The people who follow me on social media are probably aware of the fact that I've recently lost my job. Crisis, you know. The fact that I am 21 years old doesn't help my case either, as even though it is illegal, many employers discriminate on age. It is peculiar that I am barely out of my teenage years, yet already seen as 50. Life is weird sometimes.
I was over at my dad's house today and I expressed my concerns about my financial situation. My dad has recently followed his dream and became a hypno-therapist. He said that I should not keep thinking about money in a negative way. I should visualise that I have enough money. I should visualise everything that I want, think that I already have it and it will happen to me. The power of positive thinking.
He showed me a video of people explaining the whole concept and it got me thinking. I want to try this as an experiment and see if it will work. Who wants to try it with me? Now success is not guaranteed and it might not even happen within say, a week. Patient is a virtue. I will try this out and report back to you as I go along. These were the steps you had to take:
1. Write down a list about what you are grateful for now and think about this list at least once a day.
2. Visualise the things you want to have. Create a list or moodboard, whatever works for you. Imagine that these things already belong to you. Don't think about them as being in the future but see them as something that you have now.
3. Be patient and think positively.
I'm not saying that I am convinced it will work, but as I can use a little positivity in my life at the moment, I am going to try this and see where it will get me...
Whilst randomly browsing around the internet, as you do, I came across this recent article about Abercrombie & Fitch. For those of you who don't know the store, it is an overpriced retailstore, which sells hoodies and polos for ridiculous prices, and employ pretty models to stand outside the door half-naked to lure in customers. That is alright, if it brings you business and fame, but the CEO of this amazing store recently said something that I thought was very ridiculous:
"We go after the attractive, all-American kid with a great attitude and
a lot of friends. A lot of people don't belong [in our clothes], and
they can't belong."
Ah, so Abercrombie and Fitch want their clothes to be worn only by beautiful people. Naturally, being plus size automatically means that you are an ugly ass bitch not worthy of buying their average clothes and logo'd t-shirts for an insane amount of money. Basically this is ordinary bullying.
And I get it, mister CEO. You only need one glance at his picture to see what is going on here:
An average looking man, probably bullied in his teenage years, who is desperate to belong to that cool group. A group is not cool until it is exclusive, and so ostracising the large majority of the earth's population is a great way to achieve this. It is quite sad that a man his age is desperate to look like the group of people he admires yet still manages to fail. Young, beautiful and sexy. If that does not apply to you, then get the fuck out.
I did some research about how they scout these models. It is a no-go to apply for a job via a letter. Nope, you have to go there in person to be judged by the store manager, unless you've been scouted on the streets. You have to have a sixpack if you are a male, and a size 6 if you're a female. It is not the little money these 'models' as they're called make that makes them so proud of being part of this company. It is just the fact that they are the 'chosen ones' that makes it all so prestigeous.
Obviously, I am not in favour of a company which is discriminating like this. They may believe they are the gang of cool kids, but I think it will only be a matter of time before they are the club of losers.
Kids! It's me! I have returned from sunny Spain and am back to blog my ass off for you. Not really. I never really have been a consistent blogger, but hey, that makes it special. Like when you have this really tasty chocolate and you only eat it once a year, it makes it more special. I am like chocolate, so you love me. Right?
Anyways, today's issue I want to discuss is the ridiculous tendency of companies to pack their products so well that it takes a fucking drill to open it up. I bought 2 new lip products today. The plastic was wrapped around it so tightly it could survive a nuclear bomb attack and then turn into Lipstickman and save the world, which wouldn't need saving as it just got hit by a nuclear bomb. Anyways, funnily enough the lipstick was called Apocalips (how cleverrr!) and basically it was the most challenging thing I've ever had to open. I have illustrated it for you to come to a better understanding of my trial:
By the time I opened it, I didn't even want to use it anymore. It was a traumatic experience. Same goes for bottles and cans that refuse to open without using so much force, the Hulk would be jealous. I can't be the only one who has to feel this way? Where are all my brothers and sistahs in agony at?
I won't be around much next week so I decided that I wanted to leave you with one last amazingly fantastic blogpost. It is not much, but as I was reliving my childhood moments (as you do late at night), I decided to share this brilliant poem with you. The sheer genius of the words still captivate me after all these years. Deep, heartfelt and absolutely touching. As a child a was mesmerized by these poets and I still am today. I am actually considering getting the text tattooed on my forehead.
Behold:
Have a great weekend my darlings! Perhaps I shall entertain you some more tomorrow. But maybe not.
