Bay Shore NY
8-15-2023 8:50pm

Barbie

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - BARBIE 

I recently saw Barbie starring Margo Robbie and Ryan Gosling. While it was a bit quirky and slow to start, there were plenty of messages in this unique approach to deeper storytelling. 

The Barbie doll made its debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York City on March 9, 1959. This date is also Barbie's official birthday. She turned 64 this year. She's a baby boomer! And she's had a lot of time to do some soul searching.

The film portrays women as Barbie's and men as Ken's. Margot Robbie’s Stereotypical Barbie (her title) ventures into the “Real World” to learn which hapless human has triggered her malfunctions. Along the way, she learns who made her, the moral implications of death and decision-making, the tangled web of patriarchy and feminism, the trap of attempted perfection, and the importance of originality in an onslaught of internet protocol (IP). 

In Barbie, our protagonist finds herself losing her grip over her inherent Barbie-ness. “Do you guys ever think about dying?” she asks during one of her classic blowout parties, earning stunned, judgment silence in response. Dolls don’t die! Matters only worsen from there. Suddenly, her fake shower is freezing; she falls, rather than floats, from her rooftop into her convertible; her feet slump from their iconic arch. To remedy this imperfection, she’s instructed to explore the “real world,” so she can know “the truth about the universe.”

The problem with the “truth about the universe” is that it’s a hot mess, and people die. Barbie is not a mess, nor does she ever die. She doesn’t even age. This supposedly irreconcilable truth seems to be Director, Greta Gerwig’s entry point to dissecting the artifice we’ve built around Barbie as a symbol of idealized femininity. What about perfectionism remains so enticing, even when we know and acknowledge its fruitlessness? And what about the changelessness of Barbie makes her seem like the perfect woman? We're not fooling anyone here. 

In a world of plastic surgery, botox, and lip enlargement, we continue to strive for perfection. We hang on to the illusion that we'll live forever if we never age while knowing it's all undeniable. The reality is we do age, and we do die. Barbie is at odds with this reality and eventually embraces it. She rather enjoys being a human being with flaws and imperfections. There's almost a relief in it. She empowers herself as she understands what it is to be human in a fallible world and gets in her car and goes to the gynecologist. That's what real women do.

We mustn't take being human for granted. It is a gift from God.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and beyond, Barbie is moving right along with the times.

SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - THE MOVIES

A hot summer day is one of the best times to go to the movies. Some of our best memories happen there. These memories can last a lifetime. And there's nothing better than movie theatre popcorn, no matter the price. If you are a member of the Regal Crown Club, you get popcorn at half price. Rewards have their benefits.

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Since the beginning of time, since the first little girl ever existed, there have been dolls. But the dolls were always and forever baby dolls, until Barbie."

SKYLARK'S QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK

What does being a real woman mean to you?

Please put your answer in the Reply section below. I'd love to hear from you.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - DANCE THE NIGHT by DUA LIPA (Barbie theme song)

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Lyrics

Baby, you can find me under the lights
Diamonds under my eyes
Turn the rhythm up, don't you wanna just
Come along for the ride?
Ooh, my outfit so tight
You can see my heartbeat tonight
I can take the heat, baby, best believe
That's the moment I shine

'Cause every romance shakes and it bends
Don't give a damn
When the night's here, I don't do tears
Baby, no chance

I could dance, I could dance, I could dance

Watch me dance, dance the night away
My hеart could be burnin', but you won't see it on my face
Watch me dancе, dance the night away (Uh-huh)
I'll still keep the party runnin', not one hair out of place

Lately, I been movin' close to the edge
Still be lookin' my best
I stay on the beat, you can count on me
I ain't missin' no steps

'Cause every romance shakes and it bends
Don't give a damn
When the night's here, I don't do tears
Baby, no chance

I could dance, I could dance, I could dance

Watch me dance, dance the night away
My heart could be burnin', but you won't see it on my face
Watch me dance, dance the night away (Uh-huh)
I'll still keep the party runnin', not one hair out of place

When my heart breaks (They never see it, never see it)
When my world shakes (I feel alive, I feel alive)
I don't play safe (Ooh), don't you know about me? (Uh-huh)
I could dance, I could dance, I could dance

Even when the tears are flowin', they're diamonds on my face
I'll still keep the party goin', not one hair out of place (Yes, I can)
Even when the tears are flowin', they're diamonds on my face 

(Yes, I can, yes, I can) I'll still keep the party goin', not one hair out of place

ABOUT SKYLARK LIVE AND HOW TO FOLLOW ME

My brand, Skylark Live, consists of a weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, a monthly vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, and monthly in-person chats called The Skylark Sessions. They are all designed to inspire and motivate women to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness at 60 and beyond. Andiamo! Let's go!

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The Skylark Sessions: The Skylark Sessions are on the last Sunday of each month. These are in-person chats in a round-table format and are open to mature women of any age. There is a new topic for each session. I moderate, but this is an open conversation. I will post the date, time, topic, and location on my social media sites as well as on my Patreon account. There is a $5 cash donation per session. You can RSVP at christineskylark@aol.com.

60 and Beyond with Skylark Vlog - This is my first Monday-of-the month vlog that is inspirational and motivational and is a reflection of what I've written about in my newsletters throughout the month and what we've talked about in my Skylark Sessions. My vlog is recorded and posted on my YouTube Channel, as well as on my Patreon account and my social media sites. Click the link below to subscribe.

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Thank you for your love and support. Apprezza la giornata. Cherish the day.


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