The roles we tend to play

As a female I've heard many times about how a man should be, how a man should treat a woman. This starts from kids movies and continues through life. The boy saves the girl, the man protects the woman... We are set up to play the role of a damsel in distress. As soon as we clearly show that we can take care of ourselves, that we are independent and able to pay our own bills without any problems, we tend to end up alone, single. Is this because we as successful women set up too high standards for men and these type of men are just too scarce? Or do we scare off men? Or perhaps both? 

Since this world is not set for independent women, it's tough for both sexes to adapt to this. I've read many times that we have to let men feel needed by asking them to help us in simple tasks in the house or simply opening a can. Isn't this silly? Why would you put yourself down this way by asking for help with something you could easily handle yourself? Isn't it better to actually ask for help in things you honestly can't do? 

It's sad that the world today is set up in a way where men have to feel like women need them for solving and/or fixing things? There are women bodybuilders out there. Imagine them asking their husband/ boyfriend to open up a can... Isn't it better to have honesty in this world? Yes it's great to be in someone's arms and feel safe. But I'm sure this goes both ways. This feeling of being safe relates more to trust you feel for the person you're with and not so much feeling safe from burglary for example. So I hope the standards for male and female will change and we could all just be honest with one another without feeling the need to read between the lines or act in a way you feel you have to. We all need to be real and stop trying to portray a character made by the media.

Alter Bridge - Fortress (my new obsession)

I am addicted to music in general. Not a day goes by where I don't listen to it and I would prefer to forget my phone at home over my mp3-player (yes I have an mp3-player, no ipod or whatever and it's been working GREAT for me for the past 4 years). 

Anyway I've been a bit late to actually listen to Alter Bridge's latest album Fortress since it came out in September 2013. The reason was that after Blackbird I was a little bit disappointed with ABIII, though I also haven't intensely listened to that one either. It didn't grasp me, so I listened to other stuff. 

With the first single from Fortress (addicted to pain) I was also not grasped. I don't really understand why they went with this song as a first single. Pretty much all the other songs are way better than that one. Not saying it's a bad song, it's just not a good representation of how good the album is.

Video-clip:

I started to really listen to the other songs of the album about 2 weeks ago and I simply can't stop. The top songs for me from the album are: Cry of Achilles, Lover, All Ends Well and Fortress. 

It is a great piece of work we needed in the rock genre. The riffs are great, but then again that is to be expected from Mark Tremonti, and Myles Kennedy's voice is still one of the greatest in this era of rock. There is a reason why Slash wanted him on 2 albums and along on tour - just saying! 

So all in all I am obsessed and so happy I finally gave this album a good listen! The only bummer is that I just missed them when they were playing a show here. Next time I'll be there for sure! 

Here's a youtube clip of the Fortress - the first song I favorited from the album:

'Let's get some shoes!' Sneaker edition

Heyy!

I've bought some sneakers the past week and since I love watching what shoes others have bought, or shoe hauls or whatever you want to call it, I figured I'd share some of my shoes :) I don't have quite as many as a lot of others I've seen online, but according to my friends I have more than enough shoes. And of course they are right, but (yes there's a but), sometimes you need some other shoes right? I wanted a bit more sneakers for work. Not a good enough reason to buy new ones? Oh well... I'm not returning them :D So anyway here goes:

A bit more fancy sneakers. I wanted to try this style out and I like it actually. Very cute and comfy underneath a skirt and they're more casual than sporty. I like them! From Anna Field

I wanted a bit more fancy low sneakers so I opted for these. I think the gold gives them a bit more edge. From Anna Field

I absolutely LOVE this colour! And they are just sporty and easy going so I wanted these to replace some other sneakers I've had for about 5 years... They're in the last picture FYI ;) From Dockers

My tennis shoes! I started tennis again after 6 years and had these for 2 years. I like these more than the 'usual' all white tennis shoes. I like the splash of blue and they're so comfortable. From Sketchers (resistance)

I am supposed to throw these out... They have holes in them and are about 5 years old. But I just can't throw them out. I call these my 'hippie' shoes because of the sparkly 'peace & love' sign on them. From Sketchers. 

I wanted to have a 'rougher' setting for these shoes since they're meant to be outdoorsy and such, so that's why I chose to photograph them outside.

Also if you didn't get the title reference, you should check this old youtube clip:

We all have our 'down' times...

I meant to be blogging more than I have, but sadly life happens and I said 'sadly' because it seems like this year is one of the most emotional years I've had. We can't be happy all the time and these times it's all more sad than happy, but who knows, maybe it'll turn around and many good things are about to happen. I do hope so. 

I've had to say quite a few of goodbyes this year. And these are always very tough. Along with that I just found out I will never see 'my' dogs again. I saw 'my' because I'm not the person taking care of them because I live halfway across the world. It saddens me that I have no influence on the decisions that have been made. I feel powerless with a forced understanding for why I will never see Rex or Maxie wag their tails again. If I only knew this the last time I saw them... A lot of 'maybes' and 'what ifs' which we all know leads nowhere than tiredness of the mind. Wouldn't it be great if we could go back in time to spend a some time with the loved ones who won't be here much longer or have already passed on? 

Anyway I would like to end this message with a quote a former friend of mine once sent me when my other dog was euthanized:

The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Rex

Maxie