Not Happy Barbie

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I'm going to be busy over the next few weeks with a big project so I will be mixing up some of my posts with some of my personal favourites that few of you have read. That way, I'll still have time to visit your blogs.

This post was done in March 08. Given Barbie turns 50 in a couple of weeks, I thought this would be a good one to revisit.

Don't underestimate the reach of the Internet, ever.

Barbie googles, it seems, and she is not happy! With me!!

I just got an email from a Barbie confidante pointing out that Barbie was a subject of parody in my blog on two separate occasions ( here) and that perhaps it may be in my interests to make a public apology.

Apparently she is unhappy that the word Barbie has come to be used as a derogatory slang term for a girl or woman who is considered...um.... shallow.

Barbie is litigious happy. I had no idea that just like any star, she has been the subject of numerous controversies and many lawsuits, often involving parody of her and her lifestyle.

The confidante has gone to great lengths to assure me that there is more to Barbie (aka Barbara Millicent Roberts) than meets the eye.

Barbie turns 50 on March 9 and is living it up in the South of France, with Ken (Carson). As you may remember, Barbie and Ken had a tumultuous relationship for years after meeting on a television commercial in 1961 (yes Braja, she was born a teenager).

They split up in 2004 amid rumours that she was more than good friends with Blaine, the Aussie boogie boarder. After spending some quality time apart, Barbie went on to become a presidential candidate, a Canadian Mountie and lived in India (thanks Ugich!). Ken went to the Middle East where he studied Buddism and learnt to cook. He came back wearing cargo pants and a purse. They reconciled in 2006.

There they are on the left with Barbie's sister Kelly (yeah sure!!). Ken, of course, has been reluctant to ever tie the knot which must be painful for Barbie given the number of wedding gowns she has bought over the years. Quite frankly I always thought Ken was gay and I've been waiting a life time for him to come out .....I still cannot get those images of Ken in his hot pink floral Hawaiian shirts out of my head, some 30 odd years after we first met.

Barbie has had varied careers. I thought her career extended to the fact that she was 5' 9", weighed 110lbs, and had the vital statistics of 36/18/33. Or, the fact she uttered some great lines when she finally started talking in 1992 like, "Will we ever have enough clothes?", "I love shopping!", "Wanna have a pizza party?" or "Math class is tough!" Or, that she was banned from making public appearances in middle Eastern countries. What more could there possibly be?

Well it seems Barbie has known the kind of success that only Oprah understands and the rest of us dream about. She was rated No. 43 on the list of 100 most influential people of all time who "never lived". She has been a doctor, astronaut, Nascar driver, American Idol contestant, fashion designer, Olympic figure skater, rock star and on it goes (is it just me or does anyone see some resemblance to Posh Spice here).

She has had over 40 pets including horses, a panda, a lion cub, and a zebra. She has owned a wide range of vehicles, including pink convertibles, trailers and jeeps. She also holds a pilot's license, and operates commercial airliners in addition to serving as a flight attendant.

She is surrounded by a close group of friends - including Hispanic Teresa, Midge, African American Christie and Steven. And she has been feted all over the world by all the top designers.

OK Barbie, I do apologise for thinking you were so incredibly shallow. There is definitely more to you then meets the eye. However, could you do us all a favor and try looking your age? Perhaps less botox, some grey hair, character lines and a tiny bit of a middle aged spread? The world is ready for a very attractive and sexy middle aged Barbie.

Be brave. You could be a trail blazer.....and finally gain some real street cred. They do say 50 is the new 30 after all!