ARCHIVE - Melanie's blog http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/blog/22/atom/feed 2007-10-05T16:54:05-07:00 ARCHIVE - In Class Writing-The Phone http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/in-class-writing-the-phone 2007-11-07T20:54:09-08:00 2007-11-07T20:54:09-08:00 Melanie ARCHIVE - In Class Writing- Hannah Hoch http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/in-class-writing-hannah-hoch 2007-11-07T20:45:20-08:00 2007-11-07T20:45:20-08:00 Melanie A hodgepodge, a conglameration, a wondrous body created out of many things. But most importantly, a body that was created from objects, the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.A body like no other.

Is this a body built by or for a BMW lover? Do they think of a woman's body like the automobile version of the BMW, curvy, fast and designed to envelop a person in its interior? Or do they think of a woman's body like the motorcycle version of the BMW, meant to be rode upon?

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A hodgepodge, a conglameration, a wondrous body created out of many things. But most importantly, a body that was created from objects, the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.A body like no other.

Is this a body built by or for a BMW lover? Do they think of a woman's body like the automobile version of the BMW, curvy, fast and designed to envelop a person in its interior? Or do they think of a woman's body like the motorcycle version of the BMW, meant to be rode upon?

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ARCHIVE - In Class Writing-How I fell in love with my prosthesis http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/in-class-writing-how-i-fell-in-love-with-my-prosthesis 2007-11-07T20:26:37-08:00 2007-11-07T20:26:37-08:00 Melanie My Cell Phone.

My Computer.

The Playstation.

The Microwave.

The MP3 Player.

The Television.

At first, these things were part of him and only came into my life when he came to briefly invade. Then his brief invasions became a full scale occupation. The technology that I had once avoided was now all around me. Once I would have welcomed a near Luddite existence. Now, I embraced the buffer that the mp3 player gave me in public spaces. I spent hours engrossed in the world that was Diablo 2. I told myself that the time that I spent playing games on the Playstation improved my hand-eye coordination. The microwave made it easier to make larger quantities of food and reheat it later. The cell phone just made it easier to stay in touch. After all, I was at school or on the bus so much it was hard to catch me at home. The television was nice because because I couldn't read all the time. Then one day I woke up and realized that I had fallen in love with all the technology that I had once considered to be unnecessary. 

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My Cell Phone.

My Computer.

The Playstation.

The Microwave.

The MP3 Player.

The Television.

At first, these things were part of him and only came into my life when he came to briefly invade. Then his brief invasions became a full scale occupation. The technology that I had once avoided was now all around me. Once I would have welcomed a near Luddite existence. Now, I embraced the buffer that the mp3 player gave me in public spaces. I spent hours engrossed in the world that was Diablo 2. I told myself that the time that I spent playing games on the Playstation improved my hand-eye coordination. The microwave made it easier to make larger quantities of food and reheat it later. The cell phone just made it easier to stay in touch. After all, I was at school or on the bus so much it was hard to catch me at home. The television was nice because because I couldn't read all the time. Then one day I woke up and realized that I had fallen in love with all the technology that I had once considered to be unnecessary. 

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ARCHIVE - In Class writing-Karen Carpenter http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/in-class-writing-karen-carpenter 2007-11-05T17:21:28-08:00 2007-11-05T17:21:28-08:00 Melanie Superstar-The Karen Carpenter Story

It's a montage.

No, it's a black and white movie.

No, it's puppets.

No,it's a docudrama.

Whatever it is, it's kind of strange.

Full disclosure- I grew up in a Carpenters loving family. One of the few things my mom and grandma could agree on was the fact that Karen Carpenter had an amazing voice. That being said I can continue now.

On one hand, I think it's brilliant to use Barbies to recreate a story about a person who suffered from eating disorders. And using the made for television movie as a guideline for that movie is just a stroke of genius. However, I find that it's interesting to note what was considered important enough to be included in Superstar. It seemed to me that there was an emphasis placed on the effect that Karen's family had on her eating disorder. But there was little mention of the pressure of being in the media spotlight had on her. It's not a big suprise to me that she felt this pressure when you take into account the emphasis that the entertainment industry places on physical appearance.

Here's a really great video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUTJQIBI1oA

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Superstar-The Karen Carpenter Story

It's a montage.

No, it's a black and white movie.

No, it's puppets.

