Monday, September 7, 2009

Should Women Marry Money???


You can’t ask questions like that without immediately catching my attention.

The authors of the book ‘Smart Girls Marry Money: How Women Have Been Duped Into The romantic Dream – and How They’re Paying For It’, Elizabeth Ford and Daniela Drake, emplore women not to “…throw your hot, youthful selves away on young, financially unproven men. They might never become successes, and if they do, they’ll probably just chuck you for younger models when you’re too old to successfully compete again in the marriage marketplace.” They go on to insist that women “… marry rich guys while you’re still taut enough to snag them. They may dump you, too, but at least you’ll have nice, fat divorce settlements with which to pursue true love, or the pool guy, whoever comes first.” Wow. I considered buying this book, but the thought of putting my hard earned money into the hands of these greedy girls is too much to bear.

In defence of the tome, Amazon.com offers the following review:
“Why does society applaud a girl who falls for a guy’s “big blue eyes” yet denounces one who chooses a man with a “big green bankroll”? After all, isn’t earning power more a reflection of a man’s values and character? Smart Girls Marry Money challenges the ideals and assumptions women have blindly accepted about love and marriage—and shows how they’ve done so at their own economic peril. In this brazen manifesto, the authors use cold hard facts, real science, and true stories to present a compelling case for why mercenary marriages make the most sense for future happiness.
Smart Girls taps into a growing, collective suspicion that the post-feminist world isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Female “empowerment” has women working hard to look sexier than ever, while carrying more than their fair share financially. Yet sadly, statistics prove that: not only do women continue to earn far less than their male counterparts, they also suffer far more economically when marriages fail. Ford and Drake think it’s high time that women get their heads out of the clouds and start caring about their own security—the kind that can be measured in dollars and common sense. With an irreverent, straight-talk tone, the authors serve up a sound case and intriguing strategy for how women can truly “have it all.” Sure to spark conversation and controversy, Smart Girls Marry Money will ultimately empower women with a new way to take control of both their economic and romantic lives.”

I see, financially, where they are coming from. But what about passion? Romance?? Love??? It is obvious that, when people get divorced, it is financially difficult. That is unfortunate. However, what if people take the time to seek out an appropriate partner and agree on what they want in a long term relationship in an effort to stay together? If you can find a fabulous partner and make it, then a large cash settlement after a long, bitter (and expensive!) feud would not be necessary. So then what? Is it okay to marry for love? What if one found the perfect partner who ended up being working class? One should dump that partner? Are we supposed to chase after men with six figure salaries instead of six inch d*cks??? Kidding, but really – I’m confused by this! The idea of marrying money is so unromantic. I’m picturing a woman walking down the aisle towards a wad of cash. I’m laughing. What fairy tale ever ended with the young princess marrying the old, fat, balding bank roll???

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Dating in Detroit


I’m not even sure where to start with this story……. Shockingly enough, the details of this story do not belong to me or any of my single friends. Sadly, the afflicted woman in this scenario (we’ll call her Debbie Does Detroit) was making a valiant attempt to date in what is known as ‘the armpit of the US’. It’s crazy what can happen when dating in the motor city.

Debbie met a man, who we’ll call Chad The Impaler, at a Casino. Wait - it gets worse from here. She went on to excitedly accept a first date with The Impaler. Chad, the ultimate gentleman, chose the quaint and lovely restaurant Buffalo Wild Wings for their date. So sweet and thoughtful – surely girls love eating wings on a first date – it’s so feminine, sexy and clean......

After what I’m sure was a memorable and delectable meal, followed by what must have been sparkling and witty conversation, The Impaler excused himself from the table under the guise that he had forgotten his wallet in Debbie’s 2000 Chevy Impala. The next thing you know, The Impaler has stolen the Impala. Poor Debbie – not only does she have to drive a 9 year old Impala in the first place, but her date has now cunningly lifted it from her. Having (incredibly stupidly) posed for photos for Debbie earlier, taken with the camera on her phone, Debbie went to the local cop shop to press charges. The Impaler was later spotted and arrested by Detroit police. Chad has now been charged and could be faced with a 5 year sentence for stealing the car. What about the sentence that poor Debbie is left with??? No car, no date, Detroit……

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Quote of the Day


"The fact is, sometimes it’s hard to walk in a single woman’s shoes. That’s why we need really special ones now and then to make the walk a little more fun."
- Carrie Bradshaw

* I am lusting and drooling over the super-gorgeous kicks in this picture

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Millionaire Matchmaker


Please tell me that you’ve seen this show. I have a thing against reality television in general, however I must say that I’m pretty into this show. The star is Patti Stanger, who is a 3rd generation matchmaker in California. She’s fabulous. I feel a strong connection with Stanger, as I am also a matchmaker (I have a 100% failure rate, while she is actually successful).

