CheapThrills

Off to the orgasm capital of the world!

I'll be out of the country on vacation for two weeks (yay!). While I'm away, here's a fun graph and some interesting stats to ponder. So many questions come to mind... Have we finally discovered the reason why Italians seem to radiate that intense euphoric glow? Why isn't hypersexualized France higher on the list?  What exactly is going on with China?

Anyway, dear readers, Happy July! I'll be back on the 14th with more than a few fun stories from Europe.

Related - Reuters: Chinese struggle to orgasm, easier for the Italians

Diversity in Boston’s South End: Melting Pot? Maybe not.

When I first moved to Boston's South End two years ago, I was absolutely delighted by the prospect of a multicultural neighborhood in Boston. I grew up in Philadelphia, which, after living in Boston for 8 years, seemed like the bastion of diversity. I know that’s not entirely true, but nevertheless one can enter a nice downtown restaurant without being “the only one”.

Here in Boston, the landscape is a bit different. At BU, I was one of about 780 African-American undergrads (out of, say, 15,000?). Spotting a Black person the B line is a feat unto itself. And the neighborhoods… man oh man, the neighborhoods… they’re just so, segregated. North End = Italian. Southie = Irish. Beacon Hill = Rich and White. Now don’t get me wrong, I know that most large cities boast proud pockets of different cultural groups. That’s just a product of American history. But the Little Italy’s and Chinatowns are balanced out by thriving diverse middle-class neighborhoods. And an integrated downtown area, where all can come to enjoy the city.

Not here. You might see a bunch of Black kids laughing it up on the streets of Downtown Crossing, but try spotting a well-to-do Black family dining at Ivy. You might ride the Silver Line with African-Americans and Asians and Latinos, but you’d never see the same mix at the Starbucks just outside the bus’ doors. I know that there are tons of Black people in Boston, but somehow they're all living in one of three neighborhoods, located at the end of the subway lines. The “scary” neighborhoods.

This diversity problem is so bad that my (mostly white) group of friends remark every time they visit: “Okay, are we in the Twilight Zone? Where are all the Black people in this city?” People might think it’s entirely within reason for a large American city to be so segregated, but I’m here to tell you, IT’S NOT NORMAL!

So this is why I was so psyched to find the South End. At first glance, the neighborhood does appear to be incredibly diverse.

But when I look closer, I can see that the races aren’t mixing. They’re just overlapping. Subsidized housing bumps into the Villa Victoria, which bumps into 6 million dollar condos, which bump into Chinatown. Instead of an orchestral melody that one might find in Philly’s Mount Airy, the South End often grates at my ears like a clashing cacophony of sounds.

I often wonder whether the South End set-up is an optimal first step towards a more diverse Boston. Perhaps the answer is yes. After all, how can we learn more about each other without co-existing? But I also fear that smashing groups of people together who share no common lifestyle threads might create and/or deepen racial stereotypes, prejudices and anger. Like the “I wish those Project kids would quit it with the freaking firecrackers!” or “Why do these Chinese people always cut the bus line!” anger, which has sneaked up on me from time to time.

In truth, the fact that these kinds of thoughts even deign to creep into my mind (because I fancy myself quite culturally-aware and open) absolutely terrifies me, and also makes me wonder if others aren’t plagued with the same kinds of bitter thoughts. And if they are, well that can’t be a tasty ingredient for the melting pot.

The All-New Pontiac.com – I know I never write about work...

Update: The site has been taken down for a bit... so I guess we can just call these screengrabs "exclusive spy shots" (b/c I'm so damn important)

...but what can I say, the new Pontiac.com gets me giddy. The redesigned, rewritten, re-everythinged site launched today after months and months of work by a tireless and tenacious team of some of the brightest people I know.

The new site boasts a ton of fresh dynamic features - my favorites being 1) the ability to save information that's of particular interest to you (favorite vehicles, nearby dealerships, etc) and 2) the myriad ways users can narrow down their vehicle searches.

Customers can even search by the monthly rate they’d like to pay, which is probs the tool I’d find most helpful. Oh, and also, users engage in all this so-called “narrowing down” by sliding a fun little do-dad (see photo above). The whole process is very quick, clean and intuitive.

But from the copywriter on the account’s perspective, I think the coolest thing about the new site is its enhanced visuals and voice (haha, of course I’d say that). Say what you want about Pontiac, the brand's got identity. It’s got presence. And I think that the peeps at Pontiac should be commended for their willingness and enthusiasm to push that voice to its farthest limits (which, in turn, not only made my job easier, but also infinitely more exciting).

