Keira-anne.com

Me: “I am totally drawing a blank - I don’t know what to blog about.“

Friend: “Write about sex, duh.“

Me: “I considered that. I just need to narrow the scope.“

Friend: “Talk about lesbian tendencies.“

Me: “Ugh. I have none.“

Friend: “Perfect!“

But it’s an excellent topic of choice. However, that conversation was a few hours ago and I have yet to narrow my scope, so I’m not going to. Sex is a topic I’ve always been comfortable with and have actually enjoyed discussing. Sexual politics and human sexuality are driving forces behind so much of everything in our lives yet it’s something that so many people shy away from opening their mouths about (pun intended).

That being said, I’ve got a thought. Why not a whole series on coitus and consumation and the many facets of fornication? Let’s call it “Wanton Wednesdays,” shall we? There’s no time like the present to begin, so hang on to your knickers because here we go…

Week 1: TALK AIN’T CHEAP, HONEY

Has this post already made you uncomfortable? I’m willing to bet that at least 50% of you are vexed by the picture I’ve posted below simply because of the connotations it could make. Our attitude towards sex and sexuality is conditioned from a time that goes back further than each of us can recall in our own lives. Sometimes it’s based in a strict upbringing or the result of religious influence and for some, the idea of sexuality is one that doesn’t cause a single eyelash to bat. I consider myself lucky in that sex was never a taboo topic in my parents’ household, all the while I most certainly had friends who’d gasp in a mix of shock and horror at the very mention of that three-letter word.

Photo courtesy of Opal in the rough on Flickr
Why is it that you’re squirming in your seat? In terms of sexuality, I think that open discussion and education are your two wisest weapons. Opening up your mind to something that is a very tangible reality of life and being smart about it really should not be overlooked. And don’t mistake me here…I am not simply talking about intercourse; I’m referring to, but not limited to, our attitudes, views on sex, views of ourselves, our individual sexuality (because I hate to break it to you, but yup, you’re a sexual being), sex in the media, our bodies, our perceptions and our ideals. Truth be told, I could probably blog about a different aspect of sex every single Wednesday for the rest of my blogging “career” and never run out of things to talk about.

That being said, this is what Week 1 is all about. From here, I open it all up to you. If you’re uncomfortable with the topic, be frank and say so. If you’re open to discussion, share away. Feel free to comment on topics you’d like to see covered and I’ll open up the floor over the next few weeks, depending on the response to this. I think that if everyone has a little bit more understanding and a little bit more knowledge with which to equip themselves, each of us will be that much stronger. It’s essential to building a healthy view of yourself as a person, as a sexual person and as someone with a strong self-image. Sex is not a negative concept!

* In commenting, please be aware that comment moderation is strictly enforced. All IP addresses are recorded, and any comments of a malicious, slandering, or otherwise inappropriate nature will be instantly deleted and the user blocked. Everyone on here should feel free to discuss, debate, ask and share in a safe manner. Let’s keep this SFO (Safe For the Office) *

Very recently, a (not to be named here) mens’ publication formulated a list of the most unattractive female celebrities, strictly in their opinion. I had heard about this through word of mouth and not by finding the list online. Instantly I stated that I didn’t want to know who had nabbed the number one spot though accidentally found out by reading entertainment headlines.

Photo courtesy of Matt McGee on Flickr

What I want to know is this: unattractive in comparison to what? In comparison to whom? What were these women being measured against? My guess would be impossibly high standards. The first thought I had was for those actually named in the list. As a celebrity, it seems most likely that shedding off negative press becomes second nature, but to me, this is over the line. How hurtful it must be to read such bullshit, knowing it’s bullshit, but also well aware that it takes a very direct and “purposeful” stab at you.

Was the point of this list pure entertainment? Probably. But in an age of media where 75% of what we read, hear and see is harmful, why create such moral destruction on purpose?

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Make room for one more on the greenwagon. November’s copy of Cosmo contains an entire section on “green” beauty products that make you simply smashing while doing their part at taking care of the environment.

One for getting top marks? Burt’s Bees consider themselves Earth Friendly Natural Personal Care for The Greater Good. Their line of total body care products for the entire family, largely comprised of organic ingredients, and environmentally-friendly business practices are “the DNA of Burt’s Bees.” And further to that, the company is committed to 100% natural product formulas in addition to 100% PCR/biodegradable packaging by the year 2020.

