Internet Integrity

http://xkcd.com/137/

As usual XKCD says everything better than I could ever say it.

Such is the ever present conundrum those of us coming of age during the internet golden age and the worst economy since the great depression. We’re filled with an ongoing need to post every minor thought or achievement online but we also want a job. While “Drunk Literature with Kate R Canter” might finally boost me into YouTube glory, it’ll probably do more harm than good on job applications. Yet, an online presence is a prerequisite for many careers in media and literature. The results of a Google search might well prove to be worth more than the results of my SATs.

We’ve all heard the horror stories, people fired or arrested because they posted pictures of themselves committing unsavory acts or tweeted something awful. Fortunately, I was paranoid enough to stay away from anything that wasn’t perfectly legal and, unfortunately, never in a position of much esteem that I could ruin it by saying something stupid. My personal internet shame comes in the form of two myspace pages that I can’t remember the passwords for and a Travel Blog I started when I went exactly nowhere. I’ve deleted any incriminating evidence from my Facebook and Twitter but someone will dig up something I posted in seventh grade and use it as an excuse not to hire or publish me, I have no doubt. The internet is forever and we will all post something we regret.

But what about the posts you don’t regret? I recently posted a comic version of Paradise Lost filled with more cocks and boobs than I’ve ever drawn in my entire life. I put a lot of work into the project and I am still really proud of it. Still, I know certain portions of our society will be offended by frank depictions of Eve menstruating or Adam inventing domestic violence. A variety of people told me not to post it, or at least not to tell my family about it, to avoid the inevitable judgment.

And I struggled with it. I actively debated whether or not showing off something I was proud of would be worth the risk of distain, especially as I leave college and start sending out resumes. Eventually, as you can tell by clicking the link, I did post it and so far it’s been without repercussion, at least that I am aware of. I’m glad I drew it and glad I posted it but I still get that sneaking fear that it will cost me something to keep that integrity.

So what’s the answer here? I don’t think we should give up our internet integrity or live in fear of an anonymous judge but I don’t have a lot of pity for the #illegal crowd. Like anything else it comes down to personal judgment. Is what you’re proud of worth the risk of derision. If a person is willing to hire or fire you based on what you believe, do you really want to work or associate with them?

Sticking by what you love, or what you believe in, often has the unexpected bonus of filtering out people you don’t want to be associated with. If I post a righteous feminist rant about slut shaming and my employer fires me for “encouraging immoral behavior” or something else that hasn’t  happened to me but could, I don’t really want to be involved with them. Voicing certain opinions, especially on political controversy, will often have seemingly negative results but standing for one’s beliefs is always worth it.

(Readers! How many of you have worried about what you put online? Why? Have you had any repercussions based on something you posted? I am interested!)

How To Deal With Rejection

As a writer, student and young woman whose awkward phase lasted a decade, I am used to rejection. It took me a long time but I have perfected the best method for coping with the knowledge that a publisher, a school or that guy in your biology class doesn’t think you’re good enough for them.
1. Be Aware That EVERYONE Gets Rejected
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone got rejected twelve times by publishers. Someone said The Beetles “had no future in show business” Stephen King wrote four failed novels before his wife dug Carrie out of the trash. Everyone who’s ever done anything has dealt with rejection. You are in excellent company.
2. Be Aware That There Are Other Options

Whenever we talk on the phone, my grandmother likes to remind me that things will work out. Literally, there is no other option. Things might not work out like you plan but the world doesn’t end when you fail. Later you might find that failing at something you thought you wanted will lead to something you really need. There are a million possibilities for your life, most of which are unpredictable. They will lead you to where you’re supposed to be.

3. Eat Some Comfort Food
For me its bacon but comfort food is anything that makes you feel better the minute you eat it. If you’re worried about a shame spiral after consuming three pounds of bacon in the course of a half hour, you can also try comfort music or comfort books; whatever will take your mind off being rejected

4. Talk To A Sympathetic Friend

This goes along the same lines as comfort food. Talk to someone you know will be sympathetic. If you’re not sure who this person is for you, keep number 1 in mind. When I was fired in my freshman year of college from a truly awful food service job, I dreaded telling my parents, worried they would be disappointed in me. In fact, they were wonderfully understanding and told me about their own experiences with rejection. Of course, you know your friends and family best but I’d urge you to give people a chance to be supportive. They might surprise you.

5. Focus On Something You Can Control

Write a story or draw a picture. Do something you enjoy, even if you know no one else will ever see it. If you’re feeling extra positive (after all the comfort food) you can even update your resume or cover letter. Being proactive will help you put rejection in perspective and get back out there.

6. Remember, Rejection Means You’re Out There Doing Something

The only real failure is not trying at all. By being rejected, you have already gone further than most people ever do. You tried, and the worst part is over. You’ve been rejected and your still alive and you can still try again. Maybe this time, it’ll work out.

