Only fifty? How on earth did you narrow it down? *heh* I like the cover, though, and I agree that you're less likely to take flak for this one. There's still the shapely woman on the cover, though... Why didn't you use a chubby one? (I'm kidding, but you just know someone's going to be serious about that). Given how much I loved your first book, I'm really looking forward to this one. Hope it's ready soon!

Hmmm...I guess I can plug my article on CampusProgress about The Daily Show in Iraq week, even though they lost out to Conan last night.

Hi Jessica,

Shouldn't men know about the double standards too? Frankly, one thing I've learned by reading this blog is how much women go through in terms of sexual street harassment - definitely made me more aware of how big a problem it is.

The topic sounds fascinating and sounds like something I would definitely read, but the cover art didn't grab me (sorry :-(.).

Shameless self-promotion? Okay - my publications:

http://dfred.bol.ucla.edu/publications.html

I agree with the above comment. The cover is too bland. Maybe a picture of a male chastity ceremony or a man wearing a wedding ring or a woman on her knees asking for marriage.

My own self-promotion: my comic strip, The Invisible Life of Poet.

i heart the cover. it's bright and fun- just like your writing. And it's something that i could take with me anywhere and not feel self-conscious reading. i'll be sure to give it plug on my lil blog.
Your last book was a fabulous gift to give to the 14 and 15 year old girls in my life- I'm proud to say that you helped turn my lovely but clueless cousin into the beginnings of a gorgeous feminist. Is your second book geared towards any specific demographic?

My Mom and I have started reading books together and discussing them over the phone. Full Frontal Feminism is on the list (I've already read it) and I'm looking forward to adding this one.

I just started a blog and would appreciate anyone who wants to come on over and give me their thoughts: http://secondhandsally.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

Not too bland for me - I love the bright colors & bold font!

I don't have any shameless self-promotion, but I have (maybe a stupid?) question. Why no "weekly feminist reader" this week? Isn't it usually a weekend thing? Or I'm I missing something?

I like the color scheme - nice and gender-neutral.

But I don't know about the title. I think the fact that "...every woman should know" will make it seem like a book for women, which will turn guys off. I think it's almost MORE important that MEN be aware of these double-standards. I would have liked it if the title were "...every man and woman should know."

Okay, so the cover looks like a cook book (fifty quick meals women should know about), or a sex advice book (fifty ways to please your man), but I like the cover, because I know some unsuspecting non-feminist would be looking at the book, thinking that's it's some shit written by Dr. Laura, and the sooner she starts reading it ...BAM! She's hit with a Jessica Valenti left and right of feminism, and then she becomes a feminist. That's cool.

I like the cover!

And shameless promotion: profeministmale.wordpress.com

Also, do not forget there's the Feminist Majority Foundation conference for women of color in North Carolina next week. Every cool kid with an FMLA on campus is going to be there!

I love the cover. Shows off that it's a "serious" book (aka non-fiction) but also edgy and not stuffy.

I just started a blog on Canadian feminism/politics and I'm always wanting to add more voices to the conversation.

feministcatalyst.blogspot.com

I think it's a very striking, bold cover that would call my attention at the bookstore. It appeals to my mod sense of style (a love of cleanness and striking, bold colors and shapes). It is interesting, though, that it doesn't really relate to the topic of the book - it could be a cover for any kind of book. Was that a conscious decision after the drama over the cover of Full Frontal Feminism? I see the little woman figure there, but I can't help but feel there should be a graphic there that relates to the subject matter more...

Anyway, congratulations! You are crankin' 'em out!

ProFeministMale has the best understanding of cover-design psychology. Book covers are never intended to be original and extraordinary. They're a lure/decoy to draw in people who bought something else with a similar cover.
I like it, and I see what they're trying to do.