First, the animation and copy on the home page is true-to-form Pontiac: bold and in-your-face.

Second, the flash animation and Pontiac-y highlight tiles on each vehicle’s Model Overview page (here's the '09 Vibe for an example) really work to envelope the user in that “rockin’ out” Pontiac voice.

And finally, no question the new Pontiac.com voice's pièce de résistance is the Experience Pontiac section, which houses all content related to Pontiac culture (music, sports, photos, history, original video content, promotions, etc). This section of the site really uses language, visuals, and supporting content to bring Pontiac's brand identity to the next level.

So there’s a little scoop on the new Pontiac.com from (one of) its copywriters. In my opinion, the new site is more Pontiac than Pontiac... what does that mean? Is it a good or bad thing? Well - that's up to you.

Racist / derogatory language and Facebook profiles - What's your code of conduct?

If you’re not into updating your Entourage or throwing vampires, the only real thing to do on Facebook is to check out your friend’s profiles. You know… read their updates, comment on their photos, peruse their walls.

So about a year ago, I was scanning a family member’s MySpace page and came across some very disturbing language. His page was littered with the n-word – used by both his friends and he himself.

I can’t say that I know the full context of his posse’s word choice. Perhaps they use the word all the time? Perhaps it’s an inside joke? Who knows. But the thing is, I do know my family member (a cousin on my Caucasian side) – we grew up together, and had always been somewhat close. So, while I felt it would be inappropriate to write a public message on his profile decrying the language, I did think it would be entirely within my familial limits to mention my unease to his brother (who I am much closer with). Our conversation was quite illuminating… and somewhat sad. In the end, I felt it best not to bring up my concern with the cousin in question.

Admittedly, I’m listening in on someone else’s conversation by reading his or her public wall. But public walls are, for all intents and purposes, meant for all to see. In fact, in the Facebook/MySpace world, one’s wall is a living, breathing testament to one’s popularity.

Since this incident, I’ve been wondering what I’d do if the same thing ever occurred with a close friend or family member whose life I am an integral part of - a sister, a brother, a best friend, etc. Is it enough to remind said person that you love them dearly? Does this type of situation warrant a more in-depth discussion (of course, not out of anger, but out of love)? Or is "letting it go" the best approach?

Boston Celtics parade: Confetti and a shirtless Big Baby

Ran down to the Celtics parade with some co-workers (ah, the joys of working downtown!). I forgot my actual camera, so I snapped a few photos with my phone. And then I jacked a few from a friend, who was smart enough to bring his camera.

Here comes Lucky, kicking things off with massive amounts of confetti.

Paul Pierce and cigar

Garnett and trophy. Umm, hello awesome.

Ray Allen - what what?!??!

On the silly tip, freakin' Rondo... he was leaning off the back of his boat over a teeny American Flag wearing a cap that was way too big for his head. He looked like a twelve year old. A Juicy Juice and a little shamrock face-paint would have topped the look completely.

And then there was Big Baby Davis...

...there are no words... :)

Congratulations Celtics!

Attack of the racist GOP pins! Maybe there's a silver lining...

There were being sold at the Texas GOP Convention. And it's only June...

But you want to know something? I'm actually happy the GOP is being so idiotically obvious with their bigotry. Crap like this will do nothing but seal the Democrats together. Like glue. This ridiculousness might even push some Moderates into our corner.

So GOP, go ahead and bring on the blackface. I double dog dare ya.

Related:
Poltico: Ben Smith's Blog

A little R & R makes for some diversity in Boston

Cloudy though it may be, I feel as colorful as a rainbow on this fine Monday morning.  Why, you wonder? Because I spent a weekend filled with diversity... right here in Boston, a city where it's sometimes hard to come by. Three events of particular interest included:

1. Chris Rock, whose No Apologies Tour made a stop here in Boston on Saturday for two shows at the Wang Theatre. Of course, I’m sworn to secrecy on the actual routine (hopefully I won’t get in trouble for posting this one photo we took at the show), but I’ll just say that the performance was freaking hilarious – timely, clever, and downright silly. There were a lot more non-Black folks in the audience than I expected, including many interracial couples, which made me happy. Watching the couples laugh/cringe/grasp each other’s hand for dear life during interracial dating jokes could have been a separate show altogether.
2. Pete Rock, who was at The Good Life on Saturday after the show. The Good Life is actually one of the only downtown Boston bars where you can find a Crayola box of people on virtually any night that you go. It’s pure bliss.
3. Pride weekend in the South End, which occurred last weekend. My BF and I missed the parade (much to our dismay) but ventured into the BBQ Block Party for the Bud Lights, the sights, and of course, the Techno. …Oh, and I also saw the best butt ever – attached to a drag queen wearing a bleach-blond bob a silver-and-black sequined bathing suit. Man and woman alike would agree, this booty was absolutely sublime. Sadly, I didn’t get a picture, but hopefully this bunny-rabbit will make up for it.

