French Alps

can't believe i had the chance to see these bad boys (the french alps) but i was able to this past january and february (2011). what an amazing experience. with 66 chair lifts, a million different runs, and fabulous restaurants in the middle of these massive mountains - i recommend this to anyone who has the chance. i wouldn't call myself an expert skiier either and although my nerves were high at first, after a day of skiing (and some major wipeouts) i felt prepared for the next week!

the view from our chalet

our 12 person chalet equipped with 2 british hosts who cooked fabulous meals and cleaned up after our late nights of french wine and games

a neat ice bar inside one of the shopping/hotel centres

raclette - an amazing french meal consisting of melting cheese with meats, breads, and vegetables. like a fondue but even better!

me and my ski bunny

It's no wonder they say the French could care less to leave their own country; they have mountains, beaches (the south of France), and the Eiffel Tower... what more can you ask for??

'Rolling in the Deep' Continues to Make Waves

As if ADELE's latest album, 21, holding strong at the top of the charts isn't enough (it's currently at No. 3), artists continue to create their own covers of its lead single "Rolling in the Deep."

The latest to board the let's-cover-ADELE train is none other than Grammy-winner John Legend. Other covers have appeared from Mike Posner (who's coming to the MSU Auditorium Wednesday, April 13) and Young the Giant. Check out all three below.


John Legend - Rolling in the Deep (Adele Cover) by johnlegend

Rolling In The Deep (Adele Cover) by Mike Posner by The Quiet Floor

Young the Giant – Rolling in the Deep (Adele cover) by somesortofmusic

WWEPW: What Would Emma Pillsbury Wear

What Would Emma Pillsbury Wear? is an entire site dedicated to the fashion and style of the GLEE character by the same name, portrayed by actress Jayma Mays.

Of all the characters Emma would not have fallen to the top of our style list ... immediately. That said, for all those loving the preppy style of the character, the site helps you put together and find outfits exactly like those in Mays' wardrobe. If you are or are not a fan of GLEE: enjoy.

Spartan Sensations

Recent projects from students across Michigan State University are making waves on the Internet and we feel it's about time we added to the mix by sharing them with you. Below are three fun creations shot right on campus, great work Spartans!

1. MSU Wants Tosh.0!
This video was uploaded to YouTube just yesterday and has already hit over 1,000 views. Further, The State News has a story in today's issue about the effort, shot just this past weekend as a means to try bringing comedian Daniel Tosh (and Tosh.0) to MSU for a show. The filming was coordinated by MSU student Erin O'Donnell. All other contributors are listed on YouTube. Current view count: 1,262.



2. Lisztomania: MSU Brat Pack Mashup
Created by two professional writing seniors, Nina Elias and Bethany Tomaszewski, the above video is inspired by the original brat pack mashup on YouTube (from avoidantconsumer HERE). A handful of other fabulous Spartans are featured in the vid (set to an awesome song, we might add) paying tribute to John Hughes' The Breakfast Club. Current view count: 2,863.



3. Lady Gaga "Monster" Music Video
This video was, again, envisioned and created by MSU students, led by Brianna Gardner and Andrew Vallentine. The video is a tribute to "Mother Monster" (aka Lady Gaga) and has been listed on YouTube as No. 34-Top Rated (Music) and No. 44-Top Favorited (Music). Current view count: 190,741.

Monday's Show: Festival of Female Playwrights

On Monday, March 28 we’re interviewing Jacqueline Russel, organizer of Girls Gone Wilde, a festival of female playwrights happening April 1-2 in Calgary. Check out the Girls Gone Wilde website for info about this festival!



We’ll also discuss the following news stories:



American Apparel CEO uses secret contracts to silence models who pose nude for him – This news report exposes the binding and restrictive contract that American Apparel makes their models sign. It touches on the lack of rights and vulnerability to exploitation that models face (particularly amateur models), as well as CEO Dov Charney's abusive and toxic work environment, questions of labour relations and labour rights, and the blatant sexualization of women in their advertisements.



New Duke Nukem video game encourages players to kidnap and slap women – Duke Nukem Forever (to be released June 14th) has a “Capture the Babe” mode of play. Players are tasked with kidnapping a woman, throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her back to his base to share the spoils. If she “freaks out” players are encouraged to slap her until she shuts up.

so moving.

