Internet Advertising or How Pandora Is Trying To Get My Pregnant

Internet advertising is getting ridiculous. I go to one website about Halloween costumes and suddenly my Facebook feed, Google searches, and pop up ads are all postulated with websites on which I can get costumes. While I can appreciated the sexy Shrek costumes (yes they exist) I do not like the idea that search engines are keeping track of what I am searching and making recommendations. I will admit that sometimes it is helpful. When I am actually searching for clothes, I have liked that I find new websites at which I can buy clothes but when I accidentally head to a website that sells both women’ and children’s clothing and Pandora thinks that I should get pregnant, I draw the line. I listen to Pandora every day at work because it has a wider music selection. I started noticing that Pandora thought I should get pregnant when one day I head the same four ads for the entire day. there may have been one or two others thrown in here or there but it was basically a repeat of these same five ads all of which had to do with children and/or pregnancy in some way.

The ads were on,

1) pregnancy tests;

2) birthing suites at local hospitals;

3) children’s toys,

4) and finally, IVF treatments.

 

At first I couldn’t understand why Pandora was giving me these ads. I had not googled anything close to this! Then I remembered, I had liked a website, on Facebook, that sold women’s clothing but also sold children’s clothing. I was in shock when I remembered this. I mean I had liked it after viewing a few of the women’s clothes. I was barely on the website twenty minutes. However, that one like and visit, were noticed by Facebook and because my Facebook account is connected to my Pandora account it seemed that infer that I was pregnant or soon to be. I have since started noticing that this happens A LOT with the other websites I visit if my Facebook is connected to them. I have always loved shoes. I online window shop for shoes, so a lot of the ads that pop up or are streamed on Pandora have been shoes. I had never really noticed before because well, I love shoes. They were just the normal, annoying ads that come along with going on the internet. I have been told to be careful about what I put on the internet but I never thought it would get down to what I like on Facebook. It’s amazing how a simple act can spiral out of control…or in this case try to get my pregnant.

 

 

 

Music I Am Listening To: Feel This (Love Fall Down) by Enation

I have a strange relationship with music. I know what I don’t like but I don’t really know what I like. If you ask me what my favorite type of music is I wouldn’t be able to tell you. So in the tradition of not knowing what I love I Shazam anything that tickles my fancy. I then decide if it’s a song I want to download. The song above is one of those times.

I should actually say that I have heard Enation before but not quite in this sense. Anyone who is a fan of the CW show, One Tree Hill, has heard of Bethany Joy Lenz. She brought the amazingly talented Haley James Scott to life on the show. While she has her own musical group called Everly, on the show during one of the episodes she performed with a band called Enation. As it just so happens her ex-husband, Michael Galeotti, was a member of the band at the time. That is how I first got introduced to Enation. One of the songs they performed in the episode was a song called “Feel This” with Lenz as the lead singer. So when I first came across this version of the song I was intrigued. I knew Enation but I did not know they had their own version of this song. I have found that I like this version better. The song had really resonated with me. While I am not a music credit by any means I have found that bands like Enation are usually overshadowed by bigger, flashier artists. I am drawn to the soft melodies and the amazing voices in the song. The lyrics are not bad either.

“Feel this
Can you feel this
My heart beating out of my chest
Feel this
Can you feel this
Salvation under my breath”

I mean who could not be drawn in my lyrics like that.  If you have time today take a moment and look up Enation and see what other music of theirs you can’t wait to hear. Feel free to let me know if there are any other bands I should be listening to. I am open to anything.

Guest Writer – Mean Girls: A Girl’s Guide To What Not To Say

“When is it acceptable to beat a woman unconscious?” was a question I never thought I would be asking. But here I am asking that exact question and looking for an answer from another women.

It was a Saturday night at a Dave Matthews concert when it happened. It happened when I struck up a conversation with the couple sitting next to me before the band started their first set. The man next to me had a large Baltimore Ravens seal tattooed on his calf. Being the forward person that I am and not afraid of awkward situations, I asked him what he thought of the whole Ray Rice controversy that is going on right now. Instantly, I got the answer from the woman sitting next to him; “Whatever she did, she probably deserved it” she said. I was taken aback by her instant response. As I sat there watching the lights go down and listening to the band started to play, I was stunned. I found myself thinking about how awful women treat and judge other women and how we are not going to get anywhere until we gain more of a respect for us as a gender and as people.

