May 12th was Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, but I didn't really know what to write about.  I've been tired a lot lately, which has been annoying.  I am tired a lot, because of my chronic fatigue syndrome, which accompanies fibromyalgia.  But I've said all that before in previous posts.  So in honor of Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, I want to make sure that you are aware of The Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino. A friend that has arithritis introduced me to The Spoon Theory when I expressed frustration at some people not understanding what I was going through when I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  The essay was life-changing as I felt understood by the author and it gave me a language for discussing my invisible illnesses to other people.  It's become very widely read on the internet, so you've probably already heard of it, but if you haven't, I strongly suggest you do.  I'll probably add it to my links section eventually.

Recommended Links:

This ain’t livin’ - VAMPIRES ANDTHE LEGITIMISATION OF THE RAPE-ROMANCE

Vampire novels and the rape-romance both actively set rape up as a romantic concept and encourage the reader to think of rape as an expression of romance. Encourage readers to think that it’s okay to experience rape and sexual assault, that these things may lead to love and a long-term romance, and promote the burying of feelings. Being steeped in these stories means that if you are raped, if someone does push over your boundaries, if you are not able to exercise agency and consent, you may not be able to adequately express what happened to you or you are afraid to say it, when it happens in a ‘romantic’ context. When the boy who has been leaving you sexually harassing notes is clearly just really, really into you, and is ready to sweep you away on a white horse.