The Readers Have Spoken
Posted by Michelle Moquin on June 5th, 2010
Now it’s my turn.
Sonny: Well, I guess you got an eye full from my readers – They were certainly flapping their lips. – bet you wish you had kept your mouth(s) shut now. I say ‘mouths’ because you can’t fool me. I wouldn’t be surprised if you and ‘disappointed’ are the same person. In fact, I would bet on it. You are just a tad upset that I hit you where it hurts aren’t you? And now with all of the comments from my readers you probably just want to bury your head and hide. I guess it’s a good thing no one knows who you are so you can quietly disappear.
I’ll speak for myself as Zen Lill has already given her two. And FYI: I won’t be as gentle and accepting of your ‘points’ as ZL. Your points are not taken at all, and they are not accepted by me.
Pt1: Bragging about it “spoils any natural beauty that you have.”. I think Bert said it best, thank you, but I’ll add my two. If you’ve been reading my blog which I doubt you have, or you would know, my blog is rarely about me. And when I do speak about myself, I don’t brag about my beauty. Okay maybe a few times, but so what if I did? A fact is a fact as many of my readers have pointed out.
And another fact, besides posting a new picture now and then, which yes, I do enjoy doing, I prefer the attention to be off of myself and on the subject at hand which to me is way more important than a beautiful face. But, don’t misunderstand me, if my beauty is going to help get me where I want to go, if my beauty is going to inspire someone to take action in something that is important to me, then believe me I am going to put my pretty face out there along with the rest of my assets to get what I want. Don’t men do that too? The difference is, I’m going to use all that I have to get where I want to go without putting others down to get there. Which brings me to your next point….
Pt2: Bragging about it “is an insult to women who may not have these equal physical attributes” (being boasterous is an unatractive quality no matter who it comes from because not all can make those same claims.) I think Ike made a great point, but I’ll add my two also.
If you’ve been reading my blog, which now I’m sure you haven’t, you would know that the last thing I would do is make any woman feel uncomfortable reading my blog. I am a girl’s girl. My goal is to uplift women….my goal is to empower women…my goal is to combat the criticism and cruelty and give women the courage to stand up for themselves and not take this kind of crap that men feed them daily. Yeah, there’s enough men out there putting women down as you and aka: ‘disappointed’ have just displayed.
I’ll say it again: Most men and women who read know that I am a girl’s girl through and through. In fact, men like you who try to keep women down, who know how much I promote and support women, have often called me a man hater more than a few times on my blog. I deal with it. They call me a man hater because I expose men and the atrocities that men do against women, against our planet….whatever. And I will continue to do so until women take their rightful place beside men, and if we have to leave the men behind, so be it.
Pt3: Bragging about it “says that women are mere eye candy (and we all know that a woman is much more than her physical appearance)” Who said that women are mere eye candy? I never did, and the women who read my blog would never think that I would ever think that about women. That is a fact. And in respect to me basing my worth on my looks: I won’t even take the time to address that ridiculous statement.
So…why not dis ‘disappointed’? He’s the one who chimed in only when I posted Zen Lill’s photo. She’s been commenting on my blog almost daily for two years and he only makes a comment when I post her picture, to tell her she’s not all that. Obviously he’s been reading her comments but he only responds and comments over the ‘physical appearance’. Talk about someone who is only seeing ZL as mere eye candy. Oh yeah…but you can’t dis ‘disappointed’, you and ‘disappointed’ are one and the same aren’t you? Obviously that is what you think. It goes without saying that I am aware that there is so much more to women than their physical appearance. Do you? I think I’ve made my point.
However, don’t get me wrong, do I recognize physical beauty when it is in front of me? You bet. I recognize all the amazing qualities that women embody. Whether we want to admit it or not women are considered second class even in this country. So, as I said above, if a woman wants to use all of her assets: brains, beauty, charm, and whatever else, to propel her to where she wants to be, I say go for it, and I support her 100%. Again, if you were an avid reader of my blog you would know that about me….you would know that is how I feel about women.
As far as saying that, “good looking women (and you both are) are not rare”. I’ll just answer with, “Decent men (and you aren’t) are rare.”
My last point: I shine daily on my blog and it is not just because of my beauty, but from the readers that inspire me here every day. So go back into the archives and read, or stick around and read. You have no idea the type of girl I am. You’ll soon learn that your quick judgement of me and Zen Lill is way off, and you’ll be eating your word salad with fact free dressing. (I just had to use that again:)
So…Sonny aka, ‘disappointed’: I do have more to say to you. “Your ego got the best of you…your ego got bruised, and you’re taking it out on women. Typical of many men. Get over it. Women have to get over much worse things men say and do to women daily, and we have a lot more to endure than just a bruised ego. “
Doug: I love your poem – can’t wait to hear the words when you put it to music.
Linda: Right on.
D.C. Al: You said it better than I did.
Cybil, Julia, Ellen, Lois, Michelle, Regina, Barbara, Helena, Luisa, Marianne, Ito, Sua, Eileen, Dorrie, Noreen, Fredia, Marlene, Fala, Dung, Zela, and all the other girls that possibly tried to get in a ‘brag’ but couldn’t: I love it! – You are all beautiful in so many ways – keep bragging the facts!
PS I would love to say more about the other topics but I must go eat…I’ll address the other comments tomorrow. Thanks.
Peace out…
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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June 5th, 2010 at 11:11 am
I just commented on yesterdays post…ah well…I urge u to read that one…
I shouldve mentioned I was being tongue in cheek with the ‘points taken’ thing : )
And again, right on my women goomahds : ) that’s phonetic Italian speak for my girls(z ) ; )
luv, ZL
June 5th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
The silence is deafening. Eh, Sonny, er “disappointed?”
June 5th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Michelle your comments today are among your best ever. We love you here and we all want to be one of your girlz.
