word, underlining every occurrence with a menacing red squiggly line. The lack of print material on the word helps Cunt hold on to its power. When a curse word becomes commonplace, it loses its power. Such was the downfall of ‘fuck’. Unlike ‘fuck’, Cunt has been on the cusp of desensitization for years, but it still has yet to cross that line and continues to shock and appall any and all who get in its way.

The word holds more power than any other swear word. Even amongst a group of particularly potty-mouthed people, as common swear words are thrown around like dodge balls, when Cunt somehow gets mixed in, the room goes quiet and an uncomfortable veil silently falls upon the room. Cunt has that power; no other word can boast that.

Desensitization has turned the once explosive f-bomb into a cherry bomb, yet Cunt still turns the stomach of the not-so-easily offended. Why have certain swear words become socially acceptable while Cunt still reigns supreme? Some words which were once taboo are not common in everyday language. Other words like ‘fuck’ are still offensive, but have lost much of its venom due to the cultural immunity towards many swear words.

What makes Cunt such an explosive swear word? Perhaps it stems from the way the word sounds. The word is generally unattractive; the fact that it rhymes with ‘grunt’ does not help it. The harsh ‘C’ sharpens the word but the equally harsh ‘T’ turns the word into a blunt object. Unlike the word ‘fuck’ with which you can stab, Cunt is a word you use to beat people over the head with. By nature, the word is feminine. The prefix ‘cu’ is an typically associated with femininity. For example, ‘cow’ refers to a female animal, 'queen' refers to a female ruler, and Cunt is a term for female genitalia. Also, the Latin word for ‘vagina’ is ‘cunnus’ which bears a striking resemblance to the slang Cunt, but as far as it can be seen, this is just a coincidence.

Cunt is not the only feminine insult. Many offensive words and phrases stem from female-based insults. ‘Bastard’ and ‘son of a bitch’ are common insults for a man, but both are actually direct shots at the mother of the insult receiver. Also, different slang terms for female genitals, as in ‘twat’ and ‘pussy’, can be used as insults towards men as well. Of course, these words are not used to call men vaginas. Calling a man a ‘twat’ implies that he his incompetent, and calling a man a ‘pussy’ implies that he is weak. At the same time, slang terms for male genitals, as in ‘dick’ or ‘prick’, lack the weight and power of the aforementioned female-based insults.

Another reason the word is so powerful is the fear and disgust of the female reproductive organ. Cunt is a synonym for a word that is likened to something dirty and frightening rather than something beautiful and life giving. This hatred stems from deep-seated “cultural representations of the vagina as an abject organ:

"Given representations of the vagina as smelly, dirty, and potentially diseased, it is not surprising that women's genitals are a source of shame or embarrassment [and are] a part of their bodies many women can't bear to even look at"” (Virginia Braun and Sue Wilkinson qtd in Hunt).

Because of this it is also not surprise that "Hell is a term frequently used [...] for female genitals"(Pauline Kiernan qtd. in Hunt). The myth of the Vagina Detata has a hand in the demonizing of the vagina. This is the belief that the vagina is a relocated mouth that will castrate and devour a man’s penis. As outlandish as this may seem it is a common myth in many primitive societies. The usage of Cunt as a term of insult reveals both a fear and hatred of the vagina.

If women allow themselves to be insulted by Cunt, are they succumbing to the belief that they should be ashamed of their bodies? Should women abhor or exult in all the different names for her body? Efforts have been made by women to reclaim the word and turn it into a word of empowerment rather than one of abuse. During the 1970s, feminists worked to end ‘womb-fear’, that is, the fear of the female genitals, and encouraged women to embrace words like Cunt. Feminist and author Germaine Greer was once a staunch advocate for the desensitization and social acceptance of Cunt. Despite her efforts, the word was not acclimated into common speech.

More recently, writer and activist Eve Ensler’s play, ‘The Vagina Monologues’, has attempted to bring Cunt into the mainstream with the monologue ‘Reclaiming Cunt’. While “The Vagina Monologues” is a stunning piece modern theatre, it still makes people uncomfortable. And a small Catholic University would probably re-instate its football team before allowing a theatre group to perform it. Efforts to reclaim Cunt have been in vain. The word shows no sign of finding a place in common language.

