Moment of Zen: Boys Build, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Just a little Moment Of Zen….
Where I think aloud. On the internets. Welcome to my brain.

LEGOS.

One of the BEST.TOYS.EVER.

EVer.

Durable, Versatile, Educational, Creative….oh goodness I could go on. LEGOS has endured the test of time in the toy market. Not a small feat by any means, just trust me.

The advent of the many and multi-fold LEGO sets and kits? PURE genius as they create demand for more of the product. No longer are children content with the basic set.

It’s AWESOME. I have watched my nephew build countless things and it is so great to see his brain engaged for hours along with focused attention. His pride upon completion? Priceless.  

One thing – LEGO started to miss 50% of the market. Girls just…grow out of LEGOs ways before the boys. Hmmm..

So – in a strategy that I believe is quite brilliant yet only time will prove – LEGOS decided to go after the girls with  this:

LEGO Friends.

They’re …..getting their hair done and decorating the house and partying! Weeeee…. It’s like Real LEGO Housewives. The Hills of LegoLand. Not trying to get all serious though – again, the marketing geek in me approves 100%

It makes sense but …”I couldn’t help but wonder…”

….wouldn’t it be so cool if in today’s market all they had to do to attract girls was feature more girls in the commercials in a girls bedroom? Not building spaceships, transformer and Star Wars Replicas but………. but…but what? 

Then I started thinking….what else would entice the girls of 2012? Amusement Parks came to mind. Zoos? A school?

Um…I got nothing. Nothing that would sell as much as the gender-stereotyping-little-girl-grown-fast  “Friends.”

And that is …just what it is.

Times….they are a changing.

 

***Not trying to make a statement or cast judgment or whatever – they have a tree house and a cafe….whatever. I’m not saying this is sexist or anti-fem. It just sort of perpetuates this whole thing where 9 year olds start putting LV bags on their Dear Santa lists along with $150 jeans, hair extensions, and tank tops that say “Too Hot” on them. That should not start till…maybe middle school. LOL. Even then .. “My Super Sweet Sixteen” …..oh boy.

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Only You…..

I have an inside joke about the Smokey Bear PSAs I grew up with.

You know the ones. “Only you can prevent forest fires…”

 

It’s just….the “ONLY YOU” part. There’s just something so ominous about it…so convicting.

“Billy, why are you up so late? It’s past your bedtime!”
”I CAN’T sleep Mommy, what about the forests? Only I can save them! It’s up to me!”

ONLY YOU!!!

It makes you think ONLY YOU can solve the problem. Not only that, but it’s your RESPONSIBILITY to fix it. ONLY YOU!!!!

Or else….

Obviously that’s a flawed way of thinking. A recipe for disaster, delusion or depression at least. ESPECIALLY when it comes to events larger than ourselves, calamities and tragedies life throws our way, the behavior of other people…etc.

Because…I mean.

There’s only one dude who’s got “the whole world in his hands” and it ain’t us and even He can’t prevent forest fires.

So. ANY-

I have this running joke. An inside joke. Mainly with myself. Hence, inside joke.

 

You see, we know we can’t prevent all the forest fires in the world – we know all we can do is change our behaviors. #maninthemirror  That’s the true lesson behind Smokey Bear. We get it.

Or do we?

How often do you we find ourselves caught up in other people’s dramas, trying to “cure” them or “fix” them. How often are we up late worrying about all the things we simply. cannot. control.  #serenityprayer

Any-whoo…whenever I find myself in those situations or hear someone else delving into that unfruitful train of thought I think to myself (or point ominously in their direction):

“ONLY YOU. ONLY YOU Missy. ONLY YOU can make your family get along. ONLY YOU can prevent forest fires.”

Then I giggle, realizing the absurdity of the notion.

Now you can share my joke with me! Please? I mean, if you want.

Whenever you find yourself trying to mess around with other people’s fires. Picture my ominous/serious face and repeat..

“ONLY YOU. ONLY YOU.“

And then giggle.
And then STOP THAT!!!

If you want. I’m not worried about what you do (0:

There is ONLY ONE thing we are responsible for really.

ONLY ONE thing we can change.

ONLY YOU.

• Wait did that last part make sense? Whatever. Are you gonna share my joke? Is this post like, ENTIRELY too long or what? I have a complex. Be honest. Scroll or no scroll. Fess up.  If you did scroll,. you got the point right?

