Journal Entry #12: My Struggle To Open Jars Will Always Serve As A Reminder That Men Are Needed

“Whoever is in charge of tightening those jars of food in the factories really wants to teach women a lesson. I don’t care if it’s a machine either; it hates women!”

Years ago I decided that I was tired of roommates and done with living with strangers for good. I made a plan to find my own place by my birthday. Luck was on my side, as I quickly found a renovated two bedroom apartment and signed the lease right before my birthday.

On the day I signed my lease I met my next door neighbor, Carlos. He was loud as hell and rough around the edges but he proved himself to be a complete sweetheart. As a single woman I appreciated him living next door to me because he made me feel safe; although I had to have several conversations with the mechanic about his yelling and smoking in the hallway.

Carlos was truly a godsend as he would always offer to relieve me of the worst job that exists for a single woman living alone: taking out the damn trash.

I hate taking out the trash! It’s so gross! I loathe this responsibility so much that I actually used to freeze my garbage. And a few times a month one of my trusted male friends would have enough sympathy to take the train to visit me and complete the icky job that my…