So what does all this mean? Cunt is a four-letter slang word for female genitalia. It cannot be said on television or around your grandmother. Feminists and activists wish to reclaim Cunt and change its negative meaning. This is tricky. Should there be rules when reclaiming Cunt? Who gets to say it? Who can they say it to? There is a clear power in the word, and the power comes from women. Women hold the key to Cunt’s negative or positive power. There are too many women out there who are simply disgusted, uninformed, or afraid to use the word. The word Cunt is only as bad as people make it. Despite, or perhaps because of, efforts to desensitize Cunt, the word is still offensive, and is still not acceptable. No matter how often the word is said, listeners still cringe. Many women refuse to say the word aloud and men only seem to use it in its derogatory tone.

Perhaps Cunt is one word best left unsaid. The words power is derived from its taboo nature. How do the feminists feel about this? 30 years later, Germaine Greer has changed her stance on Cunt saying,

"I love the idea that this word is still so sacred that you can use it like a torpedo, that you can hole people below the waterline. You can make strong men go pale. This word for our female 'sex' is an extraordinarily powerful reminder of who we are and where we came from. It's a word of immense power - to be used sparingly"(qtd in Anderson).

Couldn't resist....

I am really sick and it's totally draining me. And during class, I couldn't help but think that if I was home my mom would make a big pot of chicken soup to make me feel better. Then I snapped out of my headache induced hallucination. Now, I'm not much of a cook. And I've been extremely reluctant to use my Italian kitchen (it's old, it's small, and I have to translate my grocery list before I go to the super market). But I couldn't help but find myself day dreaming about my mom's chicken soup. So on my way home from class, I stopped at my favorite pizza place (run by an Asian family...) and picked up a rather tasty rotisserie chicken for under 5 euro. I found a basic chicken stock recipe online and kinda improvised from there.

Sick As a Dog Soup

1 small rotisserie chicken
1 small red onion
2 celery stalks, leaves included
2 carrots

Wash your hands, damn it, you're sick. Pick the chicken clean, keeping some meat and skin on the carcass (oh, thats a tasty word) and put it in a large pot. Put the chicken pieces aside for later.

Cut carrot, celery, and onion into large pieces, add to pot.

Add enough water to the pot to cover everything and then some. I dunno... guesstimate.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let everything simmer for about an hour and a half. Feel free to add salt and spices. I threw in most of the seasonings I had in the pantry. Garlic, thyme, pepper flakes, black pepper and salt.

Allow your kitchen to take on a wonderful homey aroma. Allow your roommates to compliment you freely. Don't let on that you have no idea what you're doing.

After about 90 minutes, strain the broth into another pot. You may have to use to 2 if all your other pots are substantially smaller than the original pot.

I let the broth sit for a while, but that was because I was feeling a trifle woozy and decided to lie down and watch Amelie. This is not necessary.

If you let the broth cool, heat it up again. Add the chicken and whatever vegetables you want. I added carrots, celery, onions and corn. The only veggies I had. Taste the broth, add whatever spices you think you need.

Cook noodles separately. I used twisty whole grain extra fiber ones. Can never have enough fiber...

Stir soup occasionally and check tenderness (and sympathy.. ooh bad Jekyll and Hyde joke) of the veggies. I dont like mushy veggies.

When you feel like the soup is done, pour it over noodles and enjoy!

Taken with photobooth because I don't have a digi camera.

REDO!

I leave for Rome on Tuesday. I am embarking on an unforgettable, possibly life altering adventure. So I've gone over this failed list of mine, made some adjustments, and moved back the date because it's my goddamn list and I'll do whatever I goddamn feel like.

Enjoy.