WASTE LAND Official Trailer from Almega Projects on Vimeo.

thought I would start blogging again but showing something that looks incredible. anyone out there know of any other great documentaries? i also want to see the banksy one. the cove is a great documentary about the dolphins used in shows across the world and the "cove" in japan where they are captured, and either killed or sold.

Libyan woman says she was raped by 15 of Gaddafi's men - is accused of mental illness and prostitution

A distraught Libyan woman snuck into a hotel full of foreign journalist and made a desperate plea for help. She says she was beaten and raped by 15 men from Gaddafi’s regime over 2 days. The Libyan government has responded by saying she was drunk and is mentally ill.



Reports are sketchy, but from what I can tell, she went was held by the Gaddafi government for some time, and is now free. The government is also saying she's a prostitute who refused to take a medical exam, and this is all in "her line of work" anyway.

Quote of the Day: March 24

"I figure if you love something so much, you should at least give it a try. And you may end up making a living from it!"

—Vanessa Hudgens, actress and singer, on following your dreams to Shape Magazine.

The Shatter Craze Continues

If you haven't heard of Shatter, the new, incredibly in-demand, nail polish from OPI's Katy Perry Collection, we're not sure where you've been. For those of you who have (um, it was in our latest issue) we've discovered some exciting news and are bursting to share it.

The following is an announcement from OPI made yesterday (March 22) via its Facebook page: "While Black is hot, it's just not enough. Coming this May, OPI is taking Shatter to a whole new level with the complete Shatter collection. Including colors Black, White, Red, Blue, Turquoise, & Navy you can achieve any look with these earth shattering shades!"

Best of luck to all you polish queens at getting your hands on a few bottles! (We know our staff will be on the lookout.)

OMG, VIM Loves Your Jacket

I Like Your Jacket [dot] COM is probably the most fabulous website we've come across ... ever.

According to the site's creators, the Internet can be a scary place sometimes and we could all use a break from the unwanted stress of it; we couldn't agree more.

I Like Your Jacket exists to make the world a happier place by allowing visitors to read one compliment after another: some anonymous, some from Detroit, some hilarious, all wonderful.

Get complimented HERE.

Abercrombie sells push-up bikini tops for kids

Abercrombie Kids is selling push up triangle bikini tops. Let me reiterate that these are for kids. According to Sociological Images (where I first discovered this), Abercrombie Kids markets their products towards 7 - 14 year olds, and the average age of puberty is 12. Don't you think their target audience is a little young to be enhancing their cleavage?

I don't know why any of this shit from Abercrombie surprises me anymore. Here's just a sample of some other offensive and sexist clothing they've produced:

• In 2002 Abercrombie Kids had to remove a line of thong underwear sold for girls in pre-teen children's sizes after parents mounted nationwide storefront protests. The underwear included phrases like "Eye Candy" and "Wink Wink" printed on the front.


• In 2004 they got in trouble for a sexist and offensive tshirt that said "L is for Loser" next to a picture of a male gymnast on the rings.


• In 2005 they came out with tshirts displaying sexist messages such as "Available for parties," "Who needs brains when you have these?" and "I had a nightmare I was a brunette."


• A tshirt controversy arose again over A&F's Back-to-School 2009 collection of "humor tees." One shirt proclaims "Show the twins" above a picture of a young woman with her blouse open to two men. Two other shirts state "Female streaking encouraged" and "Female Students Wanted for Sexual Research."
  Source: Abercrombie & Fitch product criticism - Wikipedia
  
  

Quote of the Day: March 22

"My grandmother was probably the first person who I thought was beautiful. She was incredibly stylish, she had big hair, big cars. I was probably 3 years old, but she was like a cartoon character . . . It seemed like she lived in a different world, and wherever that was, I wanted to go."

—Tom Ford, fashion designer/director, on beauty to Interview Magazine.

Tonight: Small business owners - the challenges and rewards of being a female entrepreneur!

On tonight’s show we’re interviewing Meagan Kelln, a busy mom and small business owner. She started her business, HouseLife – help for home, food and fashion, when she was young and raising a small child. We’re going to chat with her about some of the challenges that women face in business, and how she’s taken advantage of networking groups and other programs to help her become successful.



