One of the peculiar things women spend their life having to contend is the idea that we are the purer, calmer, more peaceful sex. When a girl isn't diligent at her school work, or at least hand her homework in on time (or, in my case, at all) she's probably under the bad influence of some no good boy. If she isn't neat and reticent she's a tomboy. 

I was quietly making a batch of beer mustard on a Friday evening, listening to Any Questions and one question made my cider vinegar (it's an ingredient) befuddled ears prick up. "Is it acceptable behaviour for MPs to act like school children in a playground in the House of Commons; what sort of example is it setting to our future generations?" 

In spite of the comic book world's fondness for creating female characters who appear to have the power to defy the laws of physics each time they take a step, let alone throw a punch thanks to their ginormous bosom, members of the Squeamish team do love a comic. 

In light of the new comic SheZow! in whi ch ordinary 12 year old boy Guy Hamdon has a super hero alter-ego he summons with the shout of "You go girl!" we wonder what super power we would like to have to further the forces of feminism...

We really need to sort out our stereotypes. And when I say sort them out I mean smash them. There are girl freshers going out in ill-advised outfits because they know it is a FACT that all gay men are fashion experts, and their new gay best friend dressed her. There are blonde women gaining first class degrees in challenging subjects at university - which is no doubt a lot of fun but you such achievements are not of the empty-headed. And there are children doing just fine thank you very much, being brought up by their single parent. 

Researchers from the totally unbiased Texas Christian University in Fort Worth conducted a study of 64 female students. The students were asked about their father/daughter bond, sex and contraception. 

You're thinking it, I'm thinking it, the Daily Mail's thinking it. Why is Book Club heiress Chloe Madeley out and about in her pants? The issue of TV's Richard and Judy has been tweeting images of what I believe we are obliged to call her washboard abs and has landed the prestigious OK! Magazine bottom right corner of the cover. 

That's not what caught our attention though, someone's got to do the mandatory underwear shoot and it might as well be the lovely Chloe. It is the quote above her cover photo of Chloe, looking rather irked to be photographed semi-nude in bed with her boyfriend, that caught our eye: "Page 3 girls are today's feminists."

I am Generation Y. Like, comfortably so. You probably guessed that from my youthful use of 'like'. I am old enough to be horrified by seeing today's teens dress in the same garb my friend's older sisters did when I was a girl. Basically guys I'm on the right side of the cusp, but I am on the cusp of being old. Ish. Mature, let's say. Old enough to toy with the idea of doing some stomach crunches whilst The Archers is on and insist on making everything from scratch. An adult.

Thanks to Encarta 95 (oh yes) and The Internet I am impatient for knowledge and instantaneous responses. Be it regarding the answer to the question 'what was All Saints first single?' (thanks Google and 3G!) or a miracle moisturiser that promises to smooth my skin.

Let's talk about heckling again (bollocks!). Recently Michelle Obama hit the headlines (or the comment pieces) after she dealt with a heckler surprisingly unsnappily. I had credited the First Lady with a knack for a good one liner but no. When heckled by Ellen Sturtz regarding Barack Obama's delay in signing executive order barring discrimination by federal contractors based on sexual orientation Michelle Obama said: "Listen to me, or you can take the mic but I'm leaving." 

She didn't leave, she resumed. Sturtz didn't heckle for the rest of the speech. Heckling hasn't simply become - like the rainbow parties* of Ariel Levy's book Female Chauvinist Pigs - something the press is talking about but nobody is doing. It is not reserved for sweaty comedy clubs, PMQs (is that heckling? Or political banter? Why can I never remember which is which?!) and rallies. Heckling seems to be gaining ground, does this mean we are waking up?

It doesn't matter how wibbly-wobbley timey-wimey stuff gets, sooner or later all good things must come to an end. And so it is with Doctor Who. Not the show itself of course - it's become such a part of the British psyche that its end would be as unthinkable as crumpets being banned or a nation-wide tea drought (feel free to insert your own national/geek cliche here). No, we refer of course to the upcoming departure of rubber-faced Matt Smith from the (sort of) titular role.

There's been a whole heap of speculation about who should become the next Doctor, what with this being an event of the utmost importance (shockingly not everyone - including one of our very own - thinks so. Shame!) If you're unconvinced or haven't seen the most recent series due to work/ travel/ being trapped under an infeasibly large marshmallow you can catch up using our reviews. 

And who are we to miss out on joining in with some idle speculation? Yeah, the contracts have probably already been locked down and the BBC special announcing the new actor filmed. But that doesn't mean we can't use our imaginations to cast our ideal Tardis pilot...

You know that thing where, when another woman does well or is in trouble we all stick by her no matter what? Or, we all stick by her unless she is in trouble for murder or something that can be filed under The Last Straw anyway. Because SISTERHOOD. It seems to be an expectation, that has no consistent basis for it to be a consistent expectation. 

The default so often is to go head to head with our sisters. We either disqualify them for not being 'cisters'. Or fraternising with sexist media - I wonder what reaction Page 3 models would get requesting our support without first renouncing their nipple baring ways? If they are too pretty we don't like 'em. If they don't match up with society's current view on what's attractive we don't like 'em. Sometimes we just ignore them and the only reason, unpleasant as it is, that I can think of is because they are a minority.  

How would you feel if someone you were in a long term relationship with told people that giving you head had caused them cancer? It's a pretty shitty trade off after all, it would certainly be a great way to put a real rift in the relationship.

The massive media storm around Michael Douglas' comments to the Guardian at the weekend just shows what a great story this is from the media perspective - fame, cancer, sex and disturbing mental visuals all rolled into one icky/fabulous/tragic package. 

Another member of the Squeamish team expressed horror at the possible ramifications of the Michael Douglas story - "we don't want people to be put off cunnilingus!" Indeed.

So, after 3 years in charge of the TARDIS Matt Smith is handing in the keys at the end of the year. And with this news the inevitable tabloid speculation over who will be next begins.

Although I'd rather have discovered it while watching the episode in question, Squeamish Kate accidentally provided a spoiler and the defence I'd have found out through the media anyway... The BBC has perfectly timed for newspaper silly season. By letting us know know they've ensured that its flagship science fiction/fantasy show will get plenty of free press in the run up to its 50th anniversary.