Stuff Has Been Done!!!

After a glorious two hour nap following dismissal from school yesterday, I felt energized enough to get a lot of stuff done!! ("Energized enough" is a complete overstatement, but hey, whether I was fully conscious for it or not, I still did some werk.)

Disclaimers: Despite my constant struggle to stay awake, I am not an avid coffee drinker and did not partake in any caffeine consumption during the making of this post. (Maybe I should have.)

I drafted my cover story void of the quotes I am going to be using from Kelly. She is answering my questions and turning them over to me by this coming Tuesday.

Overall, I am very happy with the makeup of my cover story thus far. It discusses the roots of feminism, the reasoning behind the movement, and where it stands today. My depiction of current feminism includes the differing branches of it and the problems inherent in it. I also incorporated a few witty lines from previous blog posts I made during the research portion of this project. (Throwback Thursday, am I right?)

As if I hadn't already fulfilled enough responsibility for one day, I ventured onward. *gasp* (Yes, this is surprising because I am now a fourth quarter senior and desire to do absolutely nothing.)

I constructed the feminine emblem that will be featured on my cover. It's a little flimsy, but as long as I use competent models, I think it will work. If it gives me problems, though, I plan to reinforce it two-ply by tracing it onto the second poster I purchased (in case of a screw up) and then cutting it out and pasting the two together.  Yay. This is the before and after.

And finally, I decided to start collecting some opinions on the definition for "feminism" by tweeting out a plea for input. I don't go on Twitter a lot, but when I do, I am extremely annoying.

Despite my three very obnoxious attempts, I only got three responses. I am planning on approaching random people in school so I can get some more variety. (You can't scroll past me in person. Ah, the beauty of real life interaction.)

I am finally starting to see everything come together and I am super excited. Tonight, I am going to post on Facebook asking for feminism definitions which will hopefully add some more age range to the answers. And tomorrow, I am bringing my camera and feminine symbol to school so I can take pictures of Kelly as well as other volunteers with it.

WoO!

Sweet Relief

After a friendly exchange with Stoklosa, I am feeling reassured. I am on the right track and just need to keep at it. I am making some minor changes to my approach: I am going to combine artsy fartsy with nice and neat through a mixture of colors, plainness, charisma, and sophistication. I feel this strategy perfectly captures the seriousness of my topic while still appealing to the audience. Let's hope for the best.

Unfortunately, Lucid Press and I are getting a divorce. Turns out that love comes at a price, specifically $5.95 per month for only the basic plan. Not exactly long-term commitment material; at least not for me.

Tonight, I am going to be ditching the internet and messing around with Microsoft Word. I have already purchased the materials for the feminine symbol I am planning to use for the cover. Although the emblem will still be incorporated, I am going to alter the concept of my cover a tad. Once I have the actual photos, I will be able to showcase the change. Change is coming; you'll just have to wait for it. I will tell you, though, that the reasons behind this change are to clarify the symbolism behind my cover and to present it in a way that is effective. I feel this reconsideration of my cover is long overdue.

Things I still need to figure out/do:

1. The layout and look of the table of contents. I am thinking it won't deviate too much from the cover's overall tone, however it will feature photos based on the titles featured.
2. The cover story. I just emailed Kelli who will be adding insight to the makeup of it based on these questions I sent her:                                                                                                             Who are you? :) (a literal interpretation is fine, but if you want to delve into abstract concepts involving the universe and whatnot, you may)
   
   Define feminism in your own words.
   What does feminism mean to you personally?
   What do you find are the biggest issues concerning modern feminism, if any?
   What do you feel is the best way to tackle these issues (no need to elaborate on all of them if there's a lot or if you're lazy)?
   What are some positive aspects of modern feminism that you've noticed, if any?
   What inspires you?
   Feel free to add anything you feel would contribute to the article. I am going to use her answers to highlight my research and to shape my argument. I am also going to ask the other models for my cover to define feminism, which I will feature either in the article or on the cover itself. This will add an array of responses in order to highlight the differentiating perspectives of feminism due to ignorance, intolerance, and misconception. 
3. The photos; I plan to have all photos by this Sunday.

I believe that's all for updates. Over and out!

(That was dumb.)

Changing the Game

Okay Stoklosa and Co., I've run into some issues.

