Bethany Grundle on Hillary's Campaign and the Meaning of Womanhood

There's a lot of buzz this week about Hillary Clinton's alleged crying episode in a New Hampshire coffeeshop. While speaking with a group of women pre-caucus, Hillary's voice warbled and now everyone is speculating about whether this constituted a "cry." Bethany wanted to make a few comments about the challenges facing women in male-dominated professions, drawing on her own experience as a journalist. Anyway, I'll let her tell you the rest.

Rainy Day Resolutions for the Insane

I don't usually use SeriouslyJazzed as a forum for personal reflection, mostly because it seems unethical for me to be getting paid so much to talk about my personal life. But I just had a pretty uplifting experience involving two of the resolutions (or "goals" if you are cliche-phobic) I made for 2008. The first of these is "Be happier." That might sound too simple or sweeping to some of you but I really think I can make this work. If I just take the time to be more present and grateful for the moments and experiences in my life, and really focus on how they're making me happy, won't I just be happier? We'll find out.

The second resolution came about with a friend as I was in the midst of resolving to "eat more organic," "ride my bike more," "volunteer more," "make a website," "write a screenplay," etc, and she suggested "Feel Less Guilty." At first I felt bad about how guilty I'm always feeling, haha, but I resolved to feel less so.

ANYWAY. Today it is raining and I wanted to go for a run. I thought, "I'll run in the rain - how fun and eccentric of me!" So I put on running tights and a water-resistant jacket and went out to run. Then I remembered two things: 1) "water-resistant" is not the same thing as "water-proof." 2) "Eccentric" is a euphemism for "Mentally deranged."

Within minutes I was completely soaked. I don't know why in my head this wasn't obvious - I guess I was picturing the rain gently caressing my eyelids while I remained comfortable underneath my clothes. But imagine jumping into a pool wearing a full jacket and pants and shoes, then getting out and running. The water didn't drain or get "wicked" away, it seeped into my clothes and shoes and stayed there. I thought I would have to turn around immediately and even then I might not make it home alive. But then I started warming up and some wonderful things happened.

First, because my ipod was on under my jacket I couldn't reach it to switch the songs, which I usually do compulsively, listening to about 5 seconds of each song. So I had to sit through the entirety of every song, including the Jingle Cats version of "White Christmas" (which also features dogs). And without the ability to control my playlist, I found myself relaxing and focusing less on the music and more on my surroundings. And because I was soaking wet, I didn't think at all about the discomfort of physical exertion. I completely surrendered control of these things and just enjoyed the raindrops on my cheeks and the sensation of cold after stepping in a puddle and then my foot warming up again. And I really had fun.

I did cut the run short, but I didn't feel bad about it.

It's Bedtime Fun with Bethany Grundle: Warren Buffett's Million-Dollar Challenge

This week: Bethany analyzes Warren Buffett's Million-dollar Challenge. What will it mean for struggling billionaires?

The Grundle Report is your only pre-adolescent independent news source for all the stories the mainstream media is overlooking. Even people with bedtimes should have access to this kind of hard news. Gritty! Sexy! Bethany!

A Video Christmas Card (for you!)

Christmas music never gets old! Especially when performed by musical virtuosos like my friends and me. Wishing you all a very, merry Christmas song!

Breakfast is Bourne

Bourne Ultimatum was just released on DVD, and it's heading straight for your tummy. So yummy. You like video parodies, right? If you just answered "no," - are you a time traveler from the past?? You must be. If you just answered "yes," please watch and love an intense and suspenseful Bourne parody below! I am "involved" with it! (Not dating exclusively though).

Check out "The Bourne Nutrition!"

Bedtime Fun with Bethany Grundle - Feinstein and Mukasey

A new Bedtime Fun with Bethany Grundle Report is up! I know for many of you it's hard to watch the news or read, so Bethany wanted to help you out by providing her perspectives on a "hard news" story from the last couple of weeks. If the news seems dated, well, that's the problem with the Internet - it's not the fastest medium out there. But we're working out the glitches.

Gritty! Sexy! Bethany!

Whiteface: A Social Experiment

Sorry I haven't been posting in a while. Stop apologizing. Sorry! No, but seriously - I have been overwhelmed lately by work and personal projects, which, if you know me, is nothing unusual. I always act like it is. The creative juices have been flowing, and not always in the right places. I guess you'll be the judge. I did want to share with you a video that I put together because I know you like that sort of thing.

If you are easily offended, you probably shouldn't watch "Whiteface: A Social Experiment," the most daring social commentary since two men kissed on Melrose Place. Getting ready for bed was never this controversial. Prepare to turn stereotypes on their heads.