Response to Maissa's Blog

Taryn M said...
Wow! That was really interesting. I thought the same as you - the wife would pick up all prescriptions and the husband would only pick up his own. Somehow we must both think that women are the care-givers and men are selfish. When I first read that the woman dropped off all prescriptions but only picked up her own, I thought maybe it had to do with insurance - maybe they each separately carry prescription drug insurance. But when you said the husband picks up his wife's, I got confused. I only pick up my own because I don't want to pay for anything that has to do with my husband. If there was no charge, I'd have no problem picking up both.Does this happen with many couples or one in particular?

Taryn

Response to Robin's blog

Taryn M said...
Robin,My parents also have a problem with living together before marriage: they believe there are no statistics showing that living together prevents divorce. Of course I respected their wishes and married my husband without living together first. So, so sorry that I did that. Evenutally will get divorced but can't bring myself to kick him out yet. I think I would have known what I was getting into had I lived with him first. But you never know. Maybe I already knew and chose to ignore it. Having said all that: no one should be judged for living with someone before or after marriage. It's what works for them, right?Taryn

Respose to Nik B.

Nik-I think, for me, there is a generational answer to that question. I was raised in the 1960s and 1970s by parents who have 1950s morals. While I find the humor of these teen comedies trite and boring, I see the appeal to the younger generation of men. I find it difficult to imagine that girls find this amusing but maybe I'm a bit out of touch. I did watch "American Pie" but this film was not marketed to my demographic. I did find some things in the film funny - but generally speaking, I considered this a "guy flik," like "Hollywood Knights" and even "Animal House."
I'm never offended by these films because I think there is a market for them - I just choose to watch other films.
But seriously, dude, why would you rent "American Pie" when you're girlfriend isn't feeling well. You're supposed to rent a "chick flik" which I'm sure is a taboo saying in this class.
Taryn

Week #2-Eureka Moment - Taryn Miranda

Friday, May 22, 2009

2nd Posting
So, I've been watching American Idol now for about four years. This year the finale came down to two distinctly different men: Kris Allen, a laid back Arkansas gentleman with a nice voice for acoustic guitar who can change up a song to make it his own; and Adam Lambert, a showman whose vocal range is incredible and his choice of staging, clothes and song choice were perfect week after week. For the entire season, Adam Lambert was touted to win American Idol, hands down. Little by little, Kris Allen crept into the hearts and ears of America and when Ryan Seacrest announced the winner, Idol enthusiasts seemed shocked that Kris Allen bested Adam Lambert. Unfortunately, many people thought that Adam Lambert (crowned "Glambert" by the media for his "guyliner" and flashy clothing) lost out to Kris because America thinks Adam is gay. No one actually knows whether he's gay or straight or bi - but who cares? This was about singing, right? Oh, right, I'm talking about American Idol where the judges think the show is about them. Adam Lambert is a confident young man, who can "sing his face off" to quote Randy Jackson, and who has side-stepped the media's question about his sexuality. Although many people may have seen the picture on the internet of Adam kissing another man and assumed he was gay, he has never spoken publicly about it. I heard him last night say "It really isn't anyone's business, it is?" to a reporter. During the post-finale press junket, Kris was asked, very delicately, whether he thought he won because the votes of the third place finisher, another Christian male, went to Kris. Kris told the reporter that he and Adam had discussed it, that he was sorry that anyone thought that, and both he and Adam were hoping the voting was based on their singing, rather than on anyone's sexuality.Adam Lambert didn't win, although from an overall standpoint, he is probably the most talented contestant the show has seen in its eight years. I really like Kris - he's adorable, humble, gentlemanly (sorely lacking in today's society) but if I had to say who was more talented, I would say Adam - he can do so many different genres and his vocal range is great. The funny thing is, Kris feels the same way: he felt Adam deserved the title as well.I hope America wasn't voting based upon sexuality....does anyone else have an opinion?Taryn

Response to Teandra's Blog

Taryn M said...

