Carrie Bradshaw: Women of a New Age

Carrie Bradshaw: Woman of a New Age

Not only is she the sex-columnist for The New York Star, Carrie Bradshaw is the voice for most single women living in New York City. A member of the New York Glitterati (elite society), she is known for setting fashion trends and being infatuated with Manolo Blahnik shoes. Each episode is told through her vision; it begins with a voiceover of the present state of the characters (also a brief description of the setting), and how Carrie is feeling that day. One reason why she is a likeable character is because of her courage; she is not afraid to reveal her inner-most thoughts on the keyboard because it allows her readers to connect with her on a personal level. She is a simple, open-minded, independent woman who takes pleasure in indulging in all of life’s pleasures; she is a staple to clubs/bars and dining out at restaurants with her three best friends; Miranda Hobbes, Samantha Jones, and Charlotte York. Throughout the series, Carrie Bradshaw the voice of independence is constantly questioning ideas and scenarios of romance and sexuality. Through the use of language, visual rhetoric, and cultural signifiers, we can read the character of Carrie as a primary example of a woman who is living in a post-feminist era because she goes against the traditional roles and stereotypes of women being housewives, fragile, and dependent and inferior to men.


The theme for “Sex in the City” was inspired by Candace Bushnell, a columnist for New York Observer in the early 90s. Bushnell, the real life alter ego of Carrie, represents a step forward for women liberation and the ability to advance in life choices. Carrie, a single writer, has the ability to afford to live in Manhattan’s pricey neighborhood (Upper East Side) and consume high brand clothing and shoes. She goes on vacations, enjoys being pampered, attends fashion shows, has connections to different locations in NYC and keeps a circle of friends who are financially stable as well. Miranda Hobbes, a graduate of Harvard Law, is a successful business woman who owns her own apartment on the Upper West Side. Charlotte York, also known as Park Avenue Pollyanna, is an Art Dealer who graduated from Smith College with a degree in Art. Samantha Jones, the oldest and most sexually confident of the foursome, is a Public Relations Executive. Although these women are very similar in class and background, they share different views on life and love.


During their weekly brunch, they gossip and discuss one another’s sexcapades. The discussions are insightful because Carrie and her friends bring humor to their personal issues. Samantha, the sexual-deviant is every man’s fantasy and every wife’s nightmare, “You dated Mr. Big. I'm dating Mr. Too Big.” And Miranda, who is cynical and has a more realistic approach to love “soul mates only exist in the Hallmark aisle of Duane Reade Drugs”. Charlotte, despite a divorce and a miscarriage is the most optimistic of the group, “What if we were each other's soul mates? Then men could just be these great sweet guys to have fun with." SATC goes beyond the norm and breaks certain stereotypes of affluent women; we would not expect them to go through the same struggles and face rejection as the average person encounters. Society is use to seeing affluent women having money, labels, and a mortgage, but I don’t recall watching a show that portrays them as strong, powerful individuals who are not only materialistic, but have similar desires as every woman; everlasting love and happiness.


It may have taken a while to accept Carrie because she plays a role different from other female protagonists on TV. In contrast, Carrie also fits the “stereotypes” of women; she is nurturing, enjoys shopping for shoes and diamonds, clumsy, vulnerable in relationships and emotional. I don’t see any of these qualities as downfalls because it shows that as humans we have flaws. Another reason, why Carrie represents a powerful woman in society is because, despite her dynamic entourage and fast paced work schedule, she is the girl next door. In several episodes, we see Carrie doing regular things; jogging in Central Park, taking her ex-fiancé’s dog, Pete, for a walk in the neighborhood, whistling for yellow taxis, buying breakfast from a newspaper stand, and eating pizza and Chinese takeout.


When I began watching the show, I, like most viewers, did not pay attention to the visual appearance of its characters and overlooked important details. Carrie is a chain smoker who tries to quit in the later seasons, does not wear excessive makeup nor spend time on grooming her hair, does not cook, mostly wears comfortable clothing (white tee shirt) around the house, and viewers never see Carrie actually purchasing her clothes. We have no indication of where she lived before settling in the “Big Apple,” and how she started her column. These realizations did not occur until I noticed the change in her appearance. In the earlier seasons of SATC, Carrie wore generic clothing and little or no makeup. Her hair was a beach blonde color and almost always frizzy; whereas, in the later seasons her hair is straight and sandy brown/blonde. As the seasons progressed, the show gained popularity and Carrie began wearing designer clothes, shoes, jewelry and handbags like Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Christian Louboutin, Oscar De La Renta, etc. According to Dave Rinehart’s, “Sex Sells: a Marxist Criticism and Sex and the City”, “the show has functioned as a go-to source for fashion tips among viewers who can afford to, both financially and physically wear the same items.” Every season, Carrie makes a statement; whether it is a nameplate necklace, knee high boots or a knitted hat, she is always renovating her style.


