Global-Gals

Female Action Heroine - by Heather Harris

Global-Gals — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:16:00 GMT

I've been watching action movies since I was 6 years old when Dad brought me to see Alien at the theater. Maybe that's why my expectations for action movies are so high. All I want is a strong, female action hero (in action clothes - no that doesn't mean wearing aerosoles heels) to be the main star of an adventure film. How hard is that? Search the World Wide Web, and you'll see I'm not the only one complaining. But at least now I know why: The Hollywood movie formula.

It started out in the 70's with movies like Rocky and Jaws. It's still around today. Any popular non-indie movie follows the 'high concept' formula. It's simple. The hero has a flaw (so you can relate). There are enabling circumstances surrounding that flaw. Suddenly, there's a life-changing event. The hero faces obstacles and an opponent. The hero also has an ally that either shows an example of how to change, or how not to be. The hero has many chances to overcome his flaw but still doesn't. The stakes change (climax). Then there's a choice to be made, but the flaw is tested many times before this happens. The choice then leads to a resolution which in Hollywood always equates to 'getting the girl.'

For example, in As Good As It Gets. Melvin Udall is OCD. He has a way of life, a job and a waitress (ally) who support his OCD (flaw). The life-changing event happens when Frank (opponent) tells him to take care of Simon's dog, and the waitress's son gets so sick she can't keep her job. Melvin has many opportunities to change, but instead chooses to keep the flaw and change others. Until he has an opportunity to 'get the girl' (the stakes) and then tries to take his pills and gets the girl.

This formula can be applied to almost all successful movies today that have immediate success in the box office. Of course there are movies that don't follow the formula and are successful, but these are what the producers look for. So why no women?

The movie that made me realize what was wrong was Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The movie follows three very strong, very beautiful, very powerful women. None of them 'Get the Girl' in the end. In fact, they all lose! Now there are formulas where the hero doesn't 'get the girl' - a perfect example is Leaving Las Vegas. In this case Nicholas Cage is an alcoholic (flaw), he meets Elizabeth Shue (ally) but in the end he chooses to die with his flaw. But that's not how action movies go, and I'm talking about action movies.

In Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, there is a woman warrior who is in love. Her love is away meditating on a mountaintop somewhere. There is a younger woman. She falls in love. She is also arranged to be married and must do so to uphold her family's honor. There is another woman, a woman without honor, who fights for her right to learn as men do, the secrets of a certain school of martial arts. They each stay strong until the very end. Amazingly, their strength is not in their physical ability, but in their solitude. They never 'give in' to their relationships with their lovers. They never allow themselves to give up on their honor or their obligations to their family and the one they love. The older woman has a job to do and so does her husband, they honor their positions, far away from each other despite how much they love each other. The younger woman longs for a life with her rogue boyfriend but holds the responsibility of honoring her family so much so, that she jumps off a sacred mountain believing that it will make her dreams come true. The woman with no honor is looking for justice and instead gets revenge, killing and being killed by, the man the older woman loves.

Are men the reason women cannot be strong in today's movies? A strong female figure cannot star with a male figure without disabling both characters. Either the woman has to be strong and the man has to be a wimp or there is no man at all, and if that's the case, is there a large enough audience to support a movie with a single, strong female character? If so, would the movie producers see it that way? I don't think so.if it doesn't fit the formula, it doesn't fit their budgets.

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon obviously does not fit the Hollywood Formula - for many reasons. Yet it was successful. James Cameron directed Aliens. He understands the money-making power of a strong female character. Yet in Avatar, Neytiri was a perfect opportunity to capitalize on this, and in a way he did, but following the formula (and not in a good way), Neytiri gives up and stands BEHIND her man, immediately stripping her of all her strength.

More examples (Please keep in mind that most of these characters are not even leading women):

True Lies.Jamie Lee Curtis has the guts to prostitute herself to save the world until her husband 'saves the day!'