No,it's a docudrama.

Whatever it is, it's kind of strange.

Full disclosure- I grew up in a Carpenters loving family. One of the few things my mom and grandma could agree on was the fact that Karen Carpenter had an amazing voice. That being said I can continue now.

On one hand, I think it's brilliant to use Barbies to recreate a story about a person who suffered from eating disorders. And using the made for television movie as a guideline for that movie is just a stroke of genius. However, I find that it's interesting to note what was considered important enough to be included in Superstar. It seemed to me that there was an emphasis placed on the effect that Karen's family had on her eating disorder. But there was little mention of the pressure of being in the media spotlight had on her. It's not a big suprise to me that she felt this pressure when you take into account the emphasis that the entertainment industry places on physical appearance.

Here's a really great video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUTJQIBI1oA

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ARCHIVE - Concept Rhyming Paper #2 http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/concept-rhyming-paper-2-4 2007-11-05T16:45:06-08:00 2007-11-05T16:45:06-08:00 Melanie Here it is- I need to revise before the end of the quarter.

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Here it is- I need to revise before the end of the quarter.

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ARCHIVE - Obituary of an Object (belated) http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/obituary-of-an-object-belated 2007-11-01T18:28:44-07:00 2007-11-01T18:28:44-07:00 Melanie The Pyrex Measuring Cup

????-?????

I don't when the measuring cup was created; all I knew was that it had been in my family for a long time. It was a victim of my pre-coffee clumsiness when I knocked it off the counter to shatter into pieces on the floor. The measuring cup had done its job well and will be mised by me and its many coworkers.

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The Pyrex Measuring Cup

????-?????

I don't when the measuring cup was created; all I knew was that it had been in my family for a long time. It was a victim of my pre-coffee clumsiness when I knocked it off the counter to shatter into pieces on the floor. The measuring cup had done its job well and will be mised by me and its many coworkers.

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ARCHIVE - Cut up writing- The Wild Frock 10/19/07 http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/cut-up-writing-the-wild-frock-10-19-07 2007-10-21T20:24:44-07:00 2007-10-21T20:24:44-07:00 Melanie Civilized and Barbaric Dress

(Australian voice speaks) Observe now the wily frock as it hunts its prey, the perfect pair of shoes.This frock will spend most of the day hunting for the perfect accessories and at night will sort through them rejecting most in a fit of capriciousness. This is in complete contrast to the domesticated frock, the more sedate counterpart of the wild frock. It has no need to hunt for its accessories as they are brought to it by its loving owners.

Civilazation has done little more for human passion of personal adornment than extend, by its progress in the arts, the means of gratifying its barbaric caprices.

(Voice Continues) No civilized person would hunt the wild frock; it is too untamed for their tastes. To wear such a frock could and would lead to the impression that the wearer was a rabble rouser, with no respect for taste and good decorum.

It is a canon of good taste in dress, as well in all other things, to avoid extremes. A person of taste will take care not to be the last to leave an old, or the first to assume a new fashion.

(Voice Continues) The wild frock has some unusual mating habits. There are some that are monogamous, some who have sexual relations with every frock that they can. There are still others who only recieve pleasure from watching other frocks have sexual relations. Again this is in direct contrast to the domesticated frock whose mating habits are controlled and often mirror the mating habits of their owner.

The fact that porn, like weepies, thrillers and low comedy is realized in/through the body has given it low status in our culture.

(Voice Continues) The wild frocks that recieve their sexual gratification from from watching others are shunned by the other frocks.If two or more frocks discover that another frock has been watching them having sexual relations, they will attack it, punishing it for its transgressions, tearing it apart and destroying its plumage. It is not unusual for an attacked frock to end its life after such an attack.

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Civilized and Barbaric Dress

(Australian voice speaks) Observe now the wily frock as it hunts its prey, the perfect pair of shoes.This frock will spend most of the day hunting for the perfect accessories and at night will sort through them rejecting most in a fit of capriciousness. This is in complete contrast to the domesticated frock, the more sedate counterpart of the wild frock. It has no need to hunt for its accessories as they are brought to it by its loving owners.

Civilazation has done little more for human passion of personal adornment than extend, by its progress in the arts, the means of gratifying its barbaric caprices.

(Voice Continues) No civilized person would hunt the wild frock; it is too untamed for their tastes. To wear such a frock could and would lead to the impression that the wearer was a rabble rouser, with no respect for taste and good decorum.