Obama Biracial question - "I'm half Black - half White, so I checked both boxes."

Cross-posted on The Huffington Post

The question has finally wafted over to CNN – is Barack Obama Black or Biracial?

Biologically, White parent + Black parent = Biracial.

But culturally, it’s a different issue altogether. An issue that plays itself out both within the Black and White community.

Inside the Black community, I think there’s a simultaneous and seemingly illogical embrace and sharp snub of the variety of Black skin tones. We see Black as Black, and yet the African-American community has a profound and deep color complex that dates back to slavery. House slave vs. field slave. African features vs. European features. Or, as Spike Lee so theatrically illustrated in his film School Daze, Good hair vs. Bad hair. On a personal level, this is something I feel every day, especially among Black women. And I’m sure I’m not alone. Black women scrutinize other Black women, trying to figure them out. It’s something Black women don’t do to White women – it's an inside thing that’s also quite intimidating. I think the stare is a manifestation of curiosity, competition, and insecurity – all rolled into one.

Inside the White community, historically the conversation can be summed up by the “one drop” rule – again, dating back to slavery. But now – now things are different. I think that White people are beginning to look at Blacks with new eyes, trying to figure out each person’s diverse potion instead of lumping all Black people into one homogeneous group. I mean, the MSM is actually discussing all the threads of Obama’s race. That shows progress.

But let's take a step back. We've been talking about the Black community. About the White community. Two groups of people, working to define the middle.

But really, the Biracial community is a group unto itself and should be defined as such - by those who are Biracial and no one else. Because being Biracial is filled with unique experiences that shape a complex outlook on life only fully understood by those who share them… like being Irish. Or Persian. Or Russian Jew.

Examples?

A scene from Danzy Senna’s Caucasia, in which a very light-skinned little girl and her father are lounging in the Boston Common and they are questioned by the police, who don’t believe that the man is her dad. That's a Biracial experience.

A jaunt to Little Italy on Christmas Eve to feast on the 7 Fishes dinner with family, and then one to Harlem the next day for a Christmas celebration at a Pentecostal church. That's a Biracial experience.

A nervous 10-second pause, and then a double-check on every standardized test accompanied by a scribbled write-in within the margin, “I’m half Black – half White, so I checked both boxes. I hope that's ok.” That's a Biracial experience.

Who defines the life that these experiences create? We do, as a Biracial community.

So what’s Barack Obama? Black? White? Both? Obama is exactly what he defines himself as. Pure and simple. 

Related:
CNN: Is Barack Obama black or biracial?
Racialicious commentary
Stereohyped commentary

Calling all YouTube lovers - Send me your secret list of awesome clips!

Hey. You there. Do you spend entirely too much time on YouTube? Do you scour the site for funny clips? E-mail blast your friends with “besties”? Post particularly provocative clips on your Facebook profile or Twitter them to show strangers just how witty you really are?

Yes? Well then I’ve got a fun project for you. I’ll be writing a weekly column on The Madison Avenue Journal called Commercial Worthy, where I will be exploring the T.V.-commercial-potential of all my favorite YouTube vids.

Of course, after years of YouTube addiction I’ve got tons of clips – but I’d also love your input. If you keep a list of awesome clips, or if you come across one that you think would make a great commercial video, comment on this post with a link or e-mail me a tip. If I find the video particularly commercial-worthy, I might write it up.

And check out the column, which will run every Thursday on TMAJ.

Update: ... or Wednesday. Check out my first column.

Old-timer racism: What would you have done in this situation?

Cross-posted on Racialicious

Last night I got together with 5 friends to watch the Celtics game. We decided to head out to the only “bar bar” in Boston’s South End (which also happens to be an Irish one, go figure) because we wanted to yell at the T.V. and scarf down semi-disgusting seven dollar finger food.  Watching sports requires such things, after all.

We found a great table in the corner - right in front of a smaller T.V - and settled in for a night of Kobe shutdown. A few other people from the bar were also gathered around our T.V., talking to each other about the game.

Two men in particular were quit vocal. They made interestingly oblivious and strangely inappropriate comments like, “I sweeah (that’s Boston for swear) that has to be Whitey Bulgah sitting next to Randy Moss” and “Magic Jaahnson – shouldn’t he be dead by now?”