Also, Meagan is co-hosting a great event for women in business on May 28. Marketing Yourself: Social Media Forum and Fashion Show is an all-day event with a social media Q&A panel, networking opportunities, small business exhibition and market, fashion show and more.

Molding Fashion Into Art: WMATY

WHAT’S MORE ALIVE THAN YOU™ is an incredible Italian shoe/bag/accessory manufacturer that involves both male and female designers from all over the world in the creation of its varying collections, spreading culture and life through creativity. The aim of WMATY products are to appeal to those of us who want our fashionable selves to have a unique, one-of-a-kind look (that also tells a story).

The design pictured above is a creation from Swedish designer Liza Fredrika Åslund (of the project's first selection class). Known as "Recycle Shoes," the ergonomically shaped pumps were hand-made from recycled wood and sheepskin and were worn by Best New Artist Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding (below) at this year's award ceremony.

Enjoy Music at Mealtime?

Well, now you've got the option!

European company Firebox HQ is now offering quite the toaster for sale: the Breville Radio Toaster. This new kitchen appliance brings the radio right to your kitchen AND cooks your breakfast. Talk about multitasking.

Purchase the toaster for around $70 HERE.

Quote of the Day: March 20

"[Dark things are] more interesting than bubblegum and lollipops to me."

—Dianna Agron, actress, on her interests/personality to Interview Magazine.

Movie Review: Blue Valentine

Though not exactly a feel-good story of romance, Blue Valentine is a stunning portrayal of the onset and disintegration of a marriage. The story centers around the lives of modern couple Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams) as well as their daughter Frankie (newcomer Faith Wladyka), jumping back-and-forth between how the couple met and where they're at "now." Cindy's only exposure to marriage before her own came from the awful showing that are her own parents, who constantly fought while she was at home, and the input of her grandmother, who reveals that she's not sure she ever loved her husband near the film's beginning — not exactly a promise for a happy ending in this flick. Though the two fall in love and marry (despite the child not being Dean's), the couple can't seem to stay happy despite everything. If you can handle incredibly honest, completely un-sugarcoated flicks, then you're in for two great performances and a wonderful Hollywood story.
Best on-screen moment: Dean and Cindy embark on their first date, resulting in the two learning each other's hidden "talents" (singing and tap dancing).

American Apparel increases sleaze, decreases sales

I've had a problem with American Apparel's advertising for a LONG time. I always hold out hope that it will get better, because American Apparel does some pretty cool things, like not photoshopping the models in their ads, supporting the legalization of same-sex marriage, and not using sweatshops to produce their clothing. That's all very nice... but I can never understand why AA is so ethical in those areas, yet they spew out such exploitative, porn-like advertisements that over-sexualize young women.



Look at the selection of their most recent ads below. You’ll see more tits, ass and pubes than the clothing they actually sell. So what are the ads actually selling? The women have become the products, not the clothing. AA caters to a hipster clientele, and they’re selling the idea that half-naked women in passive, child-like positions are hip. If you want to be hip and trendy, strip down and become a docile object to be stared at.













It’s also interesting to note the inclusion of pubic hair in a couple of these ads. This is something I haven’t seen before in AA’s advertising, and I’ve been following it for years. Maybe AA felt they’d fully exploited tits and ass to their maximum potential, so they had to up their game by adding pubes.



Another departure from their traditional sleaze is the hand-drawn images. The black and white ads for cotton panties are particularly disturbing because the girls look about 16. We already know that the company's CEO, Dov Charney, loves barely-legal ladies, and is currently dealing with a lawsuit filed by a former employee who says that when she was 18 he forced her into sex and essentially held her prisoner for hours after she visited his Manhattan apartment in 2008. The lawsuit is the latest in a string accusing Charney of inappropriate sexual conduct with female employees.



AA seems to be ever-striving to create the most controversial and sleazy ads possible. Whenever I get riled up about AA, I question whether or not I should even post their offensive ads. By posting them and paying attention to them, I am ultimately giving them more exposure and hype, which may be exactly what the company wants. However, I feel that I have to post them because a lot of anti-American Apparel sentiment is brewing and more people are boycotting them due to their advertising, so I definitely want to add fuel to that fire.