It is a canon of good taste in dress, as well in all other things, to avoid extremes. A person of taste will take care not to be the last to leave an old, or the first to assume a new fashion.

(Voice Continues) The wild frock has some unusual mating habits. There are some that are monogamous, some who have sexual relations with every frock that they can. There are still others who only recieve pleasure from watching other frocks have sexual relations. Again this is in direct contrast to the domesticated frock whose mating habits are controlled and often mirror the mating habits of their owner.

The fact that porn, like weepies, thrillers and low comedy is realized in/through the body has given it low status in our culture.

(Voice Continues) The wild frocks that recieve their sexual gratification from from watching others are shunned by the other frocks.If two or more frocks discover that another frock has been watching them having sexual relations, they will attack it, punishing it for its transgressions, tearing it apart and destroying its plumage. It is not unusual for an attacked frock to end its life after such an attack.

When you are well dressed for the day, think no more of it afterwards, and, without stiffness for fear of discomposing that dress, let all your motions be as easy and natural asif you had no clothes on at all. 

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ARCHIVE - In Class Writing- Scott's Workshop http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/in-class-writing-scotts-workshop 2007-10-19T18:16:00-07:00 2007-10-19T18:16:00-07:00 Melanie ARCHIVE - Pumping Iron 2- Thoughts & Notes http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/pumping-iron-2-thoughts-notes 2007-10-16T18:44:48-07:00 2007-10-16T18:44:48-07:00 Melanie The first thought that I had while watching this was that this movie was a prequel to reality telelevision. Even though it was supposed to be "real" it was edited to emphasize aspects of the contestants personalities that best fit into the "plot". I suspect that at the time, it was created to be a commercial of sorts for women's sports. It's really interesting to think about the effect that this movie had when it was released. In case anybody was curious, here's a link to Bev Francis' webpage.

http://www.bevfrancis.com/

And to be fair here's one about Rachel McLish.

http://www.legendaryfitness.com/rachel_mclish.htm

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The first thought that I had while watching this was that this movie was a prequel to reality telelevision. Even though it was supposed to be "real" it was edited to emphasize aspects of the contestants personalities that best fit into the "plot". I suspect that at the time, it was created to be a commercial of sorts for women's sports. It's really interesting to think about the effect that this movie had when it was released. In case anybody was curious, here's a link to Bev Francis' webpage.

http://www.bevfrancis.com/

And to be fair here's one about Rachel McLish.

http://www.legendaryfitness.com/rachel_mclish.htm

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ARCHIVE - Operating systems, health care & consumer culture http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/operating-systems-health-care-consumer-culture 2007-10-14T15:46:10-07:00 2007-10-14T15:46:10-07:00 Melanie There were a few events that happened over the last month that made me realize that these three things actually have a lot in common. I broke a tooth and had to go to the dentist. We had to shop for a new computer and my SO started learning about Linux or open source software. The commonality is that we as consumers are not supposed to question what the doctor or dentist tells us or consider the possibility that we don't have to buy the latest shiny new object to make us happy. We're supposed to believe that if we take the right pills or buy the right stuff, happiness and good health will follow.

The first of these events that happened was breaking my tooth. First rant- when you call a dentist's office, tell them you need an emergency appointment and they offer to get you in next month. When I finally get an appointment, the dentist tells me that my tooth is broken. Somehow I get the impression that he expects me to be surprised by this information. He also tells me that I need to go to an oral surgeon to get it pulled. When I ask him what I should do to take care of myself while I'm waiting to see the other dentist, he gives me a prescription for codeine, tells me not to bite down hard on the broken tooth. He also told me not to worry because the other dentist would take care of me. I walked out the office wondering what was strange about me wanting to participate in my own personal care. I was supposed to accept that swallowing this pill could make me all better and I shouldn't have questioned the authority of the dentist.

When one of our computers died, we started looking into buying a new one. I have come to the belief that when you start thinking about changing your operating system it's almost like changing your religion. When we started looking at different websites for computers there usually were two choices for operating systems and they were both Microsoft products. I noticed that on every website that we looked at there weren't any other options to Windows. It could be said that the reason I didn't find any Mac results is because I wasn't searching for Mac. However, it seemed that when I searched for a guide on how to buy a new computer it would contain advice on which Microsoft product was best suited for specific user needs. It felt like I wasn't supposed to question whether or not I needed Windows just which version would work best for me.