Part of what I LOVED about your first book (and believe me, it has been read, highlighted, and used as a guideline for teaching my WGS 100 class) is that people would see me carrying or reading a book with a partially nude female on the cover. It sparked conversation, it caught the eye, it was appealing to those who wouldn't normally have thought to read it. So what if this is a serious book? Does that mean it MUST have a serious cover? Who decides what serious is anyways?
I would be elated if you put a more controversial front cover on this book. Feminism should spark controversy, it should get people talking - and then more people will want to become informed. It could even cause more publicity.
Yes, it's eye-catching as it is now. And I can't wait to read it, I'll probably even pre-order it. But why not put the "macho male" and the "Fragile female" on the front cover? Or a man in one of those sleezy sex costumes made for women?
Just an idea. I love your writing though and think you're wonderful!!!

hey... i agree w/ most of everyone else's comments.
i think the problem with putting some edgy image on the cover is inclusiveness. the woman on her knees proposing to a dude would indeed be eye catching (as would perhaps, a woman walking in a door with a cheesy grin, hanging up her hat and yelling HONEY I'M HOME)...but again, there's the issue of what race she is, her sexual orientation, etc. this might seem a bit nitpicky but like the first commenter said, its what some people will take seriously.
i think whats more important than that is that the title should appeal to everyone. if a guy who isnt already interested in feminism sees that title, 9 times out of 10 he's not going to pick it up because he'll think its not for him.

I'll not-"hijack" this thread to invite people to take a look at what's happening at CCSU -- the students are in protest again b/c the paper published a cartoon about urinating on a 14-year-old Latina. (this is the same student newspaper that published "Rape Only Hurts If You Fight It," which editor Mark Rowan insisted fell on our deaf ears because we didn't get it as satire. God, we're stupid!!) Beyond first amendment rights, it is hostile workplace, intimidation, hate speech, and more. Plus it's fucked up. blog = http://takebacktherecorder.blogspot.com

There was a protest today; Monty would have loved it! ;) There's more to come, I'm sure, including lawsuits against the administration. The students there need love, and coverage of this story.

Designwise, I love the cover. It reminds me of the line that Cynthia Rowley had at Target (All to briefly, I'm afraid I can't remember the name).
Day-umn, you work fast!
As for shameless self promotion--checka my personal blog, Choose me For Champion. It's a hodge-podge of feminism, pop culture, and things that happen to me. I most recently wrote abou the stir that Chris Crocker caused over his love of Brit Brit.

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm deeply offended that that shapely woman is 1) shapely and 2) orange instead of purple. And did Jessica get her from a private artist? Because if she did that's wrong when there are plenty of shadow shapes to be adopted from powerpoint clip art. How dare you Jessica!

;) Just kidding.

Congrats on the awesome new book! I will add it to my wishlist:)

I'm afraid that to a lot of people, it'll look like another fluffy women's book about dating or finding the right man or getting "empowered."
I'm just having a really hard time w/ the title. I don't know if I like the number 50 in the title, or the fact that it's "blah blah...should know." Like, why not something more bold?

I agree with the other comments. While the design is nice, it could be more... double-ey. And the title sounds like it could be an email forward.

I'd still buy it, but I think it could be improved so that those who aren't Feministing readers would be interested too.

ooo I like the cover!Stripey!! I dunno what SarahMC is going on about the title for. I think its fine. I kinda got the feeling that it was sapose to be making fun of those dating books.. the colour scheme is very 50's. Did someone already say this?

I think the title quite clearly states what the book is about. Who's gonna think that its a dating book!? give us gals some cred Sarah.

Anyway I'm practically illiterate so what do I know?! i have a blog but it probably makes very little sense : http://www.painfulreminder.blogspot.com

Frog Queen, I know we'll be interested in the book no matter what. I'm concerned about exposing OTHER PEOPLE to the double standards we've all talked about.
I agree with La Fille Torpille about email forwards!
I don't mean any offense, Jessica. I can't wait to read it and you know I love ya. I just want MORE people to pick it up and think about double-standards.

50 double standards everyone should know?

How about this double standard?

Women have reproductive rights. Men do not.

If the woman get pregnant and does not want the child, she can abort it. But if the man does not want the child, he is still obligated to pay child support.

Oh, hello thread hijacking!

This is a general plea to everyone - PLEASE do not engage.

I can't bear to have this conversation (again, for the five thousandth time) here when we're supposed to be discussing Jessica's awesome new book and everyone else's awesome contributions to feminism.

When is the release date, or approximate release date for this book?

No offense taken at all, SarahMC! I totally hear you.

Oh, and the release date is March 2008. Woo hoo!

I like the cover, though I'm curious the thinking behind it so we can better assess whether it's conveying what you want. It's bright and the font is large enough, so that works, but is there something else you're trying to convey?

For my shameless self-promotion, I'd love to point people to my blog, The Redstar Perspective (click on my name above), and especially my discussion of gender bias at work - how it emerges and is built into the work environment over time.

http://www.grahamad.com/blog/2007/09/05/tracing-the-construction-of-gender-bias-key-findings/

(You all were so kind to put my full study in your Weekly Feminist Reader on 8/26!)