The all powerful and highly adored Nick Lopez alerted me to the fact that this project is due in roughly two weeks. (!!!!!!!!!) Being away, in Tampa and New York, consumed up two weeks of my time without me even realizing. Amazing, life is wonderful.

Dramatic sarcasm aside, I really need to haul booty for the next two weeks. I am proud of and confident in the research and planning I have done, but nothing concrete has actually been produced. I have the context, but not the content. Yikes.

I have decided to shift gears a tad to make things a bit more convenient for myself. Given that Jania and I are hardly acquainted and that she has her own massive project to complete, I've decided to seek out another subject for my cover story. I am thinking of using either Kelly Soluri, my pal from class, or Nick Lopez, my soulmate. Both are a lot more easily accessed and comfortable choices. (I can't believe I'm talking about fellow human beings here, but that's another issue for another day.)

I've also decided to infuse a bit more vibrancy and creativity into my magazine. Up until now, I have been aiming for a clean, sophisticated aesthetic, but I don't think my content or where my magazine is heading align with that look. I am going to spruce things up a tad to appeal to the portion of my target audience that may showcase some hostility toward my magazine. Because my topic is so profound and frowned upon by some, lending some of my quirkiness to the work will prove for much better reception from my theoretical audience. It will also be a better use of my personality and skill-set.

Tomorrow I am declaring a Fembrace Frenzy. Because I have absolutely nothing to do tomorrow (can it really be so?), I am dedicating all of my time to collection and design. I am going to purchase the materials I need for my cover photo and any other photos, design my layouts, and plan with my subject when the photo shoot for the cover will take place (I am hoping for this Saturday).

Let's make things happen, yo.

Joomag Help

After over-confidently attempting to figure out Joomag by myself, I decided that 30 minutes of staring at a blank page was doing nothing for my project. It is time to let go of some of my pride; coming back to you guys live following some tutorial videos.

*P.S. I got a college acceptance today and am very happy :)*

Because I have not as of yet collected any images or content for my magazine (lol), I am going to utilize the basic functions of Joomag by working with images I already have saved on my computer. (Sorry for the surplus of headshots.) My main issue as of right now involves getting the font I want to use on one software to transfer to this one. Wish me luck.

                                                                                                                                                                  

Twenty minutes later, and this is what I've been able to produce.

I appropriately saved this photo to my laptop under the name "fail". I think I better find another software or a better tutorial. For now, I am moving on to a software called Lucid Press. If anybody out there can help me out though, please feel free to comment or utilize the submissions box to the right.

                                                                                                                                                                  

Lucid Press and I fell in love at first sight. Here is our baby (obviously not a genuine representation of my magazine.) 

The resolution after downloading it and uploading it to this post is of poor quality, however, the actual software showcases all elements of the cover crisply and clearly. I am sooooooo happy.

Tomorrow, I am emailing Jania and will begin to construct my cover story. I am also going to continue with forming a legitimate version of my magazine layout now that I have the perfect program to facilitate that process. Yay :))

"Elizabeth Liones." Dragon Wizard Wikia. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.

Making Things Happen!!!!

I am in New York and having a wonderful time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, there is work to be done.

I am about to tackle the cover story pertaining to my magazine spread. I am going to outline my ideas here for both the content and photos, and then attempt a very rough outline of what the layout will be. I am still planning on using Jania, but she gave me a few other names of people who would be of great use for my project. But, since I'm away, for now we will call my subject "Fem".

My article is going to revolve around the current problems inherent in the feminist movement. Since my magazine is targeting the acceptance and celebration of all people, it would be smart to incorporate the issues it doesn't stand for in order to make clear its purpose, especially for the first issue.

So, first, I am going to gather information about Fem's general life: full name, hometown, occupation, hobbies, leadership positions: basically, I'm presenting Fem with a mock college application. (Fem will feel the pain I've felt all year, if he/she hasn't already.) It will be really important to me when writing my article, as well as to the readers when the final draft is complete, to have a full scope of Fem's life woven into the words.

Next, I am going to ask Fem to simply define feminism. I am also considering uploading a public survey asking participants to complete that exact same task. I then will implement these definitions into the introduction; an array of responses will help provide some context for my story as well as help my readers identify with the situation of my text. Perhaps their own reply would align with one of the answers I gather.

