Courtesy of Google Images

On the front page of the National Post‘s Arts and Life section today, there is an excerpt from Rebecca Eckler’s guide to modern romance, How to Raise a Boyfriend: The Definitive Manual for Educating Your Man. If the title isn’t enough to make you gag, then you’re in for a real treat of he-said she-said antics circling around each other, ultimately proving her point that being with a boyfriend is exactly like raising a six year old.

So much for loving someone for who they are.

The Post’s excerpt describes the perils of going to sleep angry with your partner. “I’ve had some pretty awful words thrown my way in heated late-night arguments. One memorable line was, “My heart is just not that into this.” Sometimes, men can be clueless when they choose their words, especially mid-fight, late at night. The problem with us women is that we take you at your word, especially mid-fight, late at night. How can I sleep knowing you just said this to me, “My heart is not that into this?” Exactly. But he could. He was fast asleep beside me. So I started crying, and maybe I kicked him (OK, I kicked him), which woke him up.”

Call me crazy (or very lucky), but late-night battles aren’t exactly part of a healthy relationship to me. Especially ones where general comments about the relationship as a whole are thrown out in spite. I also don’t think kicking a person is the best solution. Men shouldn’t be “educated” or “raised”. That’s what preschool’s for. A healthy relationship should be based on mutual respect, trust, and communication – not changing someone to fit your ideals. Can you imagine the controversy if the title of the book was “How to Raise a Girlfriend: The Definitive Manual for Educating Your Woman”.

Actually… I might read that book. At least it would be funny.

Back when Eckler was single and writing for the Post on a weekly basis, I loved her column. I loved it so much that it was the only reason I read the paper. I’d be snorting with laughter at her every word – which is why I hate being harsh on her now. Yes, relationships can be hard. Some harder than others. But if you’re sobbing with a box of tissues while your boyfriend is fast asleep (oblivious to how you feel), then I’d sooner recommend couples therapy before resorting to a pink, glossy chick-lit manual.

Your thoughts? Am I being too tough on this Torontonian author? Or should her book be used in Steve Murray’s Extremely Bad Advice column? Now that is funny.

– Emma Farquharson

Courtesy of Google Images

Yesterday, Ben Kaplan of the National Post compared Kanye West‘s newly released album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy to the works of prolific composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (see article here). It’s a valid comparison. Because not only does his album redefine what we’re used to hearing on the top charts, but his 40-minute film, Runaway, brings that music to life in a contemporary and beautiful form of video art.

Some of his comparisons aren’t well received, however. Quincy Jones brushed off West, calling him “just another rapper.” And others have generally seen Kanye as just some arrogant and egotistical pop star. Plus, let’s not forget his outburst over Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMA awards, which put him in just about everyone’s black books.

And yet, we keep coming back to him. And he keeps coming back – harder, better, faster, and stronger. It’s as if he’s content with being a douchebag so long as it lets him push harder than any musician out there. He’s out there to tell the story, not his story.

Rob Sheffield probably says it best in Rolling Stone: “[Kanye's album] Fantasy, gets ridiculously maximal, blowing past all the rules of hip-hop and pop, even though, for the past half-decade, he’s been the one inventing the rules. There are hip-hop epics, R&B ballads, alien electronics, prog-rock samples, surprise guests from Bon Iver to Fergie to Chris Rock, even a freaking Elton John piano solo. It’s his best album, but it’s more than that — it’s also a rock-star manifesto for a downsizing world.”

Some musicians base their music on a character they’ve created for themselves (Lady Gaga, Marilyn Manson, etc.) and are constantly having to reinvent their brand in order to maintain some shock appeal. And it works in some cases. But what Kanye has succeeded so well at is rather than reinventing himself or his brand, he’s reinventing the music and keeping his brand consistent. That’s what gives him longevity with such a powerful impact on pop culture and the music industry as a whole. He’s a perfectionist that’s willing to accept the imperfections in himself in order to create something great.

Check out the Runaway video above, or head to iTunes to purchase the album now available.

Courtesy of Google Images

– Emma Farquharson.

Courtesy of the National Post

The National Post’s Nathalie Atkinson shared with us her favourite Valentine’s Day gifts today in the paper. One of them is our friends over at Aromachology who we had the chance to interview just over a month ago. The personalized fragrance company is hosting a pop-up store at The Bay in Yorkdale, so you can sample scents together leading up to the big day. To see the Cowgirl’s Valentine’s picks, read our article here.
XoXo
– The Cowgirls.

Courtesy of mushypony.com

Our article today interviewing Brenda Bradstreet, author of Going Solo, has made it into the National Post!! The Cowgirls couldn’t be happier right now. To celebrate this (and the fact that it’s finally Friday) we’ll be having some much deserved Prosecco alongside a giant bag of Miss Vickies.
Cheers!!
– The Cowgirls.