Listened to a really interesting episode of the Diane Rehm show the other day about Barbie’s legacy.  I never had one growing up, but occasionally coveted one for the novelty.  I come from a family of Chinese academics, where we don’t generally look up to big-breasted blonds.  But like that Miu Miu bag that you know is just all the rage, even though it’s not your style, you wish to own one just to see what it’s like.

Some really interesting points from this episode:

1) The original Barbie was modeled after a pornographic German cartoon character named Lily.  The creator Ruth Handler, was a second generation American Jew.  For some reason she thought giving a pornographic Aryan doll to little kids was a good idea.

2) When investigating why kids enjoyed destroying their Barbies, one panelist said they were expressing “their ambivalence towards feminism.”  (Exact quote!!!  I was laughing so hysterically I had to scribble this down.)  The other panelists thought this was a valid point and went on to have a serious discussion about it.  Hmm.  How about this: Why is that cat scratching that couch?  It is expressing its ambivalence towards materialism.

3) Bratz dolls was dreamed up by a Mattel employee while working on Barbies.  Mattel sued successfully under “work for hire”, where whatever the employee creates while working for the employer belongs to the employer.

Listen to the entire show here: Barbie at 50

Back in November ’08 I was hanging out with a bunch of particularly creative types and they were all about the Twitter. Hell, even their parents were on Twitter. Cool breeds cool. That was the first time I heard of the Twitter.

The second time, I was reading a parody of the Tweets of the presidential candidates circa December ’08. It was either in Vanity Fair or Newsweek, which I can’t seem to find now. Anywhooo, Sarah Palin’s Tweets went something like: shoppin’, huntin’, goin’ home. I hope you cracked a smile.

And last night, NPR’s Dan Schorr was making a report on Twitter. He is a veteran reporter with more than six decades of experience, and he is on Twitter! As I completely trust NPR endorsement, and am intrigued by which of my other favorite NPR personalities are on Twitter, I revived my Twitter account.

And so, you may now follow my every move via Twitter!

www.twitter.com

As I age (gasp) I am slowly getting to know myself and what I will and will not accept in friends.  Although I agree that everybody needs a break once in a while, and that nobody is completely good or evil (life is not a Disney movie after all!), there are certain brightline rules that must be followed to have a functional relationship.

In the wake of recent happenings with myself and my friends, here is a cursory run-down of key points.  In no particular order:

1) Never *ever* show up unannouced at someone’s door

Disrespectful.  Inconsiderate.  Lacking in the most basic of manners.  It doesn’t matter if it’s 3 in the afternoon or 6 in the morning.

Notable exception: if you are absolutely certain you are welcome, then it is fine to gently knock on doors *if* you comes bearing gifts (i.e. champagne, roses, chocolate confections, any combination thereof.)

2) Every little thing is an indication of something big

Early on in the relationship there is not a lot to judge by except for the tiny little things.  There is good reason why both parties should be super high-strung and present the best foot forward.  Little infringements and shortcomings tend to be indications of major flaws.  If he’s always late, then it’s probably is because he is bad at planning ahead and slightly selfish and inconsiderate.  If he splits the cab with you early on in dates, that means he is not generous not only with his money, but also feelings, time, and will continue to calculate things with you not matter how long you have been together.   If he doesn’t open doors for you or hold doors for other people, then he is probably is either lacking in manners, is self-absorbed, or is just completely clueless – none of which is a good trait.

Years ago there was a Range Rover commercial that went something like: “Every man is judged by the way he plays.”  Verdict: true.

3) Don’t waste time

Smokers sometimes say things like: “I can quit anytime I want, but not today.”  As ridiculous as that sounds,  I have made some similar mistakes in my little life.  One can reference to the person one aspires to be one day, but the simple truth is that everyday of our lives and every tiny little decision shapes us as a person.  We cannot live in a state for days, weeks, months, and pretend like it’s just a transitory phase.  Whether we like it or not, the experience becomes an essential part of us.  Very much in the same way that the semester studying abroad Spain was “life-changing”, those few months spent unemployed and couch potato-ing were “life-changing” as well.

With going-to-nowhere relationships, end it as soon as possible and don’t waste time and emotions.  Pursue something better that’s worth pursuing, like volunteering at a puppy shelter or following Peter Sagal from NPR on Twitter, whatever floats your boat.