• What are YOU trying to prevent like it’s YOUR job. ONLY YOU.

*Prayers for peoples,families, animals, insects and nature currently experiencing the Colorado wildfires and those in the affected states*

 

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OMMM….

Deep Breath. Inhale….and….exhale. Ahhhhh… Ommmmm…..shanti…शान्ति Get ready for another round of OMMM- On My Mind Monday. Where the breathing is deep, but the thoughts? Not so much.

Here are some random thinks I’ve thunk this past week. In no particular order. For no particular reason. Because.

Boy Scouts Need to Step it Up a Notch

Every year the Girl Scouts come correct with a limited-time-only panacea for the masses: those dearly beloved cookies. We fawn, we drool, we flock, and we spend. We spend a lot. Girl Scouts also team up with ice cream and candy bar companies, securing a portion of America’s retail dollar too.  $Cha-ching$

Let’s be real. The “for a good cause” factor is probably responsible for …oh… 15% of all proceeds. Because really? We’re just hooked.

The Girl Scouts know profitability. They also know what sells.

Then there’s the Boy Scouts. What do they sell? Microwave freakin’ popcorn.  Usually outside a grocery store selling the same thing. Big incentive. 

They don’t even sell the pre-popped or flavored varieties anymore. No. Just popcorn. That’s it. Ends there. Seriously?

There is no “immediate gratification” or “impulse temptation” factor at all. You can’t rip into a box of popcorn kernals before you even get to your car…much less devour 1/2 the box before your home, thus necessitating a return trip tomorrow to buy more.

Dear Mr. (or Mrs.) Person-in-Charge-of-All-the-Boy-Scout-Things:

Your popcorn needs more sex appeal. 

Invest in a few tons of sugar, salt, and fat. Go to town in a test kitchen.  It doesn’t matter what comes next. All the basics are there. Layer sugar, salt and fat on anything and it’ll sell.

I personally recommend marketing a popcorn/trail mix “bar” of some sort. Disguise the fatty sugarbomb with words like “wholesome” and “nutritious” or “energy".

Make them really small and “only 200” calories. Or make the ratio of serving size to servings per bar inversely proportional. Set up shop outside of places like Curves or something. BE INVENTIVE!!

I can’t believe I’m actually promoting this kind of thing, but heck – it’s for a good cause. lol.

While I’m on the topic of delicious addictive food….

Paula Deen is Selling Diabetes.

I know Paula’s diabetes is old news….the jokes have been made, critics have weighed in, etc. Yet, only recently did it dawn on me that she is, effectually, selling Diabetes. 

I think of it like this: She profits from her show/cookbooks which are rife with uber rich foods. It’s fine in moderation, but we don’t live in a moderate society. We live in an obese society. Lots of Diabetes going on.

The way I see it, now that Paula’s Diabetes is out of the closet, her show is basically pitching “let me show you all the food to eat in abundance if you want to get diabetes.” 
$Cha-ching$

And then….Paula turns around and sells you what you’re gonna need once you actually have Diabetes. $Cha-ching$

“Just put a band-aid on it, y’all.”

“Life with Diabetes can be DELICIOUS and I want to tell y’all about it.
With Love.”

I don’t harbor any resentment against Paula. I don’t think this is some manufactured plot – but the whole thing is just wrong. She could be promoting diabetes prevention. She could grab another spot on Food Network cooking her trademark comfort food in a healthier, Diabetes-friendly way.    

But, Whatever. Totally Fine.

Well then. I’ve gone on FAR to long and really? There’s only so much a girl with an eating disorder can blather on about unhealthy and healthy food and obesity and whatnot before it becoming entirely laughable.
I’ll leave it at 50% laughable.

• What’s been on your mind lately?

  Also, you should read this book. (If you want). 

http://www.theendofovereatingbook.com/

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How to be a Happy Pig at a BBQ Joint

I walked out the office door yesterday to this:

 

I immediately picked it up. Then I put it back down and snapped pictures to post on the internet in a ridiculous fashion.

 

We can learn a lot from a dancing, fiddle-playing pig.

That little dude looks happy to me—even in the midst of all that…um…barbeque. (I don’t judge).

