Saturday, September 26, 2009

See Jane at a Theater Near You


The day came, we reached a fork in the road, "Do you want to go to the purse party or meet Geena Davis?" To which I asked my new friend and driver, Louise, not her real name,
"Can you get me back safely by 2:30?"We made our getaway, and made it back in time to meet the school bus, without a minute to spare.

As we outgrow girlhood and move into different neighborhoods, we take on many traditional caregiver roles; wife, mother, mentor. It’s important we hold on to those old girlfriends and make new fast friends. Think Thelma and Louise and hold on to her tight.

Geena Davis Thelma herself, acclaimed actress, warmly greeted her girlfriends and former neighbors exactly two years ago, made an encore performance at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara, to a group of 300 women leaders from Fortune 500 companies.There really hasn't been much change, but change comes slow. If we change the way media represents women, we can change the world.
Davis raised awareness as she attempted to raise the microphone to accommodate her statuesque six foot frame. It wasn’t always a laughing matter; to be taller than the boys, to be smarter than the boys. As a Mensa member, she’s smarter than 98% of the population. Almost as an apology for possessing beauty brains and a perfect figure she developed a sense of humor, which runs in the family.

Her husband, Dr. Reza Jarrahy (means surgery in Persian) was destined to become a pediatric cranial facial surgeon, for those other than the upper 2% of the population that means cosmetic surgery on children's skull and face. They have three children, the eldest a daughter age 7 and fraternal five year old twins boys. Together they watch animated and family movies. Even among the best of the genre, it doesn’t take a genius to know that there are fewer heroines than heroes and many are gender stereotypes.

However it did take a heroine not only prove, but improve gender balance. Davis sponsored research at USC’s Annenberg School of Communication. The results were published over a year and a half and Geena Davis founded See Jane Los Angeles, an outreach project. With a raised conscious effort on all our parts; parents, teachers entertainment creators can reach new heights of awareness, so all children can grow up tall in themselves, head and shoulders held high.

She as all conscientious mothers are, is rightly concerned how our children must see themselves, or even worse do not see themselves. For example there are three males to one female on average in the top rated G-rated movies 1990 -2005. As her children outgrow preschool and as a mentor, Davis wants the media to reflect the way we value our sons and daughters, wives and husbands, brothers and sisters, and of course our best friends.

Davis wants this so much so she offered her time, talents and resources towards more education and research in media. With the exception of one grant from Nickelodeon, there hasn't been much funding to look at woman representation in film. However, Dr. Martha Lauzen (The Celluloid Ceiling) provides a wealth of statistics on women working in front and behind the camera. She and her team research and educate at the Center for Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State U.
Put your purse into it, buy tickets to a chick flick and for support take a friend. Check listings at a theater near you.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Baseball Has Been Good to Me


Not only the faces and places changed since the first recorded game took place on 6/12/1839 in a cow pasture on Cooperstown, so has the season.

Long past the traditional opening day, September 26, 2009 opens for the Miracle League of San Diego. Saturday throughout the fall come to the watch America's favorite pastime and see the faces of children with mental and physical challenges in a league of their own at San Dieguito Park. At a cost million dollars, athletes often passed over, some in mobility devices, glide over smooth bases. To play the game to the best of their ability, without obstacles is priceless. Teamed with a typical peer buddy the seeds of empathy grow to compassion upon the field of the kindest, safest surface. Friendships grow that can last all the seasons of our lives and into the next century.


The Miracle League of San Diego is a dream come true for Sue and Dan Engles and all the children and thier biggest fans.

http://www.miracleleagueofsandiego.org/

Friday, September 4, 2009

September 13-18 Restaurant Week in San Diego

It may not be an anniversary, birthday or corporate event , but there is a reason to celebrate by going to out to eat the meal you have been savoring up for. Sept 13-18 is Restaurant Week in San Diego offers 180 participating restaurants, offering 3 course meals at $20, $30, $40. That alone is reason to go out every night -don't wait-invite your lover, wife family or boss-let them know you celebrate them every day -this week.

SanDiegoRestaurantWeek.com

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

What to Do If A Shark Attacks

What if we see a shark?
I'm not sure, but the chance are rare, really rare.

Twice as likely to die from a bee sting then a shark bite, per Dr Trevor Long, Director of Marine Science at Sea World.

The rare happened in Carlsbad.

Any shark attack, one walks away from, as was the case at Terramar Beach, is a good encounter She received tooth puncture marks on her foot and thigh from a 6 foot baby white, and is being treated with antibiotics. Shark teeth carry bacteria, human teeth are also carriers and cause for infection.
I was stitched and treated with after my teacher's buck tooth daughter cut my eye in a game of Break on the school yard.

Most sharks don't bother you, except Great Whites and Makko.

It is really rare, really;

What to do if a shark attacks

Don't remain still, you can become easy prey.
Swim quickly and quietly to safety; reef, boat or shore.
Don't splash or thrash your arms and legs
If you see a shark rolls back it's eyes- it's about to attack.
Hit it with your best shot; fist or whatever you got.

Report all shark encounters.

Music to Everyone's Ears

Can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen, pack picnic basket you're sure to please all tastes in music under the sun, before it sets on summer.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/feature/free-summer-concerts/.