Today I would like to show you some live performances of artists I admire. Most of these artists I've seen live, some I am dying to see. Just hope you will enjoy these!
When I was 12 years old, I found hormones started to race through my young body. I thought I was very mature back then and considered MTV to be the best tv channel in the world (note: this was before MTV forgot all about the music). It was also the time when Justin Timberlake left N*Sync and released his solo album Justified. I was not instantly a fan, but his music grew on me and before I realised it, I was in the Gelredome in Arnhem to see him live. It was my very first gig and it left an impression on me.
I recall my cousin and me made this amazing sign that said: JUSTIN YOU ARE THE BEST GREETZ I & M. I remind you that I was 12 and then that is still considered cute.
Years passed by and a few years after his first album he released the second one, called Futuresex/Lovesounds. I started to love him even more and went to see his second show in the Netherlands. Mind you, back then I wasn't looking for the deeper message in songs and I just enjoyed dancing to it and I did not realise that 90% of the songs were about sex. Neither did my mother. Don't tell her!
Anyways, JT left music to start a career as an actor and all the posters up on my wall were gradually removed and I moved on with life. Until earlier this year. JT announced he was releasing a new album. I was very happy as my teenage memories came back to me. I wasn't too thrilled about the first single but it grew on me. Most importantly, I was amazed at his live performances. His voice is flawless and his performance is poised and perfect. He makes it seem so effortless, the way he moves across the stage and plays with the audience. There is another Justin who could learn a thing or two from him ;).
I find myself listening to his old albums all over again and I am still amazed by how well-produced and clever these songs are. Not to mention that JT is a very good comedian too. I shall not bother you with more text. Here are some of his best songs for your enjoyment:
Today as I was just browsing and minding my own business, I came across the May cover of GQ UK. The cover featured Emma Watson dressed in a provocative outfit, heavily inspired by the Pretty Woman film. I was looking at the cover and the only thought that crossed my mind was "Damn, she's become very pretty." However, as I was looking at the comments, a lot of people commented saying things like: "She becomes more trashy the more she becomes famous." and "SHE IS SUCH A SLUT!"
Now, I do not know about you, but if I think about Emma Watson, slut is not the word that comes to mind. Even though I do not follow her career closely, I have seen her grow up through the Harry Potter films and I think she has become a very clever and beautiful young woman who knows how to deal with her fame. Yet somehow there are many people on the internet who feel the need to hate on a woman for wearing daring clothes. Why is that?
This is the cover:
Why do we women feel the need to judge each other constantly? Why can't we just look at another girl thinking: "Gosh she is pretty, I wonder where she got her hair done?" instead of: "That bitch looks too good for my taste. I bet she has 16 STDs." Are we really that insecure about ourselves, about the way we look and act that we have to insult everyone we consider to be a threat?
As women we are still seen as the 'weak' gender. We are already constantly judged by men as it is. Why are we scratching each other's eyeballs out as well? We should be supportive of each other as we are all in the same position and instead of being jealous, we should be proud that another woman manages to be successful in a men's world.
Surely I judge others too. Mainly on their outfits if I don't like it. Doesn't mean I judge someone as a person just because of what he/she wears. I don't think Kim Kardashian is a great role-model for young girls but that has nothing to do with the way she dresses or her personality as I bet she is a nice person. But I wonder why men are allowed to walk around half-naked and pose in only their boxers and that is considered to be sexy, while if us girls do that, we're skanks? Just because we have boobs? Bullshit.
And yes, I do not think we should exploit little girls and dress them like they are 25 year olds. Let them be kids. I do feel that if an 18 year old chooses to wear a bikini and post a picture in that bikini on facebook, she should be able to without being called names.
You could argue it comes with being in the media all the time. Since when have we become so primitive that being in the media automatically means that a famous person should be a target for constant scrutiny? Miley Cyrus changed from innocent child star to sexy vamp and parents were outraged. It would certainly mean their kids would copy this behaviour! I'm sorry, but if you do your job as a parent well, you should not have to rely on popstars to teach your children values. These famous ladies are still young. Let them live. Let them grow up and make mistakes. Instead of calling them sluts or hoes, just respect them. We're all female. We all know how hard it is to constantly feel the pressure of being thin and sexy and pretty and nice. Let's not take others down to feel good about ourselves.
In conclusion; don't be afraid to admire another girl for being pretty or for her success. If you work hard enough and be yourself, you'll be the person others will look up to and admire.