The good news is that American Apparel might not be around much longer, as they are on the verge of bankruptcy and have now been slammed with yet another sex scandal.

Most of these images were brought to my attention by Copyranter,

an excellent blog about advertising and marketing.

The Classic Dictionary Gets an Update

Pictured to the right, Green's Dictionary of Slang is a three-volume work compiling the life's work of Jonathon Green, a leading slang lexicographer. The work documents a fascinating era of the English language and is guaranteed to make for an interesting read (and reference).

If you're as intrigued as we are, the collection is available through Amazon.com for $450 here.

Local Hip Hop Artists Talk Music

On Friday, Feb. 25 The Specktators (right) and Green Skeem (below left) performed a double-threat "electrohop" (yes, we did make that up) show at The Landshark in downtown East Lansing for the second time this year. Before the show, VIM was able to speak with the aspiring entertainers. Below is what they had to say.

VIM: How long have you been involved in music and what was it that got you started?
Courtney Rodgers (of Green Skeem): We didn’t begin performing until after spring break of ’09 when we created a song, kind of as a joke. I used to beat box just for fun, so music has always been in my life.
Dan Wiseman (of Green Skeem): Originally we were just doing our own thing and then the two of us teamed up because we had the same fan base (we’re from the same town). I was always more of an athlete, sports guy than musical.
Matt Duda (of Specktators): I started making music way back in my sophomore year of college as an experiment with my roommate, using different kinds of music and vocals. This eventually evolved into the creation of an online mixtape. After a while, I realized my brother can rap better than me so we teamed up and I began to focus more on the production end of things.
Patrick Duda (of Specktators): I was lucky enough to gain interest while I was still in high school, since I’m younger than my brother. Upon graduation, I moved in with [him] and we messed around for about a year and a half.

VIM: What influenced you to lean toward hip-hop in your style as opposed to another genre of music?
CR: Fans of hip-hop seem to be the most accepting of our sound, currently, which is actually more of a mix of the electronic and pop genres, though we really do not have a “genre.”
DW: [Hip-hop] is definitely not even our favorite [type of music]. We really like dubstep, classic rock and techo, but [hip-hop] was something we could do together without having a whole band or playing instruments.
PD: We’re a little different [from Green Skeem] in that hip-hop has always been my personal favorite, while [Matt] kind of turned me on to liking techno as well. I’d have to say our music falls under “electropop,” though we don’t really have a genre.

VIM: Are there any specific artists that have influenced your music?
CR: We typically take a lot from everything, [though] I really like Outkast . . . Andre 3000 is ridiculous.
DW: Everyday experiences are our biggest influences — more events than [specific] people.
MD: Structure-wise we’re influenced by a lot of new [acts] like Chiddy Bang, Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean. Though we do enjoy classics like Kanye West and Eminem, too.

VIM: What kinds of things do you do to prepare for a show like tonight’s?
CR: Often I have a drink or two to loosen, shake the nerves. We [also] usually start the day with [breakfast at] Denny’s.
DW: We’re around each other all the time, chilling at each other’s places [in the days leading up to a show]. It seems like we’ve been together for a really long time.
MD: Because we have such good chemistry, it makes performing not seem like work or a chore. It’s fun.

VIM: Can you tell readers a little bit more about the show.
PD: We are two separate groups, so we started REFS (for Repping Everything Flawless) as a collective. It’s us and everybody that supports us. We want everyone to be a part of our efforts.
MD: We realized that we can’t achieve anything [alone].

VIM: Do you have any advice for students interested in breaking into the music industry?
CR: You have to work. A lot of people think [success] just happens. Especially coming out of East Lansing you have to work twice as hard.
DW: This isn’t our job and we have tons [of other things] going on. That’s the cool thing about being on a college campus — it’s what rap is all about, working and making things happen.
MD: Hip-hop is so popular right now and, in essence, is easy to start up. You really have to grind and work hard.
PD: You have to invest in yourself. I can’t tell you how much money we’ve spent on improving our music. For example, you have to avoid [buying] that new pair of shoes.

VIM: Okay, so this is totally random, but what do you think of Fox’s GLEE?
CR: I saw it once, but [think] it seems so fake.
MD: I think [the idea behind] it is pretty cool but would never watch it regularly.