You'll also find quite a bit on cities, politics, inequality, and race and ethnicity there.

Happy Reading for all of us! Thanks for letting us share w/one another!

Love the cover, definitely going to buy it.

Do you know any more details about your tour to the UK yet?

If the woman get pregnant and does not want the child, she can abort it. But if the man does not want the child, he is still obligated to pay child support.

Gotta comment, just gotta do it:BULL. SHIT. If a man doesn't want to ever make a mistake in his reproduction freedoms then he will make sure to wear a condom every time or if he wants it 99.9% certain he'll get a vasectomy until he's ready for kids. If you don't want mistakes made then don't put your reproductive freedom in someone else's hands.

Now, back to the thread:)

Actually, chem_fem, I'm going to be in the UK in Dec speaking at Oxford and some other places...will let folks know for sure.

As for the thinking behind the cover--I didn't design it, so I'm not really sure. They showed it to me, I loved it, so that was really that.

I really like it because it's all poppy and I had the SAME thought as Moxie about the Cynthia Rowley connection. It seems bright and fun, and commercial (so hopefully reaching out to a wider audience than just already-self-identified feminists).

Great, hope you can make it to Cambridge. If you need any help with that let me know!

Congratulations! I do book reviews and trend writing for several magazines and newspapers. Feel free to contact me off post or have your publisher send me a review copy.

Shameless self-promotion: My book, biography of burlesque dancer Lili St. Cyr, comes out in one month. It's called Gilded Lili and you can learn more about it or even win a free copy on my blog: www.thecandypitch.com.

I believe they're actually working on Cambridge as well, but I didn't want to say anything until it was a definite. Fun!

So excited!!!!

Okay, I can play this double-standard game with Heir to the Throne.

How about this one: if a woman makes a stupid statement, she gets a pass - but when idiots like you make a statement, they're more than likely to get their asses beat by violent feminists. Never seen a violent feminist? You've never seen me at a bar.

I am home from vacation next week. Consider flying to Virginia, I'll show you about double standard with a beer bottle over your head.

Marc

Yay! Can't wait to read it!

I really like the cover.

Title idea.

Thinking over SarahMC's points, it might be cute if there was a little asterik after woman in the title, and then down below it said (and men!).

i.e.,

50 Double Standards Every Woman* Should Know

*[And Man!]

First, I'm the last person anyone should ever take artistic advice from. I think it was sort of the dull autumn colors that didn't grab me.

If it was your cover, what would put on it?

How about a boy dressed in pink and a girl dressed in blue?

A woman proposing to a man?

A woman doctor posing with a male nurse?

Those are more "gender role reversals", but any ideas out there?

I like the cover. It looks sharp, sophisticated, and appeals to a broader audience. In conservative areas, the controversial book covers are passed over completely. This will stand a much larger chance of being looked through--and better yet, teenage girls out with their moms can pick it up without getting chastised. Yay, subterfuge. : )

I think I'll offer my art site instead of my writing blog, this week:

http://alexremy.com/

I *heart* the cover. Very bold and attention-grabbing.

Here's my shameless self-promotion for my blog:
"Under Construction...Until I Say So"

Shameless self promotion?? YAY!!!
http://www.lauratheartistjones.blogspot.com

the book looks rad, jessica!

I have to say i am torn. i do like the bright colors and graphic design. I also find the reference to a cookbook someone previously observed kinda hilarious too. However, i do think it's important to note that the double standards aren't just for women to know, they are double standards that totally blow. I get that perhaps your approach with this book is not as confrontational as Full Frontal, but as it stands, I wouldn't be drawn to this book. I like confrontational feminisms.

also, for self promotion. I had a recent blog that touches on double standards in loving friendships... you can check it out at my blog, The Radical Mirror.
[I'm not sure if the link worked, it's www.wheresmyreflection.blogspot.com , the post is called "Bropressive"]

" If you don't want mistakes made then don't put your reproductive freedom in someone else's hands."

I had to remind myself for a minute there that you weren't a pro-lifer.

How about a boy dressed in pink and a girl dressed in blue?

A woman proposing to a man?

A woman doctor posing with a male nurse?

