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Oh, the things I discover I saved in draft instead of posting-in-full…
Alas, this isn’t just a joke. Nor just one book… no, this refers to a patronizing series of books. (Because being dumbfounded and insulted only once wasn’t enough?)
Go, take a look – believe me, there is nothing hot to worry about:
Porn for Women
Porn for New Moms
Porn for Women of a Certain Age
Really, go look. I’ll wait.
…
By the distant sound of face-palming, head-desking, and groans of disgust I see you’ve clicked the links! Good!
Supposedly they asked a bunch of My Little Pony collectors women the question “What really, really gets you hot?”
What gets me hot? What gets me hot isn’t my husband being a partner, being a parent, being an equal contributor to our home and our finances—being as much an active part of our lives together as I am—because you know what? That’s the minimum I expect from him, as that is the minimum he expects from me.
Since when is the minimum hot? If he ever, ever, came up and told me my cleaning up the dogshit in the back yard is omg!so!hawt! I’d go ballistic in ways that could only be described as acts of god. RLY?! Fucking SRSLY??!?
‘As long as I have two legs to walk on, you’ll never take out the trash.’ For fuck’s sake.
This is a June Cleaver stereotype of women, and not even cleverly done nor amusing. Pink. Poking fun at men who are equal partners in the care of a household. Pink. The long-dead and thoroughly over-beaten nude cleaning trope. Pink. Cute.
FFS.
Yes, women deserve their pron—and that pron can be soft, hard, humorous, serious, controlled, outrageous, pretty, ugly, intense, gentle, breathtaking or earth-shattering or mind-blowing or sweet and gentle—but no matter what, how, who, and why, it engages the senses… and embarrassing stereotypes do not count as a ‘sense’. It’s read by women, written by women, viewed by women, created and produced by women… and it doesn’t tell women that they are only allowed to be as sexual as pink and partly-clad ironing male models. This series is a huge insult to those women.
Those real women. Real women who live real lives and engage in real relationships that aren’t cute and pink and fuzzy and Hello fucking Kitty on sweet tarts and Hallmark.
Cambridge Women’s Pornography Cooperative, please stay the hell out of my pr0n.
Oh, gourd.
Sadly, the face grew so fragile I couldn’t finish it properly (and had to use toothpick support, which I really try to avoid), but here is this year’s Snape:
Two of the four pumpkins I picked out were fine on the outside but soft of flesh… had I known I’d have saved this one for eldest’s simple jack-o-lantern-style carve and saved the firmer gourd for Snape. (And, of course, I couldn’t figure out where I’d stashed my camera, so this is a cruddy phone photo. My apologies.)
CfP
ASE 2012 Conference Call for Papers
Association for the Study of Esotericism
Fourth International Conference
Call for Papers: Esotericism, Religion, and Culture
June 14-17, 2012
The Association for the Study of Esotericism (ASE) is seeking paper and panel proposals for its fourth International North American Conference on Esotericism to be held at the University of California, Davis.
We are seeking proposals on topics in Western Esotericism, particularly related to themes exploring the relationships between esotericism, religion, and culture. Papers may focus on any one of these topics, or on a specific conjunction of topics, especially as it relates to esotericism, and we encourage papers that feature intellectual history or history of ideas. We invite proposals on magic, alchemy, astrology, ritual practice, mysticism, spiritualism, occultism, hermeticism, neo-paganism, contemporary esoteric movements and teachers, Asian influences on Western traditions, and other related topics.
In addition to the broad theme of culture-which includes literature, art, philosophy, and drama, as well as religion-we would like to feature a methodological discussion (Esotericism Across the Disciplines). We also are interested in panels specifically on mysticism. ASE regards esotericism as an interdisciplinary field of research and we invite scholars from all disciplines to share their research and writings in support of a cross-fertilization of perspectives. We welcome scholars from a wide range of areas, including anthropology, American studies, art history, history, intellectual history, religious studies, literature, philosophy, psychology, medieval studies, sociology-the full range of academic disciplines and fields.. In order to encourage graduate study in the field, we will offer a modest prize for the best graduate student paper presented.
Our initial deadline for panel or paper proposal submission is 30 December, 2011.
If you wish to submit a paper proposal or a thematically focused panel proposal (with three presenters and short descriptions included) for review and possible presentation at the conference, please send it by regular email to
ASE2012Conference@gmail.com
No attachments, please: simply copy and paste your abstract into plain text email. Individual abstracts should be limited to one or two paragraphs, and must indicate academic affiliation and/or other academic qualifications. Independent scholars are welcome to submit proposals. Please note that our previous conference was at maximum capacity, so it is best to submit your proposal sooner rather than later. We hope to post a preliminary list of accepted proposals early in 2012. Possible venues for the publication of conference papers include the book series Studies in Esotericism (this will be the fourth volume in the series).
