Looking for a place to live....

So This weekend Clarissa and myself will be traveling to the wonderful state of Colorado to find a place to live come August. It's quite exciting, but at the same time, terrifying.

As the move comes closer and closer, more and more issues arise. We have a security deposit will need to pay, Clarissa's will probably get paid once a month, I have no job so how will that factor into being accepted into an apartment?, Clarissa will have text books to buy, I'm looking for a job in Colorado and it's not that easy when I'm in Des Moines, moving expenses, etc etc. The list goes on.

The question that continually ponders my mind is, how in the world are we going to be able to do this?? We are going to have flies popping out of our pockets, buying cheap "bad for you" foods like Ramen, and luxuries like going out to the movies will be an exceptionally rare thing for us.

I am worried but I know will make it through.

Wendy Jans and her new album

This is where I now take the time to shamelessly plug famous people that I personally know personally! (yes, I wrote personally twice on purpose. deal with it!)

Now it's true I might be a tad bit biased about Wendy seeing as how, through the act of marrying my wife Clarissa, I am related the talented musician. However, Keep in mind that I fell in love with Wendy's musical talents even before I knew we were family.

I first heard Wendy at a wedding in late September of 2007 in which Clarissa was related to the bride. (Now Clarissa and I were not married at that time mind you, that momentous occasion was scheduled one week later.) The wedding ceremony went through the motions, the groom seating the mothers, the bride walking down the isle, etc etc. It was a gorgeous wedding! But something happened, Clarissa and I heard (and I'm sure the rest of the crowd heard her as well, duh!) someone singing behind us up in the balcony. She sang beautifully! The song was called "I Wanna Be." And after she was done, I turned to Clarissa, looked at her with eyes open wide. And surprisingly enough her eyes were as wide as mine. (And Clarissa has pretty big eyes!) and at the same time, in one whispering moment, we both mouthed the words....

"wow!"

We were both completely amazed. Later, as Clarissa informed me, I founf out the musicians name, Wendy Jans. Wendy is married to Clarissa's cousin, Eric Jans. It was at that moment of the discovery where I turned to Clarissa and said "Oh, so I guess asking Wendy out on a date is out huh?" She glared at me and gave me the "look." Now neither Clarissa nor myself had the opportunity to talk to to Wendy or Eric afterwards because we had to leave. But we left the wedding completely and utterly amazed at the talent level of Wendy.

A few months pass. While I was being all distinguished and mature like by looking up the latest barbershop quartet videos pirated on youtube, I decided to go to Wendy's website to see if she was appearing in Des Moines Iowa at all. I wasn't expecting much since she lives in Nashville, TN, but you just never know sometimes. I got to her web page, went to her calendar, and behold! She was making an appearance at a coffee shop in downtown Des Moines! Now of course I told Clarissa about it, and her response was,

"ARE FRICKING KIDDIN ME??? WE HAVE TO GO! I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH IT COSTS! WE HAVE TO GO!!!"

Seeing as how there was no talking her out of it (wink) I decided we had to go! Please note: Clarissa had no influence on us going to the show, I wanted to go anyway! She just was very enthusiastic about it.) We told many of our friends about the concert and a lot of them came! We found a table right by the stage and waited for the show to start. (I can't remember the name of the place that the show was at, sorry!)

The show was exceptionally laid back, very relaxed and "coffee shop" like. which means one thing...I immediately loved it! I made sure to bring my camera because as everyone knows, I like taking photos and videos of these types of things. (And posting them on youtube later, aaarrr matey, me is a pirate!) And seeing as how we were sitting right up front, there was going to be no challenge what so ever of getting really good stuff! I even got some really good videos of some of her stuff in the process....

Now with all this being said, I'm sure you are wondering "Jimmy, who gives a flying crapola??" And I know, this is a big waste of your time, but here's where I give the shameless plug about Wendy's latest album title "Simple As A Song."

Clarissa and I listen to it together in my car and we both wonder the same thing, how in the world is she not more popular than she is right now? Wendy is one of the most talented musicians we have ever heard. She surpasses any and all of the American Idol winners and should be placed within the upper rankings in the history of music. She music is some of the most energetic and soulful music I've heard in a long time.

This album, "Simple As A Song" is not only exceptionally musical, but the quality of the recording is state of the art as well. I have been listening to the album every time I'm driving in my car and while I'm lounging at the apartment. However, what i think makes the album as good as it is, apart from Wendy's sensational musical talent, is how poetic her songs are. They are written with such enthusiasm and feeling and it all comes from her heart.

I would recommend this album to anyone who enjoys good, quality music. Wendy puts everything she has into her music, and you can tell by listening to her album. If you have the opportunity to hear Wendy live, please do. just go to her web page and browse her calendar and see if she will be performing near you. She has two albums which are are available on her website, or on many other online music stores such as ITunes, CDbaby or Amazon.com. Don't pass up this opportunity, buy her cd and enjoy her music.

