FMM: Taboo Topics

October 10, 2011. Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians!

FMM (Friend Making Mondays) comes from a very cool blog www.alltheweigh.com I've been enjoying reading it for the past few weeks. If you want to partake, answer the questions posted on Mondays and link them back to the blog. Meet new people and find more amazing blogs to read.


FMM: 8 Taboo Topics

How often do you read/watch the news?
Almost never. The news bores me. I hear about it through friends when something really important comes up, otherwise I avoid it like The Plague.

What is your opinion on beauty pageants?
I entered one of sorts back when I was 16. It was to be the Millbrook Fair Ambassador for the small town that I grew up in. I only entered because a friend begged me when they were short entrants and convinced me only because you had to give a speech (I was taking a public speaking course to practice for my career goal of teaching). I competed against all the girls I envied from school who I thought were drop dead gorgeous. During a break in the locker room I was surprised to overhear these thin, beautiful girls talk about how bad they looked. At 150lbs and 5'9 I had a great body, but didn't recognize it until that moment when I thought "If these 100lb popular girls are confident and hate their bodies, then what makes me think I'll love mine more if I become stick thin?" That was a start of a new confident life for me. I've never looked back or thought poor of myself since. I went on to place 1st runner up (losing to an out of town girl who was very deserving inside and out).

Would you date/marry someone who has different religious views than you?
My husband and I come from different religious backgrounds, but at our core we belive in the same things. We are not that far off from each other and the most important "dealbreakers" are in line with each other. My longest relationship outside of my husband was with a guy who was wiccan. I am Anglican. It worked for us for a long time as I'm a pretty open person. It wouldn't have worked though if we had to raise a child together. I'm open to everyone having their own beliefs, but I want my children to have beliefs similar to my own. Polar opposites are difficult.

Do you follow politics?
Not at all. Politics are as boring as the news. I vote, but I make my decision moments before I leave for the ballot box. My husband and I do not usually vote the same, but I respect his views.

How often do you talk about sex in your daily life and/or on your blog?
Never on my blog (until now). Frequently with my friends. All the time with my husband.

Does it make you uncomfortable when someone asks you about your salary/income?
I've never understood this. I repectfully do not ask other people what they make, but I am happy to tell anyone that asks what I make and I often share this info on my own as I know it is something I would be thinking about, but too respectful to ask. I've also been told by employers specifically not to share my income in the past. I do not think this is right and know that only businesses that are trying to hide what they are doing wrong in terms of salaries/wages ask this. Now that I'm a teacher my salary is public for anyone to see by looking up my collective agreements. In Canadian dollars, as a supply teacher I make $220 a day, as a long term occasional teacher I make $291 a day, if I was on a full-time teaching contract I would make $56,000 a year, as a private tutor I charge $25 hour, and as a dispatcher I make $18.50 an hour. In 17 years of employment I've never been without a job and only made minimum wage once when I worked at Dairy Queen for a month.

Do you tag friends and family in pictures that you post on FB, or do you seek permission first?
I tag away. My mom has requested I don't post her so I respect that. Otherwise, I believe you are fair game if you're at an event with me and I snap your shot. I tag you to let you know there is a picture of you online. If you request me to take it down I will. I do not post anything I wouldn't want my employer, my family, or my future children to see (nor do I partake in anything that would lead to those kinds of photos).

Can you be friends with people who have opposing views on ‘taboo’ topics?
That's what keeps my life interesting. I like to surround myself with people who don't think like me and act like me (as well as those that do). I want my friends to bring out parts of my personality that would otherwise stay hidden. I also like to have my mind opened to new thoughts.