Body
1. Lose 40 lbs (0/40)
2. Fit back into my prom dress (get it zipped)
3. Learn yoga
4. Do Pilates at least 3 times a week
5. Take a multivitamin and my pill every day
6. Stop drinking soda
7. Stop eating fast food
8. Drink more water.
9. Whiten teeth
10. Try tofu
11. Drink at least 1 cup of tea a day
12. Cut out artificial sweeteners
13. Look into breast reduction. More seriously than the last time.
14. Quit

Knowledge is Power
15. Learn basic Italian
16. Learn basic French
17. Learn basic sign language
18. Maintain a 3.0 (or higher)
19. Learn to read tarot cards
20. Learn to read palms
21. Become versed in Final Cut Studio
22. Learn to play the ukulele
23. Learn to juggle well

Going Places
24. Spend a semester in Italy
25. Blog once a week from Italy.
26. Post a video a week from Italy
27. Maintain three way blog for I Tre Amici.
28. Attend a soccer game in Italy
29. Visit 5 cities in Italy
30. Spain
31. France
32. Amsterdam
33. Send post cards from every location
34. See the Eiffel Tower
35. Road trip through at least 5 consecutive states
36. Go to Canada.
37. Go to the art museum with Stephan
38. Go to a sonic
39. Attend a film festival
40. Attend a taping of the Maury Show
41. Attend a showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show


Family
42. Help dad with new Grandma Video
43. Bar crawl with Mom
44. Take Becca to a movie at least once every other month
45. Make CD’s for Becca.
46. Do something with Kristin.

Creative
47. Complete and give away 3 pieces of “art”
48. Submit a film to Slamdance Film Festival
49. Write and perform an original song
50. Write and perform an original poem
51. Knit a sweater
52. Sew something wearable
53. Have something published
54. Fill the sketch book
55. Arrange a song into 4 part a capella (SATB or SSAA)
56. Write and direct and a short film just because
57. Write 1000 words a day for 1 month


Do It (you wont)
58. Get a tattoo
59. Get something pierced
60. Play roller derby
61. Bake a loaf of bread
62. Watch the sun rise
63. Watch every movie on AFI’s Top 100 films (35/100)
64. Have a pie fight
65. Write 1 letter a month to someone
66. Get a job somewhere other than ACMoore
67. Bake a pie from scratch
68. Clean room once a week
69. Go camping
70. Read at least 12 non-assigned books
71. Buy an external hard drive
72. Get a professional massage
73. Take a dance class
74. Try 10 foods I think I dislike (0/10)
75. Try 10 foods I have never tried (0/10)
76. Try a new recipe each month
77. Learn to cook more than chicken, green beans and pasta
78. Have palm read
79. Buy a fish and keep it alive.
80. Complete a semester internship
81. Own bongos
82. Organize iCal and use
83. Get rid of all clothes that don’t fit.
84. Organize a fancy brunch w/ Trojans
85. Plant something in our garden
86. Fly a kite
87. Have a traditional picnic
88. Improve my record collection
89. Buy a record player
90. Clean out room. Get rid of all clutter.
91. Sell something on ebay
92. Buy new ribbon for type writer
93. Super Hero Fight
94. Stop biting nails for 1 month
95. Clean out hard drive. Get rid of everything I don’t need.
96. Write the goals down in a notebook and keep them with my at all times.
97. Improve handwriting
98. Marathon all the Batman movies.
99. Save 1 dollar a day.
100. Identify 100 things that make me happy
101. Complete a second list for 2010

I've been on a sort of oral health kick lately.  And then I giggle for saying 'oral'.  I went to the dentist on Tuesday and my gums still hurt.  I love when I receive medical attention and end up ailing more than before.  Awesome.  So I'm supposed to start flossing and using mouthwash and all that minty freshness.  Therefore, instead of my usual dentist-visit-follow-up-routine (rubbing my teeth with sugar) I'm actually trying to take better care of my pearly-ish whites.  

I am devastatingly bored.  I've been home since Friday.  My break so far has been as thus:

I love Chex Mix.  It is a love that knows no bounds.  If, sometime in the future, I am commissioned to film a Chex Mix commercial, I would demand payment in the form of a life-time supply of Bold, Peanut, Cheddar, Chocolate, Caramel, and of course, Traditional Chex Mix.  Who knows how many bags I could eat in a life time!  I would pick out every bagel chip from the Traditional and Bold, find every densely  coated square in the Cheddar, eat every M&M knock off candy from the Chocolate, and pour the crumbs into a big bowl and use a spoon.  