VIM: Anything else you’d like to add?
CR: We do everything online and all [of] our music can be downloaded for free.
DW: Our first EP is titled Michigan Left and we try to come out with new songs as often as possible.
MD: I learned a lot from being solo about the importance of utilizing online tools. Most importantly that CDs were a big waste of money and that if people want your music, really want it, they’ll find it. It takes you about six months to do a project. We call our philosophy of constantly release music a “Never-ending Mixtape.” If we don’t have a show, people need [ways] to connect with us and now is the time. We’ll be releasing 6–10 new songs next fall.

Check both acts out at The Landshark (again) on Friday, March 25 at 8:30 p.m.

Spreading love & lessons on armpit hair

Despite the fact that all women have armpit hair, it’s hard to find one who wears it with pride. I recently came to an interesting realization: I’ve NEVER had armpit hair. As soon as it began to grow in, I was already shaving it off, and I’ve never let it grow longer than about 1.5 cm (after a week in the mountains with no razor!). So, why do women spend so much time, effort and money shaving (or waxing) what Mother Nature gave us?



Prior to World War I, most women only worried about the hair that could be seen; hair on the scalp, and for some, facial hair. Around 1915 however, fashions changed and sleeveless dresses came into style. And so began The Great Underarm Campaign – whereby companies that made razors sought to inform American women of a problem they didn’t know they had: unsightly underarm hair.



The campaign began with an ad in the May 1915 issue of Harper’s Bazaar magazine. The ad featured a young woman in a toga-like dress. Her arms are arched over her head revealing perfectly smooth armpits. The first part of the ad reads, “Summer Dress and Modern Dancing combine to make necessary the removal of objectionable hair.”



Around the same time this ad ran, Wilkinson Sword launched a marketing campaign for razors aimed at women, and within two years sales of razor blades had doubled.



The advertisers succeeded in convincing women that armpit hair was unattractive. They used an advertising technique that is still hugely successful today: invent a problem and then offer your product as the solution. It’s commonly used in anti-wrinkle cream advertising, for example. It doesn’t get much more natural than wrinkles, but advertisers have millions of us convinced that (a) they’re a problem, and (b) we can “cure” them with creams and botox injections.



So, we know why most of us shave off our pit hair, but are there any good reasons to grow it? There are plenty of reasons not to, the least of which being that you’re likely to be called a femi-nazi, man-hating lesbian, angry hairy bitch, or some other cruel name. (I mean, seriously? All that anger over a few wisps of hair!? Get over it, people!)



Well, here’s one reason why you might want to consider growing it back. In one of the most popular and trusted books on sex, The Joy of Sex by Alex Comfort, the authour makes such a strong case for female armpit hair that I had to share it here.

“The natural perfume of a clean woman [is] her greatest sexual asset after her beauty (some would say greater than that). It comes from the whole of her – hair, skin, breasts, armpits, genitals and the clothing she has worn…[some women] chop off their armpit hair, or did until a new generation started to realize that it was sexy. This might be forgivable in a hot climate with no plumbing. Now it is simply ignorant vandalism… A woman’s little tufts [are the] antennae and powderpuffs to introduce herself in a room, or in lovemaking.”

And it’s true… humans are attracted to each other on a primal level by the way we smell. Your own unique smell is an extremely powerful force, and armpit hair is there to capture it.



Despite my awareness of how ridiculous it is that women shave their pits, I still do it. It’s a social norm that’s extremely hard to break away from. But after reading about armpit hair in The Joy of Sex, I have to admit I’m tempted to give pit hair a chance! “Little tufts”… “Powderpuffs”… Why, it sounds simply delightful! And despite what the media tells us, there are plenty of folks – both men and women – who find the au natural style very attractive.



Whatever your preference for pit hair may be – bushy or bare – I think we all need to respect the choices of others. We shouldn’t be disgusted by women who grow bushy little powderpuffs, and we shouldn’t assume anything about their sexuality, anger levels, involvement in feminism, or anything else! And for those of us who shave or wax, we need our hairy sisters to understand that most of us won’t ever go there, mostly because we’ve been so brainwashed to think it’s unattractive and we’re terrified of what other people might think.

