Wednesday, May 05, 2010

The Annotated Vitamin C "Graduation" Song

I know, this is SO 8th grade. (Actually, it was probably nerdy in 8th grade, too!) But, I've been singing this song in my head for the past week, so I figured this would help me get rid of it, or at least, help me push off my physics homework.

Graduation

Vitamin C

And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives
Where we're gonna be when we turn 25
Not just last night. This is a constant conversation we have daily.

I keep thinking times will never change
Keep on thinking things will always be the same
So true, so true. I keep saying to my roomates, next semester I want to take this class, and next semester I want to start doing..oh. right. there will be no next semester.

But when we leave this year we won't be coming back
No more hanging out cause we're on a different track
Yeah, apparently people in their first year of law school don't hang out so often?

And if you got something that you need to say
You better say it right now cause you don't have another day
In the comments section, perhaps. Though this blog should still be around for a while.

Cause we're moving on and we can't slow down
These memories are playing like a film without sound
ok, this is just cheese. nothing more.

And I keep thinking of that night in June
I didn't know much of love
But it came too soon
It was March. But yeah, that.

And there was me and you
And then we got real blue
Stay at home talking on the telephone
That's pretty much been my last two winter and summer breaks.

And we would get so excited and we'd get so scared
Laughing at ourselves thinking life's not fair
I really, really want to start law school. But I'm terrified of leaving everyone I know. Especially a very special someone.

And this is how it feels

As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
Constantly. Also, facebook helps with that.
And as our lives change
From whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever
Will we? I suck at keeping in touch, so does he.

So if we get the big jobs
And we make the big money
That's what I'm going to law school for, right?

When we look back now
Will our jokes still be funny?
Some will. Some never, ever, were.

Will we still remember everything we learned in school?
Not a chance. I dare you to ask me about anything I learned in Meteorology sophomore year. All I remember is the sudokus I did during lecture.

Still be trying to break every single rule
Yes, but the stakes will be higher when you break rules as a lawyer or judge.

Will little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?
Can Heather find a job that won't interfere with her tan?
Last week, I played the board game LIFE with my friends. Let me tell you, it's not as fun when the things in the game are happening to you. I know a guy who will be a stockbroker, and I know a girl looking for a job on a beach. These are real people. It's scary.

I keep, keep thinking that it's not goodbye
That's what facebook is for, right?
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly
Well, that's not something I learned to do in college. Though I do want to go skydiving soon.
And this is how it feels
Free-fallin'...oh, right. that's a different song. We'll do that one soon.
[Repeat 1]

La, la, la, la:
Yeah, yeah, yeah
La, la, la, la:
We will still be friends forever
lalalalalalalalala....i'm not listening....lalalalalalalalala....don't tell me about real life...lalalalalalala

Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
being that we don't think now
Can we survive it out there?
Can we make it somehow?
Nope. I will live in a box. Or marry rich. Whichever.
I guess I thought that this would never end
And, that's what gradschool is for.
And suddenly it's like we're women and men
WTF? I have body parts?
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us 'round?
Will these memories fade when I leave this town
And again, facebook.
I keep, keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly
I really should sign up for skydiving.

Monday, May 03, 2010

Feminism: The Chaning Names for Marriage Post

I had a discussion today with some people, about 4 women and 3 men, about name changing. Long story short, 2 of the people in the group were dating each other, and got into their first argument over the issue. He adamantly hoped his wife would take on his name, she adamantly hoped her husband would not assume she would change her name. Interestingly, of the other 3 women at the table, all agreed that a woman shouldn't be forced to change her name, nor should it be assumed she would. Of the men, this guy and one other agreed that women should ideally change their names, and the third guy said he didn't assume his fiance will change her name (he is engaged to a very feminist woman, he's pretty feminist himself) but acknowledged he's probably in the minority among men.

One of the people said to me that this was indicative of a larger societal issue. I agree. It was so interesting to me to see the disconnect between the girls and the guys. I would guess that a majority of women have atleast considered whether or not to change their names when they get married, and much much fewer men have considered the issue.

I have a very simple solution to the societal issue. Women: refuse to date/marry men who don't want to acknowledge both of your heritages in your marriage.

We can change the way society views hyphenated names by ostracizing those who disagree with us. If this is an issue that many, many, women care about, and it involves marriage, it inherently involves many, many men, too. We can change them. I don't say that lightly. I know there will be men to whom hyphenating their name is an utterly despicable idea, and there are women who agree with those men. Good. Marry each other. But for the majority of women who are uncomfortable with a male-dominated marriage, and for the majority of men who are also uncomfortable with that, but won't admit it because of how they'd be viewed by society, force a change. It's simple, easy, and achievable. It can happen quickly.

Women, it's up to you. This is one place in feminism where the power to change is in the women's hands. Take advantage of that!