Wuv, Twue Wuv, Will Fowow You Foweva

Brilliant.

Cheerios and Interracial Families

I totally didn't understand the controversy.  It's an adorable ad.  The family in it had a black dad and a white mom.  SO WHAT?  But apparently some jerks got their undies in a bunch about it online.  So here's the backlash to the backlash: the reminder that hey, interracial families exist.  Thank you: this has been your public service announcement.  In fact, a whole bunch of my friends have married someone of another race and are raising gorgeous interracial families.  Love should be color-blind.  Shall we also bring up the related topic of interracial adoptions?  Don't be a hater, man.

Society for the Prevention of Shopping to Boyfriends/Husbands

Come on, ladies, let's not do this to the guys.  Let them go.  Everyone's got cellphones.  Just call them when you're done.  (I still love this idea by IKEA in Australia.)  Oh, and kudos to the shops that offer lots of comfy chairs for the guys.  Throw in a TV or two, and that will be a vast improvement.  Poor fellows!

Yeah, We Call It "Yellow Fever."

And now PBS has a documentary about it.

Friday Fun Video: Listening

Public Service Announcement: On Being Gracious

Graciousness is an endangered trait these days, and I am all for bringing it back.  This is excellent stuff here and valuable life advice.  A bit of it:

Remember that the only representation of you, no matter what your station, is you — your presentation, your demeanor. You simply must attend. Stand when someone enters the room, especially if you are lowly and he is the boss, and even if the reverse is true. Look them in the eye. Ask yourself: Does anybody need an introduction? If so, before you say one word about business, introduce them to others with pleasure in your voice. If you can't muster enthusiasm for the people you happen upon in life, then you cannot be gracious. Remember, true graciousness demands that you have time for others.

A friend of mine once said that there are really two commandments in life: (1) Be Cool, and (2) Don't Be A Jerk.  Being gracious and courteous is, I'll argue, part of being cool. 

Princeton's MRS Degree

Oh, dear.  Then again, what do I know?  I'm a childless unmarried monster.

"Ghost Marriages" in China

Um ... ewwwwww.  When the term "grave robbing" appears in any article, the "ick" factor instantly multiplies by a factor of at least 10.  Imagine the response from feminists when they discover that women are being trafficked as objects and commodities even after they're dead!

A Dad's Advice on Marriage

Read this letter!  The P.S. is absolutely delightful.

Et Tu, Ricochet?

*Sigh.*

Quote of the Day: Axes to Grind

From some useful thoughts on civil discourse and trying to see where the other person is coming from:

My hypothesis is that progressives, conservatives, and libertarians view politics along three different axes. For progressives, the main axis has oppressors at one end and the oppressed at the other. For conservatives, the main axis has civilization at one end and barbarism at the other. For libertarians, the main axis has coercion at one end and free choice at the other.

Of course, these are just guidelines. I'm inclined to see coercion in its most flagrant forms as a kind of barbarism.

My Idea Of "The Boss from Hell"

The kind of boss who pesters you about your personal life.  That's horrible, unacceptable behavior.  Then again, I'm a childless unmarried monster.

All the Single Ladies: China's "Sheng Nu," Part Deux

I had previously blogged about this, but here's a fresh news story on the topic. Ugh.  You don't have to be mainland Chinese or even Asian at all to be in similar straits, and by this I mean being single, educated, independent, and working all the time and being too busy to date, really.

"The Notebook" Claims Another Victim

Another one bites the dust.  Thanks a lot, Notebook!

Ridiculous: UK Poll Reveals Qualities of "the Perfect Guy"

I have no idea just how this British survey of some women was conducted and all, but it doesn't matter.  I can already tell you that the results are ludicrous. Look at this: "86% say they want a man who is sensitive, calls his mother regularly and cries during films."  Oh, please. I don't know about you, but I don't want some touchy, prissy mama's boy who likes The Notebook.

Oh, and I just love this comment left on the story:

This is ridiculous. As someone else stated, if there were a "perfect woman" poll (which there probably will be), women all over the world would be [FURIOUS]. Such a waste of time ... why did I read this article?

This Should Be Hilarious(ly Bad)

Girl gossip site Jezebel attempts to explore "yellow fever."  Oh, boy.

Rant: I Might Be A Childless, Unmarried Monster

I suppose we can chalk this up to "people just being people," but it can really rub me the wrong way how some people (and I mean both men and women) feel perfectly free to opine away to me about (a) my marital status (or lack thereof) and/or (b) my uterus. Yes, you read that right. 

Nerd News: Be Your Own Weird Nerdy Self?

So says this little piece in Inside Higher Ed.  That's great and all, but I have to tell you that not all forms of weirdness or idiosyncrasy are equal in nature, acceptability, appropriateness in the workplace/classroom, or whatever.  Use your common sense, mmmmmkay?

Public Service Announcement: Social Skills

Get some!

"He Said, She Said" Now "He Texted, She Texted"?