Recent articles“I have become my very own version of an optimist. If I can’t make it through the door, I’ll go through another door. Something terrific will come no matter what.” -Joan Rivers
“You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.” –Beverly Sills
“If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right.” –Mary Kay Ash
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’” –Erma Bombeck
This article is also available on Ask E. Jean’s FANTASTIC website under the Top Campus Columnists section.
The Conundrum of Genitalia
By Glory Fink
What does it mean to be male or female? Are the terms directly connected to the shape of our genitalia?
A better question might be what does it mean to be a man or a woman? Can women be strong, rational and brilliant, yet feminine and soft? Is it okay for men show emotion and be kind and tenderhearted, yet remain virile and macho?
A quick panty check assures me that I am very much female. However, showing that I am a woman is a much harder task. How can I show the world that I am a woman (hear me roar) without letting everyone in on a worldwide panty check broadcast on YouPorn?
It seems that being a woman or a man is a lot harder than being female or male. The very definitions of each are contradictory. Traditionally, women are supposed to be delicate, weak and gentle while men should be strong, unemotional and realistic.
If you watch TV, movies or even hang out for a day in a high school, you’ll find that stereotypes are alive and well. Going by what you see, women are sexual objects-creatures obsessed with appearance and desperately craving attention and acceptance from men and women who find them sexually attractive.
On the other hand, men are shown as careless morons who live for the next thrill and/or sexual tryst. According to stereotype, authentic men are unconcerned with (or unable to) form close emotional bonds with anyone in a friendship or romantic relationship. But who cares when your buddies film you lighting farts and then post it on YouTube for all the world to ridicule?
The one thing missing from all these traditional and modern stereotypes is a real person. A real person who bleeds, cries and gets lonely. Stereotypes don’t need real people to function; they run on a feedback loop fed by gullible teenagers and savvy media researchers. However, real people do need other real people. They need hugs and laughter, handholding and perhaps even some cuddling.
When you’re ready to let go of the stereotypes it’s time to find some real people. In your head or out loud say, “Hey, I’m a real person just trying to get through this life. I know I’m not perfect and sometimes I can really mess things up but what you see is what you get. I don’t expect any more or less from you.”
Don’t be surprised when real people turn into real friends and lovers.
Comments, suggestions and feedback are always appreciated. Send your emails to glory@askglory.com with “Attention: Glory” in the subject line.
The next article is uploaded and will appear Wednesday afternoon. 
BTW, I am now a member of The Golden Key International Honor Society.
My mother and uncle joined the Golden Key in college (in the ’60’s) and while I was earning my bachelor’s I really wanted to be a Golden Key member partly for the recognition of all my hard work and partly to make my mother proud.
I appreciate the membership but 6 months after graduation is rather anti-climactic…
This semester, my goals are very different as I study for the GRE, research graduate programs in counseling and community health services and work on honing my photography skills for the 7 hours of photography classes I am taking. I am so fortunate to study under the talented teachers/mentors Betty Press in Art Photography and Clarence Williams in Photojournalism.
SiteMonkey says that he has a scanner to scan negatives so perhaps I’ll get my best work uploaded to a gallery over the winter break so everyone can see. In the meantime, two of my best pictures (so far) are on display in USM’s Southern Hall (the basement). 
TTFN, my darlings!
Glory
Wednesday, October 10th marked the ninth anniversary of the day Brad and I first met each other. We met on the Internet and then two months later I won tickets to the USM Homecoming game. I asked Brad if he would like to join me for the game. We agreed to meet at The Beagle Bagel first (now a Hancock Bank branch) and hit it off so well that we were late for the game because we chatted so long at the bagel shop.
Even at the time it felt special.
Wednesdays aren’t really great days to celebrate anniversaries so Brad and I will be celebrating over a long weekend at the Tennessee Williams Festival in Clarksdale, MS.
Articles and blog posts will be back starting next week (unless I’m feelin’ frisky over the weekend).
In the meantime…
Mississippi Summer Afternoon
By Glory Fink
Sitting on my front porch
Fat bees bumbling thru the flowers in my weed garden
Watching cars driving by
And children playing in the park
Mama cat snoozes in the shade while
Meadow spots a field mouse in the bushes
She quivers in the excitement of her hunt
The Wind breezes by and kisses my sweat soaked brow
On her way to parts unknown
Mississippi summer afternoon
Oct. 3-16 Horoscopes
The Burger
By Glory Fink
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Beware of evil whisperers who whisper in men’s ears, Libra. If you hear rumors or gossip that outrages you, chances are you’re being setup. Check out the real facts before organizing that demonstration, my little revolutionary.
(Go to the website link to read the rest…)