Afterward, I am going to digress from Fem for a bit and discuss some of the findings from my feminism research. Then, I am going to analyze those findings, make my own argument, and Fem will come back into play with support through his/her own observations, data, and testimonials. The purpose of my cover story is to highlight the overall theme of my magazine, and through this informative and inspiring article, I believe the message will get across.

I am planning on having a photo shoot with Fem, most likely out of school. I want the photos to feature Fem doing what he/she loves, as well as embracing her self. (Perhaps I will capture a mirror shot, a silly shot, and a hobby shot.) I am trying to make my magazine as clean, sophisticated, and neutral as my 17 year old self can, so the best decision to ensure the mature aesthetic I am aiming for would be to remove it from the juvenile school environment. Still, Fem most likely will be a teenager, but other components of the layout will blur over the age. The reason I am trying to elevate the stature of my magazine is because I am trying to appeal to a wide range of audience members. If I go in the direction of flashy and too artistic, I may come off as childish and not appeal to an older crowd. I believe the liberal topic will be enough alone to maintain the younger audience population.

Here is a ROUGH sketch of my layout. Yes, I know that it's really boxy and choppy. Once I actually have my content and a better software, it will be much smoother. The font is not necessarily going to look like this, either. And of course, actual cohesive sentences will be present.

   

Tomorrow, I am going to hardcore attack a ton of different magazine design programs and pick one that will work for me. Stay tuned!

FemArt

As much as I tried to convince myself that I would work tirelessly on this magazine whilst away at the Florida State Thespian Festival, my attempts proved pointless. Although I did not even take my laptop out of its bag, I still observed a lot, amongst the 8,000+ drama students, that actually relates to this project. I thought I would share some of my findings with you. If you wanna learn more about thespians, however, click this.

During the brilliant performance of Romeo and Juliet that my troupe saw Friday night, I was captivated not only by the immeasurable talent, but also the casting choices involving many of the male roles being played by females. The young women did not stage sex changes, however, they merely performed the roles as masculine women. Theatre's transformation for women has officially taken itself to the opposite side of the spectrum. What started as an exclusively male activity (women were prohibited from performing on stage until 1660) has become a female dominated profession. And now, seeing a student-directed masterpiece take a classic play and decide to defy gender roles is nothing short of empowering.

I also witnessed the dramatic impact my own troupe's one act piece, Emotional Creature, had on the lives it touched during its performance. Emotional Creature is a one-act play that exposes the many abuses women around the world suffer. Although the play incorporated the "victim complex" into most of its monologues and scenes, the ultimate message of embracing women as equal to men nestles nicely into the premise of my project. I've attached a clip of a monologue from Emotional Creature here.

Now, I know I said in my first post that my magazine would not be about drama, however, I find that the influence art has had and continues to have on this powerful feminist movement is imperative to at least recognize throughout my research and final product. This is why I am including the digital print inspiration board and am planning to incorporate more of the arts into my magazine's concept.

As I head to New York tomorrow morning, I am nervous about stalling my project's progress. Tonight, I am making a schedule for myself to follow for the rest of spring break.

"About." Florida State Thespians. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.

Mabillard, Amanda. "Women and the Elizabethan Stage." Women and the Elizabethan Stage. N.p., 20 Aug. 2000. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.

"Nose Job - from Emotional Creature -." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.

Calling All Covers

I found this and am feeling completely relieved that I won't have to construct the aesthetics of my magazine cover without guidance. I knew what I was going for, and alas, the internet knew, too. I'm going to post a couple covers that I am really digging here, explain why I dig them, and then, I'm going to dabble in designing my own. (If it wasn't already apparent from my the name of my blog, I have an affinity for alliteration.) (I'm sorry.)

This first cover inspires me specifically with the title. It's artsy yet simple, quirky yet elegant, all at once. I also enjoy the caption. It describes the picture so subtly and appears as though it is acruelly a part of it. I love the neutrality of the color scheme; however, I think mine will be a little brighter. Also, I don't think my background will be the entire image and backdrop.

This next cover appeals to me mostly because of the artistry. It almost feels like a movie poster promotion. Although my cover will definitely include more prominent text, I love how entrancing this cover is.

