The FIVE Ways Women Disrespect Men... My response

Note: After being accused of highjacking FaceBook posts, I am heeding a suggestion to use a blog.

Recently I noted a relative "Liking" this blog entry on his FB page: The FIVE Ways Women Disrespect Men. In it the author states:

"security is the greatest need for a woman; respect is the biggest need for a man"

then lists five ways women disrespect men: Correcting, interrupting, mothering, nagging and manipulating.

After reading it I replied that it was Bronze Age sexism, and wondered why a man deserves respect simply because he has a penis.

So, here's the problem I have with this article and you "liking" it:

1. I was surprised that at the bottom of the article there wasn't a note that said, "This article was reprinted from the June 1912 edition of Ladies Home Journal." How quaint, dated and sad that this article was written in 2012. An article that tells women to just straight out stop nagging, correcting, etc... It might as well have been a line from The Stepford Wives. She doesn't differentiate between husbands, friends, colleagues or associates. No. You (women) will respect ALL men.

2. When I married my wife, I entered a partnership. The preacher said to us, "You two are one". We exchanged wedding bands that symbolize the union: no beginning, no ending.
We are a team. We contribute, we listen, we communicate... we share, discuss and solve. I didn't demand her respect then, and I don't now. She offers respect to those she chooses and disassociates herself with those she doesn't.
The problem for New Testament Christians (for whom the article was written) is "You two are one" runs smack into another favorite biblical wedding verse: Colossians 3:18: "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the eyes of the lord."
Col3:18 is why this article was written in the first place. Christian wives are ordered to submit.
If this is your ideal of a successful marriage, then you'll have absolutely no idea why I and a growing number of people reject Christianity and religion in general (page 11).
This thinking is backward, sexist, paternalistic and mysoginistic at best. At its worst it's a misguided, twisted justification for spousal abuse and spousal rape. It does however completely reinforce why religion was created in the first place: a way for man to subjugate women.

The quote usually stops right there, because four lines later we get this little gem: Colossians 3:22:

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism."

Orderings slave to obey... Kinda restating the submitting wives mandate, doncha think?

3. Your author who you "liked" has created a man that doesn't exist. You see, I (and every other man on this planet) am a very flawed human being.
Now, if your "man" was perfect, and you were still nagging and correcting him, then it may be something you want to work on. When you find that guy, let me know. Otherwise you're stuck with the likes of me, you and every other man on this earth: A guy who at times (correct that...many times) NEEDS to be nagged, interupted and mothered.

Birthday Weekend in Portland

Jeannie and I took the kids up to Portland for the weekend, and made a fun trip of it for ourselves while they attended an anime convention, Kumoricon 2009.
The convention was interesting to say the least, with thousands of teens and adults dressed in "cosplay" characters. Cary and Sarah's group went as characters from "Organization 13", whatever that is! They had a wonderful time, meeting with voice actors, posing for pictures, and hanging out with friends and other anime geeks, dweebs and nerds!!

Jean and I took off for a day of exploring, first stopping at the Portland Japanese Gardens (image) in Washington Park, and absolutely beautiful place to spend a rainy day... anywhere.
After an afternoon nap, we picked up the kids and sought out APizza Sholls restaurant in the Hawthorne/Mt. Tabor district. Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" touted this place on one of his shows, and you can see why. Everything fresh and local. When they run out of dough, the close up shop for the night, and you can't order more than one or two toppings!.... they won't let you! Kinda like the "Soup Nazi" of pizza!
Sunday morning, we dropped the kids off again, and stopped in for donuts and coffee at the legendary Voodoo Doughnuts, home of the 'cock& balls' and the bacon maple bar donuts! Our timing was great, as we walked around the area, the line outside had grown to stretch down the block!
We then scooted off for a drive around the neighborhoods, up in the hills above downtown, and through the charming homes and cool cafes and shops in the Hawthorne District. Back in downtown, we jumped on the street car to the touristy cable car that takes you from the riverfront up to the OSHU center on the top of Marquam Hill. Then it was back to the Pearl District, for lunch and a romp through Powells Books, easily the busiest business in Portland. An entire city block of new and used books on three floors!
We called the kids and headed back to the hotel to pick them up. As we pulled up,the valet looked at us through the throngs of kids decked out in their pink wigs, costumes and swords. The exasperated look on his face,his shrug and forced smile spoke volumes. I couldn't have said it better!

August 24th - My First Century Ride

Eugene to the Base of Mary's Peak on google.

My first century ride in 28 years! The ride was from Eugene, through the Fern Ridge Reservoir area, north along the Applegate Trail and Territorial Highway through Franklin, Cheshire and Monroe.
Then on to the foothills again, through Alpine, Bellfountain, and then west on Decker Road to the Alsea Highway (34).
Made it about 4 more miles up the highway, before the mountain got the best of me.
Turned around and headed back for a total ride of 104 miles. Not bad for 46!

Bike Ride - 58 miles to Dexter Lake

Pedometer map of ride

Get up early, and ride before it gets too hot.
At least that's what I was thinking the night before.
Slept through the alarm and Jeannie getting ready for work.

On the road by 10, I decided to ride to Dexter Lake (this is where the roadhouse bar scene from Animal House was filmed).
Headed through Eugene and Springfield and finally got out into the country on the road to Jasper.
Stopped for a drink, chatting with a Park Ranger for about 10 minutes.
Back on the road, noting that everything smelled very sweet in the summer heat.
The smell of fresh cut hay as a loaded truck passed by. Pine trees and blackberries filled the air everywhere.

Rode through three covered bridges along the way. Tempted to stop and cool off in the river, but kept going anyway.
A quick stop for water and granola in Lowell, and back on the road.
Decision time... ride down into Cottage Grove and back home through the Lorrane Valley? or cut it short and get out of the heat? Cottage Grove it is!... no wait... it's too damn hot... After meandering through the fields of Pleasant Hill, I point the bike back towards Eugene. The wine country will wait another day.
Road past a huge group of parked cars at the entrance "Bring Beach / Glassbar Island" . A perfect day for skinny dipping, at least that's what most of Eugene was thinking! Me... I just wanted to get home.
Back into Springfield, I encountered an unusual site, as a work crew was repairing the bike path under I-5. Three flaggers were in place for the sole purpose of routing bicyclists through the construction zone! As is often noted.... only in Eugene!
Back in town... a cruise through and empty U of O, past the fairgrounds ... more sweet smells of food and fair goodies.... and on to home.

Sunset on the Oregon Coast

A few shots of my sunset this evening in Seaside, Oregon.
The boardwalk was cluttered with tourists and eating ice cream and taking pictures while waiting for the sun to disappear.
A family was enjoying a lonely swingset on the beach.
The last photo is of Ecola Point, just south of the town.

Truss / Disco rig install

The crew and I had to walk each of the 10' sections of truss up a 60 step escalator, that was turned off. NOT FUN!

We jacked one side with a couple of Genie Towers...





The venue is the “Club Level” at Autzen Stadium. This is the party room for the VIP ticket holders. A real nice place to hold an event. Check out the views.





Another shot of the TomCat truss. Half way there.

King Estates - Snow Day 2007

Our snow day in Eugene, found me south of town at the King Estates Winery in the Lorrane Valley.

Florence, Oregon on the Siuslaw