Star Wars, Princess Leia kicks ass and brings down the whole entire empire only to give in to Han Solo with "I love you!" and the perfect response, "I know."

The Matrix - Trinity is the star until 'the one' has to save everyone.

Kill Bill - Lots of great female characters of course and you can see how it worked so well - the fiancé died at the very beginning of the movie!

Harry Potter - Hermione is always second wand, but not bad.

Fifth Element - probably one of the best in my book but of course she's not allowed to have a man as she has to 'stay pure!' (A Fifth Element II would've been bad).

Pirates of the Carribean - They did this well - keeping the lovebirds apart!

The Incredibles - great but once again, second fiddle.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider - Just not a good character.

So what do I want? What would satisfy me? An action heroine (who has a flaw), on an adventure (not a killing spree in heels), who overcomes her flaw (without being hated), and saves the world. How much is that to ask?

(Information on "High Concept Movie" formula/term taken from "How to write High Structure High Concept Movies")

- Heather Harris

Books Books and More Books

Global-Gals — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:22:00 GMT

Fashion. Fiction. Humor. Heartbreak. So many books to choose from at our Global Gals book exchange. I would ask that anyone reading this blog to share your favorite books that you either lent or borrowed at the exchange. As you might have guessed, I did not write down any titles or authors that we discussed. Each person got a chance to give a brief synopsis of the book and tell us what they liked or didn't like about it. Thanks to Bonnie for taking the remaining stack of books to Goodwill.

We decided that for the holiday season, we would again participate in the SAY San Diego adopt-a-family gift giving. Everyone is also open to participating more actively in a volunteer program such as a food bank or women's shelter. If you have any ideas on how we can assist a worthy cause this year, please let me know so we can put an event into our calendars.

Our next gathering will be a jewelry party at Susan's on November 19. On December 10, plan on holiday cheer while gift wrapping our SAY San Diego gifts.

Until next time, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go."(Dr. Seuss)

-Jules

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Raising Financially Responsible Children

Global-Gals — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:40:00 GMT

This past week I implemented something I learned from a recent Global Gals Gathering. I paid my 6-year old daughter her first official $6 bi-weekly allowance. Six bucks? For a six year old? Read on, and it will all make sense.

Financial responsibility is not taught in most schools. Its up to us parents to teach accountability and responsibility when it comes to money. As with everything we teach our children, remember that each child has his/her own personality and way of doing things. So what works for my child may not work for yours. Take what you can from this blog and apply it or modify it as necessary.

Natalie Stillman from New York Life presented to us "It's Common Cents" by Neale S. Godfrey. (Godfrey also wrote the book Money Doesn't Grow on Trees.) When following the basic concepts in this program, you teach your child that the only way to get money is to earn it. You can begin teaching this concept at a young age, 2-3 years old, as soon as your child takes interest in money.

Start kids on an allowance system that pays for completing chores. Two basic types of chores exist: (1) Citizen of the Household and (2) Work for Pay. My child is responsible for keeping her bedroom and playroom picked up and brushing her teeth as part of being a household citizen. Just recently, we decided together on her Work for Pay Chores: feeding our pet cat, emptying small trashcans once a week, clearing and setting the table. I am quite lenient at this stage but expect to get more structured as she gets older. Just tonight I reminded her to empty the trashcans, and she did it all on her own, no questions asked. She gets paid $6 every other week ($1 for each year of her age).

Here's the kicker. She has four bins to keep her money, which we labeled and discussed together. In the first, "Charity," she puts 10% of her allowance. She can use this money to donate to any organization that interests her. We talked about the women's shelter, her elementary school, or the junior theater. The second, "Long-term savings," gets 30% and will eventually go into her bank account. The third, "Medium-term savings," gets another 30% and is for her to buy something "big" with her own money. At this point, she is saving for a dollhouse. Finally, number 4, "Fast cash," gets the last 30%. This is her spending money for things such as that pack of gum or shiny lipgloss she always asks for when we are at Target.