For more information on the ASE and this conference, see our website at www.aseweb.org
CfP
UNIVERSITY OF WALES TRINITY SAINT DAVID
The Sophia Centre, School of Archaeology, History and Anthropology
Call for Papers
Astrology in Time and Place: Cross-Cultural Questions in the History of Astrology
The Sophia Centre, School of Archaeology, History and Anthropology
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Venue: Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Bath, England
Date: 23-24 June 2012
http://www.historyofastrology.org.uk/conferences/TimeAndPlace/
Conference Chairs: Nicholas Campion and Dorian Greenbaum
Contact: Nicholas Campion, n.campion@tsd.ac.uk
Call for Papers
We invite abstracts for this academic conference which will consider the questions which arise from the transmission of ideas in the theory and practice of astrology. Such transmission may be between cultures, or through time in the same culture. Issues may also be addressed of comparison between cultures.
Astrology has been practiced in some form in most cultures. In some it is rudimentary, in others complex. It may be considered magical, religious or scientific, or it may defy categorisation. There is evidence of the transmission of ideas in the near east between Egypt, Greece and Mesopotamia, and between the Near East, India and East Asia. In Mesoamerica and China technical forms arose which were entirely different to the Near Eastern tradition. Syncretism has been a major feature of astrology in India, Persia and Europe down to modern New Age culture and the globalisation of alternative spiritualities.
This conference will consider questions surrounding the exchange of astrological ideas or practice between cultures, issues arising from their transmission from one period to another, or consider comparisons between the astrologies of different cultures. Papers may focus on iconography, literature, theory, practice, philosophy or cultural context.
Our keynote speakers will be
Professor David Pankenier, whose books include East Asian Archaeoastronomy: Historical Records of Astronomical Observations of China, Japan, and Korea, (with Xu, Zhenoao and Yaotiao Jiang, Amsterdam: Gordon and Breach Science Publishers, 2000) and Bringing Heaven Down to Earth: Celestial Foundations of Chinese Civilisation (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012).
Professor Francesca Rochberg, one of the foremost authorities on Mesopotamian astrology and its transmission to the Hellenistic world, and author of The Heavenly Writing: Divination, Horoscopy and Astronomy in Mesopotamian Culture (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004) and In the Path of the Moon: Babylonian Celestial Divination and its Legacy (Leiden: Brill, 2010).
Professor Michael York, former Professor of Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at Bath Spa University, and author of The Emerging Network: A Sociology of the New Age and Neo-Pagan Movements (London: Rowan and Littlefield, 1995) and Pagan Theology: Paganism as a World Religion, New York: New York University Press, 2003).
Proposals are invited for papers of 30 minutes, to include discussion. All papers will be plenary sessions.
Abstracts should be around 150 words.
Speakers will not have to register for the conference.
Please submit abstracts and full contact information to Dr Nicholas Campion n.campion@tsd.ac.uk
Deadline 1 December 2011
CfP
Call for Papers: Kings and Queens: Politics, Power, Patronage and Personalities in Medieval and Early Modern Monarchy
To be held at Corsham Court in conjunction with Bath Spa University on April 19th & 20th, 2012
The institution of Monarchy was absolutely central to the political developments and events of the medieval and Early Modern world. This conference aims to celebrate monarchy in all of its various aspects, from examining the institution itself to assessing the impact of particular monarchs in their own realms and beyond. Historic Corsham Court, located just outside of Bath, is a beautiful and appropriate setting for this conference, with its origins as a summer palace for the Kings of Wessex.
We welcome papers and/or panels on any theme which connects to monarchs or monarchy in any way including (but not limited to):
Kingship/queenship/rulership
The relationship between monarchs and consorts
The relationship between monarchs and their subjects
The involvement of monarchs in politics, religion and war
The patronage and representation of monarchs
The monarch and their court
We encourage a multi-disciplinary approach including papers which draw on gender studies, art, military, political and/or cultural history. Graduate students and early career researchers are particularly invited to submit a proposal. We hope to produce a published volume of the papers generated by the conference.
Please submit a proposal of approximately 250 words for a paper OR a panel of three papers to the organizers at monarchyconference@gmail.com by October 31, 2011.
For more information or any additional queries, please email the above address or e.woodacre@bathspa.ac.uk.
Elena (Ellie) Woodacre
Department of Humanities
Bath Spa University
Newton Park, Bath
BA2 9BN
http://bathspa.academia.edu/ElenaWoodacre
CfP (that I would SO submit to, if I thought I could afford the travel!)
Magic is Might 2012, An International Conference Exploring the Cultural Influences of the Harry Potter Books, July 23-24, 2012
full name / name of organization:
Gráinne O’Brien
contact email:
magicismight2012@gmail.com
Hosted by the University of Limerick Department of Sociology with the UL Interaction Design Centre.