I want to second this idea. They are gender role reversals, but they're totally double-standards too, especially the nurse-doctor one (i.e. that women should be educated, but not too educated). Something really simple, like a male nurse and female doctor could make for a catchy graphic, and shock enough (clueless) people to attract a wide audience. This is coming from someone who most definitely judges books by their covers, for better or for worse.

I like the cover. It's clean and colorful. Can't wait to read it.

Shameless promotion? My first foray into blogging: whattamisaid.blogspot.com

I'm going to take advantage of the shameless self-promotion fest here and post the link to pictures of my artwork - some of it is anti-bush, more recently I've been doing stuff related to Abstinence-Only BS. There are some images in here that are actually from one of the programs - be sure to check out the chart "Know the progression of sexual feeling", and the top 50 ways to say No to sex. I can't make this stuff up.

http://picasaweb.google.com/anna.faherty/Artwork

Yay for self-promotion! Here is the link to my feminist blog which certainly would not exist if not for feministing.

http://afeministresponsetopopculture.blogspot.com/

Gracias!!!! I have a lot going on, thank you for giving me the platform to promote.

My "spotlight" interview at: http://detwiftv.homestead.com/index.html

Check out the compelling, anonymous interview, conducted by Adele Nieves, with a woman who has been in and out of the prison system since she was 14 years old. Available in the Tainted Mirror Anthology.
http://www.penofthewriter.com/tainted

New Blog: The Outlet (accepting contributors)
http://blog.liquidwordsproductions.com/

What We Think: Gender Roles, Women's Issues and Feminism in the 21st century, An Anthology (accepting contributors) http://www.liquidwordsproductions.com/bookstore.html

I can't help but wonder how many of those double standards I sadly already know or will shake my head as I recognize.

What a world.

Self-promoting? Sure, I can do that.

I write erotica. Anyone interested in a little release, feminist style should go to my blog www.aredbook.blogspot.com. You won't be disappointed!

violetlightning, your fiber arts are awesome, I really enjoy the terror alert one, and the schfally quotes.
Jessica, I like the cover, and sort of love that it evokes a 1950's cookbook for me.

I find this cover offensive.

I have more self promotion.

Anyone living in the Chicago area who has experienced street harassment should send me their stories for hollaback Chicago.

http://hollabackchitown.blogspot.com/

I REALLY like the asterisk idea.

I like the cover, but think the asterisk idea would be great. The bright colours and modern style are lovely - but I'm a sucker for anything stripy :)

Self-promotion: I write a blog about trying to live a more eco-friendly life in Australia (the link is in my screen name here). No feminist stuff there yet, but if you've got any ideas for a topic or info that combines the environment with feminism, please drop me a line from the Contact page.

I have the artistic sensibilities of a three-year-old, so I won't comment on the cover other than to say what most toddlers would say: "pretty!"

Jessica, what you need is a SUBTITLE. A catchy one. One like "Full frontal feminism" that takes something and turns it on its head. I don't want to read about 50 double standards; I want to read about double standards, what to do about them, how to fight them, where they come from, and why they still persist.

I like the asterisk idea (or a parenthetical would work as well!); however, I do think you need a subtitle. Your book would then read:
50 Double Standards Every Woman (and Man) Should Know: recognise them, turn them on their heads, and help rid the world of them.

Or something that is actually catchy.

I absolutely loved your first book!!!! So I know no matter what I will be picking up a copy of this as well, but the cover doesn't grab me nearly as much as the first. Unfortunately with so much of the media working against feminism, and the teeny section we get at Chapters (Gendered Studies) I think it is important to make sure the cover really grabs attention. JMHO. Keep up the incredible writing though!

Very nice.....but Please Please make the 2 words DOUBLE and STANDARD the exact same font, size, etc. Double Standards is a phrase and the 2 words go together. Good luck!

I like the cover. It's very subversive. It looks like a regular old modern "self-help" (read: how to catch a man) book. But when you pick it up, it's a whole lot more.

As for self-promotion, I HAVE a blog but I'm currently rethinking the direction it's been going in, so I'll go with my DA instead.
http://skittlesgenesis.deviantart.com/
Where I post all my fan art and original bits. Including some photographs of my boyfriend (one nude, but I did let him put something over his more sensitive bits)

I also don't care much for the title. Don't we, as women, already know the double-standards? I think it should be directed at men. I'm kinda getting tired of everyone telling me what I need to know because I'm a woman.

Damn, Jay, that's going to bug me now.

Okay, I don't mean this as a dig at anyone in particular, but reading through this thread has struck me.