7. Try Again.

So you’ve called your mom, wrote a story and ate a lot of bacon. It’s time to reboot your resume and get back out there. Every rejection will make you stronger. Keep trying and you will succeed!

Perhaps I Am Secret: Feminist Retelling of Paradise Lost

Hey followers, remember how my first post was about Deism and religion, and how a most of you started following me because of Femme Fatale.

Well, I’ve combined the two for my John Milton class this semester, in a graphic retelling of Paradise Lost. It’s in color. You should click it.

Perhaps I Am Secret

WARNING: HERE THERE BE GENITALS, BOOBS and LITERATURE

Update: I fixed and now it’s better… sometimes I make things when I’m sleepy and they’re not as good.

 

Why We Need International Women’s Day

Yesterday was International Women’s Day. I celebrated by selling Vagina Cupcakes with my feminist group to raise money for Planned Parenthood and the Rape Victims Advocacy Program in Iowa. We sold out very quickly and I left feeling empowered, like we were making a difference.

Then I went on Facebook today and I saw a link to this article “Sir Patrick Stewart calls on ‘one million men’ to promise an end to violence against women” and I clicked it,  wanting to keep the happy feelings going and  because of my deep and abiding love of Sir Patrick Stewart. It’s a great article and you should read it. Fortunately, it didn’t tarnish my affection for Patrick Stewart.

Then I read the comments. Never read the comments.

Maracaibo

I changed the password on my gmail for the first time since I got it, in high school, today. I received an email entitled “Suspicious sign in prevented” which told me that someone tried to access my email today at 6:36:18 PM UTC in  Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Maracaibo

3 Scenes (Tyler)

I did this Monday for my Fantasy Fiction class and I liked it. Maybe you like it? It’s all about body autonomy. This was the assignment. 

For this assignment you are going to write a one (1) page scene, but you are going to write it three times from the POV of three different characters. The scene should be the same, but the voice and perspective in each version should be recognizably different. You can choose whether you write in first person, close third person, or some of each, but there must be three characters who all, in some way, share the same scene. To make things even more interesting: at least one of the characters must be harboring a secret.

3.

“Did you want anything to drink while you wait?”

“I think we’re good,”

The women were talking about him.

3 Scenes (Angela)

I did this Monday for my Fantasy Fiction class and I liked them. Maybe you like it? It’s all about body autonomy. This was the assignment. 

For this assignment you are going to write a one (1) page scene, but you are going to write it three times from the POV of three different characters. The scene should be the same, but the voice and perspective in each version should be recognizably different. You can choose whether you write in first person, close third person, or some of each, but there must be three characters who all, in some way, share the same scene. To make things even more interesting: at least one of the characters must be harboring a secret.

2) “Did you want anything to drink while you wait?” Angela barely heard the receptionist, as giddy as she was. She looked at the boy sitting next to her, trying to read his passionless face. She knew he wouldn’t answer for himself; he’d hardly said ten words in one setting since the night they met, nearly three weeks ago. He didn’t need to say anything though. His actions spoke much louder than words.

3 Scenes (Asami)

I did this Monday for my Fantasy Fiction class and I liked them. Maybe you like it? It’s all about body autonomy. This was the assignment. 

For this assignment you are going to write a one (1) page scene, but you are going to write it three times from the POV of three different characters. The scene should be the same, but the voice and perspective in each version should be recognizably different. You can choose whether you write in first person, close third person, or some of each, but there must be three characters who all, in some way, share the same scene. To make things even more interesting: at least one of the characters must be harboring a secret.

1) “Did you want anything to drink while you wait?” Asami asked Mrs. Dupree over her clip board. The skeletal looking patient glanced briefly at her companion. The boy, who must have been Mrs. Dupree’s son though Asami couldn’t remember ever seeing this boy before, remained impassive, staring straight ahead at a large painting of ducks.

An Open Letter To Cartoon Network

Author’s Note: Oh, jeez, I haven’t blogged since October… um, hi. I’ve been… alive, mostly. Gonna try and get back to a once a month schedule at least…

A lot of my followers (who aren’t related to me) found me when I started talking about comics, cartoons and feminism. This is a personal blog but lucky for you, those things are personal to me. So, I figured, since y’all are here, I’d post this short letter I wrote in response to the pending cancellation of Young Justice and Green Lantern the Animated Series. If y’all have cable or Itunes or amazon, you should start watching these shows because they’re amazing and because if viewing goes up significantly, they might stay on the air.

Here’s why it’s important to me:

I’z in ur liberrys- fukin wit’ yo’ genderrollz.

I love opening doors for guys. I love it.

90% of the time it’s completely innocuous.

Worst Case: They go through without thanking me and I move on.

Normal Case: They acknowledge the courtesy and we go our separate ways.

Best Case: They stare at me like I’ve broken their entire world.