Patti is intent on setting up wealthy men (an elite pool of millionaires only) with their future wives. No small task! She has a database of women (10,000 boob jobs – wow!) to set the millionaires up with. They must be interested in traditional, old-fashioned relationships and they must all have the following characteristics:

* Beauty

* Brains

* Class

A perfectionist, Patti accepts nothing less than better to best. I’ve seen her interview women only to turn them down until they are armed with the following characteristics:

* A hair straightener

* Long hair (styled with said straightener) - short hair not allowed

* Perfect makeup (she will not work with drag queens – such conviction!)

* Prude (yep – no sex before exclusivity – that is non-negotiable)

Stanger, unlike the quest for her clients, is not married. She has been with her boyfriend for 5 years and she is happy with the status quo (a la Goldie Hawn/Kurt Russel or Joy Behar/Whatshisname) – they enjoy being together but don’t plan to have children (right on!) and therefore don’t see any need to marry right now.

Why can’t millionaires in LA find women to marry? According to Stanger, they have lists of specifications and qualities that are incredibly unrealistic. Funny – I believe there are some men in Cosmopolitan City who are not millionaires but are exactly like that..... Stanger meets some total nut-jobs, but she tries her best to teach them how to date properly and temper their expectations. She believes that if a man expects to date a “Perfect 10”, he himself must be a “Perfect 10” both internally and externally. Good for her! Tell it like it is, Dr. Phil!

Although these men are presenting themselves as millionaires, Stanger refuses to work with gold diggers. This is the only flaw I can find in her logic – how would she ever know? Why would it even be an issue, as the men are using that as their most attractive quality?? They are in California, where most people are wanna-be actors – how could she tell who’s truly in it for love or who’s a dinner whore???

Friday, August 28, 2009

Thought for the Day


"My life is spent in a perpetual alternation between two rhythms, the rhythm of attracting people for fear I may be lonely and the rhythm of trying to get rid of them because I know that I am bored."

- C.E.M. Joad (1891 - 1953)

*Note - this is no way reflects how I'm feeling in my current situation - I just posted this as food for thought. Thanks for your concern, though!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

now that we've found love what are we gonna do with it?


Gotta love the musical musings of Heavy D…… But seriously, now that I’ve found love, what am I going to do with it???!!!

Being in love is great, isn’t it? Surely, it beats not being in love. Not having had much experience in recent years of being in a loving relationship (more like loving getting out of weird relationships…), this is new and exciting (as well as slightly lapsed and somewhat scary) for me. Yes, I love the guy – so now what? Love is hard to quantify or define, so how do people know when or why they are in love? Dictionary.com defines love by the following characteristics:

* A profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person

* A feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend

* A person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart

* A love affair; an intensely amorous incident; amour

* Sexual intercourse; copulation – whoa….. I’m pretty sure that men have managed to distinguish love from sex in many instances, no???

* A personification of sexual affection, as Eros or Cupid – awww – I should get G Spot to dress up in angel wings and take a picture. Of course, I will share it with you.

* Affectionate concern for the well-being of others

* Strong predilection, enthusiasm, or liking for anything – Anything or anyone?!

* The benevolent affection of God for His creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God – don’t even get me started – this is NOT a religious blog.

* A score of zero; nothing – this is my love life we’re talking about here, people, not Wimbledon.

The website goes on to define synonyms for love, which I can appreciate:

* AFFECTION is a fondness for others that is enduring and tender, but calm

* DEVOTION is an intense love and steadfast, enduring loyalty to a person – I’m loving the word DEVOTION right now.

In a very timely article, Respected National Newspaper ran a love poll. The results of the poll were as follows:

Percentage of people who believe in “the one” – 26% of ppl aged 30 – 34 and 36% of ppl aged 50 – 54 believe in the concept of finding 'the one' – this really surprises me, as I have become rather cynical as I’ve aged. I am surprised that people believe in finding ‘the one’ in their later years, which could be after many years of dating... At the age of 54, having not found 'the one', wouldn't one be satisfied simply to find 'one' full stop???!!!

What’s the soonest you’ve said “I love you” in a relationship? 42% of people say the words within a couple of months, 18% within 6 months, 8% within a year & 3% over a year.

Do you believe in love at first sight? 29% of women and 44% of men believe in love at first sight. What???!!! I’m confused! 44% of men????? I must have been dating the other 56% of men over the past few years, then.

Similarly to the percentage of people who believe in ‘the one’, the percentage of people who believe in love at first sight increases with age, which is very interesting to me. I’ve become such a jaded woman, my goodness! However, luckily and thankfully, not so jaded to be unable to let love in. Where I once used to give death glares to couples engaged in enthusiastic PDA’s, I now smile in solidarity – I can relate. Lately, I’ve been wandering around Cosmopolitan City fueled by endorphins from having regular sex (yes!!!) with a face like a smiley emoticon and I love it.