I put my sweats/pajamas on almost immediately once i get home. if my poor boyfriend bought me a pair of pajamas that he liked, i'd be psyched, because then i wouldnt feel like such a freakin sclub.
in my family we call them yummies because they feel SO YUMMY when you put them on.
We actually had two guys break into our house (yes, in broad daylight, without gloves) when I was 12 and home alone. I hid in the pantry, but I could see them trying to take our VCR (the VCR cable was a real bitch). They saw me, but luckily they were just a couple of small-time crooks and not psychos, because they left shortly thereafter.
Brinks would not have done a hell of a lot to help in that sitch.
@silentrationale: brave girl! i would have been hysterical. i try to image what i would do if somethng like that happened to me NOW, and i can only think of screaming and crying. i wouldnt be able to find a good hiding place in time.
To be fair (and I'm totally late to this thread and biased because we just got a Brinks system installed and I found them pretty awesome to deal with so far), all this talk of throwing shit, hairspray, guns, and dogs is all well and good, but it's not going to stop someone from breaking into your house. Our house was burglarized a few weeks ago and we have two dogs, lock all the doors and windows, and take all reasonable precautions to protect the house. It didn't matter. Luckily, my boyfriend got home when the dude was still in the house and chased him (didn't catch him, unfortunately) so the guy didn't get much, but holy hell that shit freaked me out and I am PISSED. Shelling out a little change every month for an alarm system has helped me NOT freak out and spend every minute worrying about my house (and most of all, the animals, who thank goodness weren't hurt or stolen -- it happens all the time around here -- and didn't escape through the broken window or an open door). Plus we got all the shit put in for FREE.
So I don't love the commercials, but don't let them piss you off so much you think you're invincible and able to defend yourself against shit you might not be able to prevent.
This story and the not rape story both made me think of an article I read in Pshycology Today, its all about the selectivity of criminals.
"Criminals, like their victims, come in all varieties, but researchers have found that they don't choose their victims randomly"
The article goes on to say in a classic study researchers asked convicted rapists, murderers, armed robbers etc to view a video of pedestrians in NYC. In a few seconds the criminals identified which people would have been likely targets, within the selection there was a clear concensus between them to who they would have picked. Interestingly, the selections were not based on gender, race or age. Their selections were based on nonverbal signals, posture, body language, pace of walking, length of stride, and environmental awareness.
Later in the article a convicted sex offender who had raped over 75 women said this," If I had the slightest inkling that a woman wasn't someone I could easily handle, then I would pass right on by. Or if I thought I couldn't control the situation, then I wouldn't even mess with the house, much less attempt a rape there. Like if they had a dog, then forget it. Even a small one makes too much noise. If I saw a pair of construction boots, for example, out on the porch or the landing, I walked right by. In fact, I think if women who live alone would put a pair of old construction boots - or something that makes it look like a physically fit manly-type guy lives with them- out in front of their door, most rapists or even burglars wouldn't even think about trying to get into their home."
This goes with all I have thought, my dog or my car alarm in and of itself might not be a deterrent but the NOISE and attention it brings will be. If I was a criminal I'd just find an easier target. Simple.
@veronykah: That's really interesting. I've walked alone through some rough neighborhoods at stupid hours, and I've never been touched. I get myself psyched up, though, like ready to spring into action, biting, kicking, screaming at the slightest provocation. I'm not afraid, though. Just cautious.
@Gumbina80: Same with me. I lived in a rough neighborhood in NYC and since I was broke would take the subway home at 4, 5 in the am. In 5 years in NYC I never had anything happen. I am 5'11" and walk with a "this is my neighborhood, I fucking LIVE here" attitude no matter where I am though.
I walk assertively, look people in the eye and never stop to talk to strangers. Confidence is what its all about. Even if you are scared, don't LOOK like it.
Also, the ad portrays the woman as not just a helpless female, but also dumb and having poor judgment, as she is exercising in a room full of windows, with no shades drawn at night, meaning anyone can see right inside.
In the same vein, although OT, I hate those AT&T commercials with the "Hi, this is Sue's phone. Sue can't hear you because she doesn't have AT&T, so your party will be ruined/your turkey will explode/you will explode." My God, I'm just waiting for "If she'd had AT&T, she wouldn't have got raped."
@Elaken: @Mkp-hearts-NYC: At first I thought they were cute, but the more I saw of them the more they annoyed me. For instance, if that news crew really did get blown up, that construction crew is getting sued, right? It just seems like they were all "It Is Your Fault for Not Having AT&T." They just seem so smug-but I'll take them any day over another Flomax or Levitra ad. Apparently every man who watches sports can't pee and can't' get it up.
Why are the burglers in these ads always so ruggedly hot too? These ads seriously could lend themselves to rape fantasy porn, or some like husband-wife role playing I mean the nerr-do-wells are also straight out of central casting with teh black knit hat and all black outfits with gloves. Why aren't they also carrying a big black bag with a white $ on it?
@Alohamaid: And I just watched the commercials and started laughing at the first one, because you are right. If anything, it makes women expect Viggo Mortensen to break into their house. Which might not be so bad...
@Alohamaid: I noticed that the Brinks installation guys in the ads are always good-looking, too, as though with every full installation, you get a bonus hot beef injection. When in reality, Brinks installers and oil burner repair guys are generally the exact opposite of that.
The previous owner of our condo had an alarm and we still have the electronics installed. However, she forgot to give us the security code, so when it started to gripe after a power outage, I couldn't reset it, and I never got around to calling the alarm company, which probably wouldn't believe me anyhow, and/or would try to spend my money. The stickers on the doors will just have to do. I do hate those commercials, though. They're insipid! They're obvious! They're...short.