Teenagers will need a more formal budget and may be able to get paid once a month. Of course, the teen can complete other chores for additional money. Also, if a child is saving for an expensive purchase, you can help to achieve the goal by rewarding their savings efforts. For each dollar saved, you can match it in order to reach the savings goal a little bit quicker.

By following these guidelines, you can start teaching our child the difference between "want" and "need." The child will begin to make different buying decisions because its his/her own money. Don't fret if you have an older child, its never too late to start teaching financial responsibility.

Thanks to Natalie Stillman for her time and for being so open about her own experiences.

Until next time,
Jules

Planning in Advance Directives

Global-Gals — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:05:00 GMT

Our children are growing up fast. We are getting older. Our parents are getting even older. It may be difficult but is important to talk about your plans if you were to become incapacitated or to pass away or if something were to happen with your parents.

Our guest speaker, one of our own gals, JJ Nadicksbernd, talked to us about Advance Finance Directives, Advance Health Directives, and the new California POLST (Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment. An Advance Directive is the legal definition of your health or financial care if you can not handle it yourself. Advance Directives are (a) completely voluntary (b) for people 18 years or older and (c) legal forms can be found online. Be sure to name two different people as your agent, the second being a backup in case the first is not available, and do not use the word "and." It makes it difficult for health care providers if more than one person is names. First, we took a quick look at a Financial Power of Attorney (POA).

Financial POA can be temporary or longterm. The forms can be obtained online and have to notarized. Check with your bank because some banks require their own form.

Don't keep your POA forms in a safety deposit box because it becomes difficult for someone to find if you are unable to get it yourself. Tell someone where it is and make a copy for that person. Have a copy easily accessible so that someone can bring it to the hospital. It is advisable to give a copy of your health directive to your primary doctor and to talk about it with the doctor. That way, someone in your medical group knows your wishes in advance.

Law 1990 requires that a hospital has to ask if you have a health directive but keep in mind the hospital can not force you to have one. It is voluntary but the hospital has to ask you.

A Living Will is pretty much the same as a POA but it gives power to the doctor. The POA gives power to whomever you state in the form. A living will only takes affect if you are terminally ill or completely incapacitated. JJ recommends a POA instead of a living will. If you do not have a living will or POA, the doctor makes the decision. Within our society, the doctor will do what it takes to cure the patient. Only about 5% of patients actually survive resuscitation and only 2% of elderly.

Within your health directive, you can put exceptions such as feeding tube or blood transfusion. Be specific as you can. You can also state that you would like to donate body parts as part of your POA. JJ recommends you talk to your primary physician about choices; especially for younger healthier people. Each person is different and each situation is different. It is better to talk about it in advance. A health directive requires two witnesses, does not need to be notarized. If you get separated or divorced, void the POA and do another.

Whomever you wan to name as your agent, be sure you trust them and talk about your wishes. Heather recommends choosing someone who can be rational during an emotional situation. Talk to your agent and ask, "What do you think?" so that you can be sure they understand your wishes and are able to carry them out. JJ handed out a list of "tough questions" for you to discuss with your doctor, agent, lawyer, loved one, etc. The handout came from Caring Connections at www.caringinfo.org.

For health directives, there is a lot of gray area. Talk to your physician and be medically aware. Make decisions based on your health at the time.

Finally, JJ brought us up-to-date regarding the new California Law implemented in January 2009: Physicians Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST). POLST is for the terminally ill. By law, any medical system must follow such as hospital, ambulance, hospice, etc. You can find detailed information at www.finalchoices.org. The patient has to be terminally ill and the form has to be signed by a physician. The patient can be as specific as he/she wants on the form.

I hope this information is helpful. I know I wrote alot, but its a big important topic. Thanks to JJ for spending her time teaching us. Remember, this info applies to you or to your parents. Talk about these topics in advance so that it is easier for everyone if such an emotional situation arises.