Women look at other women and instantly judge them. We label women with harsh words such as slut or whore. We categorize her as trashy all based on the way she is acting, speaking or dressed. Snap judgments based on not knowing anything about her. Women have a tendency to pass judgments and think that we are better than someone else just based purely on superficial things such as hair, breast size, and weight. How are we supposed to gain respect and equality in society when most of the time women disrespect each other? Are we not supposed to unite as a gender to fight for our rights as women?

Humans have a tendency to put themselves into groups and women are no different. Instead of being united, we split into small groups. Everyone who thinks they are better than the women next to them because you are [insert dividend here], go stand over there. By doing this, we perpetrate this idea that some of us deserve less respect and are viewed with less respect. Have men learned this behavior for us? Have we taught men that it is okay to not treat women equally? Is it then okay to beat your wife? I mean, according to the NFL the punishment for beating a woman to near unconsciousness is only a two game suspension. But do not even think about stomping on other players’ head during a game that will get you suspended for five games. Thank you, NFL for…well nothing. Again, here was an example of the NFL coming up short during a critical 2 minute play.

People on the internet sometimes make excuses for rape perpetrators. In what world is it okay to rape a woman, because, I mean, did you see the way she was dressed? That dress just begged to be taken off. You, could totally tell she was asking for it. Thanks general public. In what world is it okay to sexually assault a woman, video tape it and then post it for all to see?  After which you will only be banned from campus AFTER you graduate. Thanks James Madison University.  In what world is it okay for today’s government to create laws that will take away our rights as women, rights that we already fought for and won decades ago? Thanks government.  In what world it is okay to invest 401K funds in companies that create reproductive medication but then not have to offer this same medicine to your employees because of religious reasons. Thanks Supreme Court. In what world? Ours. How can we expect society have to treat women equally if we do not treat ourselves equally?

We need to stop the judgments. I do not pretend to be perfect. I am guilty of this judgment, almost all women are. Judgments however, are not getting us anywhere. We cut other women down because of the way they dress, act, and speak. It has to stop. We have to unite and fight because we are women and human beings. We can no longer afford to judge each other and separate each other into categories. We must instead unite as a gender and fight for our rights lest we continue to be viewed as the lesser gender which I think we can all agree is not true. We are many things. Strong, intelligent, and the bearers of children to name a few.  We must make it perfectly clear and insist that men and society treat us thus. We will not accept anything less.

It’s time we stand up united, so that I will never have to ask another woman, “When is it acceptable to beat a woman unconscious?”

 

The female writer would like everyone to know that the Dave Matthews concert was still fantastic none the less. She advises that you should all go see him in concert as soon as possible.

Music I Am Listening To: Indestructible by Robyn

So I think that it is already clear that I have an eclectic taste in music. Robyn is just one of those choices that seems really different for me but I absolutely love. I have seen her twice in concert because she was the opening act for Katy Perry and Coldplay, both of whom I went to see in concert. Each time I have seen her she has been in these outfits that are crazy but somehow are perfect for her. Many of us would never wear these outfits but for some reason there were perfect for her.

Her music is very electric driven and has a sort of out of this world feel to it. It is interesting because I don’t have much electric music on my iPod but I can’t get enough of her. My newest song by her that I love is called Indestructible. The song is about someone willing to put their heart on the line and love without fear. I see this as the goal, but it also is the biggest hurdle for many of us. The music video also is quite amazing and cool to watch. I would suggest her for anyone who wants to just dance in your room by yourself. If you want to check out some more of her music you should listen to Call Your Girlfriend and Dancing On My Own. Let me know what you think and please suggest other music you think I should try.

Spelling in Songs

While I was writing my Music I Am Listening To: Birthday Cake by Rihanna, I was stuck by another phenomenon in music these days….spelling in songs. Hey I won’t lie Gwen Stefani taught me how to spell bananas. Fergie taught me how to sell her name AND delicious all in one song! Songs even older like Safety Dance by Men Without Hats (which if you haven’t seen the music video, stop reading and watch it. The post will be here when you come back.) Or how about the classic RESPECT by the great Aretha Franklin. I don’t include songs such as the “YMCA” because, well, no one really listens to that song just for pleasure. Mostly you hear it at weddings and bat mitzvah.

Since you are reading this post I am going to safely assume that you know how to ead otherwise you will not get the funny in this post, which is sad cause I’m freaking hilarious. I know there are more out there just waiting to be found. If you can think of any others feel free to comment.

