Dutch magazine Yes did a research among 3700 young woman. 67% of them were sexually harassed. 39% were assaulted. 11% were raped. And 13% of these woman never talked about these things.

We came a long way since we begin to agitate for the right to vote. The 1960s movement has been really important as well. We decided we wanted the same pay as men, equal rights in law, and the freedom to plan families or not have children at all. But many years later, are we really equal?

Words do not hurt. You should feel flattered. Women are always overreacting. Let's face it we can all take a joke right? Yes often, sexual harassment incidents fall into the category of the "merely annoying." But sexual harassment can have major psychological effects on a person. Remember that there are many different types of harassment. These are just a few:

Mother/Father Figure (a.k.a. The Counselor-Helper) This harasser will try to create a mentor-like relationship with their target.
One-of-the-Gang Often motivated by bravado or competition, or because the harasser(s) think it is funny. Typical macho behavior.
Groper Whenever the opportunity presents itself, this harasser's eyes and hands begin to wander--in the elevator, when working late, at the office or department party.
Bully In this case, sexual harassment is used to punish the victim for some transgression, such as rejection of the harasser's interest or advances, or making the harasser feel insecure about themselves or their abilities.
Great Gallant This mostly verbal harassment involves excessive compliments and personal comments that focus on appearance and gender, and are out of place or embarrassing to the recipient.
Intellectual Seducer Most often found in educational settings, this harasser will try to use their knowledge and skills as an avenue to gain access to a student.
Stalking can also be a method of sexual harassment.

I've had my share. Typical macho behavior at work. Not funny at all. A kiss on my forehead. Touching my hair. I once met a 'Groper' on my way home. The intellectual seducer trying to be smart. But i was smarter.

Fortunately for me, i never really had to take action. But there were times it has been bothering me a lot. Every once in a while it still does. Of course it's a combination of little things. Last week the little incident with the photo i told you guys about. Today i talked to this colleague on the phone and he started to ask me all sorts of questions. About my life, my interests and stuff. But not in a nice way. As if he was out to embarrass me. He also asked me if i was sleeping alone. Without saying anything i just put him through to another colleague and hung up the phone.

So i may have never had to take action... but i always talked very openly about it with friends, family and even my other colleagues. When they are people i'm close with i would mention names... otherwise i wouldn't.

No matter how foolish they make you feel, or how small it may seem... please talk about it with other people.

Updates: flickr.

Headbutt of a butterfly
February 16, 2008 | 2:26 p.m. |

Valentines day about 4.15 p.m. our party started.

I really don't care for Valentines day at all. But maybe that's what all single people say. Big girl and i decided a while ago to have a fun Girl's night out. She brought her hair straighter and like two bags of make-up. I'm not the type of girl that carries a make-up bag around but i felt this was the proper moment to fit in and bring one. A small one. You don't want to mess with your principles.

We went to a little restaurant and had Gypsy schnitzel served with a tomato sauce containing bell pepper and onion slices, fries and vegetables. Some hot chocolate milk with cream afterwards. Yum.

After spending some time in the city it was time to go to the theatre. Van Dik Hout, a Dutch pop/rock band, was going to perform there tonight. They changed a lot of their songs and played them acoustic. Suitable for a theatre. Beautiful music. Lyrics like poetry. A voice that moves me so much.

Wilt u waken als ik weg ben
En ze alleen ligt in de nacht
Haar fiets een beetje sturen in de drukte overdag
Wieg haar slapend in uw armen
Tot ze al haar dromen vindt
En houdt u haar de komende tijd nog een beetje uit de wind

What i really liked was the way they picked their set list. For the first time in my life i went to a concert where i had to sit down. They started with the really pretty songs. Songs from their last album. Acoustic. Intimate. After a short break they played the more up tempo songs. Then they left the stage and the crowd got up from their seats, started clapping. They came back and played three more songs and actually started a little party.

Afterwards we went to a this little old cafe. Sweet white wine with ice. In short; i had a lovely night out.

Updates: New layout! (Yes, yes i like to try different things)

Lomo it is
February 12, 2008 | 8:50 p.m. |

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How often do you play Fruit War at your office? We do it a couple of times a week. Unsuspectingly Big girl and Flower girl are sitting behind their computer when i point a banana at them, "Get down on the floor you motherfuckers!" Big girl quickly grabs an apple from her bag, "I WILL pull out the pin if i have to!"

I know. We're lame.