You know, it's funny. When I opened your blog I saw that picture of these two gorgeous people. And then I read what you wrote about people saying she looked too much like a boy. She is absolutely beautiful and it never occurred to me that she was too masculine for a hetero man. That's absurd. I loved your thoughtful quesions at the end, something I'll definitely think about.

Taryn

Response to Nik's first post

Taryn M said... Hey, Nik. Taryn here. My major is Liberal Studies so that I could take classes that interested me since I'm only going to school for personal growth (ick - I hate when people use that saying "personal growth"). I work at Merck and just do this for fun!

Response to Professor's Blog

Taryn M said...

I don't have children, I'm never around children and since the advent of TiVO, I don't watch commercials anymore and haven't for years. I believe that most people, out of habit or lessons learned from family members, buy pink for girls and blue for boys. Isn't there even a poem about it? I think men are more concerned with whether their sons play with dolls or play dress up and I agree with Nik that this is probably a homophobic reponse.
I also believe that parents never want their kids to be different - they probably feel it's so difficult to navigate everything, that adding what they see as an oddity to their child's make-up would make their life hell. I remember my parents telling me that to date someone of a different race would be difficult for me - they didn't mind, of course - but it would be hard on me having to deal with bigots. I think the majority of parents would be embarrassed if their child chose the toys from the "wrong" pile. I think that is a major issue with toy-choice and children - it's the parents' hang ups that really get in the way.
I'm sure the media or ad agencies play a huge role in marketing of toys to the "appropriate" child. But their job is to sell the most of their product and society sees girls playing with Barbie, not boys - so why bother trying to market to boys - it's not the demographic.
Could we change the demographic of particular toys? I really think it would be a tough sell and companies don't want to waste time or money on that.

2nd Posting

So, I've been watching American Idol now for about four years. This year the finale came down to two distinctly different men: Kris Allen, a laid back Arkansas gentleman with a nice voice for acoustic guitar who can change up a song to make it his own; and Adam Lambert, a showman whose vocal range is incredible and his choice of staging, clothes and song choice were perfect week after week. For the entire season, Adam Lambert was touted to win American Idol, hands down. Little by little, Kris Allen crept into the hearts and ears of America and when Ryan Seacrest announced the winner, Idol enthusiasts seemed shocked that Kris Allen bested Adam Lambert.

Unfortunately, many people thought that Adam Lambert (crowned "Glambert" by the media for his "guyliner" and flashy clothing) lost out to Kris because America thinks Adam is gay. No one actually knows whether he's gay or straight or bi - but who cares? This was about singing, right? Oh, right, I'm talking about American Idol where the judges think the show is about them. Adam Lambert is a confident young man, who can "sing his face off" to quote Randy Jackson, and who has side-stepped the media's question about his sexuality. Although many people may have seen the picture on the internet of Adam kissing another man and assumed he was gay, he has never spoken publicly about it. I heard him last night say "It really isn't anyone's business, it is?" to a reporter.

During the post-finale press junket, Kris was asked, very delicately, whether he thought he won because the votes of the third place finisher, another Christian male, went to Kris. Kris told the reporter that he and Adam had discussed it, that he was sorry that anyone thought that, and both he and Adam were hoping the voting was based on their singing, rather than on anyone's sexuality.

Adam Lambert didn't win, although from an overall standpoint, he is probably the most talented contestant the show has seen in its eight years. I really like Kris - he's adorable, humble, gentlemanly (sorely lacking in today's society) but if I had to say who was more talented, I would say Adam - he can do so many different genres and his vocal range is great. The funny thing is, Kris feels the same way: he felt Adam deserved the title as well.

I hope America wasn't voting based upon sexuality....does anyone else have an opinion?

Taryn

My first blog ever!

Hi everyone!

After reading the introduction and first two chapters, I've already learned so much about gender and communication. I actually thought the communication part was all about how men and women communicate - not so much as how we put names to things which attach stigmas and bad connotations.

I'm looking forward to lively discussions and interesting postings.

Talk to you guys soon!

Taryn M.