In addition to having two CD's out, she also has a music video that you can find on youtube. Check it out below...

Also, the reason she is awesome as well, is because she has agreed to record a song with me!! woo hoo!! This week i'll be getting started on my parts, and then i'll be sending it her way and she'll get her parts down. im EXCITED!!!!

Summer Training Classes For Men

Saw this on Craigslist.com and found it hilarious. This is for sure a joke, but still funny to think there are probably men who struggle with these things....

REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED
by Friday,June 5th ,2009
NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL
OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM

Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays--Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3
Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?--Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor--Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5
Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM

Class 6
Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups..
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM

Class 7
Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.

Class 8
Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost--Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined

Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.

Class 11
Learning to Live--Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined

Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques..
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.
Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.

Can Men Wear Skirts???

So, on my sisters blog she posted a video about feminism. What she particularly enjoyed about it was how inclusive it was. typically when we think about feminism, it's partial to women because when we think of the concept of feminism, or femininity, we place it in a category that only applies to females. Which makes sense to a certain extent. And what I appreciate about the video IS how inclusive it is. But the whole point of the video is not about truly about feminism, it's about men and women being equal and throwing out the gender separations of who is strong and who is weak. It's all about equality.

However, There is one question that has been bugging me, one very important question that eats and nibbles at my brain like a vampire all strung out a caffine. We say everyone is equal, or should be. We constantly try to break down the gender barriers so that neither side is greater than the other. And both have been trying to to say "it's ok for a women to work in construction" or "it's ok for the man to stay at home and take care of the kids while the wife is at work." Traditional gender roles are becoming not so much gender roles anymore. But still the question haunts me and tears away at my soul! That question that defines the very nature of the issues surrounding the arguments pertaining to your sexuality and your gender....Can men wear skirts?

Now of course, thanks to people like Michael Kugler, the answer is of course yes. But of course, the correct term is "kilt." But the question is not so much about the specific item "the skirt," rather the issue of what is acceptable. Yes it is acceptable for men to be feminists, but it is not socially acceptable for men to behaive like women in their mannerisms and the way they carry themselves.

Take, for example, the professional setting. Say a group of people at a business firm haold a meeting and it is appropriate, or even required to dress professionally. So this would mean very sharp looking clothing like business suits or dresses. Now here we have the issue! Men would come in Suits. Women would come in either business like skirts , dresses or even suit pants and suit coats. (Specifically designed for women of course.) Now what would happen i, say, a male decided to come in a skirt with high heels, like something you might find a woman wearing? Would it be deemed appropriate or inappropriate? And lets say the male is honestly dressing this way not to make a spectacle of himself, but because he honestly feels like this is a nice way to dress and is business like atire? Still, this male would be looked down apon and would probably be asked to go change cloths, or to leave the premisece and not to come back. yet the women there who are wearing what the men might be wearing are told they "look nice" or "look professional."

Im not trying to say that men are oppressed like women are, nor am I saying that a dress is something that interests me. Rather Im trying to point out that men have this "unstated" standard that we try to live up to or maintain. Women have moved themselves up the ladder by being able to do the things that men do, which include havig the same type of work, dress, and attitude and it be socially acceptable. However, because we are men, it is looked down upon us if we start behaiving and doing the things that women can do. In the case of attire, men truly can't dress like women without being called a "cross dresser" or a "homo." It is a sign of weakness for crossdressing men, but when women dress as a man might, it's not looked upon as anything but NORMAL.

Why is it Women can reach the standards of men in all areas, but Men are unable to reach the standards of women? Why is the phrase "be a man" equated to strength, but the phrase "be a woman" (as little as that phrase is heard or spoken) is equated to something completely different? When we are speaking to men and we say "be a man" means to be tough! But when men are weak we say "you're a woman!"

It's very interesting to me to think of this issue like this. All we have focused on is women fighting the gender barriors, women pushing themselves foreward, women becoming great contributers to society, women doing everything that men can do and much more....but why haven't we been pushing men to be like women? Why is it that Women have had to climb the ladder to reach the level of men, as if the standard MEN have set is the standard that everyone should reach? Is it this standard, the standard of men, that is what is at the top of the ladder? Why can't the men shoot for the standard of women, in all areas? Why can't we say "be a woman!" in the same sense that the phrase "be a man!" is used?

I think women have done things throughout history that have change the way people think. Women are the ones have actually been setting standards of how to live for hundreds of years. And all men have done is sit down on our ass and watch the women do great things. It's the women who have been perservering, the women who have been trying to reach the level that men are at. This is the mindset, for women to do what men can do. Why can't it be turned around? Why can't men strive to do what women can do? When are we going to take out the notion that being feminine is weaker than being masculine?

So I ask again, can men wear skirts? Only when the answer to this question is "yes," and it isn't a sarcastic, or negative, or still not considered normal type of "yes," will I feel that gender equality has finally reached it's goal!