We chose to ignore the guys… until we heard this: “C’mon, make the shot you f*cking spook.”

Our table began bouncing questions off of each other – “Did he really just say that?” “I think he just called Paul Pierce a spook!” “WTF?!?!”

The guy overheard our table talk and started rambling to himself about how we didn’t understand his life and how everyone called Black basketball players “spooks” in Roxbury in the 60’s.

So then we engaged him. And it was strange; each person at our table handled the situation differently. One person berated and belittled the guy, one tried a rational approach, one furrowed her eyebrows and just stared straight into his eyes – a look that demanded the man acknowledge her presence (that would have been me – the only Black person sitting at our table), and three ignored the whole situation. When the conversation escalated and the guy got in one of our faces, decisions became tricky. Do you actually throw down with a 65 year-old dude? Or do you just tell the bartender what’s going on?

I really don’t know the right way to handle this kind of situation. I don’t know whether it’s worth it to get angry.  I also don’t know whether it’s worth it to try to rationalize with someone whose racism is so ingrained in his way of speaking, thinking, living. But then I think it must be worth it, because 1) this guy is openly validating racism, embedding it in the outlook of his children… who are then bringing said racism to theirs, and 2) perhaps people who only know racism as a way of life don't see their ignorance.

Because here’s the funny thing: after all was said and done, the guy tried to apologize and buy us a round of drinks (and then, of course, went on to repeat that we didn’t understand his history).

Our response? Thanks but no thanks.

McCain addresses the 200 white people in New Orleans, Obama addresses the nation

Can we talk about McCain’s speech last night for a minute? Here are a couple things I noticed.

1. So McCain chooses to make his speech in New Orleans, perhaps as a metaphor to illustrate his differences from Bush. That’s fine, I guess, but then why the utter lack of diversity in his audience? I watched the whole speech and spotted 2 Black people in his backup band (which made me think of his Black umbrella-holder on MLK Day), and maybe one person in the audience who wasn’t white… and said person was beat red, sun burnt. 
2. Back to the “I’m not Bush” idea –McCain, if you’re so different, why have you jocked Bush’s signature (nauseating, riot-inducing) smirk? You know, the one that you wiped across your mouth after ever “that’s not change we can believe in” line. After 8 years of rolling my eyes at Bush’s speeches, I know that smirk when I see it. And yours is a carbon copy, which makes it even more dangerous.
3. I’m just really confused by McCain’s new message. It makes no sense. How is keeping Bush tax cuts “going forward”? How is staying in Iraq for who knows how long “going forward”? McCain, you’ll never be the change candidate. Sorry to burst your bubble.

So, there’s that. I’m actually glad that McCain gave this horrendous speech last night – to an audience of excited Democrats. It did nothing but help our party.

Oh, and of course there’s this.

I can’t wait for the general to start. I hope McCain remembers to bring his little green signs and his 200 supporters with him on the trail. I think Obama can handle everything else.

(Photos from NYTimes)

More info:
CNN
Huffinton Post

Jalopnik's new senior editor wears faux 32"-wasted jeans

Friend and former co-worker Andy Stoy just became senior editor of Jalopnik.com, Gawker Media’s blog for car enthusiasts. I’m a Jezebel gal through and through (Jez is Gawker’s female-issues blog), and so I have to admit, after reading a rather sexist piece on Jalopnik (and then heaving in disgust at the comments, which cheered on said sexism), I took the site off of my list of “daily reads”.  But now that Andy’s in town, I have a newfound faith in Jalopnik.

Because Andy’s dope. He’s passionate about things in a quiet, calculating way. Give him 20 minutes and he can machete a crappy article (or a copydeck, or, in some cases, an ego) in a word or two. He’s not mean or anything… but delivers a dry humor that you have to actually sit down and figure out. Smart professor humor. Indiana Jones humor. For example, in his “Hi My Name is Andy Stoy” post on Jalopnik yesterday, he wrote that he’s not some “advertising faux hipster”… and since I read that line, I’ve been sitting here wondering, “Does he mean me? Yes? No? Maybe? OMG, can he see into my SOUL?”

And the fact that I’m sittin’ here stressin’ is the reason why I am positive that Andy will make a great addition to the Jalopnik team. Three cheers, here here, ching-ching, and all that other celebratory stuff.

P.S. I took this photo of Andy myself - he was helping me with my car right before our company's annual booze cruise. (not really, but the photo is named "grease monkey" and Andy's a grease monkey, so transitivity has to work here... right?)

Read Andy's Posts