Hello all! It's been a full week since by first post and my feverish cold. The cold is gone, but hopefully the blog will take off =] I'm trying to make this a weekly subscrption and while I was purusing possible topics for today's blogette, I came across a test question that I wrote about this time last year for an Interpersonal Communication class. Taught by a LaSalle professor who was both hip and lovable, the class proved to be a great subject for me to stretch my knowledge. I got perfect 100's [yes, I am bragging] on all four of her essay tests. The theories we learned were basic to everyday interaction and extremely fascinating. The topic for today combines my two favorite topics: appearances and romantic relationships. This is what I pulled from Exam 3:

The attraction theory holds that you are attracted to people first on a physical level; upon close examination of this patterns may even emerge. (DeVito 235) This theory holds that you become attracted to people based on: 1) attractiveness, 2) proximity and 3) similarity. (DeVito 236) Attractiveness is based on physical, personality or behavior traits. (DeVito 236) Proximity holds that closeness affects how you get to know the other person, under this idea is the mere exposure hypothesis that states exposure increases attraction. (DeVito 236) Lastly, similarity states that you will be attracted to someone who mirrors you; there is the matching hypothesis where even though you are attracted to very attractive people, you will date with someone who matches you. (DeVito 237) Also, attitude similarity shows you will be more attracted over time to someone who is intellectually similar and holds a similar world view. (DeVito 237)

Take a gander at the bold term and you'll follow me just fine on this one. In short, DeVito [author of our text] points out the obvious. You've felt it everytime you look at someone you like at first. An inner monologue, ok so my inner monologue, goes something like this:

Oh. wow. he's [insertive flattering adjective here: cute, hot, sexy, God's gift to the world... etc.] And then, right there, you have [ok I have] one split second to decide: go for it, or floor it? Usually I take a look at my sloppy outfit and/or hair and choose the latter option. But a much braver person will consider dating. And let's face it, whether you're meak me or a stronger you even the most confident subject will be shaken at the prospect of dating what we like to call 'out of your league'.

Yes, yes folks it does in fact exist! That little voice in your head that wonders who's going to emerge as the prettier person of this dynamic duo is not just low self esteem or doubt. It even has a name! The matching hypothesis. And when you tell your BFF or favorite relative that you're finally validated in that feeling, of course they'll say "No, no you're great and any person would love to have you!" just smile and let them have their day. They love you. But realistically. You may be right. Still, don't sell yourself short.

So, how does this manifest itself in pop culture? Easy. It doesn't. I mean how can it when the message is that a great woman gets a so-so man. On According to Jim, Cherly obviously married down. Not just dated, married. And Jim knows it, the audience knows it, and the writers want you to know it too.

We can consider also, King of Queens. The obvious match here is a thin, attractive young women who married an overweight and at times inconsiderate man. The less obvious marriage at work here? The guarded, sarcastic shrew married to down-to-earth comedy which of course results in knee slapping, side hurting laughter.

You're probably reading this going. Ok. Stop. Cause I love those shows. And thats good; as my favorite prof. Rizzo used to say; "That means I'm doing my job." Because, ready or not, here comes the next dose of reality and it doesn't taste any better than my cough syrup: its not harmless. Just because it makes you laugh does not excuse it. Now, I'm not rallying for these to go off air. I'm just as guilty of finding pleasure in watching these shows. All I'm begging for is a real marriage. And while I may not know what that looks like [honestly, who does?!] I do know what it doesn't look like.

Even though it is still a marriage, it seems a rather exhausting task to constantly try to outsmart a lazy, rude husband always hiding under humor. And who wouldn't get tired of always having to clean up after an immature husband? Its pretty clear that the women in discussion may have a mismatch. True, they're guilty as charged of having their moments. But still.

Oh. Now, you're begging for a real life example right? Ok. Fine. Halle Berry. Who in the world would raise a hand to Halle Berry? Well. I can think of one man. Ew. And that's when I say "If she can't keep a man, how the hell can I?!" Can you see my worry? Poor Halle Berry's self esteem was so obliterated she somehow matched herself with an abusive man. Communication errors belong to everyone, regardless of social status and life style.