University of Limerick, Ireland
The Harry Potter series has become a publishing phenomenon that has captured the imagination of children and adults all over the world. The stories created by J.K. Rowling have inspired extensive multidisciplinary academic discussion, ranging from cultural and literary analyses, sociological and philosophical interpretations, design practices, to recognised medical publications.
Conferences have taken place that focused on the impact that the novels have had on the world and their educational contribution and edited collections have been produced centering on themes of philosophy, religion, sociology, and critical analysis, to name just a few. The characters’ relationships, the political and social systems, and cultural commentaries woven into Rowling’s writing are just some examples of what makes the Harry Potter series an exciting framework for academic discourse in a number of areas.
This two-day event will feature twenty 15-20 minute presentations on papers relating to popular culture and the Harry Potter series. We will encourage intensive and lively discussion and debate around the papers over the two days in this intimate setting. Wizards, muggles, established academics and postgraduate students are invited to submit papers. Post conference, full papers will be put together into a collection that will be available online.
Suggested Topics include but are in no way limited to:
- Society (both Wizard and Muggle) and its portrayal
- The Law and the Criminal System
- Government and Politics
- Gender
- Race
- Class
- Prejudice
- Relationships (sexual, friendship, the family etc…)
- Human and Non-Human Rights (werewolves, goblins, house elves, centaurs, ghosts, Aragog, etc…)
- Bodies and Embodiment
- Education
- Conformity and Deviance
- Socialisation
- Sexuality and the Erotic
- Media, Technology and Design
- Fashion, Music and the Arts
Please submit a 300 word abstract with 100 word biographical information by 1 September
2011. All inquiries and abstracts can be emailed to magicismight2012@gmail.com
All abstracts will be reviewed for inclusion in the conference by the conference committee
Accepted papers will be notified by December 1st 2011. We will then ask for draft
conference papers to be submitted.
General inquiries can be made at the above email address to conference organisers,
Gráinne O’Brien (University of Limerick, Ireland) Michelle Mayefske (University of
Limerick,Ireland) Dr. Luigina Ciolfi (University of Limerick, Ireland) and Jadwiga O’Brien
(National University of Galway, Ireland).
Conference Program Committee: To Be Announced
Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Magic-is-Might-2012/115039398578113
Conference Blog
http://magicismight2012.blogspot.com/
Follow us on twitter @magicismight12
This conference is NOT authorized by J.K. Rowling, her US or UK publishers, WB, Universal Studios or any other official Harry Potter related or trademarked entity.
Light it up blue.
It’s World Autism Awareness Day – my eldest is in the spectrum.
Do all you can, learn all you can, so they can be all they can:
Autism Society of America (Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Chapter)
Autism Speaks
Call for Papers
Science and Magic: Ways of Knowing in the Renaissance
Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
April 29-30, 2011
Keynote Speaker: Bruce Moran, Department of History, University of Nevada, Reno
In his Oration on the Dignity of Man, Pico della Mirandola described two forms of magic. There was that branch of sorcery consisting “wholly in the operations and powers of demons,” as well as a more benign craft pertaining to none other than “the highest realization of natural philosophy.” To many Renaissance thinkers, magic was a legitimate field of study as well as a potential threat to established orthodoxies. Inspired by this formulation, this interdisciplinary conference aims to consider scientific thought alongside magic and domains that modern vocabulary would describe as pseudoscience, such as alchemy and astrology, and invites papers related to diverse ways of magical and scientific knowing in the early modern world.
Possible topics include, but are not limited to:
· Distinctions between magic, science and pseudoscience in theory and practice.
· Forms of scientific literature and art, magical texts and artifacts.
· The transmission of licit and illicit magic; the role of natural philosophy and magic in education.
· The attitudes and policies of secular and ecclesiastical authorities.
· Practical magic: fortune-telling, amulets, etc.
· Early modern European and American witch-hunts and witchcraft trials.
· Alchemical theory and practice.
· The articulation and reception of prophecies.
· The commerce of magic, the financial circumstances of men of science or magicians.
· Fraudulent magic or science, cons and hoaxes.
· Encyclopedic texts, indexing schemes and the organization of knowledge.
· Artistic, literary or musical representations of magic, science or the thirst for knowledge.
· Gender in magic, science, or pseudoscience.
· Magic in the New World and beyond; extra-European influences on Renaissance magic and science.
This conference is conducted under the auspices of the Renaissance Studies Program at Princeton University. Please submit abstracts of no more than 350 words to Scott Francis (smfranci@princeton.edu) and Jebro Lit (jlit@princeton.edu) by January 15, 2011. Papers should be no longer than 20 minutes.
General information about all aspects of the Societas Magica is available at http://www.societasmagica.org. If you have a question about your membership status or wish to submit to one of our publications, please seek there under “contact the Societas” for email addresses of current officers and editors.