The change in Carrie’s visual appearance raises questions about how people perceive women in the new millennium. In my opinion, people will only view Carrie as a sex crazed, consumer because they cannot look beyond her labels. In this day in age, a woman’s wardrobe says a lot about her lifestyle and power. According to an article by Annette Fuentes “Out of Style Thinking: Female Politics and Fashion,” she says “To focus on their attire, the cut of their clothes… is to be in danger of trivializing who they are, the important role they play and the meaning behind women’s advancement to positions of power: That is, we’re moving to a true democracy of shared leadership.”


Besides being a source for fashion and advocate to women liberation, one can make great judgment about Carrie through use of language. The most used technique of the show is voice over. Can you imagine what SATC would’ve been like without it? Some of the best quotations come from the opening words of Carrie, “I revealed too much too soon, I was emotionally slutty”. Sometimes the viewer gets a deeper understanding of Carrie’s emotion, than they would from dialogue. She speaks in first and third person, and alternates in between scenes. To help the viewer understand the scene, she analyzes and gives her point of view. SATC would not have reached its level of success without its reality; we’ve witnessed hangovers, emotional breakdowns, and heartache. Carrie is the most expressive when she is writing for her column. On one episode “My Motherboard, My Self”, Carrie’s computer system crashes as she loses unsaved data. She loses her sanity for two days while her PC is with a technical service company.


Every season, we see Carrie in and out of the dating scene; dinners, flings, and relationships. As the sun sets or drifts into night, she reminisces and recaptures the highlights of her day in “Sex and the City”. We see her true identity in her writing and her honesty allows viewers to open up and accept their own feelings. Carrie is a reliable character because she never misleads her audience. She is depicted as a strong-headed individual whose talent of writing gives inspiration to women in New York City that there is everlasting love and happiness. Carrie Bradshaw is the voice of independence because she has the confidence to be a back bone for her best friends and commit to a marriage; she decides what is best for her.

WHICH ONE?

"Cudderisback"

datnewcudi.com/2010/01/26/video-kid-cudi-cudderisback/

kanYe West : Blog : KELIS "THEY SAY"

kanYe West : Blog : KELIS "THEY SAY"

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Carly

It's a new year and I see new things coming my way. Oh by the way, let me introduce you to my roomate C>A>R>L>Y.

She's so effin COOLLLLL

I Wrote a poem for you.

I often wonder, do you think of me? How have things been for you? Are you seeing anyone lately? If so, hows it going? Do you miss anything about home? And if so, what? I'm asking you these questions but I may never know the answers. Are you having fun in your new enviroment? Like your classes? What do you miss the most about high school? Any memories running through your mind that involve me? Why do you still write me? Are you just trying to mess with my head? Or is it that you just want to remain in the back of my head? Did I ever hurt you? And if so, how? Can you talk to me, without being near? Can you see me, without my seeing you? Can you tell me the truth and not hurt me? Why are these things so hard to do? I don't like wondering. It's bad for my health. It fucks with my head, and gets me upset. I become low and drift away from whats important. Don't have me waiting and then pop-up like everything is back to normal.

What should I do? Tell me what I should do. Tell me that you'll never speak to me again or that I won't ever have to see you. Funny? I thought so myself. Because everything is on me, whether I want to see you or not. I don't like this. These thoughts pushed far, all the way in the back of my head popping up when it wants to. Not cool with me.

So do you think of me, like I think of you? Why haven't you reached out in other ways? I swear you hate me. But its okay, I don't dislike you at all. I just don't get you, like how are you keeping yourself that busy and away from those thoughts in the back of your mind. Teach me how so I can too. Will I ever see you again? I don't know if I want to. I understand it's all about taking risk but you were a risk that I never wanted to take. I think you have too much baggage and a little too much poise for me. I'm so tired of the way I feel when I think of you. How could I have let someone like you make me feel so confused about myself. Why didn't you shake me by the head and tell me not to run? Why did I keep running from you? What can you possible have that'll make me come back and forth over and over again? When are you going to quit? When will I leave you alone? When will we meet again?

I hope I never see you agaiin. I hope I can stop myself this time. I don't want you near because you take my emotions and twist them around into one big ball fill with emptiness and confusion. Did you ever tell anyone about us? How did I make you feel? Why didn't I ever trust you and why did I waste my time? Why did I hear you call my name but see no one when I turned around? If God didn't make this in my plan, then why the hell were you around for so long?