Tonight: interview with Calgary Communities Against Sexual Assault... plus feminist news & views

Tonight we’re interviewing a few ladies from Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA). We’ll be talking about the services and programs offered by CCASA, and how they help the community to understand issues around sexual violence.

After the interview we’ll share some feminist news and views on the following stories:

Eleven-year-old girl gang raped in Texas – if the story of 18 men and boys raping an 11-year old girl in an abandoned trailer home isn’t horrific enough, the New York Times added insult to injury with its appalling coverage of this story. Read the story yourself and see how the reporter victim-blames the girl and sympathizes with the rapists. The Feminist Philosophers have an excellent post discussing the problems within the New York Times article.

Generation Y women losing “female skills” – This article was posted in the Sunday Mail (Queensland, Australia) on January 30, 2011. I was drawn to it because it manages to be both sexist and really interesting at the same time! The fact that Generation Y women are losing skills such as cooking and baking is super interesting from a feminist perspective... but why did the article need to be framed in such a sexist overtone? According to Aussie feminist blog The Dawn Chorus, this is a “cheap, distasteful reporting strategy aimed at enraging readers who will circulate the story and comment on it, generating advertising revenue.” They may have a point – the story has 398 comments.


Egyptian Million Woman March ends in Tension - Numerous reports (including this one) recount what was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration of Egyptian women and men demanding equal rights at Tahrir Square in the nation's capital last week as part of an International Women's Day commemoration. The demonstration was met with anti-feminist chants and eventually aggressive behavior from those opposing the demonstrators and their message, saying women are meant to remain in the home and are not to become involved in political affairs. We'll discuss some of the details of the event, it's purpose and the peoples' reactions to what took place at Tahrir last Tuesday.

Photography Spotlight: Vs Magazine

We're jumping into the archives a bit here to highlight this 2009 photoshoot, conducted by Ellen von Unwerth, from Vs Magazine. The pics are just too gorgeous and fun not to share (and gush). You can check out the entire spread in the mag's gallery HERE or see our faves below.

Get the Look: Kate Bosworth

Kate Bosworth is one of our favorite style icons and has truly mastered casual chic. To the right is one of our favorite looks of the actress'. Due to its simplicity, we've provided our picks to help you get Kate's look.

Woven Sweater Textured Balletneck in White Pebble, Ann Taylor, $78
Boyfriend Jean Silver Sam, Buckle, $50
Booties Spur by Corso Como, DSW, $90
Handbag Trim Duffle by Bueno Croc, Target, $40
Sunglasses P-Retro Cat by Ray-Ban, Urban Outfitters, $135

Generation F - Reflections on Third Wave Feminism

For a new generation of feminists, the battles are strangely familiar

Coming out as a feminist isn’t easy. The word is loaded with baggage and politics—people often look away nervously when I drop the “F-word.” Feminism is misunderstood and feared, but in spite of that, feminists are not an extinct or even an endangered species. Canada still boasts a strong feminist movement, and it is as relevant and necessary as ever.

Feminists of my generation—or “third wave feminists”—are in their 20’s and 30’s and have grown up in a world where women and men are equal on paper, but not always in practice. The first two waves had clearly defined objectives and goals, but it’s difficult to pinpoint the collective aim of the third wave.

First wave feminists emerged at the turn of the last century. These determined suffragettes fought for women’s right to vote, to run for political office, and to be legally defined as persons.

Second wave feminists of the 1960’s and 70’s battled for reproductive rights and paid maternity leave. They established women’s shelters and reformed laws regarding rape, equal pay and more. Feminists of the second wave accomplished many legal victories, and by the 1980’s, women seemed – in theory - to have it all.

So what causes do third wave feminists espouse? The movement began in the 1990’s and has invited criticism for lacking a common goal, and for being disjointed and disorganized. At the same time, the newest generation of feminists have expended significant efforts defending the rights won by second wave feminists. The battles our mothers fought are not over, and the victories they won are under constant threat. We’ve been so busy trying to keep up with the unfinished business of second wave feminism that we’ve hardly had the chance to set a third wave agenda.