Isn't it interesting how people who, for the most part, cannot get a book written and published are all experts on how they should look, what they should be called, and what they should say? That they, in fact, know much more than a publishing house's marketing team (which makes it's living by making books more saleable).

Which is all a roundabout way of asking: why does everyone have to be so critical of every tiny little detail? So everything isn't 100% to your liking. It's a situation I'm sure we're all used to by now (being adults who live in the real world). Must this thread turn into a never ending parade of "What Jessica's doing wrong with her book this time"?

I love the bold colors, I think design-wise it really stands out. I'm looking forward to buying myself & my 5 sisters this book :) Although I do agree that the title may be excluding men from wanting to pick it up and read it...I don't have a suggestion for an alternative title...

Shameless self-promotion...
I don't have a blog or anything, but I do have a website for my research at UMass...it may not be interesting for everyone but I'll share it anyway
www.ipswich-riverherring.com

KIMMY: "Isn't it interesting how people who, for the most part, cannot get a book written and published are all experts on how they should look, what they should be called, and what they should say?"

I think that's primarily because Jessica asked people what their thoughts were on the cover. Hence the reason people are sharing their thoughts and opinions? The thoughts of feminist-oriented readership may differ from that of a PR firm.

But I think that you're right in that we are used to scrutinizing and analyzing all the little details of posts.

Congrats, Jessica. I'm thrilled for you. I love the colors on the cover, very eye-catching. I got so much out of "Full-Frontal Feminismt" and I refer to it again and again. I just wish it had been around when I was growing up during the awful Reagan-Bush years.

As for my shameless self-promotion? Check out my pop culture blog.

http://popcorninmybra.blogspot.com/

I just started it and I'm having a lot of fun. I just might write a review of your new book.

I think this cover is great, I love the colors!

I like the cover just fine. My daughter's comment when she saw the title was "Only 50?" :-)

I'm sure the book will be as great as Full Frontal

Looks like it is going to be a great book. I prefer if the cover was rainbow-colored.

UCLAbodyimage and Sarah are correct about including double standards than men need to know. As long as the inside has double standards that women and men should know, then I'm not bothered by the title 50 Double Standards Every Woman Should Know.

ProFeministMale, which North Carolina campus willl the Feminist Majority conference be held? Chapel Hill? or some other UNC-owned campus?

Kimmy,

Didn't she ask for our opinions? Don't marketers also ask for the opinions of their target audiences?

During the past year alone, I've been part of marketing analysis, served on a mock jury (held by a law firm that tried the case a week later), and been asked by a bunch of TV people what I thought of their ads. It's not that my opinion is more valuable than other people's opinions, or that I have special insight; it's just that, after a while, the people who do these things need input from those who have never seen it before. You need fresh eyes and the opinions of the outside world. Marketers may be, but are probably not uniformly, young feminists who would probably buy this book.

My point is that the constant never-ending stream of criticism is unnecessary. It's called constructive criticism, look it up.

Filling out a survey or what-have-you is a little different than offering your unvarnished opinion directly to the human being with whom the work originated.

I just think it's possible to offer your opinion without being so unrelievedly down on everything. Also, I don't believe young feminists are necessarily the sole target audience. I believe Jessica is probably aiming at women in general, whether feminist or no. Otherwise, she'd be pretty much preaching to the choir.

And, technically, no, she didn't ask our opinions. She showed it to us and stated that the cover was non-controversial. Not saying she doesn't want opinions, but she didn't actually ask for them.

Filling out a survey or what-have-you is a little different than offering your unvarnished opinion directly to the human being with whom the work originated.
Err... that would be the mock jury and TV people. A group of the latter walked up to me, holding a glossy ad, and asked, "What do you think about this?" while everyone else looked on. Um, unless I'm missing some RADICAL difference between "what do you think of this" and "thoughts?", both are asking for an opinion, to be given to the person whose work is in question.

I do not think there is an unending barrage of criticism directed at Jessica; a lot of people seem to really love the stripes, the woman, and the like.

Besides, if you're not pissing someone off, you're boring or a doormat. As feminists, we should be used to this... :)

That thought process explains a lot about your posts. Me, I prefer civility when possible, also kindness, tact, and actual helpfulness. But I guess I'm funny that way.

Um... did you miss the smiley, the universal sign of "I'm making a joke?"