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There were a few events that happened over the last month that made me realize that these three things actually have a lot in common. I broke a tooth and had to go to the dentist. We had to shop for a new computer and my SO started learning about Linux or open source software. The commonality is that we as consumers are not supposed to question what the doctor or dentist tells us or consider the possibility that we don't have to buy the latest shiny new object to make us happy. We're supposed to believe that if we take the right pills or buy the right stuff, happiness and good health will follow.

The first of these events that happened was breaking my tooth. First rant- when you call a dentist's office, tell them you need an emergency appointment and they offer to get you in next month. When I finally get an appointment, the dentist tells me that my tooth is broken. Somehow I get the impression that he expects me to be surprised by this information. He also tells me that I need to go to an oral surgeon to get it pulled. When I ask him what I should do to take care of myself while I'm waiting to see the other dentist, he gives me a prescription for codeine, tells me not to bite down hard on the broken tooth. He also told me not to worry because the other dentist would take care of me. I walked out the office wondering what was strange about me wanting to participate in my own personal care. I was supposed to accept that swallowing this pill could make me all better and I shouldn't have questioned the authority of the dentist.

When one of our computers died, we started looking into buying a new one. I have come to the belief that when you start thinking about changing your operating system it's almost like changing your religion. When we started looking at different websites for computers there usually were two choices for operating systems and they were both Microsoft products. I noticed that on every website that we looked at there weren't any other options to Windows. It could be said that the reason I didn't find any Mac results is because I wasn't searching for Mac. However, it seemed that when I searched for a guide on how to buy a new computer it would contain advice on which Microsoft product was best suited for specific user needs. It felt like I wasn't supposed to question whether or not I needed Windows just which version would work best for me.

This brings me to Linux. Unlike Mac and Windows, there are versions of Linux that are free. It's free in every sense of the word too. I could download one of these versions, modify it as I so desired and if I could get people to buy my modified version, I could sell it. One of the biggest advocates for open source software is Ernie Ball- the company that makes guitars. You can read about that here.

http://www.news.com/2008-1082_3-5065859.html

However, in order to do this, you need to have some knowledge about your computer. If you switch to Linux, you're not going to get an operating system with all the applications included. You'll need to configure your operating system to fit your needs. One of the major differences in becoming a Linux user after using a more mainstream operating system is that you'll become your own support system. However, there are versions of Red Hat that come with support and there is a community of Linux users that can be utilized. It could be said that Linux is the DIY operating system. If this interests you, here is an article about switching to Linux.

http://www.maximumpc.com/linux

Ever since beginning this program, I've put a lot of thought into the forces that have an effect on how I see my body, what I do with my body, how I take care of my body and what I buy for my body. One of the facts that have stood out to me the most is that we as consumers are somehow expected to believe that it's not in our best interest to question the choices that are available to us. We're supposed to accept if we truly want to be healthy and happy we need to buy the newest, shiniest objects available. Happiness isn't something that comes from within; you can buy it from a store. The main commonality that I found in operating systems, health care and consumer culture was that alternatives to mainstream options were not easy to find unless I was searching specifically for that information.

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ARCHIVE - Treatment for hysteria http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/treatment-for-hysteria 2007-10-10T14:07:51-07:00 2007-10-10T14:07:51-07:00 Melanie http://www.slate.com/id/2174905/

I found this article while surfing. It's a slideshow of the history of the vibrator.

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http://www.slate.com/id/2174905/

I found this article while surfing. It's a slideshow of the history of the vibrator.

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ARCHIVE - The Form of The Form http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/the-form-of-the-form-4 2007-10-09T20:47:29-07:00 2007-10-09T20:47:29-07:00 Melanie The Form, an artifact from 1970- It has questions and I have answers

But how do I answer them?

Do I check?

Do I circle?

Do I fill in a shape?

Is it a circle? a square?

Where does my form fit into that form?

Name- Well that easy I know my name. I got it tattooed on my back.

Head of Household- I guess that would be me. But it seems like they assume heads of household are male.

Sex- about 3-4 times a week- No, I think they mean what sex I am not how often I'm having it. I would have to say that by their definition I'm female.