Not really my kind of cuisine, but the Georgia Pig is sort of a legendary “dive” around these parts. I love it when business owners use their spaces to “scatter sunshine.”  #ilovemarketing

Any-

I’m-a wax poetic because this has been soaking up  my mental marinade overnight. One of the things that stood out to me when I read the card was this:

“Forget Self.”

Two words. So simple. So blunt.

It’s no secret that people with *ahem* issues (addictions, disorders, afflictions, depression..etc.) are some of the most selfish people on the planet. We can be the most loving, caring compassionate folks but still…selfish, selfish, selfish.
We can’t help it. When we’re caught up in our stuff, there is an impenetrable wall of “me,me,me” going on and little room for much else.

I mean, when we’re all caught up in our own shiz –think about it  — Basically we’re walking around with our heads up our own razzmatazz. <—mental image anyone? Because I’m not going there.

Here’s the thing about being self-absorbed; self-consumed: the YOU in you is absorbed. Consumed. Digested and turned to…well… you know. Basically- you lose yourself.

So….I guess.. we better

Forget Self before we Wreck Self.

That is all.

• Oh, um .. do you like BBQ? lol.

 

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Moment of Zen: You Can Find Joy in the Scale

Twas the night before Christmas and what did I see?

The first commercial signaling the New Year to be.

I let out a giggle and then I just sighed.

Lets tighten our belts and enjoy the ride!

On Diets, On Treadmills, On Low-Carb, and Cheat Days

On Fat-Free, on South Beach, On Alli and the latest craze!

Although I didn’t actually write that until just now. I actually have no idea where that came from. It just came out.

On Christmas Eve I just giggled and sighed and thought “It’s On.”

I saw the first of what I knew would be an onslaught of diet and fitness marketing that occurs every year.

I was amused because I imagined a lot of people would take issue with a theme of the commercial. I haven’t heard a peep though.

I FINALLY found the spot online to share with you:

You can find joy in the scale.

My thoughts?

I’m not getting my ED panties all up in a wedge over this. Not at all.

(I actually have this magnet on my fridge)

 

The fact is people CAN gain joy, freedom, and confidence as part of their weight loss journey. The fact is we DO have an obesity epidemic in this country and a national norm of compulsive eating.

 

Weight loss does not guarantee perfect health or happiness, it is not an answer to depression or insecurity. This commercial doesn’t promise that.

And some people? Well, we get sick and develop eating disorders. Maybe we start to believe the ONLY way to get joy is from the scale. Maybe it started as a diet. Maybe not.

But we don’t “catch” eating disorders from Special K commercials.

I give props to Special K for marketing weight loss using an appeal OTHER than aesthetics, swimsuits and skinny jeans.

Special K gets WAY under my skin with their commercials, so I’m actually surprised I’m Ok with this one. I mean…their models never EVER need to lose much weight. Or any.

I wish they had obese people jumping up and down in the commercial above, but obese people (apparently) only belong on reality TV. I guess. Whatever. It’s Fine.

It’s a normal-people world and we’re just living in it.

Does it send a WRONG message? Depends how you look at it.

Does it send a POSITIVE message? I think so, no matter how you look at it.

 

That is all.

Please weigh in. <—Pun Intended and Enjoyed Thoroughly.

PS-

I have not seen this particular commercial again but I have seen other spots from the campaign. These other spots kind of elaborate more on the theme of the campaign and I think they do much more in promoting a culture that embraces weight loss for it’s emotional and health benefits rather than the perfect number and size. They use a women on the street approach with more dialogue that shows our anxiety over a number and then surprises us.

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Hail to the V? Hail to the Yeah.

 

I was watching late-night television in a twilight sleep when a certain commercial roused me.

It was a Summer’s Eve commercial expounding the power and glory of…

”The V”

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I feared I dreamt the whole thing as I feverishly googled it and found nothing the next day. That was weeks ago.

I finally saw it again last night and this time my internet search was a success.

Have you seen it? If not take a minute. (If you want).

Douche is a product with a history of offending feminist sensibilities. I don’t want to get into that. I just want to celebrate this fresh spin on marketing to females. About their vaginas.

For once, a feminine hygiene (<—don’t like that term) product is being sold as…a feminine hygiene product. No fields of flowers; no fluffy clouds or white dresses. No hushed conversations between mothers and daughters.

This is the first advertisement I’ve seen where the vagina is referenced, albeit indirectly.  Loud and proud, except not really.