We watched Citizen Kane in Film today.  I was expecting it to be rather boring, based on what I had previously heard about the film.  I was pleasantly surprised.  At times it grew a bit long winded, but for the most part, it kept my attention through all 2 hours.  Also, Orson Welles was rather dashing in his younger years.  Like a more articulate, less buff Marlon Brando.  However, as I was IMDB-ing the movie, it turns out that the make-up crew worked harder on him when he was paying his own age (he was 25 when filming began.  Holy shit, a 25 year old directed the greatest movie of all time?  I'm almost 25.  I have to get my shit together) than when he was playing an old man.  But it wasn't just his appearances.  He has an incredible command of the screen.  His voice is incredibly prominent.  A strange mix between super sexy and and suave, yet at the same time, almost a little bit creepy.  I can understand how this is a very important movie, but the greatest movie of all time?  I'll have to wait until we dissect it in class tomorrow before I pass fair judgement on that one.

AFI TOP 100 MOVIES

So, I totally forgot the whole "take 12 pictures on the 12th day of every month thing." Therefore, I shall make up for that by taking 24 pictures on the 24th. That's next sunday. I think I can remember that.

In other news, I didn't get into Picasso. Tom Reign has broken my heart. No, not really. I think I'm going to be co-props master with Mama Raven, so that should be fun. I still get to be involved and not so much in a late-night-tech way. Awesome.

I managed to cross off another movie from the AFI Top 100 Movies list (goal number 62). My Film as Art Class watched 'Rear Window' which falls at number 48 on the list. I really enjoyed it. It seemed different than other Hitchcock movies (granted, I've only seen 'Psycho' and 'The Birds') it was more suspenseful and kept you thinking. I was most impressed by Jimmy Stewarts performance. The man gives a stellar compelling performance from the confines of a wheelchair, he hardly moves throughout the entire movie. Impressive. We're watching 'Citizen Kane' on tuesday and that falls at number one on the list. I'll be able to knock out 2 more movies from the list thanks to this class: Jaws (56) and Tootsie (69).

Well, that's about it from here. I'm supposed to be filming my project for video production today, but I think Stephan got lost on his way back from Treetops...

[edit 4:33]
it's getting dark, if it's too dark to film this I'm going to be tres annoyed and someone is going to suffer for that...

[edit 5:02]
Oh he will pay for this. He will pay for this dearly...

Ok, so it may have been one of the easiest goals on the list, but I finally finished one. Only 100 to go! Now that I finally have Final Cut Studio loaded onto my external hard drive (which my sister has named Steve) I can begin tackling number 18. That one's going to take some time. I went to yoga with Raven tonight. I could see that becoming a Monday night ritual, hello number 3! I'm really bad at this blogging thing. Don't even get me started on video blogging. I just don't think anyone is really going to be interested in what I have to say. Oh well, maybe someone out there will feel a kinship towards me and... something... will happen... *shrug*. I'm going to try to get into the habit of posting on a more regular basis, not just when I complete a goal. I'm not sure what the next goal will be, number 70 just kind of fell into my lap. I was home, I had money and a gift certificate to BestBuy, I found Steve. Now we are in love.

In other news, auditions for the Masque' spring show start tomorrow. Picasso at Lapin Agile. I know very little about the show except that it was written by Steve Martin. Apparently that's all a show needs to be picked by the Masque. You say 'Steve Martin' and people cream there pants. "A Steve Martin play?! Where do I sign up?". Nobody takes into account things like 'Is this show any good?' 'Does this show accommodate the terribly skewed gender division in the Masque?'. I don't know about the first one, but the second answer is 'No, no you girls are pretty much fucked this semester, thanks for playing'. In an 11 person cast there are 4 female roles. Granted, this is pretty similar to The Philadelphia Story last year. But that show... kind of sucked. Let's be honest. It's a great movie, but the show leaves much to be desired. And unfortunately, I don't think there are any random slutty/maid/ slutty maid roles for me to fill. Typecasting, you know? I believe in method acting. Ok, I've begun to ramble. Long story short (it's a little late for that), auditions are tomorrow, I don't have high hopes. I'll accept any role, but I wont be crushed if I denied a chance to work with the illustrious Tom Reing again.

