The Selling Point of Rebellion

Have you seen the short clips from Converse?

You can see them here.

They're "about being original" according to the byline at the top of the page. Instead they tote the usual party line of individuality, activism, and solidarity (though I've never figured out how the first two reconcile with the last one), while of course wanting to sell you shoes.

Pricey shoes at that. If you hunt the sale bin, you can find two styles for $29.98 (plus s/h, of course), but otherwise the low end seems to be $40 and the high $100. I know, I know--as a card carrying member of the girly girl clan I shouldn't bat an eye at shoes over $40.00, or anywhere under $2000 for that matter. The fact of the matter is that I buy my oh-so-cute heels at department store sales for under $20 and my rocking Reeboks in the children's department of Ross for $9.99 (small feet are convenient).

I'm getting sidetracked by the shoes, so before I digress further I should probably make my point. How does paying $46.98+ s/h for torn up shoes make me a smarter, more active and caring individual than the stereotypes in the clips? How does buying shoes relate me to the individuals they're promoting?

If I wear torn up sneakers to make a statement, I hope they come from the Salvation Army for $6 and that I spent the $40+ I saved to do something more important--like start a fund to establish the Armenian homeland.

One goal of this campaign is effective. They ask that you "just don't do nothing." But they seem to want to irk, shock, and incite you to action. Is it really a good thing to have people acting out of anger and frustration? When did encouragement and inspiration be deemed ineffective?

I must have missed the memo. And the shoe sale.

Pop-ups Are a Downer

I was not expecting hip-hop to come easy, but I didn't think it would be hard. As an addition to my three ballet classes, I was looking for variety.

And it started very well. The movement patterns were challenging, and I had to make changes to my sense of rhythm and emphasis in music. It was doable though, and I started to progress. Then came the pop-ups.

A pop-up is when you swing your legs in a slightly cyclical movement to bring yourself into a standing position from lying on the floor. There's a slight back bend involved too. I think it's torture.

Really, I only have one part to complain about. I can do the back bend, amazingly enough. I can swing my legs. I cannot stand up for the life of me. Landing on the back of your head can only be tolerated for so long. It also doesn't help that there's this little niggling thought that I'm finally getting too old to learn these new tricks.

I don't like to give up though. But next time I practice, I'll put an extra mat down.

No Reason, No Excuse

I am a terrible blogger. I never write! It's a shame really, since writing is a pursuit I enjoy. I also have enough hubris to enjoy my opinions and stories, so what better way to broadcast them then via blog. So in the end, there's really no reason why I shouldn't be a prolific blogger, and no excuse.

After arriving back from my Asian adventures, I spent some time simply recouping. I have now started a direct sales business with Demarle at Home and am dancing at a small local studio 6 times a week. It's so nice to be establishing a routine, seeing how very difficult it is to be spontaneous without one.

I hope to change the direction of this blog into more culinary themed posts (with accompanying pictures, of course). I might even be adding recipes.