When will I stop wondering?

Nappy headed ho

OMG...I was so close to getting my nose pierced last night. I was at the Inferno Studios, a tattoo and piercing parlor five minutes away from school. We were in there for about two hours, while Chanel was busy contemplating on whether she should get her belly pierced. She was determined to swindle me into getting my nose done, but I was nervous because I already have a keloid on my right ear and my skin may be prone to that. I mean it is on my face, so I have to take careful repercussions. The artist advised me to speak about it with my doctor, but you know all doctors would say no you shouldn't get it. I don't know, maybe I just may get another tattoo.

Fast forward to today, I slept in my bed feeling all cozy and rejuvenated from a deep sleep and being that I'm very unproductive weekend mornings I decided to watch some BET. After an hour my roommate walked in. Great. Before I discuss this any further let me just inform you that she is a light sleeper meaning no TV, no music, no phone talk, no breathing allowed while she is sleeping. OK, excuse me but I am not going to turn off my TV.
I still don't know how I feel about her because some days she can be very cool and we'll have a good time just laughing in our room and other days I don't even want to acknowledge that she is there. I feel bad when I interrupt her from her sleeping time or even tell her that it's distracting bringing over company because I don't want to come off as a bitch, but hey it's my room too.

Honestly I don't even know why I decided to post tonight because I didn't do much of anything but my laundry, go to the library, and eat dominoes with the crew. I wasn't even hungry but knew I would be once the food arrived. I ordered a 10 piece wing set thinking that I can pay it with my $10 gift card, when actuality it was a coupon that I couldn't use. It appears to be a buy one get one promotion not from dominoes but a different company who were allowed rights to hand those out. Yay for me, know I have to scrap up $6 for the wings and an extra dollar for the pizza. Seven dollars is not alot of money, but when your a student in college attending on loan money and a small amount of grants, it is.

I wish I could come up with a solution for Jacy and Brielynn because if they don't come up with money to pay for this semester, there is a good chance that I won't be seeing them next term. :(
In my eyes, money was never an issue but I guess in certain situations you can't work your way around. I was thinking maybe a fund-raising drive and the proceeds could go to this semesters tuition. But who am I kidding, how the hell can I come up with four thousand dollars in such a short notice. I don't know what to do, I feel awful and useless because I can't help my girls.

Yep, it was another pitiful day but isn't everyday pitiful in my world.


Song of the day: 2nd Childhood- Nas

I Gotta Find Peace of Mind

I'm currently at the library, writing a paper for my English professor that is due at midnight. For some reason, I can't concentrate; so I'm telling you what is on my mind. I missed my counseling session today. I called twice before informing the receptionist that I would have to reschedule. She didn't have a problem and in the back of her mind was probably thinking "okay, as long as you don't slit your wrist, have a wonderful weekend :) And just to put it out there, I don't have a cutting problem. Anyways, I slept longer than I expected which signals depression or just oversleeping. But seeing how my days have gone, I would say it's depression. I woke up and felt the urge to listen to Lauryn Hill's "When it hurts so bad" and I don't know why I've been listening to ballads for the past week now. I mean I'm 300 and something odd miles away from home, live on my own, free to do whatever I want, while getting an education...this is what I wanted RIGHT?

I have been doing horribly at attending daily practices and am thinking about quitting the team. Even though, it isn't varsity I wanted to be on a team for it's support, sportmanship and physical fitness. I just don't think right now is a good time to be one of the players. I don't know where I'll go from here since I already missed the mandatory meeting but I'll keep you updated on that.

Ughhh, I had my italian 101 BEGINNERS class today which I was not looking forward too and adding to the optismism I received a C+ on my composition. I told Brielynn about it, who is taking spanish 201 and she told me that her professor doesn't even give her class compositions to write. Now I'm thinking Why the hell am I getting one? On top of that I have a test next friday and all the homework assignments are due next Thursday. No seriously you should see these homework practices, we have a workbook and lab section to complete for one chapter (keep in mind that chapter 4 is 20 textbook pages long). This is just to much for me to handle, I thought learning a new language would be fun but I guess I shouldn't have expected less being that it is taught in an american university and not in Italy itself, which would've made the course more interesting because you're actually in the enviroment.

Moving on, I missed tutoring yesterday because I wanted to read up on some Mass Media which I definitely didn't read and comprehend instead skimmed and took two 4 question quizzes online. I need to get my life together.