Cut. Print. That's a wrap.

It took me about two months, but I finally finished this damn list. This is a pretty daunting task for someone who can't keep up with 1 new years resolution. Let's give it a shot. Who's excited? I'm excited.


Start Friday, February 1, 2008
End Friday, October 29, 2010
Age 20-23


Body
1. Lose 40 lbs (1/40)
2. Fit back into my prom dress (get it zipped)
3. Learn yoga
4. Do Pilates at least 3 times a week
5. Take a multivitamin and my pill every day
6. Stop drinking soda
7. Stop eating fast food
8. Drink more water.
9. Whiten teeth
10. Try tofu
11. Drink at least 1 cup of tea a day
12. Cut out artificial sweeteners

Knowledge is Power
13. Learn basic Italian
14. Learn basic French
15. Learn basic sign language
16. Maintain a 3.0 (or higher)
17. Learn to read tarot cards
18. Become versed in Final Cut Pro
19. Learn to play the ukulele
20. Keep track of grades in each class so final grades are surprising
21. Learn to juggle well

Going Places
22. Spend a semester in Italy
23. Attend a soccer game in Italy
24. Visit Greece
25. France
26. Ireland
27. Amsterdam
28. Attend Octoberfest
29. Send post cards from every location
30. See the Eiffel Tower
31. Road trip through at least 5 consecutive states
32. Go to Canada.
33. Go to a sonic
34. Attend a film festival
35. Attend a taping of the Maury Show
36. Attend a showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show
37. Take Liz to see Rent before it closes

Money Matters
38. Save at least 4,000 dollars for italy
39. Save 1 dollar a day

Family
40. Help dad with new Grandma Video
41. Bar crawl with Mom
42. Take Becca to a movie at least once every other month
43. Make CD’s for Becca.
44. Do something with Kristin.

Creative
45. Take 12 pictures on the 12th day of each month
46. Complete and give away 3 pieces of “art”
47. Submit a film to Slamdance Film Festival
48. Write and perform an original song
49. Write and perform an original poem
50. Knit a sweater
51. Sew something wearable
52. Have something published
53. Fill the sketch book
54. Arrange a song into 4 part a capella (SATB or SSAA)
55. Write and direct and a short film just because
56. Write 1000 words a day for 1 month

Other
57. Get a tattoo
58. Get something pierced
59. Play roller derby
60. Bake a loaf of bread
61. Watch the sun rise
62. Watch every movie on AFI’s Top 100 films (31/100)
63. Have a pie fight
64. Write 1 letter a month to someone
65. Get a job somewhere other than ACMoore
66. Bake a pie from scratch
67. Clean room once a week
68. Go camping
69. Read at least 12 non-assigned books
70. Buy an external hard drive
71. Get a professional massage
72. Blog at least once a week
73. Video blog at least once a month
74. Take a dance class
75. Donate blood every time eligible
76. Try 10 foods I think I dislike (0/10)
77. Try 10 foods I have never tried (0/10)
78. Try a new recipe each month
79. Learn to cook more than chicken, green beans and pasta
80. Have palm read
81. Buy a fish and keep it alive.
82. Complete a semester internship
83. Own bongos
84. Organize iCal and use
85. Get rid of all clothes that don’t fit.
86. Organize a fancy brunch w/ Trojans
87. Plant something in our garden
88. Fly a kite
89. Improve my record collection
90. Buy a record player
91. Clean out room. Get rid of all clutter.
92. See at least 2 new movies a month (0/66)
93. Sell something on Ebay
94. Buy new ribbon for type writer
95. Super Hero Fight
96. Stop biting nails for 1 month
97. Clean out hard drive. Get rid of everything I don’t need.
98. Buy a new journal and fill it.
99. Improve handwriting
100. Identify 100 things that make me happy
101. Complete a second list to start on October 29, 2010