Nevertheless, I would be shocked if Jessica, Vanessa, Ann, and Samhita live their lives so as to not offend people. One commentor, upthread, noted that the cover of Full Frontal Feminism started conversations with people who were curious about it. Progress and change does not result by being tactful.

"Well-behaved women seldom make history."

Subtle differences are not your strong suit, I know. Controversy is one thing. Being rude is another. Failing to be well-behaved is one thing. Failing to be tactful or kind is another. While it is occasionally necessary to behave in a fashion that could truly be considered behaving badly, generally it's not. At least, and especially, not amongst ourselves.

Subtle differences are not your strong suit, I know.

What a kind, sweet, and tactful thing to say, Kimmy. :)

Failing to be well-behaved is one thing. Failing to be tactful or kind is another.

Er.... yes. The latter is a subset of the former.

Actually, no. I can misbehave quite nicely and never let an unkind or rude word leave my mouth. It's a skill, I know, but one that more people would do well to cultivate.

Well, Kimmy, you are apparently the paragon of virtue, aren't you? I mean, you're able to criticise me AND do it nicely! You are even so wonderful as to misbehave without even misbehaving.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/misbehave

Misbehave: to conduct (oneself) without regard for good manners or accepted moral standards: Several of the guests misbehaved themselves.

Hey gals, let's take it down a notch, k? Thanks...

Maybe some of us were under the impression that the cover is not yet final, so we offered our suggestions for improvement.
And Jessica didn't say who the intended audience is, which is why many of us were speculating or criticizing based on our assumptions.
The book may very well not just be aimed at young feminists. I assumed not, so I said the inclusion of the word "men" might give it broader appeal.

You're right, SarahMC--I should have been clearer. The cover is final as far as I know, but I did ask for folks' thoughts. (More out of general interest than a desire to look for things to tweak.) Apologies for not being specific. And thanks to everyone for all of their great thoughts and suggestions.

The book may very well not just be aimed at young feminists.

::Bangs head against desk.::

My sincere apologies. As I typed "feminist," I wondered if I should add a string of qualifiers (men included, those interested in feminism who aren't out of the closet, those who are for women's rights but not sure about this third-wave stuff, etc), then decided against it. After all, isn't this a feminist site with some really profound, thoughtful male commentors (Tom Head when he's around, profeminist male, UCLABodyImage - whom I presume to be male)?

My mistake. In my world, "feminist" includes men. It includes people who don't call themselves "feminists" but aren't into misogyny and believe in women's rights. I did not realise that a lot of people would read it so narrowly.

To further explain: as much as it would be a dream come true, it's not like every misogynist in America is going to pick up Jessica's book, along with his copy of Playboy and "The Sun Also Rises."

Chances are, it will be filed right where Full Frontal Feminism was put in the Borders that I went to: in "Women's Studies."

"(Tom Head when he's around, profeminist male, UCLABodyImage - whom I presume to be male)? "

Yep, I'm a dude. Don't leave out roymacIII! I think I learn something new pretty much every time he posts.

I'm in for another mea culpa, then.

If I omitted any males, it is not deliberate; I was going for an off-the-top-of-my-head sample.

Back to Jessica's book....

Just to clarify: I'm not a paragon of virtue. I can actually be kind of a bitch. I just find it more effective to be a bitch with a smile. That way people don't often realize what's happened until it's over and they've lost. I'll grant that this works better in person than online.

I'll say again: my original post was not meant as a dig at any one person. I simply found that going through the thread and reading a long string of "I don't like this" and "this is a bad idea" and "why didn't you do this" and "I would never do this" and "it would be so much better if" and things of that nature was a bit depressing. And I wondered how that might feel to Jessica. Not that she needs me (or anyone) to stand up for her. It was just a few thoughts I had.

Goodness knows that I don't expect everyone to act the way I do, or even the way I think they ought to. But, in the grand tradition of being me, that doesn't mean I'm not going to comment either.

I just find it more effective to be a bitch with a smile.

That is a far cry from "I... never let an unkind or rude word leave my mouth."

Yes, I can understand why a whole thread full of negatives wouldn't be great, but 1) there's a difference between constructive criticism ("I like x, but not sure about y; why don't you do z?") and shredding someone ("I don't like x, y, and z"). Also, a lot of people said that they liked the stripes.

Obviously, Jessica might have had enough cover criticism for, say, her entire life....

No offense taken at all, SarahMC! I totally hear you.free online games