One thing that drives me batshit, though, is my husband's propensity not to lock the doors. Many's the time I've gone down to do a wash and found the patio door unlocked, with no idea how long it had been that way. Evidently, he determines his level of manliness by his potential ability to defend me from an attacker he actually let into the house. And he's a heavy sleeper; there's no way he'd be saving me in the night.
On a related note, did the trailers for The Strangers freak anyone else out? I couldn't see the movie. I'm terrified of villains in masks. Also, of random people deciding to go wilding.
@TheFormerJuneBronson: My mom and stepdad don't always lock their door. I lecture them. Yes, I know you live in a nice part of town with four ferocious barky puppies. Lock it, damnit.
@TheFormerJuneBronson: DO NOT SEE THE STRANGERS. FUCK. If you have any fear of home invasion, save yourself the two hours of white-knuckling your couch, and happily live your life with the ability to answer the door.
@TheFormerJuneBronson: Boyfriend is completely retarded when it comes to locks. I ALWAYS lock the deadbolt at night and EVERY SINGLE MORNING WHEN HE IS HOME, it's unlocked. Effing hell, dude, I sleep closest to the door!
And I love scary movies but I do NOT think I can see that one.
Is there anything we don't find "offensive"? Seriously. No offense (really), but this attitude of finding every single thing that includes a woman as an "attack" seems to, in a way, do more harm than good. It kinda distracts from the real sexism or whatever in the world.
Home security companies are going to do ridiculous shit to sell their product. For the money. That, and only that, is their agenda. Period.
@torieandrahmsittinginatree: I think there's a whole spectrum of offended here....from "This ad is annoying and does a disservice to...most people with boobs" to "This is what is wrong with the world"
I've got plenty of disapprobation to go around, personally. And I don't hesitate to acclaim things that are awesome.
You know what my alarm systems only useful feature is? I have a control panel that chimes whenever someone opens a door or window that leads to the outside. Therefore, my teenage daughter hates ADT.
Exercies is BAD! See, what did I tell you. People who exercise have bad things happen to them or do bad things. This is why I sit on my ass and get fat.
whenever I see these I am annoyed and offended (I was robbed home alone at gunpoint - I guess thats a home invasion. whatever my ninja skills failed me) but I am always silently happy that at least they didnt make the bad guy a black or brown man.
@VPea: bahaha although one of the people that robbed me was indeed a black man but you know what I mean I dont want to perpetuate the stereotype even if its my personal reality.
02/06/09
in my family we call them yummies because they feel SO YUMMY when you put them on.
also, i want a wok for valentines day.
12/30/08
Brinks would not have done a hell of a lot to help in that sitch.
12/31/08
i wouldnt be able to find a good hiding place in time.
12/30/08
So I don't love the commercials, but don't let them piss you off so much you think you're invincible and able to defend yourself against shit you might not be able to prevent.
12/30/08
12/31/08
12/31/08
12/30/08
"Criminals, like their victims, come in all varieties, but researchers have found that they don't choose their victims randomly"
The article goes on to say in a classic study researchers asked convicted rapists, murderers, armed robbers etc to view a video of pedestrians in NYC. In a few seconds the criminals identified which people would have been likely targets, within the selection there was a clear concensus between them to who they would have picked. Interestingly, the selections were not based on gender, race or age. Their selections were based on nonverbal signals, posture, body language, pace of walking, length of stride, and environmental awareness.
Later in the article a convicted sex offender who had raped over 75 women said this," If I had the slightest inkling that a woman wasn't someone I could easily handle, then I would pass right on by. Or if I thought I couldn't control the situation, then I wouldn't even mess with the house, much less attempt a rape there. Like if they had a dog, then forget it. Even a small one makes too much noise. If I saw a pair of construction boots, for example, out on the porch or the landing, I walked right by. In fact, I think if women who live alone would put a pair of old construction boots - or something that makes it look like a physically fit manly-type guy lives with them- out in front of their door, most rapists or even burglars wouldn't even think about trying to get into their home."
This goes with all I have thought, my dog or my car alarm in and of itself might not be a deterrent but the NOISE and attention it brings will be. If I was a criminal I'd just find an easier target. Simple.
You can read a little part of the article here...
[www.psychologytoday.com]
12/30/08
12/30/08
I walk assertively, look people in the eye and never stop to talk to strangers. Confidence is what its all about. Even if you are scared, don't LOOK like it.
12/30/08
12/30/08
12/30/08
12/30/08
12/30/08
12/30/08
See whereas I absolutely love those commercials. Even after I've seen it several times I still like it.
This is why marketing isn't easy and why so often they keep to the conventional rules.
12/30/08
12/30/08
12/30/08
12/30/08
12/30/08
Maybe I should get Brinks just to make sure I know where to find a He-Man to marry me.
12/30/08
12/30/08
One thing that drives me batshit, though, is my husband's propensity not to lock the doors. Many's the time I've gone down to do a wash and found the patio door unlocked, with no idea how long it had been that way. Evidently, he determines his level of manliness by his potential ability to defend me from an attacker he actually let into the house. And he's a heavy sleeper; there's no way he'd be saving me in the night.
On a related note, did the trailers for The Strangers freak anyone else out? I couldn't see the movie. I'm terrified of villains in masks. Also, of random people deciding to go wilding.
12/30/08
12/30/08
12/30/08
12/30/08
12/31/08
And I love scary movies but I do NOT think I can see that one.
12/30/08
Home security companies are going to do ridiculous shit to sell their product. For the money. That, and only that, is their agenda. Period.
Sorry.
Semi-rant over.
12/30/08
12/30/08
I've got plenty of disapprobation to go around, personally. And I don't hesitate to acclaim things that are awesome.
12/30/08
12/30/08
12/30/08
12/30/08
sigh.
12/30/08