Archive for the 'Body' Category
August 23 2008: Syphilis
My brother goes through phases where he becomes attached to a particular word, and will try to steer every conversation he has so that he can use the word in it. It’s innocent enough when he’s obsessed with words like “precisely” and “immunise”, but when his new favourite word is “syphilis”, his conversations take a startling turn. I kid you not, his new favourite word is syphilis.
I have to admit that I started this obsession of his, as he’s been sitting with me through my gradual re-viewings of each season of Buffy. We were watching “Pangs”, the episode where Xander shows symptoms of syphilis, smallpox, measles, and other lovely diseases when a Native American spirit is let loose from a spell that had kept it captive. “Why am I always the one that gets syphilis or sleeps with demons and bug women!” Xander says petulantly (slight paraphrasing).
My brother’s eyes light up. Syphilis! A new word! “What does syphilis mean?” he asks.
“It’s when you have sex with someone with the disease without using appropriate protection, and you catch a venereal disease off them. Your penis grows spots, turns black, and falls off. That’s why condoms are so important,” I reply. A bit of exaggeration in the promotion of safe, condom-sheathed, sex never goes wrong right?
My explanation hasn’t been a deterrent thus far however, as my brother has been going around saying “Syphilis!” at random intervals, relishing the way it rolls off his tongue. Take last night for example. We’re outside in the driveway, unloadng groceries from the car. “I have syphilis!” he proclaims loudly, as the whole neighborhood walks past. They gape. He blushes. I laugh.
Nicely done. Very subtle.
Filed under Body & Family & Media with 10 Comments
August 13 2008: Talent Vs. Appearance
There’s been an awful lot of controversy today surrounding the eleventh hour switch of the little girl singers at the opening ceremony, with a large majority of comments on that particular article going “OMG China is evil”. These commenters are obviously delusional, and/or haven’t been living in the modern world.
Physical appearance matters. This is especially true for the entertainment industry, which this case falls into. Want a singer to appear on international television? You’d want an attractive singer, or at least an attractive person who can lip-synch. It’s the same everywhere - when was the last time you saw an unattractive actress, actor, singer, model? If you’re wanting to succeed in showbiz, you’d better hope that you’re good-looking, because no amount of talent will get you anywhere otherwise.
The article goes on to criticise the Chinese for only appointing slim and attractive women to present at the medal ceremonies. Yes, and? Slim and attractive women are a staple at ceremonies around the world. Grand Prix ceremonies are rife with sexy grid girls in skimpy outfits. A tennis tournament in Spain had models act as ballgirls to garner attention. Slim and attractive women are a staple for sports events - their presence sells tickets.
It’s not to say of course, that talent is worthless. On the contrary - talent is important as an athlete, a doctor, an engineer, etc. I’d be worried if physical appearance played a larger part than talent in these occupations. It’s not to say of course that physical appearance doesn’t matter. A doctor would be out of a job quickly if he showed up to surgery in sweatpants, an athlete wouldn’t last long in their sport if they didn’t keep themselves in peak physical condition. On a more basic level, I personally certainly wouldn’t show up to a job interview looking anything less than perfectly groomed; every little bit helps, and first impressions do matter.
Those kicking up a fuss about the “talent vs. appearance” argument need first to consider what industry they’re protesting against. Different degrees of each are needed for each particular job description…and in the case of the little girl singer in the ceremony, a bright, young, pretty thing was more appropriate for the role.
Filed under Asian-ness & Body & Media & Politics with 19 Comments
August 7 2008: I Can Has Oral?
A friend recently came back from a jaunt overseas, bringing me back two T-shirts as a souvenir.
I personally think they’re particularly suitable for me.
Filed under Body with 7 Comments