For my own cover, I am feeling the photo in black and white, with the text and female symbol in one distinct color or color scheme. I am thinking hues of red, orange, or pink. This rough design was generated by a computer program I have called paint.net and is probably not what I will use due to the lack of precision and quality I am finding in this first draft.

I don't know why this image's quality is so poor, will work on that. *This is not a final decision whatsoever.* Drawn lines denote text (except for the one under "fem").
 Feel free to critique, commend, or rip to shreds by commenting below.

Paint.net. N.p., n.d. Web.

"70 Most Beautiful Print Magazine Covers." DESIGN Dose 70 Most Beautiful Print Magazine Covers Comments. N.p., 23 July 2015. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.

Inspirations

 I've created an inspiration board through Pinterest to gauge a look for my magazine and to compile topics that will inspire its content. It can be found here. (I don't know how Pinterest works but feel free to pin things to it you think would help if you're able.)

I'm also going to attach some images from the board that I feel are spot on with what I am going for and why, and then some images that I and my magazine are completely against and why.

This is tackling the stereotype of gendered clothing. It reminds me of the Target scandal involving gender-neutral clothing that seems to not bother anybody anymore. I also love the aesthetics of the image itself; the faded tie-dyed background symbolizes the call for gender neutralization of fashion/aesthetic choices. This could be a theme/look that inspires the look of my magazine. This image is also encouraging me to explore a fashion column for my magazine that defies this specific attire standard.




        This reminds me of the experiences I had with the girls in my drama program as well as with my sister and mom. Although my magazine is for everyone, girls hating on each other is a huge problem for the feminist community and indeed was an inspiration for my magazine. Simply, we have to unite. In order to do so, we must call for the end to this specific problem. This or a similar image could be a part of the print inspiration board section of my magazine. I also am contemplating adding a story to my table of contents specifically covering this topic. There are many more similar "women for women" images on my pinterest board, so check 'em out!



I love this image. The artistry, the featuring of a black woman, and the message itself showcase a key aspect of what my aim is with this magazine. Again, this could be representative of something you would find in the print inspiration board of my magazine. I also looked up Bell Hooks and found that she is an author and activist who believes the broad topics of race, gender, feminism, and the impact of media cannot be studied as separate entities because they are all interconnected. This aligns perfectly with the idea of my magazine. I could perhaps even add a column called "Individual of the Month" for someone who advocates for and represents the embracing of everyone and feature her in my first issue.


Okay, so now onto images that I found to be depicting the convoluted versions of feminism.

Okay, so although the concept of virginity is definitely man-made and is currently perpetuated as a negative status, the term "virgin" actually is derived from Greek mythology and was coined as a symbol of strength and power. From there it was twisted into a frowned upon, man-hating concept, just as feminism was. Yes I completely agree that some historical male figures were huge culprits of discrimination against females. However, the men of today had nothing to do with it. Two things I would like to point out

1. Because the men this image is wrongfully targeting aren't even alive today, the inaccurate accusation it poses does nothing for the current movement of feminism.
2. Men are also shamed for being virgins, and sometimes even more so than women. Women also bash other women for being virgins.

This is one reason why when I told some male peers I was choosing feminism for my magazine subject they shot me disapproving looks. This is exactly the kind of thing my magazine is against.

This next image is simply false. There are so many things we think men are incapable of, simply because of their gender status. Emoting, expressing feelings, and listening are all stereo-typically being pegged as triumphantly feminine.  I also found this article that features statistics regarding custody cases discriminating against men due to the false perception that men can't raise children. This is most certainly a perception that my magazine is striving to discredit.

The last image is not necessarily wrong, but it is leaving out the rest of the entire human population. Feminism is the radical notion that people are people no matter what gender, ethnicity, race, size, sexuality, etc. and that everybody inherently deserves equal status, representation, and treatment. I guess that was just too long a definition to fit on the pink triangle. My magazine is promoting "people status" for all, not just women.





Something I've noticed about all the images I've deemed somewhat incorrect is that they focus only on the man vs woman struggle of feminism, leaving out everyone in between. My magazine, as I've reiterated probably an annoying amount of times by now, is for everyone.

I hope you enjoyed my inspirations.