Kaylani
June 5th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
I can’t get in to say way to stick it to an asshole Michelle and Zen Lill.
June 5th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Thank you Michelle, I am so proud to be part of that group.
Dorrie
June 5th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Man, I wouldn’t want to be you “disappointed,” er, Sonny.
Kent
June 6th, 2010 at 9:30 am
$10 FIX FOR FOOT PAIN
My brother still plays basketball with his high school buddies, and over the decades they’ve collected their fair share of injuries along with their trophies –
including plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the plantar fascia (a thick band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toe) that causes stabbing heel pain.
This problem is not unique to aging athletes, however — it’s the most common reason people visit podiatrists and affects one in 10 people at some point in their lives, usually in middle age or later.
If you are overweight, a runner, have arches that are too high or too low or just spend a lot of time on your feet (especially on hard surfaces), you are at higher risk for this very painful condition.
Researchers recently evaluated various treatments for plantar fasciitis and got a bit of a surprise when they learned what works best — it’s simple, easy to use and can be bought for just $10 or so at your local drugstore.
I turned to James J. Irrgang, PT, PhD, president of the orthopedic section of the American Physical Therapy Association and coauthor of the APTA’s recently issued clinical guidelines for treating plantar fasciitis, to learn how his team graded the various treatment options.
But first Dr. Irrgang emphasized that if you’re dealing with your first bout of plantar fasciitis, it’s wise to see your doctor to make sure that this is,
in fact, the right diagnosis. He/she will also be able to provide advice about the various options for treating your condition.
HOW THERAPIES COMPARE
To identify the best treatments, Dr. Irrgang and his colleagues examined more than 50 published studies of plantar fasciitis and came to some unexpected conclusions about what does and doesn’t work. Grading the results, they found that…
Orthotics = Grade A. Orthotics were the surprise winner, with the most consistent evidence supporting their efficacy for plantar fasciitis patients
. Orthotic shoe inserts support the arch, distribute pressure more evenly and act as a shock absorber to lessen the impact of walking on the soles of your feet. It’s not all that clear why orthotics work, but they do — the researchers are sure about that part.
In fact, the research indicates that many people get the same result from off-the-rack orthotic inserts that cost $10 as from custom-made ones that start at about 30 times that price.
It doesn’t seem to matter whether you choose insoles made of foam or plastic (which have varying degrees of rigidity)
or opt for a felt arch insert, a rubber heel cup or a gel heel pad — studies consistently demonstrate that orthotics relieve pain and improve function.
To buy: Off-the-shelf orthotic inserts range in price from $10 to $95. There are different types for different problems — including those designed to help support arches or correct overpronation, supination, etc. –
so if you have one of those issues it might affect your choice. Custom orthotics, fabricated to fit your foot exactly, might be necessary if you also have bunions, hammertoes or various ankle problems,
but these are expensive, ranging from $300 to $500 or so from a doctor, and health insurance may cover only part of the cost (or sometimes none of it).
Whatever type you choose, count on using orthotics for at least three months, Dr. Irrgang said — longer if you find them more comfortable.
Don’t wear them just for walking or running — he says you’ll get the best results with continuous wear… by wearing them in both shoes even if you experience symptoms just on one side… and by getting new ones when you see signs of wear.
If you’ve tried the drugstore variety and they’re not helpful, Dr. Irrgang suggests asking your physical therapist or doctor if another type might be better for you or if you should try a different form of treatment.
Night splints = Grade B. For those who suffer from plantar fasciitis for longer than six months, Dr. Irrgang told me that there’s “moderate evidence” suggesting that wearing a night splint will help.
This device prevents arch and calf muscles from tightening up at night, which is what causes the debilitating heel pain that most plantar fasciitis sufferers experience first thing every morning.
Expect to wear the splint nightly for one to three months, longer if necessary.
Buying information: While older, rigid night splints were uncomfortable, now there’s a softer, sock-type splint that has mostly solved that problem and seems equally effective.
You need only one unless you have symptoms on both sides — they’re available online from the Hammacher Schlemmer catalogue (www.Hammacher.com), Footsmart
(www.FootSmart.com) or Amazon (www.Amazon.com) for $30 to $70.
Stretching = Grade B. According to Dr. Irrgang, stretching your plantar fascia and calf muscles can bring short-term pain relief and greater flexibility.
Here’s how to do it: Sit on the floor with one leg extended and the other bent, with that knee in the air.
Grasp the toes of the bent leg and gently pull up and toward you, straightening your leg slowly. You’ll feel resistance that gradually increases — go as far as (but not beyond) where it begins to hurt.
Hold for 20 seconds for five repetitions or for three minutes continuously, whichever you prefer. Repeat three times a day.
Note: Use stretching in addition to orthotics, not instead of them. In a comparison study, patients achieved better results with stretching combined with orthotics than with stretching alone.
Other Treatments = Grade C. Though massage, taping and/or ultrasound treatments help some people, there’s little research supporting the use of any of these approaches, Dr. Irrgang said.
That’s why researchers gave these therapies a grade of “C” — they might work… they might not. I asked Dr. Irrgang whether there’s any reason not to try them and he said go ahead — if it works for you, it passes the true test.
Source(s):
James J. Irrgang, PT, PhD, ATC (Athletic Trainer-Certified), FAPTA, researcher, department of orthopedic surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Irrgang is president of the orthopedic section of the American Physical Therapy Association and was part of the APTA team that assessed treatments for plantar fasciitis.
June 6th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Why do men feel they have carte blanche to critique women using their moral values?
June 6th, 2010 at 10:18 am
[...] Kaylani: Not sure if this is the same Kaylani that blogged awhile ago, but no matter…thank you for the kudos. :) Hope you are doing good. [...]