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Lastly, tomorrow sees the annual recurrence of Halloween. Not being much of one to celebrate, dress-up or get loser drunk this year, it’ll be like any other day for me. I do, however, tend to delight in movies designed to make me squirum. I considered posting my top ten frightening flicks but that’d just be superfluous. Quite obviously, if you haven’t seen The Shining, there’s no point in waiting any longer. Even to this day that is one movie I still cannot watch by myself.

Alternatively, if you’re simply looking to be grossed out, then grab my other all-time favourite, The Devil’s Rejects. Any of you who are regular readers of my blog know that this Rob Zombie-directed gore-o-rama gets a lot of praise from this girl. Why? Because if you can look past the content of this movie, there’s a lot of great acting, memorable lines and fantastic direction.

Because we all know I’m such a tease, I’ve included a clip of each.

Happy Hauntings…

The Shining (1980)

The Devil’s Rejects (2005)

Videoclips courtesy of YouTube

I definitely need to thank everyone for the kind comments and words of support. Blogging is something that’s very personal to each person that engages in it, whether it’s a reflection of something they’re passionate about (such as technology) or it’s a reflection of the passions of one’s heart.

I don’t really want to stop writing. I think I’m just feeling incredibly alienated right now in ways that I really shouldn’t. Sometimes I think I don’t know where I’m supposed to be. Today I am missing my best friend so badly that I am quite sure swallowing the perpetual lump in my throat might rip me in half. I wish I could calm down and collect and feel at home but I can’t even say I feel like I know where that is right now.

Thanks again for the backing, everyone. The writing won’t stop. What it will look like, however, is yet to be determined.

- Comments Closed -

That is the thought that struck me today. All of a sudden, I’m sick of it. I’m sick of blogging. Or maybe I’m sick of the blog world. Maybe I’m sick of why people do it. Perhaps it’s the content of some peoples’ blogs that I’m nauseated by. My own is no exception to the rule - I’m quite sure that there are readers out there who are convinced that www.keira-anne.com is nothing but selfish and mindless drivel. I’m a big girl. I can take it.

So what now? Truth is, I probably won’t stop blogging. I love to write and to express what I feel and what I think. Your voice is your strongest weapon, and without words, you’re shooting blanks. The purpose isn’t self-glorification or a means to having others gratify you. I’m just tired of reading content that lacks originality and lacks confidence. I’m absolutely no expert on blogging - I’m only an expert on myself, but not even on what I know.

Maybe I simply need to re-evaluate, in very specific terms, exactly why it is that I write. A purpose statement, if you will. If posts are becoming less frequent in the coming days, you’ll know why. If not, then maybe it’s because my mojo will return to me while in la-la land tonight. Either way, I’ve said my piece but oddly enough feel no better for it.

Every year, around this time, I’d highly anticipate the Sears Wish Book as a little girl. Its pages were filled with items I’d hope and wish and pray would be waiting for me under the Christmas tree on December 25th. When I was a young one, I loved dressing up Barbie in her leg warmers (I kid you not), baking pie in my pretend kitchen and building homes, complete with a roof and furniture, for my Lego people to live in.

Tonight, as I sat in my mom’s family room curled up in my thermal underwear and leg warmers, I flipped through Sears’ 2007 Wish Book, curious to see what toys were to be the hot sellers.

Let me simply say that I would be appalled were anyone to ever buy any of the following gifts for my daughter someday:

1. Why buy her a Barbie doll when you can buy the little girl in your life Top Model Barbie? Because unless she’s “girly and fun, sweet and sassy, with a sophisticated style,” then what is she worth?

2. What girl doesn’t love to dress in fun costumes and feel like a princess? Forget the fairytale ballgown and give her a strapless sequin dress. Now your 3-year-old can also be a real-life Bratz doll. Kinda put a whole new twist on “role play.”

3. Radio Flyer wagons are so 1917 and Barbie’s Corvette is a little too pink. Keep up with the Joneses in your child’s very own Cadillac Escalade. Gotta keep rollin’ with the homies.

I’m sure that the shelves at Toys R’ Us are stacked full of other shallow, purposeless toys designed to give kids bad cases of the gimme-gimmes. The truth is, the toy industry will seemingly always target the vanity of little girls and the warriors within little boys. Walk into any dollar store and, even in a day where war and violence are daily headlines, toy machine guns and machetes are still yours for the buying.

All’s not lost though…I did happen to come across one toy that even as an adult is drool-inducing. I simply can’t imagine how lucky I would’ve been had Saint Nick ever delivered this to me.