Access to abortion and reproductive health services remain under attack, even though abortion has been legal for 24 years, and enjoys the support of the majority of Canadians. Since the Supreme Court struck down the law banning abortion in 1988, at least 35 pro-life private members’ bills and one government bill have attempted to curb access to the procedure. It can still be difficult and expensive to obtain an abortion, especially for women who don’t live in or near a major urban centre.

Canadian laws requiring equal pay for equal work have existed since the 1950’s, yet in 2011 are still a major preoccupation for feminists. In 2007, Canada became the first modern economy with more women working than men. Women today comprise more than half of our university students. However, studies show that a Canadian woman doing the same job as a man will still earn only 63-83% of his wage.

Second wave feminists lobbied to change laws about rape and were once again successful - on paper. Since 1983, rape victims no longer have to defend their reputations in court: their sexual history or their attire cannot be used against them. Yet in February 2011, a Winnipeg judge let a convicted rapist off with no jail time because the victim was wearing skimpy clothes and “wanted to party.”

It’s discouraging that third wave feminists must still defend rights our mothers thought were settled. Although many of our politics and battles have remained unchanged since the second wave, much has changed about feminists themselves.

Young feminists are less aggressive because we know that despite the remaining inequalities, Canadian women’s situation and status is among the best in the world. We have a better sense of humour about feminism than our mothers did, but we’re completely, sometimes ridiculously, obsessed with political correctness. We’re open-minded about contentious feminist issues of the past like prostitution, pornography and gender queerness. And one of the most significant shifts has been embracing the involvement of men in the movement.

The feminist movement is not in crisis—it is just being pulled in two directions at once. The unresolved issues of the second wave keep drawing the third wave into old battles, while issues such as the career-motherhood balance continue to arise and demand our efforts and attention. As Generation F looks to the future, we still have to keep one eye on the past.

Movie Review: Beastly

High school hot-shot/bully, Kyle (Alex Pettyfer), is exiled upon making a spectacle of classmate Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen) and is forced to reflect on himself and learn to care more about others. Enter Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens) who is destined to teach "the beast" what it means to be selfless. Set to an amazing soundtrack that includes Death Cab's "Transatlanticism" and Jem's "Forever and a Day," Beastly was everything you would expect it to be. The film added a Gothic, artsy, modern (obviously) spin to the classic Disney tale Beauty and the Beast, incorporating a lovely array of characters reminiscent of originals Lumière (Neil Patrick Harris' Will, a blind tutor who made the movie), Mrs. Potts (Lisa Gay Hamilton's Zola, a house maid) and the beautiful enchantress (Olsen — a stellar performance, we might add).
Best on-screen moment: Will and Kyle decide to relieve stress by hitting golf balls off the roof of their "prison," prompting Will to yell "Whassup?!" each time.

Smells Like 'Greed'

The above clip is a newly released short (GREED) by Roman Polanski starring Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams and Academy Award winner Natalie Portman. The video was created as part of the promotional efforts for Francesco Vezzoli's fragrance of the same name.

Snapshot: A History of Music

From Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock" to Alvin & the Chipmunks' "Christmas Don't Be Late" to Del Shannon's "Runaway" to The Beatles' "Paperback Writer" to about one-third of the Now & Then soundtrack, the list goes on...

D.J. Earworm is king of the number-one-singles mashup (he's known for coming up with mashups of five seconds of all the best pop songs each year) but this new compilation track gives him a run for his money, honoring the history of the pop charts with five seconds of every No. 1 single through 1992 (the remainder of song can be fond in the second version, here) — truly a trip down memory lane.

Listen to the clips below.

Five Seconds Of Every #1 Pop Single Part 1 by mjs538

Album Review: Doo-Wops & Hooligans

A fairly short album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans spans only ten tracks but beautifully showcases the amazing vocal talent of veteran producer Bruno Mars. In his full-length drop, Mars seems to channel the sounds of Bob Marley and Jack Johnson, using light acoustic backing and sweet lyrics. The first two singles from the disc — "Just the Way You Are" and "Grenade" — have quickly become sensations garnering Mars seven Grammy nominations at the end of 2010. Though Mars may not exactly be doing anything new with this effort, he's doing everything right (and might we add has the ability to make women everywhere swoon with his words) and we can't wait for more. Check him out on tour this summer with Janelle Monae.
Most notable tracks: "Marry You," "The Other Side"