When it Hurts so Bad- Lauryn Hill

I'll admit, I have internal conflicts

I'm trying to find forever, even if forever cannot be found. Why do I keep doing these things to myself? I keep letting my ego get in the way of what I really want to say, or what I really want to do. There are too many things in this world that have kept me from smiling. But why do I let it get the best of me? I guess what they say is true, when you turn 18 you've accumulate a bunch of cards and your finally on your own. I've let shit slide for too long now and it's time for me to step up and put my foot down.

For instance, I'm alone or as most people would call it being "single". It is because I overthink, overworry, and overstress myself over nothing. And that there isn't much to distract you around campus (if you know what I mean). I won't jump into a relationship and make a committment to someone who does not have my best interest at heart. I see alot of other people having that ability to put their emotions and hapiness in someone elses hand, and I don't respect that. Its not fair to the person who is getting their hopes up and it isn't fair to the person who is giving themself away. There is nothing wrong with flirting or joking around, but why even put yourself in that position where you get attached to someone who only wants pleasure. There is someone in this world for everyone; so, why do we go out of our way to make ourselves noticeable to someone who has no impact on our lives?

I hate the fact that girls cry over boys, and boys chase girls ....that is not the way discovery should be!!! And why is it that everytime a girl doesn't get her way with a guy she thinks theres something wrong with her, or something wrong with him. There's even a movie about it, called "HE JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU". And why do guys feel that having a number of girls makes them look or even feel good. Why waste your time with someone who doesn't even remotely share the same interests or have the same morals as you do? See, did you just notice the similarities between both genders? NO ONE WINS IN THE END. It is just a game that we play for whatever reason, and that is the game I'm not willing to play.

I don't know how I'll find happiness or what point in my life will I be once it's here, but I'm damn sure waiting for it. I think it's sickening how much time I wasted overanalyzing people and their habits. You see at the end of the day I didn't gain closure, I didn't get anything but a slap in the face. I now know that I can't wish for things to happen, but let it happen on its own time. I still have love for all those that were positive to me, and were their to help me with my troubles. Everyday is a challenge that I'm working to fight against, in my eyes I won't lose the battle if I continue to ask questions because knowledge is power and no one can ever be to smart for their own good.



"In the Event of My Demise"

In the event of my Demise
when my heart can beat no more
I Hope I Die For A Principle or A Belief that I had Lived 4
I will die Before My Time
Because I feel the shadow's Depth
so much I wanted 2 accomplishbefore I reached my Death
I have come 2 grips with the possibility and wiped the last tear from My eyes
I Loved All who were Positive In the event of my Demise



Song of the Day: "Until the End of Time" - Tupac Shakur

"Saturday is game day"

Shit, my room smells really bad right now (had to get that out the way). SO it's 1: 15 am and I just got in my room. Because SATURDAY I S G A M E D A Y. We played and due to poor scrum downs and excessive mud on the St. Bonaventure Rugby field, we lost against Niagara. Yep, our fourth lost in a room. You can say we're at a losing streak LOL. I played the second half and performed decent, but I still could use some conditioning (running drills) because I find myself running out of breathe after a few minutes. I might add that our wing was awesome and we played exceptional defense, but Niagara's offense was unstopable. It was like there passes were precise and no matter how many girls we took down, they always had a side player right there supporting them and catching the ball.

After rolling around in mud for 2 minutes because "I wasn't dirty enough" we took team pictures and headed to the RC for pizza. About two hours later half of the team went over to shockys house for some post game talk and we had a few drinks. OMG you wouldn't believe the shit I found out today. All I have to say is that the WOMANS Rugby team has quite some few experiences their past semesters and are definitely freaks!! I didn't even want to say any of my embarrasing moments because I felt mines weren't half as funny or extreme. I surprisingly enjoyed my day and was too beat to go to fosters later tonight. I say fosters because that is the only place where people can go out and be social around this town. I would definitely have to say that Shockie is HILARIOUS, and Brittany D. and Kristen are badddd!!

After a while I started to get a headache and had to leave the apartment for some fresh air. We left around 11: 15pm and had to stop at McDonalds again because Courtney had to get her McDouble that she wouldn't shut up about for the last hour. The ride wasn't as uncomfortable as it was before, but I made it to rob safely, thanks to Heather.

My clothes got so freaking muddy and I swear there isn't enough detergent in the world to get my long john's to look as clean as they were before the game. Not looking forward to a long day of laundry tomorrow, but I am anxious to read my sis Brielynn's blog....she has raw talent like me !!!!!