The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

"Bell Hooks." Bell Hooks. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

"Bell Hooks Quote Charity Art Print - Recycled Paper." Etsy. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

"Defining Virginity." Defining Virginity. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

Derespina, Cody. "Target Going Gender Neutral in Some Sections | Fox News." Fox News. FOX News Network, 13 Aug. 2015. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

"Feminist Quote Print- Feminism Is the Radical Notion That Women Are People Digital Art Print - 5x7 Print." Etsy. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

"Life And Style on Etsy." Etsy. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

".logo.filled .inner, .logo:hover .inner { Opacity: 1; Fill: Url(#rollover); }." End-girl-hate. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

"Tardisdocta." Tumblr.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.

Planning

I am currently trying to plan out the making of my magazine to ensure I don't fall behind with everything I've got going on. (On top of everything, I got sick this weekend. Lovely.)

I would also like to clear something up and maybe correct something I've previously stated. I choose not to outwardly label myself as a feminist, but I do personally identify as one. It is the same as the fact that I choose not to go around boasting that I am an environmentalist, although I do believe in the preservation and protection of the Earth. I don't think the labels are necessary because

1. I don't feel I have enough knowledge about these topics or have acted upon these roles enough to earn a title.
2. I stand for what I stand for regardless of categorization; if our aim is to try and defeat stereotypes, I think a great way to start is to stop trying to figure out who everyone is by putting a name to their person. I am Suzie and I support full equality for every human being on this planet.

I hope this clears things up. If it makes you feel better I'll just say that for all necessary means of this project and my own life, I am, by my own being, in your vocabulary, what you would call a feminist. I hope that helps anybody who was previously frustrated with my view (and I'm sorry if it's only fueling your fire).

Anyway, I am thinking that because I will be away for the next two weeks, I want to start with gathering the written content for my cover, table of contents, and cover story first. Upon my return, I will acquire all necessary images. 

I think I'm really digging my first idea for the cover with the feminine symbol cardboard cutouts. I believe this will really get across that our humanity fits into every mold we've made, and that every person is equal regardless of these identifying symbols. Also, the feminine symbol is derived from Venus, the Roman goddess of love; perfect for me because love and acceptance are what my magazine is advocating and celebrating. Whomever becomes the topic of my cover story will be displayed in the center cheesing it up with the cardboard emblem.

I would like for my table of contents to include pieces that are both informative and inspiring. This section will have 2-3 images that align with the various stories I am going to feature. Some ideas I have for stories include

• What is the gender spectrum? An explanation of this concept featuring quotes, testimonials, and scientific research. I believe this is great to include in the initiation of my magazine so that readers understand the aim of my magazine as being for everyone.
• Pro-My Life This will be a highly opinionated, controversial column on the idea of individual choices. It will cover political and social decisions including but not limited to: pro-life, gay marriage, motherhood, gender choices, appearances, etc. 
• An inspiration board This will be a two-page, print collage of various inspirational quotes and images compiled from consumer submissions and research. It will feature some artists' names and websites for art up for purchase, specifically artists from minority communities who often face oppression. This will add to the celebration of people as well as help out those in need.
• Victim. Stories on different topics for different people of all genders, ethnicity, etc. who have dealt with the demoralizing experiences of rape, violence, oppression, discrimination, and stereotyping. This will expose the hardships all humans face that need to be stopped.

These are not concrete as of yet, but definitely feasible ideas I have in my mind.

For the cover and cover story I'm thinking it will be centered around Jania as how she identifies as a feminist and is active within the feminist community. She is also a part of the LGBTQIA community which adds to my idea of acceptance for all. But, we'll see who else I run into along this journey. She has her own project to work on and I keep writing about her here without having even finalized this choice yet. (I promise I'm not a weirdo.)

I also started exploring a magazine publishing/design program called Joomag. It allows you to upload PDFs and customize them into an issue. I have no idea if this will work for my project and I found myself completely flustered when trying to play around with it. Wish me luck.

There's a lot to figure out and it's all very overwhelming, but welcome to life, Suzie-Q.

No Going Back

After our class discussions in pods on Friday, the feminist within me was reawakened from her food coma. Mental disorders, although immensely important to society and to me on a personal level, were decided too broad a topic to tackle. Food, although yummy, just wasn't meaty or juicy enough for this substance-seeking gal. Although I would love to research more topics, time is running out and I must get started.