Race- It's a race???!!?? I hope I win. Just kidding. That is really such an inaccurate term. I think what they really want to know what ethnicity I am. Another form I have to check White on. Someday it would be nice to have an ethnicity that isn't "White". I would really like to be able to check Norwegian-American someday.

Birthday- Does this mean I get a present? No? Then mind your own business.

Age- Old enough to know better and young enough to get carded.

Maritial Status- Why? If I tell you I'm divorced will you think I'm a failure? Fine, then I'm divorced. If you must know why its because I couldn't get along with my husband's girlfriend.

In 1970, this is what the census bureau wanted to know about people's lives and this is also how I have really wanted to answer these questions.

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The Form, an artifact from 1970- It has questions and I have answers

But how do I answer them?

Do I check?

Do I circle?

Do I fill in a shape?

Is it a circle? a square?

Where does my form fit into that form?

Name- Well that easy I know my name. I got it tattooed on my back.

Head of Household- I guess that would be me. But it seems like they assume heads of household are male.

Sex- about 3-4 times a week- No, I think they mean what sex I am not how often I'm having it. I would have to say that by their definition I'm female.

Race- It's a race???!!?? I hope I win. Just kidding. That is really such an inaccurate term. I think what they really want to know what ethnicity I am. Another form I have to check White on. Someday it would be nice to have an ethnicity that isn't "White". I would really like to be able to check Norwegian-American someday.

Birthday- Does this mean I get a present? No? Then mind your own business.

Age- Old enough to know better and young enough to get carded.

Maritial Status- Why? If I tell you I'm divorced will you think I'm a failure? Fine, then I'm divorced. If you must know why its because I couldn't get along with my husband's girlfriend.

In 1970, this is what the census bureau wanted to know about people's lives and this is also how I have really wanted to answer these questions.

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ARCHIVE - Just a thought... http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/just-a-thought 2007-10-09T20:15:10-07:00 2007-10-09T20:15:10-07:00 Melanie After reading and re-reading Foucault a few times, I thought of something that wasn't brought up in class. Did Foucault believe in creationism, evolution, some combination of both of these or none of the above. I would appreciate any feedback or opinions.

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After reading and re-reading Foucault a few times, I thought of something that wasn't brought up in class. Did Foucault believe in creationism, evolution, some combination of both of these or none of the above. I would appreciate any feedback or opinions.

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ARCHIVE - E-Corpus #3- Assumptions http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/e-corpus-3-assumptions 2007-10-06T15:07:28-07:00 2007-10-06T15:07:28-07:00 Melanie Over the years, I've been increasingly curious about assumptions. Why do people make assumptions? Who are they making these assumptions about? What are they trying to accomplish by making assumptions? How do they arrive at these assumptions? I suppose one answer is the need or urge to categorize other people based on their appearance or behavior. Another reason could be a need or urge to have an "us" and a "them". When making assumptions based on a person's appearance it is far too easy to judge too harshly and far too quickly.

On the other hand, I believe that there are some assumptions that one can safely make. However, they involve aspects of a person's personality that they are comfortable revealing. For example, if someone is wearing a shirt/button/carrying a bag/some other item of clothing that says I love my (fill in the blank), it can be assumed that they really love their (fill in the blank). The same can be assumed about any other visual representations of popular culture. If someone is wearing a picture of it, it's safe to assume that they like it.

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Over the years, I've been increasingly curious about assumptions. Why do people make assumptions? Who are they making these assumptions about? What are they trying to accomplish by making assumptions? How do they arrive at these assumptions? I suppose one answer is the need or urge to categorize other people based on their appearance or behavior. Another reason could be a need or urge to have an "us" and a "them". When making assumptions based on a person's appearance it is far too easy to judge too harshly and far too quickly.

On the other hand, I believe that there are some assumptions that one can safely make. However, they involve aspects of a person's personality that they are comfortable revealing. For example, if someone is wearing a shirt/button/carrying a bag/some other item of clothing that says I love my (fill in the blank), it can be assumed that they really love their (fill in the blank). The same can be assumed about any other visual representations of popular culture. If someone is wearing a picture of it, it's safe to assume that they like it.

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ARCHIVE - Concept Rhyming Paper #1 http://www2.evergreen.edu/fashioningthebody/concept-rhyming-paper-1-0 2007-10-05T16:54:05-07:00 2007-10-05T16:54:05-07:00 Melanie