The slogan isn’t “Hail to the Vagina.” It’s “The V.”

But “Hail to the Vagina” doesn’t really work anyway.

I came across another Summer’s Eve campaign that I can’t get over.

Can you guess what this “talking hand” is supposed to symbolize?

Georgia O’Keeffe would be proud.

This particular campaign is causing some controversy – I won’t weigh in on that but it is interesting. You can watch the story here. (I highly suggest you do). 

So the vagina is no longer as taboo as it once was. How about that?

I think we can thank Oprah.

And Betty.

I don’t douche. None of my friends do, either. Is this new modern campaign targeting women of our generation? Me thinks so.

But, while I appreciate the commercial, I’m not buying it. I’m fine, thanks.

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Moment of Zen: My Flaws are Flawless?

I’m an advertising and marketing lover. Yup. I watch TV commercials for sport – it’s the only reason I watch the Super Bowl.

Fruit of the Loom’s recent commercial is just one example of my habit.

I watch. I ponder. I analyze.

Have you seen this one?

On the surface, it seems this commercial is selling positive body image. Nothing wrong with that, right?

BUT why does the commercial “work”?

It “works” because the women featured are – well, they stand out. They aren’t what we’re accustomed to seeing. Because they are… flawed in society’s eyes? I guess? How sad.

Can you imagine the campaign pitch? “A large curvy women enters and proclaims…”

I feel the commercial subliminally perpetuates that “body flaws” exist. It acknowledges, in a way, that there is an ideal body.

The underlying message of defiance— in my mind–implies guilt. That’s not healthy.

Why not use “plus size models” and just sell underwear full stop? Why call attention to their flaws or lack thereof?

Besides…at the end of the day? Those women are flawless.

Would the commercial “work” if we saw women like this declaring their flawless factor?

I don’t think that would sell much underwear.

• Any thoughts?

 

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Moment of Zen: PETA Porn

I like PETA, but I’m no card-carrying member. I’m not 100% vegetarian.

I’m also not a fan of PETA’s guerrilla tactics and over-the-top protests. They seem wasteful and lascivious most of the time.

I mean, let’s face it. It’s a naked chic. Most men will check her out and proceed to the nearest hot-dog stand (or make their own hot-dog stand. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

Point being: The message gets lost.

However, for the most part, I’m down with PETA. I don’t like animal cruelty, I agree with many of the their messages (if not the delivery) and they’re not hurting anyone, right?

Hmmm….

I’ve been wondering if PETA’s racy communiqués aren’t just another cog in the media machine that is perpetuating fat bias.

Is PETA just adding to the media soiree encouraging women to diet while promoting vegetarianism as a weight-loss tool*? 

*A controversial and problematic claim but don’t get me started.

Not to mention objectifying women in the process. Because being vegetarian is sexy. Everyone wants to be sexy.

PETA seems to like using sex to sell.

All of this is standard marketing and advertising ammunition. PETA is not alone in employing these techniques. Why? They work.  #nothatingplayerhatinggame

However, when an advertisement is more accusatory and hurtful than anything else it only spreads negativity.

The message is lost. These ads do more damage than they do good.

Shock value isn’t always the best bargaining currency. You know, catching more flies with honey than vinegar and all that.

I can imagine a few Mom’s seeing this billboard and pulling their mini-vans into the nearest drive-thru for pit-stop just for spite. #tickedoffmamas

And if you were a kid in that mini-van would eating a hamburger take on new meaning? Would your Happy-Meal become a Guilty-Meal?

Would you automatically associate eating a hamburger with being fat –or worse, eating ANYTHING with being fat?

Just some random thoughts.

Care to add any?

 

 

 

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I’m Not Buying It

Every product or company has someone, somewhere boycotting it. Guaranteed. Consumers can choose not to add dollars to the profit coffers of companies that offend their political, environmental, or humanitarian sensitivities.

I’d love to be a well-educated and ethical consumer but, to be honest, I’m lazy. I keep meaning to make sure my products aren’t tested on animals and that none of my dollars go to Monsanto, but…(but what?).

(Source)

There are products I will NEVER buy for personal reasons. Some products just fizzle my twinkle. Just because.

I’m not proselytizing or trying to start an intelligent debate. I DO mean personal reasons. 