I am picking feminism, and I will tell you my various reasons and inspirations as to why. First and foremost, Jania from class made me realize that there's still so much for me to learn on this topic, which excites me. She also helped me come to terms with the fact that no matter what I do with this, it's going to offend somebody, and that is perfectly okay with me. Nothing but passive tension ever gets accomplished from biting your tongue.

I also decided upon feminism because of a social experiment I conducted. I initiated it unintentionally, but the results had many implications. Due to this past month being hectic (radiation treatment, makeup work, rehearsals, and a full-blown musical to put on), silly ole me didn't find time to go out and purchase a razor. My armpit and leg hair were left to prosper in this temporary freedom. I wasn't growing out my hair to make a statement or to attract attention; I didn't go out of my way for anyone to notice the hair growth's progression, but I also didn't beat myself up if I wore leggings that didn't go all the way down to my ankles. I definitely had more serious matters to worry about.

But, the rest of Cypress Bay High School didn't, and thus, the accidental social experiment began. First, in the dressing rooms during rehearsals and show nights, several girls noticed my armpits, contorted their countenances into disgusted positions, and asked me why I hadn't shaved. I stuttered back that I simply haven't had time.

 Then, this morning, my sister noticed my legs and armpits as I was about to go take a shower. I had finally found myself a razor and figured I might as well take advantage of a Saturday morning with nothing to do to complete the pending task. Upon first glance at my prickled skin, she called me "a slob" and "disgusting", but when I asked her why natural bodily hair was gross, she couldn't come up with any reasoning. "It just is." She then proceeded to inform my mom about my lack of a shaving routine, and she, too, sided with my sister on the fact that I am indeed "nasty".

So here I am, in the shower, realizing that in the encounter between those girls in the dressing room, my sister, and me resides a serious problem. Women everywhere are culprits of perpetuating social standards targeted at women; we often compete with each other and compare ourselves to each other to come out on top as the ideal, domesticated female. This upsets me.

To support this observation, I found this. Yes, these women are against the distorted versions of feminism that our current reality faces, but a lot of them are supporting ideas that demean other women, which is apparent in their posts.

And so, without further ado, "Fembrace" is born. This is the title of my magazine, but it isn't what you might be thinking it is. Inspired by my conversation with Jania, and my exchanges with females I am close to, I am constructing a magazine that celebrates everyone through the conventions of pure feminism, whether they decide to shave their bodies or not, have children or not, get sex changes or not, eat pudding or not, etc. My magazine is going to encourage men, women, and everyone in between to strive for equal status and acceptance no matter what they decide to do with themselves as individuals.

I'm having some mixed ideas for the cover including

1. Cardboard cutouts of the feminine symbol (see below) with different people fitting their faces into the circle parts of them.
2.  A couple of different looking people (varying styles, genders, sizes, amounts of hair, etc.) all hugging.
3. One individual (maybe Jania) who will be the topic of my cover story.

I really want my cover to have a "clean" yet ethereal feel to it, similar to "Cherry Bombe" (see my last post). I am really excited!!! I'm going to alter my blog's look and description a tad to accommodate my new idea. YAY

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2016.

"Women Against Feminism." Women Against Feminism. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2016.

Flirting With Food

So today, I am totally swerving away from the controversial topic of feminism. I am taking my first bite of another topic: food. [Yes, the ridiculously cheesy pun (pun-ception) was intended.]

Disclaimer: I am not intending for this post to be as long as my last because

1. I have no more free time this week.
2. Food's evolution is pretty self-explanatory (primitive humans were hungry, so they ate), and is not too relevant to food in print. If the history of food interests you, though, check this out.
3. My last post probably went on for way too long and was tiresome to read.

I always have a lot to say, though, so we'll see what happens.

I am approaching this topic by researching food as an art and how food is presented in the media. I am also going to play with my own vision for this topic.