4) My takeaways from the two movies I watched tonight

Revolutionary Road. Honey and I saw the beginning of the film tonight but thought it was a little slow and abandoned it instead, so my takeaway is from seeing approximately the first 30 minutes or so of the film only.  An extremely repressed couple living in Connecticut decided rid themselves of their misery by moving to Paris – just like that.  Even though they haven’t even moved yet, just the prospect of doing so made them so much happier, which shows how just a little change in attitude and something to look forward to can do wonders.

(Disclaimer: cannot be held responsible for whatever happened later in the movie which might contradict this summary.)

Smart People. The academically intelligent can be so socially retarded and unhappy, as brilliantly portrayed by Ellen Page and Dennis Quaid in this film.   Sadly, this situation can also be used to described my current circle of friends to a tee.  Overachieving-Ivy-League-educated-Asian-American young bankers can be so internally-conflicted about what they want and what their families and friends expect.  What’s worse, often they are so busy chasing greenbacks and third-tier models that they don’t even have time to slow down and ask themselves what they want.  The result is that they do not know a good thing if it smacked them in the face.

Hey, I’m the same way even though I am not a banker.  Luckily, I perk up a generous amount after some coffee, and do hold a generally positive overall attitude that I shall know what I want (that is, beyond my little often-jewelry-related wishlists.)

Drinking by myself.  I think it’s the first time I have ever done so.  It feels soooooo… grown up!

And I’m listening to NPR.  Something about energy efficiency…

Heaven.

“Coffee: proof that you are alive.” – Garrison Keill0r

Caught the Prairie Home Companion on Sunday night.  Such a folksy and wholesome program.  I did not expect to like it, but happen to love it.  Garrison is enormously talented, and – I imagine – adorable! 

Anyway, what he said about coffee really resonated with me.  Having embarked on Deutsch studies and continuous essay writing lately, I have returned to my favorite chemical indulgence of all time – coffee!!!  As they say, “Behind every successful woman is a substantial amount of coffee.”  However,  because I am one extremely sensitive to caffeine, accompanying my bouts of alertness are inevitable stretches of insomnia.  *_*

I love it nonetheless.

In case you didn’t see it before, here is a very cute coffee-related thingy by Christoph Niemann for the NYT.

347: Matchmakers

Act Three. Babies Buying Babies.

Elna Baker reads her story about the time she worked at the giant toy store, FAO Schwartz. Her job was to sell these lifelike “newborns” which were displayed in a “nursery” inside the store. When the toys become the hot new present, they begin to fly off the shelves. When the white babies sell out, white parents are faced with a choice: will they go for an Asian, Latino, or African-American baby instead? What happens is so disturbing that Elna has a hard time even telling it. (16 minutes)

Song: “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go,” Madeleine Peyroux

Listen to the story via Podcast on the This American Life website.  It has a surprising, hilarious, and deeply depressing ending.  Brace yourself.

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I am wearing a hoodie and… sweatpants!!!! Granted they are from Zara, therefore must be low-waisted and somewhat fashionable… they are sweatpants nonetheless.

And that is pretty much symbolic of my time being home. I am listening to my local southern NPR station during the day, and what do I find in place of the usual political panel discussions on Washington DC’s WAMU? Calming jazz music and bluesy arrangements of Christmas carols. My whole soma just feels removed of strife and internal struggles, and injected with a big shot of well-being.

Just when I sat down by the fireplace to savor Vanity Fair (in hardcopy!! Oh the joy of being back in the US!), I discovered it is missing from the coffee table. Turns out, my loving stepfather (staunchly Republican and a Palin-tologist), had quietly disposed of it in the recycling pile after seeing Tina Fey on the cover. I giggled as I fished it back out.

I fill the rest of my days with baking chocolate chip cookies and trying to play the clarinet again. After more than two years of not playing, my chubby cheeks are gone, but along with it my embochure. I manage to play about five notes in total, ranging from E to A.

Pretty fun times. Who knew life could be this enjoyable while wearing fuzzy slippers and sweatpants?! Maybe Vivienne Westwood was wrong after all.

And then my gerbil died, so I prayed for him. – Interview with a little girl

I feel a special connection to all those who are alone on Sunday mornings. For those moments, I’m their friend. – Weekend Edition