As for the Holga experience... I got my first films developed. I used really cheap film just to give it a first try. I'm not really happy with the results but at the same time i realize these are my first two films. My new negative scanner is awesome on the other hand. I'm definitely going to use slide film next. Well take a look at the Flickr yourself. Ciel goes/tries Lomo.

From your crimereporter
February 07, 2008 | 6:04 p.m. |

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Yesterday at the gym something really awkward happened. After our yoga class i saw this lady talking on her phone in the changeroom and she was really upset. We talked once before about my glasses. Her locker was next to mine. While getting dressed i noticed she was crying so i decided to ask her if everything was okay. She told me that her sister was in the hospital and just had her breast amputated. The cancer came back after 11 years. She just kept crying and i kept talking to her. Then she told me that she had breast cancer herself as well but that it was under control for now. When a stranger opens up to you like that, i have to say, it stays with you for the rest of the day.

About a week ago one of my colleagues didn't feel okay and he was admitted to the hospital. A cerebral infarction. Late at night, they took him into surgery. The next day we came together with two departments and were told that the doctors did not know whether he would make it or not. We were all in shock. He's the type of guy everybody knows. A very social, active and fun person. He actually was the colleague i ran into at the Newton Faulkner concert. He was there with his daughter. I kept thinking about that day. Now, one week later, miraculously he's doing much better. Nothing is for sure and he still has a long road to go though.

I have been spending money again. I got myself American Dreams on DVD (yeah yeah they're illegal DVD rips because there never was no official release). I ordered a fisheye lens for my Holga and a film changing bag as well. I guess all i need now is a scanner to scan negatives. But i'm pretty much broke. I don't know how it happened either.

Yesterday i took my camera to the park but i think the back of my Holga wasn't taped all that well. So my first film will probably have way too many light leaks. But like i said before; point, shoot & learn. There are a couple of famous Holga rules though. The first rule of Holga is take your camera everywhere you go. I mean dude, have you seen the actual size of a Holga camera? Definitely doesn't fit into my cute vintage bag!

Last year at the Christmas party someone took a photo of me and my two colleagues (Big girl and Flower girl) who i'm sharing an office with it. We put it up next to our doorplate. Yesterday Big girl all of a sudden told me to come take a look and what do we see? Somebody wrote the word "Lekker" ("Hot" or "Foxy") right above my head. I have to admit i'm a little pissed about it. Not only did they ruin the picture but why be so fucking childish. A 'whodunnit' it definitely is. I don't think it were people from my subdepartment. Maybe one or two of Big girl's though. There are a couple of 40+ assholes working there that aren't funny at all. But then again there are two youngsters working at the helpdesk who i've been seeing around here a lot as well. As Big girl put it, this is definitely a case for Peter R. de Vries.

Hello February
February 03, 2008 | 11:44 a.m. |

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24 is still nowhere to be found on the TV schedule. The script rewrites and philosophical crises left my fave tv show so far behind schedule that when the Hollywood writers went on strike in November, Fox had no choice but to delay its premiere date. The show could premiere this summer, next fall or as late as January 2009. I have a feeling we won't see Jack back this year. *Pouts*

I did watch the first episode of season 4 of Lost. This show is still pretty good! It's original and they stick to the story (unlike Prison Break). I am really excited about the flash forwards. Not much is known about season 4, but whoever is coming to the island is a lot worse than The Others. I'm also happy that they decided it was time to give the show a creative and proper conclusion. That they are not going to make more money off it. The show will end during the 2009–2010 season with a "highly anticipated and shocking finale".

I'm also totally into The Wire again. Dominic West is delicious. God damn it, HBO makes great shows! (Uhm no we don't have HBO over here in Holland)

My weekend has been so far so good. Unfortunately my 35mm adapter still hasn't arrived so no taking pictures with my new Holga. I have been looking a lot at websites though. They share some great tips and tricks. Even YouTube shares some brilliant instruction videos. I do realize you have to shoot a film or three and experiment a little. Cuz it's point, shoot & learn.

The creative itch hasn't left me so i finally used it this weekend. I baked frosted princess muffins! Aren't the cute?! Mm they're very sweet, with a raspberry taste.

I worked for two days on my mixed media project. A total of seven hours! I think it turned out nicely. I'm happy with the result. It's a self-portrait. I used acrylic paint, champagne and gold colored paint, pieces of paper, nail polish, crêpe paper, lots of glitter, glass half beads & other decorative stones.

Bigger pictures can be found at Flickr.