Music I Am Listening To: Birthday Cake by Rihanna

 

If you haven’t listened to Birthday Cake by Rihanna, click on the link, listen to the entire song and then come back and finish reading this post. I’ll wait…..

Ok, so you have just listened to probably the stupidest song in the world. Mind you there are songs such as The Offspring’s Pretty Fly for a White Guy which is definitely a whack track but its a self-proclaimed funny whack track. The whole point of the song is to make fun of white guys who think they are ghetto and SO aren’t. So what’s this songs excuse? I mean she is talking about cake!

My best friend and I were sitting in the car listening to HOT 99.5 and this song proceeded to come on. She immediately wanted to change the song and I overruled her because it was my car and as a general rule when we are in my car it is Russia and I am Stalin. But on a car ride to PPL Park in Pennsylvania to see the USWNT play China, my friend Maggie and I were listening to it and it dawned on me…this song is so stupid.

When I finally looked who wrote this song I was shocked. I thought, “This has to be wrong. I mean…its Rihanna!” But low and behold it was. I know she has better stuff then that. From Disturbia to S&M to Unfaithful to one of her newest songs Where Have You Been, Rihanna shows she is talented. Well, at least I think she is. I am chalking this doozie of a song up to a momentary lapse in judgment and creativity but hey Rihanna if you see this post just know…I will only give you one, next time I’m out.

Music I am Listening To: We Owned the Night by Lady Antebellum

I am not a huge fan of country music. I prefer hip hop, rap, and R&B but I LOVE Lady Antebellum. My aunt got my Lady A’s most recent CD for christmas and I have been listening to it non-stop. Their sound is unforgettable. All three members have a way of making their voices fit. With a country lean, a rock undertone and the soul of three artists, Lady A has created Grammy award winning albums and songs. I love the song We Owned the Night because it is not quite country but not quite rock. It is a seamless combination of the two where they manage to convey the connection someone can have with someone else. An emotion that is felt so deeply that the person feels like they can do anything. Lady A deserves to have a fan base that loves their sound an appreciates that lyrics as well as the music. Their CD is a great buy.

Music I am Listening To: Neon Lights by Natasha Bedingfield

I am sitting in my dorm room taking a break after staying up for most the night writing, editing and making changes to a collection of midterm essays for one of my political science classes and this song came on. Neon Lights by Natasha Bedingfield. I have a couple of songs by her. A couple of her famous songs (Pocketful of Sunshine) and some that may not be so famous yet (such as Neon Lights). If you are looking for an artist that always deliveries songs that will make you smile and always seem to brighten your day I would look no father than Natasha Bedingfield. She has a voice that has a great tone and you can feel her emotions through the way she sings. Her pours herself into her songs and while many of her songs can be seen as being similar I do not see this as a minus. Why mess with something that works and this type of upbeat, authentic music definitely works for her. I know that many young adults and professionals like to illegally download music but I believe that buying her most recent album called Strip Me will not be a waste of anyones money. Feel free to tell me about what you are listening to and what songs you think should get a listen to. I always love listening to new music.

Music I am Listening To: I Wanna Go by Britney Spears

I am sitting in the office and my iPod is on shuffle and the song that comes on is I Wanna Go by Britney Spears. If you are a music fan and were alive a couple of years ago, you will remember Ms. Spears’ meltdown and subsequent MTV performance which was less than stellar. However, Ms. Spears has picked herself up and has recently been hitting it big with her new album Femme Fatale, her seventh studio album. Britney Spears is an amazing entertainer and I for one LOVE her new album. I just wish I had gotten to see her in concert when she was in my area. If you have been to any one of her seven tours since 1999 you know she puts on a hell of a concert. I would definitely recommend her new album if you are looking for some good, new music.

Rain

I’m only happy when it rains
I’m only happy when it’s complicated
And though I know you can’t appreciate it
I’m only happy when it rains
You know I love it when the news is bad
Why it feels so good to feel so sad
I’m only happy when it rains…

–Lyrics from “I’m Only Happy When It Rains” by Garbage

I can’t stand the rain, against my window
Bringing back, sweet memories
I can’t stand the rain, against my window
Cause he ain’t here with me

Hey window pane
Tell me, do you remember?
How sweet it used to be

When we were together
Everything was so grand
Now that we parted
There’s just one sound
That I just can’t stand…

–Lyrics from “I Can’t Stand the Rain” by Ann Peebles

Its raining in DC today and I was listening to these two songs and thought you might want to get a taste. Enjoy everyone and remember to jump in a puddle once and a while. 😀