Recently, I go to go to a charity gala for the first time in my life.  This reminded me of another way in which many professions (but I'm speaking of legal since that's my field) are not being inclusive: having annual formal parties for the organizations where ticket prices are obscene and unaffordable.  I first encountered this in law school and it definitely gave me a very negative impression of what the legal field and my own law school thought of me or my relationship with my eventual husband (NOT a lawyer and definitely never made close to large law firm associate pay).

This is the dress I wore to that charity gala as well as my wedding and a masquerade ball (where this pic comes from).  The scarf is very cool and I actually bought that dress off Amazon many years back.  The file was big but an example of the dress is really most relevant here.

This is the combination of 2 different ideas I had on the topic (my experiences trying to find a roommate when looking for a new place a while back & explaining the difference between a good roommate vs. a bad roommate).  I also think one eventually ages out of being able to have roommates, say if you've been married or you're past a certain age since frankly nobody needs to be policing your sex life when you're into your adult years or are going through a divorce.  Some of the requirements I've seen for roommates in NYC would make you think we lived in a field of convents.

This is a pic of the kitty who lived in my old place who was totally neglected and I'd have totally taken if I could.  I know she's not getting proper care with that shithead who threatened me.  I'd much prefer kitty roommates but they usually can't afford rent.

Reflecting on what my life was like last year, my regret in not sending the link below to the boss of that firm and an endorsement for a little movie that's still relevant today, "Office Space."  This pic has some of the people from the movie in it and if you've seen it, you'll know which main characters are seen in it.

Here's a link to the song I mention (if you hate rap music and you're my age or younger, don't talk to me): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axJVs-OseS8

They say volunteering is a good thing and something you should do in life.  I've been trying to find my project and jam since I've lived a lot and have tons of life to share with people but have only discovered that no one REALLY respects or values my personal skill set and that all the people who've asked me about joining a board over the years aren't aware of something I recently learned.  Drumroll please....

Board membership in NYC is nothing but a big fat money racket with no concern for someone's character, life experiences, personability, gorgeous wardrobe of formal attire or passion.  Prove me wrong; I dare you.

I saw this image years ago in NYC back in the Bloomberg days.  I feel like it really sums up so much in NYC even in the present day.

If you're a natural redhead sick of the 10 year old girl standards for "down there," you'll appreciate this one.  If you are just sick of those standards generally and have sensitive skin problems or a man who refuses to deal with his own "down there," then you'll probably also appreciate this.  It's not an episode for you Puritans or your little children but it is something that needs to be said.

I saw this on the Thinx website and the first statement they make on the topic is "what you do down there is up to you."  Let's keep that in mind when we're trying to attack women for not wanting to get skin irritation or look like 10 year olds down there.

Between Hulu documentaries and a creative contact posing the question, I've got the answer to this as well as what needs to happen if you ever hope to change it.  Why are we continuing this pretense of talent, training and affability if it all comes down to who will screw the CEO's/head producer's brains out in bed?

This piece I saw at the Bowery Art Gallery kind of says it all, don't you think?

Discussion on Christmas coming up, how things are going and where I'm at vs. where I've been.  This pic is one I saw of Pop figurines of Cousin Eddie and Clark Griswold from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  I plan to watch that with the cats before I go out of town since it's a classic worth seeing & so the one kitten will see why you don't chew on electrical cords.  Hopefully these kittens will listen to me on this point.

I hadn't considered this topic in years and read about it more recently.  It seems more people are on board with it now but I say it depends on your family dynamics and situation.  I'm against it if your family refuses to see you as an adult, your family is dysfunctional (so not fiscally responsible or rich enough to save a dime for your future nest egg) or you could do better getting a roommate and paying a real landlord.

It's long been a theory of mine but recent events have made this topic even more real to me.  Yes, you absolutely will create violence in people and I tell you exactly how that happens without medication and what you can do if you actually want to change that vs. engaging in theater where you pretend to care about reducing random shootings.

Saw this on a trip to I believe a weekend flea market in NYC; ignore Warhol's face since he's irrelevant to this topic.