Photo courtesy of Bratz

To the surprise of no one (yes, folks…”no one” is two words, not one word), BC Ferries Corporation is once again digging their hands into our pockets and fishing for more cha-ching. As of November 1, 2007, fares will increase an average of 2.8 percent on major routes connecting the Lower Mainland with Vancouver Island, and a whopping 4.4 percent on all other routes.

Perhaps this won’t dissuade tourists, but it’s certainly discouraging to people such as myself who travel between the Island and Mainland at least twice a month. This news must be even more painful for people using the ferry system as a means of daily transport, such as those living on gulf islands. At a total disadvantage to the residents of B.C.’s coast, BC Ferries holds a complete monopoly on oceanic travel, so a sufficient and less expensive alternative isn’t available.

Since the company was privatized years ago, the overall level of service has plummeted. Since I don’t see wait times at terminals being reduced anytime soon, this only leads me to question: “why the subsequent fare hikes?”

I can only conclude that the price of marijuana within the Province must be on the rise.

Last month, I sat down at my keyboard and was drilled for hours on end by Tony Pierce. Okay, that’s not exactly how it played out, but he had the exciting idea of interviewing me for the busblog. To hear what played out (as well as my thoughts on blogging, boys, family, faith, kissing and dressing up like a cheerleader), head on over to today’s edition of the busblog.

On this day, twenty-nine (and a handful) of years ago, little miss Anne Mary was born. Little miss Anne Mary would grow up to not only be a beautiful woman that made her amazing parents proud, but also to be quite simply the most fantastic aunt in the world. It’s true - I wouldn’t trade her in for anything.

Through her years, my aunt has unselfishly sacrificed a lot of herself for the family that she loves dearly and it hasn’t been overlooked by any of us. She’s someone that I am so proud to have in my life - in my inner circle - and someone that I am so blessed by.

So on this, her fill-in-the-blank birthday, I wish her all the joy, happiness and warmth in the world because she deserves it all.

Happy Birthday, little miss Anne Mary.

There’s a lady in my office who likes to brush her teeth. She brushes them every single time she eats, even if it’s just after a coffee break. She’s meticulous in her brushing and usually does so for a minimum of two minutes. She also likes to leave the faucet running at full blast when she does so.

When leaving the tap running, you’re wasting an average of five litres of water per minute. For this particular lady, that equates to 10 litres of water completely wasted every time she brushes her teeth.

Photo courtesy of tucci on Flickr

Recently I made mention to her that if she were to turn the tap off while brushing her teeth, she’d save a lot of water so maybe it’d be a good idea to do so. Her response?

A slight laugh followed by a shoulder shrug and “Oh well…it’s the way I do it. It’s part of my routine.”

It’s now to the point that I can’t even be in the washroom while she’s engaging in routine because this just absolutely seethes me! Am I overreacting or is she simply ignorant?

I feel peace. I feel happy. I feel content. It’s been much longer than I can remember since the last time I was able to say those three things with honesty. So many of us long for a trouble-free existence and lament over our lives that are anything but carefree. I know because I’ve been there and I’ve spent a lot of time longing for those very same things. Sometimes we choose to feel sorrow, just as we have the ability to choose joy. How much would we appreciate sunny days if we never had to experience rain?

Perhaps I’ve experienced epiphanies, or maybe it was just my time to take forward steps in a way that’s beyond my understanding. Instead of days doubled over in anxiety, I choose to smile. Instead of stinging tears, I choose laughter. Instead of reclusiveness, I choose to hug and embrace.

I am so, so blessed to be in a place where I love myself, where I have huge handfuls of people that love me and let me love them back and instances where I can enjoy people that simply give me the giggles. And believe me, I’ve been giggling a lot these days.

Let me take inventory and check out my “happy stock.” These are some things that are causing my frowns to turn upside down:

- My brother becoming more of a man than I ever imagined

- Rainy days and cozy nights

- Roots and their applause-worthy eco-initiatives

- Rediscovering Extra bubblemint gum

- Puppies!

- A mom and an aunt and an extended family that count for more than 100 relatives ever could

- Finding a picture on Facebook of the boy who broke my heart at 18 only to find him with a receding hairline in his 20s

- Jennifer Garner movies

- Knowing that Christmas is only two months and two days away

- Knowing that both Michael Bublé and Hanson have fantastic Christmas records

- Friends that are as much of homebodies (and camera whores) as me

- Falling in love with Vancouver Island all over again every time the ferry docks

- Falling in love with fall every time a leaf falls in my path

- Discovering new stories about amazing adventures