FAQ and All About Me

Who are you?
I am Lady T: writer, feminist, smartass, former public school teacher, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, co-legal guardian. My hobbies include reading, writing, watching television, eating, karaoke, being a smartass, volunteering to work with people with disabilities, planning to exercise and not doing it, arguing, and insomnia. Occasionally I move away from the computer and socialize with human beings.

Why do you go by the name Lady T?
Lady T is a nickname bestowed upon me as a child by my funny and loud aunts. Only my aunts and a few of my cousins call me Lady T in real life, but it’s a nickname I’ve always liked.

You seem familiar. Where have I seen you before?
Hi, I’m Troy McClure. You may remember me from such other blogs as The Funny Feminist.

What’s with the new digs?
I wanted a site with my actual name and actual updated photograph attached to it so I can get a little more professional cred in the writing world. We’ll see how well that works out.

Does this mean you won’t be writing about feminism and comedy anymore?
I am definitely going to be writing about feminism, comedy, and media and TV and plays and such. I wanted a new site because a) not everything I write is focused on comedy or written in a comic tone, and b)

How often do you write new posts?
Expect two new posts every week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I left you a comment and you never replied. What’s up with that?
Here’s the thing: I love writing this blog, and I especially love receiving thoughtful, intelligent comments, but this blog isn’t my full-time job. In fact, it’s not a job at all. I currently don’t make any money off of doing this. Meanwhile, I have some freelance writing assignments, a draft of a novel (or several) that’s not going to edit itself, and an actual full-time job that includes a 4-hour commute every day. I try to respond to comments at the end of every week. If I miss yours, I apologize. Please don’t take it personally and feel free to continue commenting.

I tried to leave a comment but it says I need my comment approved by the moderator before it will show up publicly. What’s up with that?
That is a built-in security measure to keep trolls from pooping all over my comments section. If you’re a first-time commenter and I make your comment public, your subsequent comments will show up without needing my approval, unless I decide to mark one of your comments as spam.

Isn’t that censorship?
You could call it that, but you’d be wrong. I’m not preventing you from saying whatever you want. I’m preventing you from saying whatever you want on my blog.

What is a troll?
A troll is someone who leaves nasty, rude, or ridiculous comments to attempt to start a fight or provoke the bra-burning feminist with hairy armpits into getting angry. Someone who disagrees politely and thoughtfully is not a troll, though sometimes trolls come by with the guise of politeness and quickly descend into habits like mansplaining and patronizing talk.

Do you really have hairy armpits and burn bras?
Not at all, but I do have hairy bras and burning armpits. It’s a lot more painful but I think it makes more of a statement.

Why are some of your posts tagged “politics schmolitics?”
I care about politics, but you won’t see me writing about them too often here. I only write about specific political issues when I need to get something off of my chest. The “schmolitics” part is not to dismiss political issues as unimportant, but to indicate that, while I’m pretty well-informed, I’m not an expert, and these are just my opinions.

And “white girl talkin’ about racism?”
I am anti-racist in addition to being feminist, but as a white person, there’s only so much that I understand about racism and the history of it. This is a way for me to talk about racial issues without claiming to be an expert, because I’m not one.

What’s your opinion about misandry and reverse racism?
Please.

Why were you so hard on that one episode of Community when there are so many worse shows out there?
I don’t spend time watching shows that are “so much worse” than Community because that wouldn’t be any fun for me. I am much more likely to criticize a piece of art that I love and admire than one that I dislike or find boring.

I don’t understand.
It’s simple: I hold writers that I admire to a high standard. If they screw up, I’m going to call them out on it – not to be a troll, not to trash them, but to offer an alternative viewpoint and let them know I expect better.

Why do you spend so much time analyzing this stuff? They’re just stories. Or they’re just jokes.
Stories and jokes are not written by people who live on Mars in a cave with their eyes shut and their fingers in their ears. Stories and jokes reflect and influence cultural attitudes and beliefs. If stories and jokes didn’t matter, children wouldn’t name Harry Potter or Princess Leia as their heroes, liberals wouldn’t quote The West Wing when trying to prove a point, and conservatives wouldn’t quote South Park.

But I like South Park!
So do I. In fact, I would rather watch South Park over The West Wing every day of the week and twice on Sundays. I probably have more in common with Aaron Sorkin’s political views than with Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s, but I find Parker/Stone’s work much more entertaining. My political beliefs don’t always align with what I find entertaining or amusing.

I have a suggestion for a movie/TV show I think you should watch or a book I think you should read. Where can I contact you?
Contact: the.funny.feminist@gmail.com.

28 Responses to FAQ and All About Me

  1. amy cross says:

    Like your site. So much to be said and explored regarding women and humour.

    If you’re ever willing, I’d love for you to post at women make news–an on line editorial site that runs pieces by experts and academics.

    Also, if you get a twitter feed, pls let me know.

    best,

  2. Eneya says:

    Do you have, by any chance e-mail, icq… you know, some way one can actually contact you?

  3. IndyM says:

    Love your site! Just read a bunch of your posts and agreed with every one.

    Found you via Shakesville. Will be back!

