Friday, September 15, 2006

09/15/06

The ban on skinny models.

If you've been following any of the new fashion news, you may have heard about the recent ban being imposed for fashion week. Models deemed to skinny are banned from the runway in Madrid. 4 countries are currently seeking legislation to ban what they deem to be too skinny of models from modeling.

The reason behind the move is that models are now to blame for diseases such as anorexia and bulimia. If the ban passes, models must have a BMI of at least 18 AND wear at least a size 8. Even if you are naturally skinny and have the natural ability to burn through food faster than you can eat it, you are still not welcomed to model in those countries.

There are a couple of things that amaze me about this story. The first is the blatant discrimination against people based on their size. If a ban was to be passed that plus size models can't be anything overweight because it could be a sign of an eating disorder there would be a public outcry. The second that really bothers me is that this article was introduced the same day a study came out stating that America is at the "fattest" it's ever been with there now being more obese people than ever before.

Essentially what this ban is telling me is that being overweight is ONLY caused by a medical condition and those that are should be allowed to be that way BUT those that are underweight are all anorexic and bulimic. Those writing the article are telling the world that everyone under a size 8 starves themselves or throws up to maintain their size.

Personally, I know quite a few people who have a BMI under 18.5. Mine is only 15. I've never starved myself and I've never thrown up. I honestly don't know anyone who has. However, once this ban goes into effect, the countries that enforce it will be telling the world that I, and all other skinny people, must have an eating disorder.

I work really hard to maintain and gain weight. I use appetite stimulants to increase how much I eat, I use weight gainer in an attempt to get closer to society's definition of normal and I accept the fact that unless I'm pregnant, I will not wear a size 8 anytime in the near future.

It sickens me enough to hear whispers on a regular basis regarding my weight, it disgusts me to hear rumors that have been spread about my weight, and it saddens me to know that because of people like the organizers of this event, it will be even worse.

If Fashion week is attempting to set a better example for teenage girls through their models, maybe it would be better to pass bans on drugs. Kate Moss shouldn't be used as role model to teens, but I think that has more to do with the candid pictures of her snorting cocaine up her nose. Or hey, why not pass a ban on smoking because well dressed, beautiful women are constantly photographed smoking and some young girl will probably imitate that as well.

In listening to the Armstrong and Getty show this morning (Don't bash me, I'm a huge talk radio fan, Especially Michael Savage) I listened to them totally and completely bash women who are a size 0. How unattractive they are, how no one they have ever known could be attracted to someone like that and the same old jokes about a skinny turning sideways and you losing them. Since I had Kaitlyn in the car I changed the station. Sure, she's not old enough to understand but I still don't like to have her listen to such a disgusting rant on body image regardless of which way it's slanted.

So, my point is this: Unless you've walked in the shoes of someone else, don't make assumptions about their life styles. Not all skinny people have eating disorders or drug addictions and not all fat people are lazy overeaters.

And, I guess I won't be changing careers anytime soon....

Thursday, September 14, 2006

09/14/06

A few things I've noticed the past couple of days…

Yesterday, Dusty and I were driving to pick up his car to take it to another repair shop. The car was at the Ford Dealership on Florin Road. It was about 5:30, while traffic was backed up on the freeway, all of the side streets were flowing nicely.

We were at a stop light when we noticed a boy, maybe 15 taking off down the street. We had no idea where he was going so fast and could only assume that he just recently got out of school or sports because he had his backpack off and we weren't far from Luther Burbank. After a moment, we saw why he was running so fast. There was a bus stop up ahead and the bus was barely ahead of him. The bus stopped, noticed he was running and ignored him. The bus was stopped for maybe 10 seconds, as this boy got to the bus, it took off. He chased after it for a moment then gave up.

Who in the hell does this bus driver think he/she is?? How dare you do that to a child?? Yes, I know busses need to run on a schedule, but how far behind would 10 seconds put him? What was he teaching this child? That if you run as fast as you can and try to do right then life can still pass you bye without a second glance?

Sure, he was probably 15, but that is still a child? Why does society feel such a need to be disrespectful and unable to budge when it comes to the well being of a child?

I was livid. Let me tell you, that bus driver is lucky that I am not that boys mother because I would be raising so much hell right now…

Kaitlyn had a shoot in San Francisco this morning. I love San Francisco. There are things about San Francisco that I don't like and many, many reasons I would never live there though.

I will not be the slightest bit surprised when San Francisco decides to become its own state, hell, I won't be surprised when it becomes its own country and leaves the Union. In so many ways, I think it's halfway there. Look at the new laws being introduced into San Francisco: the higher minimum wage, the no handgun legislation, the social programs, the constant disregard and disrespect of laws that are in effect for the state and the country.

I can handle the anti-conservative vibe, talk and outcry in San Francisco. I can handle being considered a bigot because I am in favor of immigration, I can handle being cold hearted for my views on the sanctity of marriage, and I can even handle being a war mongrel for supporting the president and the war. I can handle those things because I know that I believe what is right for me based on my life, lifestyle and experiences. Liberals do the same. I like to think I'm not as hateful about it though.

What I cannot handle is how ugly they have allowed the city to become. San Francisco is supposed to be a landmark, a tourist attraction, a beautiful city by the sea. In reality I would be ashamed and embarrassed to take friends or family that are visiting to that city. People leave their garbage EVERYWHERE. Liter is all over the streets. Homeless people are forceful and harassing if you do not give them money. The worst though is this: How can a city allow billions after billions to be spent on gorgeous sky scraper buildings that look amazing from so far away to CONSTANTLY be enveloped in graffiti?? Seriously, why isn't something being done to prevent it, clean it, prosecute those doing it and preserving the beauty of the city? I HATE that when I am on the opposite side of the bay bridge in Emeryville I look at the city with such amazement and such an awe of respect for the incredible beauty that it is, yet when I am exiting the bay bridge in Downtown San Francisco, I am totally disgusted by the graffiti everywhere. I despise filth, I truly do.

Well, that's my rant for the day