Vexed in the City

I really really really don't like that show about those young-ish women who live in Manhattan and sleep around with different dudes all the time. (I'm not judging them. It's just that the fact that they sleep around is an integral part of the show.)

You may discount my opinion because I've seen less than a handful of full episodes over the 6 seasons. But I've seen and heard enough to have an opinion. And, most importantly, this is my medium, so I'll opine as I see fit.

The main thing I dislike about S@C is that it has shaped too many women's view of what it means to be a woman in the City. The characters have become role models for any female under 50. I've heard stories about women moving to NYC solely because of S@C. In fact, at any given moment you can overhear women conversing about which character with whom they most identify.

"I think I'm most like (the one who sleeps around) because I feel that I'm blah blah blah blah blah and I have a bag that would look cute with her shoes."

I told a friend of mine that, to me, that's just as silly as me saying,

"I'm more like Carlos Beltran (CF for the Mets) than Melky Cabrera (CF for the jankees) because he's my age, he's right handed, we play CF for a baseball team in NYC and we use the same glove."

That's silly because (1) he gets paid MILLIONS to play for the Mets in MLB and (2) I get paid negative millions to play in little league for men in central park field V.

I could argue that Beltran is a real dude who actually does what is portrayed on TV. So he's a good role model because he's actually a gold glove, all star CF. But I won't make that argument because it's still silly. Baseball (one of my few passions) is insignificant relative to other issues in life. S@C is insignificant, period. At least in substance.

But pop culture has turned the show into an institution. Women follow it like it's a cult.

I was watching one of those fashion/model reality shows and SJP appeared to pick one of the contestants to design a line of clothes for her. Bonita wanted to watch her because "she has such a great sense of style."

Wait a minute. Who has a great sense of style? All you know about her is what you've seen on S@C. And that's a character who has a paid professional picking out what she wears. Even if you've seen her out of character, I doubt you've seen enough to make an informed conclusion. Even if SJP actually dresses as if she has a good sense of style, she probably pays someone to help her.

Bonita couldn't see any of that. She simply saw the lady with whom she most identifies on S@C: "The Fashionista." Bonita probably says to herself, "She likes shoes, I like shoes. She can be eclectic, I can be eclectic. She's well dressed, I'm well dressed. She's sexy, I'm sexy. I'm just like Carrie!"

I know TV shapes our culture. But I think S@C has been allowed to play too big a role in how women view themselves. Ultimately, there's nothing wrong with that fact. But that fact, coupled with the fact that there are only 4 identities for women to choose, makes me think that women will try to fit themselves into a mold (the mold of one of the four women, or some combination of the four). Therein lies the problem.

Women (and men) have to deal with the issue of weather or not they measure up to Barbie. "I'm a size 4. I'm fat 'cuz I used to be a size 2." Now Hollywood has simply made real-life Barbies for women to pick. I think S@C just adds to a problem that is too often neglected: women's self-image, how it compares to the images portrayed by the media, and how it affects the psyche.

These issues exist because S@C has poorly shaped how we view women who live in the City.

Anyway, my thumbs are tired. This is just something to think about while waiting on that long line for the 9pm show.

Those who have no shower to call their own...

I have a desktop but I use my work laptop alot. I use it because it allows me to leave my office, see moonlight, eat food, and do work all at the same time. I used to spend alot of time searching for free wi-fi access. That was a lost cause. So I signed up for T-Mobile hotspot wi-fi access. Now my cell bill will be nearly $200.00 each month, with all the other features I have.

Now that I have 24 hr. access to wi-fi and caffine, I ashamed to say that Starbucks (an institution with thousands of hot spot locations) has become my temple. It's my place of refuge.

I'm joking but there is an element of truth to what I'm saying. I enter Starbucks for time, space, and comfort to do my work. But now, I'm spending too much time and getting too comfortable at Starbucks.

Now, I have to make sure I'm not spending too much time here because I'll spend too much money here. I usually get a drink that is a simply mix of flavor, milk, and ice. I always order it with more flavor and less ice. I always get iced sweet milk. Oh, and I pay nearly $5 for it.

Since I like 24hr Starbucks'? Starbucksesses? Starbeeks? Since i like the ones that are open 24 hrs, I usually wind up in one that is frequented by people who have no shower to call there own. There is nothing like the smell of cinnamon, coffee beans, and stale, dank, BO.

There's one guy i see pretty regularly. He holds office hours here. He's like 6'4", probably 250 and he drives a Jazzy. He also walks around after he parks his Jazzy. I suspect he charges his Jazzy too. He brings food with him. He strews his books and papers to stake his corner. He sits, stand, and paces for hours. It's like he's waiting for somebody(ies) but no one ever shows up. I'm no doctor, but I think he might be lonely.

I often wonder why he drives the Jazzy since he looks like he can walk without problem. Maybe he's waiting on a settlement check or something and has to play the part.

Anyway, I also hate having to play chess in an effort to secure a table near an outlet that's not near the bathroom (which is literally a BATH-room for those people who don't have showers to call their own). I have to think several moves ahead. I have to sacrifice a place in line to be near a person whom I think MIGHT be leaving soon who is also in a good location. Tonight I got lucky. It's finals/summer school time so many students are congregating in Starbucks. A young lady was leaving as I was surveying the board and the pieces. I went for the easy win: solitary table, comfortable chair, away from the BATH-room, but no plug.) It's been good.

My caffine is wearing off so I'm logging off.