Your gal,
Jules

Spring Is In The Air

Global-Gals — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 05:12:00 GMT

Spring is officially here, so its time to put on the gardening gloves. At our GGG on April 9, we talked about gardening and how we don't have enough time to do it! Although some of us wouldn't do it, even if we did have the time!

Our favorite nursery: Walter Andersen's in Point Loma. www.walterandersen.com/ They have an online newsletter, weekly classes, orchid experts, architect referrals, and a lot of gardening expertise.

Our favorite books:
Sunset Western Garden Book by Sunset Magazine
Pat Welsh's Southern California Gardening
California Home Landscaping by Roger Holmes and Lance Walheim
Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

Our favorite brand of plant: Monrovia

Our favorite irrigation store: Hydroscape located on Kearny Villa Road www.hydroscape.com

Tips:
Home Depot takes back any plant that dies - keep the receipt.
Buy potted herbs - Trader Joes.
Rosemary and mint grow anywhere.
Spanish Lavender is low maintenance.
When buying grass fertilizer, buy the highest middle number.
Proven Winner is a local grower that has genetically engineered plants to grow in the area.

Check out or Global Gals website for uncoming events at www.global-gals.com.
See you on May 14.

- Jules

A Few Of Our Favorite Things

Global-Gals — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 05:12:00 GMT

Thanks to Megan for keeping such thorough notes at our last gathering. Listed below are a few of the Global Gals’ Favorite Things.

Susan’s Favorite Things:

· www.pandora.com: a web site that allows you to enter a favorite artist and then plays songs by that person and similar artists. If there is a song you don’t enjoy, then you can give it a thumbs down and it will alter the playlist accordingly.

· Bumble & Bumble Curl Conscious for fine hair: All you do is stick it in your hair and let it dry. Smells nice.

Heather's Favorite Things:

· Bella Sun Luci Tomato Pesto: You can buy this at Barrons, which is located in Del Mar Heights and OB (at W. Point Loma & Midway.) The lid has recipes, and Heather love the chicken sundried tomato fettuccine. Thanks for the samples, Heather!

· Olympus Digital voice recorder: costs $75 - $80. You can record your own thoughts, but you can also hook it up to your computer and have the file. This one Heather bought at Target and it is nice and compact. She uses it to records her kid’s voices, but mostly to record random thoughts when she’s driving or doing other activities during which she doesn’t have time to stop & write it down.

· Orchid Garden Hotel: Green hotel in San Fran that Heather loved.

· La Pinata: Heather’s favorite restaurant which is in Old Town. On Juan Street behind Guadalajara. It’s the oldest restaurant in San Diego. All the servers are women and most of them are older. The food is traditional Mexican, decent margaritas, AND, for those of us w/ children, the food comes out FAST! Casual and kids can run around. Don’t get the light menu: eat the lard!

Alexis' Favorite Things:

· A giant zester that she found in Cook’s Illustrated. It makes nice zest and hold it so it you have it all of it. It’s great for parmesan cheese and fruit zest. It came w/ the cookbook!

· Alfonso’s margaritas on Prospect in La Jolla.

· Mama Mia’s Italian restaurant on Grand in PB. Near 1932 Balboa Ave (between Grand Ave & Lamont St). Near a hair salon.

Lisa’s Favorite Things:

· Vidalia Chop Wizard. It chops everything uniformly. It comes w/ two different sizes. Lisa uses it not only for onions but also for salads and her daughter’s food. She has sliced zucchini fries using this, too. It also comes w/ a cleaner.

· Restaurant: Urban Solace at University & 30^th in North Park: Heather is an investor in their new restaurant, so she said GO!

· Accupuncturist: Liman Wang on Black Mountain Road.

· www.acufinder.com: Finds acupuncturists for certain things.

Meg's Favorite Things:

· http://www.sandiegohalfoff.com/intro.php: A website you can go to and get gift certificates to restaurants, spas, and other services, for half off. Usually, you get a $50 gift certificate but pay only $50.00.