Sure, there will be a couple people who read this and discount it. Not that I can't take criticism, but you know what I say? They're the ones who married UP. But, my luck is never up. You see how I'm worried. So next time you turn away from the eye candy because you feel less than perfect...well now you have a name for what you feel. Just try to even the scales when the relationship goes to the next step. Hey, I never promised results!

The point of this post? To name and relate to feelings many people have in the first few seconds of seeing someone whether they know it or not. To show that miscommunication happens and self awareness helps. To show that Hollywood plays on the weaknesses of people, especially women. And finally to show women that yeah, we may be a little thicker than we'd like. Maybe we're not all blondes, but by Jove! we're more desireable than we think. And we don't have to settle for a mediocre relationship or a show that places humor on bigger people and problems on females.

Funny TV Quote of the week: "You know, my favorite color is black..."
Well, its not funny now, you need some background knowledge. All those addicted to 90210 will laugh with me and know that this was said by a girl named Silver on the show, a white girl, to her oh so adorable [I want him!] black boyfriend, Dixon.

At the start of the newly revived hit show, Silver emerged as a kinda darker kid, possibly Emo but probably just 'different'. By now we all know that 1)she's a great blogger! and 2) she's the under dog and true friend, and apparently great girlfriend. Although an interacial couple ( a very popular playing ground for writers)currently as a couple they are ideal. My favorite colors this season? SILVER AND BLACK!! [pun intended][PS brackets are sooo the new parenthesis!!]

Funny Commercial of the Week: AT&T
I LOVE these commercials. I always watch them and go: "This is Lisette and I did just get your call about being on an AT&T commercial because I DO have AT&T and that's why I'm on your television set going HA HA SUCKERS! to all you non AT&T members...BEAT YOU TO THE PUNCH!" I mean really, shouldn't a happy AT&T customer be featured?

Reality Dose: A little about my real life...
I'm planning a birthday bash for my BFF the bestest girl in the whole wide world for this Friday. It includes but is not limited to dinner and bowling, complete with homemade caramel cake made by yours truly. God knows what happens when over 9 college girlfriends get together...we might even raise the roof! It looks like all is going well, and I hope it does cuz she deserves it after being my go to person...its a hard job, just look at my blog! This is one night when no presidential commercials, economy crisis news reports and other dismal reports of society will penetrate my fragile little mind. Just China food, bowling, friends and of course the ever present alcohol!

Till next week,

<3
Blog*ette

Good Morning! This is it. My little drop in the bucket of the world wide web that is solely devoted to my ramblings. Everyday happenings. You know--stuff. I've been told I should have been blogging before and finally decided to set it up. Why, you may ask, did I decide to do so at approx. 7:48am on a wednesday? Well....let's just say that fevers bring out the creativity in me. That's right, I am currently running a raging fever of 100.6. Yay for being the host of a viral infection! Trust me to get a cold on OC -friggin- OTBER! But...such is the luck of a....hmmm how could I describe myself?

Well. If you want appearance wise I could say short, Puerto Rican girl. Or if you want personality traits I suppose one might say a smart, understimulated, and optimistic girl. And finally if you prefer hobbies, I could fill in the blank with writer, or recent college grad. But there you go. All those adjectives and I STILL don't know what kind of girl I am. Hence the blog.

Oh yeah. The name's Lisette. Hence blogette...get it. And 11 is my number...sometimes...well, I wish on 11:11 anyway. Romantic right? Yeah, I'm hopelessly so. Anywhoooo.

Here's what you can expect on my lil blogette space. I love movies and TV shows, esp comedies or romanticomidies. I like to critique but haven't found a paying [alas!] position for it. Thus, you all benefit from the fruits of my labor for free. APPRECIATE IT WHILE YOU CAN! Sorry, that's my unemployment bipolarness speaking. I'm a feminist and I specialize [or like to think I do] in gender and culture studies. Expect to see a lot about the world from my lens.

I'm intelligent and think way too much, so I guess this will be my new outlet. As opposed to my old habit of bottling up my feelings. Eh, who doesn't? I like humor. My writing may come off as sarcastic I think, but I'm really not. Or maybe I am, who knows?...And that is random. Which I also am.

Now that I typed all this in and hopefully encouraged a few giggles and brought the light of creativity to your hum drum life [no offense], I'm off to try to bring down this fever. Your assignment? Should you choose to accept it...stay tuned for more!

Thanks for reading.

Blog*ette