Anti-Bullying Starts in First Grade. A mother writes about her disappointment at finding out her little girl Katie got teased for carrying a Star Wars water bottle to school because “it’s for boys.” The comments are full of support from geeky women telling Katie that it’s okay to be different, it’s okay to like things that other people say aren’t “girly,” and most of all, it’s okay to love Star Wars! I couldn’t have put it any better myself.

One Question IQ Test. I failed miserably!

SKINS Landmark Challenge
Two weeks ago I got an email from someone at SKINS asking if I’d be interested in testing out their new A400 Active range. “Uh, sure!” I said. They also invited me to create a Landmark Challenge on their new Facebook app. The idea is that you post photos or a video of yourself attempting some sort of fitness feat and then everyone else is challenged to try it and post their scores. I immediately thought of my weekly attempts at Spudds to get 100m in 20s on the rowing machine. So what the hell! I had Spudds record a video of my attempt on Monday night:

I honestly had NO IDEA that I make those grimaces when I’m rowing. GRRRR! Fierce Kris is FIERCE! 🙂

Anyway, my Challenge went live on the Facebook app and you can see it by scrolling down on the “Featured Challenges” list to “Rowing Machine Challenge.” So far I think mine is the only Challenge submitted by the public. I can’t wait to see if anybody else has a go. I’m going to see if I can get my double-hundreds tonight.

Oh! And they sent me a pair of Women’s 3/4 Compression Tights today, so I’ll be testing and reporting on those very shortly… Thanks SKINS!

Update: I got my double hundreds today! New Challenge score is officially 200m. 🙂

If they had a referendum tomorrow, I’d vote to become a republic. Of course I would. HOWEVER – as a dedicated fan of fairy tales, monarchies, and happy endings (in much the same delusional fashion as Muriel Heslop and Blair Waldorf), I am ALL ABOUT the royal wedding. Yay! Where can I get on a waiting list for a commemorative plate?

“Jane Pratt taps blogger Tavi Gevinson to revive ‘Sassy’.” As I said on Google Reader, this is one of the best gifts the universe could ever give me. Sassy was a huge, HUGE part of who I was (and who I wanted to be) in high school. I had a subscription and I read every issue voraciously. I thought Thurston Moore and Evan Dando were dreamy. I planned entries to the “Sassiest Girl in America” contest (but never followed through). I mocked Seventeen and YM. I even bought a hand-painted T-shirt (featuring a big female symbol) from the classifieds in the back and actually wore it to school.

I’ve got no idea what happened to my old magazines. They probably got chucked when I went off to college. It’s a huge source of regret. I really need to get that book.

The outgoing Inner City Committee 2010
Here’s Geraldine, Rose, and I celebrating our retirement from leading the Guild’s Inner City group yesterday.

Our term was a long one; it’s actually been 22 months since we took office. In that time the membership has more than doubled to 73 and we’ve changed venue twice. Our group now has its own bank account with a healthy balance. We’re averaging about 40 members per meeting. We’ve had a lot great workshops and talks, many by our own members. I’m really proud of everything we’ve accomplished! …And I’m looking forward to being a “civilian” again. 🙂

The new committee are going to be great. The Convenor is Tia, and I’ll be working with her to hand over the reins. Secretary will be Kelly, and Treasurer will be Jane. Best of luck to all of them!