Sometimes, It’s because their mama dressed them funny.

Wine in a plastic bottle? I’m not buying it. No matter how “green” it is.

Here are 3 products that get my “That’s SO Wrong” stamp of disapproval and why.

1. Kleenex Hand Towels

Clever idea. Pure marketing genius, in fact. I admit, I’ve never understood the “hand-towel” concept (they’re just for show, right?). But come on! Don’t we kill enough trees already? If you’re rich enough to afford souped-up paper towels for your bathroom, please install a hand dryer instead. 

Ahh…much nicer.

2. Fruit2Day

*Deep breath* I need to calm myself. This product really irritates me.  I’ll try and be brief.

Basically, it’s juice. JUICE. But they sell it as fruit. Because…(because why?).

Because evidently “it’s hard” to eat five servings of fruit everyday.

And why eat fruit when you can buy a product proclaiming to be REAL fruit.

 

REAL fruit. In a bottle. Created for the TRUE FRUIT LOVER!!

The fruit-lover who loves fruit, just not eating it.

After all, who needs fruit? With all it’s requisite chewing.

And Cutting.

So tiresome. So difficult.

And fruit makes a sticky mess! Have you seen the commercials? A woman is working at her desk and bites into a peach. The juice EXPLODES everywhere, rendering her hands useless (?) so when the phone rings she tries to answer it with her foot.

Really? REALLY? Is eating a piece of fruit at your desk really that hazardous?

Please buy fruit, people. Pretty please? It’s not that messy.

       

3. Abilify

You’ve seen the ads. They’re ubiquitous. Every channel, all the the time. Why? Because this company thinks everyone should be on drugs. 

Abilify is an anti-psychotic drug developed to treat bipolar and schizophrenia. Then, in typical big-pharma fashion, they decided to tap into another revenue stream and medicate people who’re already medicated!

So they invented the term add-on depression treatment. Essentially, what they’re selling is a drug to treat, not depression, but depression treatments! It’s a drug treatment for your drug treatment.

My brain hurts.

Yes, these are the things I think about. I am obsessed with marketing and advertising and I could keep going. In fact, I probably will.

Maybe I’m crazy. Quick! Someone prescribe me something.

• What products are you hating on?

Ps- I do not take, nor would I, psychiatric medication. It’s not right for me. I understand some people benefit greatly from it. No judgment. (0:

 

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Moment of Zen: Shape-Up Little Girl?

Shape-Ups.

We’ve all seen them. Ridiculous looking shoes delivering the promise of…well, what exactly are they promising?

Is it good health or something more?

Watching this video makes me wonder…..

Screw it…I know what they’re “promising.”

Whatever the promise,  they are now marketing them for little girls.  

This is causing controversy.

In light of the Abercrombie padded bikini debacle I understand the concern. I mean, really?

Little girls absorb the messages society sends.

They’ve seen the sexy commercials. They hear the Moms talking (if they’re lucky not their own Moms). They know Kim Kardashian’s buttocks are coveted. (By who?)

Let’s face it - little girls are kind-of screwed.

It’s up to us to change things, and the best way to do that is start with YOU (Me). Sometimes we need to say:

“Aw, hail Nah!!”

The commercial for little girls is fairly innocuous. I mean, unless you count the fact that “she’s got the height” and “looking good” and evidently leaving cupcakes, hotdogs, and an ice cream cone in her wake (watch it again if you missed it) as she proceeds to “get everything a girl wants.” 

*ahem*

Yet…sometimes I think we need to relax.

The company says they are simply promoting exercise. (Yet not in the commercial, obviously).

What about the little guys? Don’t they need health too?Sketchers explains they are marketing for girls first, just as  they did for women. If demand proves lucrative they’ll roll out the product for little boys (Yeah, not gonna happen).

I don’t know how to feel. However, I am not outraged. Uncomfortable, yes. Outraged? No.

Part of me is just…accepting. It is what it is.

Is that sad?

Society dishes the stuff we demand. We eat it up with a spoon. Cyclically, we swallow what society dishes. Unless, of course, we start to think for ourselves.

The change needs to start with us.

Capitalism, consumerism, marketing…it’s what I studied in school and I’m pretty much a nerd about it. I love analyzing this stuff.

Your thoughts?

PS – I really love the little girl’s Twinkle Toes. Why can’t they market them for women???

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