That’s a lie, of course. It’s not Friday Links that is four, but my littlest daughter! Her birthday loot included a Wonder Woman with invisible plane, two metric tonnes of Lego, and a set of Disney Princess walkie talkies (that last one chosen by her sister). Things got a little touchy when Jem realised Raeli was going off to school like it was a normal day, and that it’s not in fact her PARTY today (so sad) but she’s pretty happy so far.
Also, did I mention? She’s FOUR.
Meanwhile, something relevant to Jem’s interests: Barbie are releasing a Nasa Explorer version of the popular fashion doll. It’s always cool when she gets sciencey careers! There are two other astronaut Barbies (Jem actually has the ‘realistic’ grey one with brown boots from the 1960′s – I bought a reprint or whatever you call modern versions of old dolls on sale last year. She doesn’t have the pink one from the 80′s with high heel boots. The new one has lots of pink but flat boots, plus she goes to MARS)
Speaking of pink, look at the merchandise which entirely failed to get the point of Super Best Friends Forever! I mean, it’s cool and all that they are merchandising costumes of Wonder Girl, Supergirl and Batgirl, because female superheroes are IMPORTANT and not nearly emphasised enough in the toy aisles, but such a shame they didn’t reflect the awesome attitude of the actual show.
I’ve been appearing on a few corners of the internet this week – my article on Fantasy Art, Fishnets and Red Sonja’s Bikini – basically on the complicated thought process whereby you can analyse the sexist/feminist implications of women’s costume in fantasy and comic art and still be cross when Black Canary doesn’t wear fishnets because COME ON.
I also participated in Zena Shapter’s collection of writer workplaces. My work station is the end of the dining table. It’s not normally as tidy as it looks in this picture, but we have a convenient birthday party coming up, or as I like to call it The Excuse To Spring Clean.
Great article on the Invisible women of Science Fiction. Because, yes.
Also a great piece at the New Statesman about what the Fake Geek Girl Accusations actually mean – misogyny or self-loathing?.
OK that’s it, I’m done, we’ve got an invisible plane to play with. Friday Links Out!