Food magazines are one of the few print categories that are currently growing in popularity. Cookbooks were toast a long time ago, but using food, steamed or raw, as the center-fold of magazines has replaced DIY recipe following with truly artistic statements. This gourmet, elevated stature of food is due to the way the featured foods are selected, made, and finally staged. Many magazines utilize "artsy" lighting, angles, and scenery to frame their cuisine (dim lighting, serene locations, close-up shots, shallow focus, etc). Additionally, the foods promoted are often organic, GMO-free, and naturally derived using only fine, pure ingredients. Organic eating is no longer simply a healthy lifestyle choice; it has become an intricate part of self-identity rampant among self-acclaimed "hipsters" and artists. For an interesting, scientific perspective on the "hipster diet", click this!  For a statistical database delineating the growth of organic eating, BAM, here it is.

Side Note: Apparently there's a popular feminist food magazine. Pretty cool combo of categories, am I right? Check it out.

This is a particularly amusing and controversial cover photo, if I do say so myself.

Now, if we are talking about the image of food in the media, we cannot leave out social media.  With accounts under the name of "@FoodPorn" and trending hashtags including #foodstagram, it is clear that food has become a staple of social media interaction and popularity. My all time favorite, and something I would consider being inspired by for my magazine, is Instagram's "@NewForkCity". Started by a few close high school seniors (like myself!), @NewForkCity has taken social media by storm, having followers on both Instagram and its most recently initiated Tumblr account. 

In New York City, food is iconic. From the classic New York hot dog to the new but widely popular Black Tap milkshakes, the city's shelves are stocked with the coolest, biggest, cheapest and most expensive meals, snacks, and treats, all claiming to be the best. Considering the fact that I am moving to New York City this August, this topic would serve as a great way for me to explore all the food the city has to offer before I even get there. However, I definitely want to find a balance between healthy eating and gourmet gorging to promote simply, while also maintaining the artistry of grubbing in my spread. 

I explored several different current food magazines (20, to be exact) that are similar to what my vision is via this list. The one that really caught my eye was Edible Brooklyn. It combines the simplicity of presentation with the glamour of the food industry. Farmer's market by day, foie gras by night.

So, after all this research, I am not finding food as appetizing as feminism. Still, if I focus on New York City, or make it the topic of my sample issue, I believe I could do a lot of awesome research and designing for this topic, especially because I am going to New York City for spring break.

Also, embedding links is fun.

Also, I'm really hungry now.

"About." New Fork City. N.p., 10 July 2014. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

"Awesome Food Magazines You Should Be Reading." First We Feast. N.p., 26 Sept. 2014. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

"Cherry Bombe." Cherry Bombe. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

"The Cherry Bombe Shop." Cherry Bombe. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

"The Evolution of Diet." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

"Home | Edible Brooklyn." Edible Brooklyn. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

Khan, Amir. "The Hypocritical Diet of the Hipster." Usnews.com. N.p., n.d. Web.

"US Organic Food Market to Grow 14% from 2013-18." FoodNavigator-USA.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

Musing With Feminism

Quick mention: On the right side of my blog you can find a poll I've created to get some responses to the topics I am contemplating for my project. Feel free to share your opinion.

Anyway, today, I am tackling feminism. This topic is often associated with a variety of definitions, movements, and ideologies. Before I even delve into the print image of feminism, however, I am going to compile information on the growth of feminism, where it stands today, where it is going, and what I would particularly like to do with it if I end up using it as the basis of my project. 

Feminism's history is a little ambiguous due to the fact that there is no concrete charter of any sort that self-claimed feminists uphold. Of course, the concept is greatly apparent through history in women's rallies and protests for suffrage, equal wages, etc. Then, during World War II, Rosie the Riveter, in all her feminine glory, became a huge icon to women seeking equality and rightfully deserving it. Currently, there is no official documentation of the movement as a sovereign entity; it is more of a social phenomenon that has branched off into many different theories, studies, and causes. For more on its, history click this! or this! As women have exercised more political rights and personal liberties over time, the feminist voice has emerged to continue advocacy for gender equality, as well as prove women's worthiness of an equal status.

Now, I don't identify as a feminist. I choose not to label myself for several reasons, but the most relevant reason to this project would be my discontent with the image that is projected onto me if I claim myself as such. The negative connotation of the word "feminism" is primarily derived from and perpetuated by media. Because of the media's aggressive and misconstrued trend of feminism, the evolution and perception of modern-day feminism is completely skewed when compared to the movement's original intentions. Feminism started as a call for women to be politically, socially, and economically treated exactly the same way as men, which I totally stand for. However, through the media, different forms of feminism have emerged and have become more of an attack on men rather than a union with them, blaming them for the discrimination of women, as well as the stereotypes that surround women. In order for contemporary feminists to achieve their goals efficiently and respectfully, they might want to consider some new approaches. For more on the problems inherent within 21st century feminism, click this!