Song of the Day: "Hot like Fire" by Aaliyah

Surprisingly, it was a good night :)

Anyone that knows me, knows that I hate animals with a passion and being from NYC the only animals I'm used to seeing are pitbulls and stray cats. NO, I just seen five freaking deers and YES i did have my glasses on !!! It happened about 45 mins ago when walking back to Falconio from Brielynn's car. She was the first one to spot it and I clearly thought she was losing her mind. After I realized that it was a deer I thought I was losing my mind. Then after I claimed down an stopped screaming "SQUALIE" for 5 mins, we all seen a skunk run pass the grass. UGHH...what an experience!

I know your thinking why did I see all these animals around 3 a.m on a Saturday night? Yes, I finally went to out tonight for the first time in four weeks. It felt good going out dancing, socializing and *ahemmm* having a lot of fun in Brielynn's car. Hell yeah, we don't take the drunk bus no whereeee. Foster's which is the local club that everyone from my school and in this town goes to, it's the closest thing to live action similar to the City. Oh yeah and I was definitely not sober so that helped.

Besides that I didn't do much today but laundry and organize my messy side of the room. Roomie comes back tomorrow...hope she makes it back safe :) I will no longer have the dorm all to myself but that is okay. Tomorrow is study day, I have an Italian test on MOnday so I'll be doing quia all day. My professor will be absent for the next two classes after so I'll pretty much be done with Italian for a week and a half.

I want to write more but I can't. My eyelids feel heavy and my throat is dry. I want to wash all this eyeshadow off my face but I'm too lazy and creeped out to walk to the bathroom, but I probably will have to know that I must shit.

So good night and talk to you later.


Song of the Day: "Invented Sex" by Trey Songz

Can't Sleep

Hello world. Sorry I took so long to post a new blog but I've been a busy bug today. Can you believe I had a meeting at the counseling center? I know, you're probably thinking I'm having anxiety attacks or on suicide watch but I just felt I needed someone to talk to. Someone who I can bore with my problems without being interuppted or judge. I forgot her name but she's pretty cool and we schedule to meet on Fridays. Now as for my academics of the day, I finally managed to get a tutor for Italian; only problem is the midterm is Monday and I can't meet with him/her anytime before that :(.. I WILL NOT FAIL. I also took the initate and tried studying at the library, it wasn't much of a difference from my room but I wasn't tempted to lay on my bed so that helped. Oh, yeah and I missed practice for the third day in a row. Instead, I went to Martial Arts in the Richter Center. It was weird, like how you have to position your feet and throw a punch all at once. It was only a hour and half but felt much shorter, I think I will continue to go :)

OMG, guess who I just got off the phone with? S H E R E L L !!!
I was so happy to talk to her and she kept me updated with her first month of college life (way more interesting than mines). She was like all excited about broadcasting or podcasting or whatever the hell she was talking about, and drinking and how her R.A is a bitch* hmm and some things that were not approving.

But all is well and I'm having another sucky night. I don't care how the weather is tomorrow, I am going outtt. Coco Chanel doesn't want to go to Syracuse, which doesn't bother me because I didn't come up with the idea but I just hope we all go out and have a great time. So besides acting a fool at Cafe La Verna and swiping my debit card for unessecary items I didn't do much more. Pretty mellow and I'm just not tired. Ughhh I'm so h o m e s i c k, I want to leave nowwwwwwwwwwwww.

P.s= I don't know who spread the word but there is not and won't be a LINGERIE PARTY at ROB 2nd Flr tonight, so please stop asking!

Remember NO means NO && Much love to you.


Song of the Day: "Cool Like That" by A Tribe called Quest

Newbie*

Sweetttt... I've been in my room for the last five hours glued to my books and this computer screen. I guess being a dweeb on the weekdays isn't so bad. Guess what I'll do afterwards?
MORE STUDYING! yay. But seriously, i have so many assignments to complete and tests to take next week so I'm trying to get a head start. I feel the most comfortable with my Literature class because we're only assigned to analyze and interpret one of the stories from the book. hmm, doesn't sound bad; I just don't understand why I have to write four pages to show that I know what I'm reading. UGH.

But I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday. I've been waiting for tomorrow since Monday. It's surprising when the days go by so quick over here, I mean I am living in cow town, O-lee-an or whatever.

Okay so this blog was bland, nothing juicy but don't worry because I'll be getting into details and TRUST ME you will not be bored. (I can be real funny when I want to). Anywho I've g2g read more shit ..oh yeah don't be alarmed because I'm an advent user of that word but I'll try to keep it PG-13...


Song of the Day:"The Prayer" by Kid Cudi

ARRiVEDERCi