· www.tripadvisor.com: A website where folks can provide feedback about hotels, restaurants, and local attractions from all over the world. You can enter the location you plan to visit, and it will provide recommendations based on user reviews. The reviews will often tell you exactly how to get to the place, where to sit, what to order, which room number to request, etc. It’s great!

· Blackberry: can connect to the Internet; can open Word docs and ExCel; GPS. Meg uses hers for email, her calendar, and to play games.

· Doublsided fabric tape: can be used to “fix” hems in a pinch or stick bras to shirts. Can be purchased at fabric stores or at Target.

Janice’s Favorite Things:

· Janice loves any type of wipes. Stain removal. Clorox Wipes seem to be everyone’s favorite. Not only do they get the mold off lunch boxes, but they also clean stains off clothes. Another favorite is “Kandoo” wipes, which are for cleaning one’s heiny.

· Strawberry Husker (stem pickers): Julie has one but Janice can’t find where to buy it anywhere! Try Great News kitchen store in PB.

Andrea’s Favorite Things:

· The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease: Gives ideas for how to get a squirmy kid into a story, inspirational stories, and generally helps adults get into reading aloud w/ their kids. It also has a list of specific books for recommended reading.

· In the Convent of Little Flowers by Indu Sundaresan: Book of short stories all about relationships written by an Indian woman. Some stories about elder abuse, arranged marriages, etc.

· www.sdmaritime.org: Maritime Museum at the Star of India. You Pay admission to the museum and then can ride the pilot boat for $3. Pilot boat holds 20 – 25 people. It’s $3 for 45 minutes to 1hour. Andrea chose the $40/year long membership.

Julie's Favorite Things:

· Braun Handmixer (as seen at the UCSD cooking class): Can use it to make soup, smoothies, etc. Julie’s comes w/ a chopping and whisk attachment. Tracy makes smoothies almost every day. The Gals raved about making soups with this.

· The wine vacuum: It vacuums the air out of the wine bottle and keeps the wine fresh.

· Garlic press: presses garlic with no chopping or smashing with a knife. One doesn’t even need to peel the clove.

Have a happy day!

Jules

A Powerful Noise

Global-Gals — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:14:57 GMT

I am not sure why it's taken me so long to write this blog. I have been thinking about it since last Thursday when I saw the movie A Powerful Noise. I saw the movie hoping to learn more about issues women face around the world. I saw the story of three strong, caring women who live difficult , rough lives. I will never encounter the challenges they face here in the U.S.

The three women portrayed in the film inspire women, and men, to do just a little bit more in their own communities. Just by reaching out to neighbors and community members can make a big positive impact on someone's life. These days I have been doubting if human's have it in them, but in the movie I did see how humans can be nice, comforting, giving, joyful to others. We can touch another's life with just a small action. It may be small to us but perhaps quite large to someone else. As Gandhi said, "You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result."

Each of the women gave themselves to others, women, men, and children, and were all the more fulfilled themselves. A Vietnamese HIV-positive woman teaches her community about HIV, Aids, and prevention. Another woman, from Bosnia, has been helping women farmers create a co-op to affectively sell their goods and make income to take care of their families. The third woman, from Mali, helps girls who come to the city from rural areas looking for jobs. It would take me pages to accurately reflect their experiences and efforts; I can say that they were each inspirational.

The panel discussion follwing reminded us here in the U.S. not to forget about all of those living in poverty throughout the world. Women and children are affected the most by poverty. We really do have quite the comfortable easy life here and tend to forget about the challenges other women face on a daily basis - War, AIDS, hunger, disease. Former Secretary of State Albright siad that extreme poverty throughout the world is the biggerst threat to U.S. security which is why we should all care about what happens in these poverty stricken, war torn, faraway lands.

You can get involved just by being part of CARE or ONE. Check out the websites.
www.care.org
www.one.org

As Dr. Gayle, CARE President/CEO said, "Be a voice for the voiceless."

- Jules