Although many women's equality movements are advocating for political rights such as the right to abortion, feminism has taken on many different social stigmas that it is fighting to defeat. These include "Free the Nipple", the trend for women no longer feeling forced to wear uncomfortable bras for society's sake, as well as for the removing of censorship when it comes to exposing naked breasts, and the trend of women growing out their leg hair and armpit hair, because if men aren't pressured to do so, why should we be? Although I do find some faults in the bra-bashing-brouhaha (bras are not legally binding), I do very much so agree with eliminating censorship of women's bodies in media and in real life, especially when it comes to menstruation and breastfeeding. Check out this story that inspired my embracing of feminine anatomy. If you don't feel like reading, it's about an art student's visual rhetoric project that captured a woman laying in bed with blood on her sheets and sweatpants, indicating that she was menstruating. Her image was removed from Instagram twice.

So after all of this, I decided to google "feminist magazines." Here is what I found:

Feminism in the media, for the most part, attempts to promote this flashy, reckless, fierce womanhood that is spreading like wildfire. After clicking on several of the titles and exploring the magazines' websites and blogs, I believe these magazines are trying too hard to conform to modern feminism. Instead of informing readers about feminism's roots/goals, they are isolating any non-feminist; threatening them instead of welcoming them. I'm all for girl-power, red lips and all, but I'm also for boy-power, and trans-power, and undecided-power, and human-power. If I decide to tackle feminism for the remainder of my project, I will definitely stray away from this mainstream image of it. (Even in the description next to "Off Our Backs", it states that it is exclusively for women. So much for gender equality.)

To wrap this all up, I have only two things left to say: I could very easily offend a lot of people if I don't choose my content carefully, and that exact challenge really excites me. I feel I could take this topic in a brand new direction.

Again, please feel free to vote in my poll. I am also going to set up a submission section of my blog for any other suggestions.

"Digital History." Digital History. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.

"Feminist Magazines - Feminist Majority Foundation." Feminist Magazines - Feminist Majority Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.

"History and Theory of Feminism." History and Theory of Feminism. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.

Law, Bridget Murray. "What Feminism Means Today." Apa.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.

Beginning the Process

I would just like to start off by saying that I cannot wait for it to be week three. By that time, I will (hopefully) be completely sure of the vision for my project and fully immersed in actualizing it. Beginnings are always uncomfortable and uncertain. Right now, my future magazine spread and I are just getting acquainted, making awkward small talk about what we think the next six weeks will produce. But, by the end of this project, we are going to be best friends.

Just a disclaimer: I am extremely busy. Always. From musical theatre based extracurricular activities to doctor's appointments to work to "I don't even know what I have to do today but I know there's a litany of obligations", I can hardly find time to breathe. But, I took this class for more than a GPA boost. I took this class to explore myself and to channel my observations and opinions through a facilitated, accepting environment. I am determined to do exactly those things with this project. 

My one problem now is that for the past four years of high school, I have made way too many observations and have formed way too many opinions. My spread simply cannot cover them all. My goal for this week is to explore my different ideas for this project, research them, and decide on one. Fickle-minded Suzie has a tough week ahead of her. 

Something I have already decided on is that fact that I will NOT be making my magazine about drama, whatsoever. I am more than my talent, despite the facts that I have chosen to exercise it 24/7 and that I plan to turn it into a career. I want my magazine to explore a different side of me, and maybe even reveal sides of myself I never knew existed. With a show this week and a drama competition the following week, however, it might feel out of character, so to speak. But, I'm up for the challenge.

Here are a some potential broad topics I have started to play with:

• Health
• Feminism
• Mental Disorders (testimonies and information; embracing of our imperfections)
• Acceptance (skin color, sexuality, oddities, quirks; celebration of everything and anything society has bashed for so long)
• Real Relationships (basically actual good advice and stories about what love and human connections are actually like)
• Food

Who even knows if any of these will materialize into my final product? Stay tuned...