  4. Stephanie says:

    Theresa – Hi! How are you? It’s been a LONG time since I’ve seen you or talked to you. I just came across your website, and I am truly impressed. You seem to have the same 2 opposing philosophies that I have, and I will be interested to further browse your site.
    I have actually wanted to make a similar kind of site, but I have been way to lazy to actually get myself to exert the energy to do so.
    I hope you’re doing well!
    –Stephanie Warm

    • Lady T says:

      Stephanie! It’s so good to hear from you. Thanks for commenting and I’m glad you enjoy my writing. I’d be really interested to read some of your writing too. I hope all is well with you too and I’d love to talk more some time.

  5. kate says:

    Hi Lady T,

    My name is Kate and I just stumbled upon your blog after doing a search for feminism and theatre. Can I just say first of all that it is AWESOME?

    Second . . . this is very strange for me to be doing, but I have a favor to ask. (Normally I try not to ask favors of people I don’t actually know.) But I think this is right in line with what you stand for. I am working on producing an awesome (important and at times FUNNY) play called “Boy Gets Girl” by the fantastic playwright Rebecca Gilman. All is going well, except that I need some help getting the word out to like minded people for the funding of this babe. I’m wondering if you wouldn’t mind taking a minute to check out my website and kickstarter page, and if you like what you see, share it on your blog? I’m happy to talk more with you about it if you have any questions, concerns, advice, etc.

    Here’s the link:
    http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1156503475/boy-gets-girl-a-play-by-rebecca-gilman

    Thank you so much for your time, and keep up the great work!

    Best,
    Kate

  6. Marie says:

    Glad to have found you (I came here via a search for feminist critique of the latest Pirates of the Caribbean). I’ve added you to my Google Reader!

  7. Sweetling says:

    Oh lucky me! I just discovered this charming and witty blog and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed wasting half a day to catch up. I love getting nothing done for a good reason.

  8. Ashley says:

    geekfeminism.org/2011/08/23/geek-girls-and-the-problem-of-self-objectification/

    Please please please post something in reference to this growing concern. I think it’s such an interesting topic and I’d like to hear your views on it πŸ™‚

  9. coco loco says:

    enjoying your blog. thanks for being a funny lady, lady. πŸ™‚

  10. Ashley says:

    Will you please, please address this issue? I live in Oklahoma and I swear that stupid is in the water here.

    http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2012/02/16/ok-senate-passes-personhood-act.html

  11. Tee says:

    I was obsessing over Buffy yesterday (I watched Prophecy Girl for the first time in YEARS) and ended up Googling “The Problem With Buffy”. Despite my weird reason for doing that, something good came out of it: I found your blog! I read “How Do You Solve A Problem Like Buffy?” and found myself wishing you would write about each of those possible subjects. I was happy to find that you are going through with that! Please write about Willow next! πŸ™‚

    I admit, I thought your Buffy posts would be my main interest. At least until I found the other things you were writing about. It was very refreshing to read some of your posts on racism. Specifically the post on Travyon Martin. Also, I just finished reading your post on Community and that sealed the deal for me, I’ll be checking back more often!

    • Lady T says:

      Thanks for the kind words and I’m glad you like the blog. I’ll probably write about Willow sometime because I feel more conflicted about her than any other character on the show.

  12. tfunnyfeminist does not appear to be an account that exists on Twitter. But apparently now that I’ve shown interest in such a page, Twitter is going to create one? Can’t think of another explanation for the message “Thanks for noticingβ€”we’re going to fix it up and have things back to normal soon.” on their 404 page.

  13. Marshall says:

    I really like your blog, you are insightful and write well thought out pieces. I arrived here from your 500 days of summer dissection, liked it and ended up reading your other posts. I appreciate your well thought out discussions on what is truly sexist etc ; Without (in my opinion) destroying the feminist cause by spouting a lot of unnecessary hatred around. Finally! I feel so many feminist blogs damage and creates less sympathy towards feminism with just a rant and completely just jumping on a “crazy outraged” bandwagon, sometimes justified, but a lot of the time not. I understand that feminism is not all one thing so all feminists shouldn’t be lumped with that statement, so I should point out I support equality, but find on the internet a lot of unequal attempts on equality. You manage this perfectly, and hurrah, you have great humor! I warn you now, I’m a guy – which probably even mentioning that on another board would insta-kill me as I “wouldn’t understand” and be a typical defensive male if I wrote in to say that. I wrote here to say this blog has restored my faith in humanity a bit. If only more people could be actually look in depth and not instantly be offended by the slightest thing. The same with your shit white girls say post, forget race/sex – people are people. All seem to be rational, clear, and clever. Keep up the good work πŸ™‚

  14. Gareth says:

    What is mainsplaining?

  15. Erin Kelly says:

    Found this site via a link on Tumlr.
    Never looking back! Finally, a blog that is entertaining, catchy, witty and FEMINIST!
    You – are – amazing.
    Take care!

  16. Morgan McMahon says:

    I’m writing a paper on portrayal of women in rom-coms and my question is (anyone can answer) What are some augments made about rom-coms?

  17. HOLY MOLY I just found your blog, AWESOME!!! I wrote a very brief post about Buffy… I will be reading every inch of your blog as soon as I am able. Thank you!!!

  18. Lori says:

    I just found your blog. Do you still write about the Vampire Diaries? I enjoyed your posts on the show.

    • Lady T says:

      Thank you! I still write about the show from time to time. I find that I usually don’t have enough to say to write about it on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, but I’ll probably write another post about it soon.

  19. lilavanhoe says:

    So glad I discovered your new bloggy blog!

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