I see Kate Winslet grace the red carpet. I think her dress is a glorious way to show off her perfect body. I think her hair is different, but I like it. I love the asymmetric shoulder line, the sable color, the material choice, the sheer overlay on part of her skirt. I think she looks amazing. I see Vanessa Hudgens on the carpet. Her dress isn't my fave. The flowers that floof off the front, the shape and color of the dress just don't work for her age or personality in my opinion. Her hair is loose, which is always nice, but I'm just not a mermaid-style dress lover. I say all this knowing that my opinion is useless because I am not part of the "Fashion Police."
What I want to know is who decides what is appropriate and acceptable? How do they know so much? I have never been one for fads. I like to look nice, but I just don't play into what is trendy or "hot" based on the opinion of the proverbial "they." I don't have the money or the body shape to pull off what most of Hollywood wears. Nor do I want to. I think that weighing 130 pounds is acceptable, not a tragedy. Sorry, another Syndication Hopeful post all together. Back to the "they" who decide what is in style.
Some fashion education comes from magazines. Who is wearing what and how did they come by it? And how can you get it? I love the fact that in my hum-drum little life, when I am reading a mag, "they" feel so inclined to tell me how I can get that look. Seriously. If I showed up at the market wearing five inch heels, a pencil skirt and a bo-ho blouse with my four children in tow, I would be laughed out of the produce section! How do you chase after a two year-old wearing five inch heels? Sure, these women who are wearing these outfits are mothers also. They do what I do. Only not. It's just a little comical.
Some fashion education comes from reality TV. Who is "America's Top Model" and what is she wearing? Who designs the next trend for the summer? Is there some think-tank at Vogue that gets together and says, "Let's make people throw out their greek-style sandals and go for minimalist hiking sandals. Let's do away with the micro-mini with leggings under and go back to a walking short. And forget layering tees, lets bring seer-sucker tanks back with a vengeance!" It's out of my realm of understanding.
Well, I have to say, the long and short of it is people should just dress in what makes them look good. You look good in a sable gray, asymmetrical dress? Go for it. You look good in a black mermaid-style dress with floofy flowers on your chest? Go for it. As I said before, I'm no fashion police deputy. I just may have to disagree with your plan and be thankful I'm not on the front row of the fashion shows at Fashion Week.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Small Blessings
I am among the people in the world who forget how blessed I am. I don't mean to be ungrateful, I just live my life and lose sight of the small favors I enjoy daily. Today is a day that I will remember my small favors as I sit at my computer and post. I haven't showered yet, I can't run my full dishwasher, I have two full hampers of laundry, and here I sit. Lazy much? I'm sure you are thinking; it's just that I had to turn off the water main to my house because it's broken and gushing water down my street. I'm grateful to my neighbor who noticed it and let me know so I didn't provide the pavement with some much needed quenching.
I'm grateful for the water that just runs out of my tap. That is a bill that I'm happy to pay. I think about how it would've been back in Cleopatra's day. Now, wouldn't have been a Cleopatra because I'm not wealthy; therefore, I would've had to fetch my own water. Me. Walking to the river. Water basin on head. I'm far too delicate for such work. I guess I would have gotten used to it. But it's something I take for granted and I'm happy for it.
I'm grateful for my health. I saw a friend of mine at the park yesterday. He told me they found a tumor in his brain so he is dealing with daily headaches until the treatments start working. I feel bad for him. I eat what I choose. I can go to the gym and workout (though I don't as often as I should). I can play or write or cook or clean. I don't have the ask others to do those things for me. I appreciate when they do, but if not I can do it for myself. Also something I take for granted.
I'm grateful for my eyesight. I'm grateful that I can hear. I'm grateful to have a house even when I have to clean it. I'm grateful that I have more than one pair of shoes and jeans. I'm grateful that I know how to cook. I'm grateful that I know how to play the piano. I'm grateful I know how to love others. All of these things I have but don't think about daily. They are my small blessings and I will try to remember what those small blessings are.
I'm grateful for the water that just runs out of my tap. That is a bill that I'm happy to pay. I think about how it would've been back in Cleopatra's day. Now, wouldn't have been a Cleopatra because I'm not wealthy; therefore, I would've had to fetch my own water. Me. Walking to the river. Water basin on head. I'm far too delicate for such work. I guess I would have gotten used to it. But it's something I take for granted and I'm happy for it.
I'm grateful for my health. I saw a friend of mine at the park yesterday. He told me they found a tumor in his brain so he is dealing with daily headaches until the treatments start working. I feel bad for him. I eat what I choose. I can go to the gym and workout (though I don't as often as I should). I can play or write or cook or clean. I don't have the ask others to do those things for me. I appreciate when they do, but if not I can do it for myself. Also something I take for granted.
I'm grateful for my eyesight. I'm grateful that I can hear. I'm grateful to have a house even when I have to clean it. I'm grateful that I have more than one pair of shoes and jeans. I'm grateful that I know how to cook. I'm grateful that I know how to play the piano. I'm grateful I know how to love others. All of these things I have but don't think about daily. They are my small blessings and I will try to remember what those small blessings are.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Communication Advances?
We live in a really great day. Modern conveniences are everywhere. Push a button and viola you have warm left-overs. Or an elevator called. Or a special message sent. I do have to wonder if all of the advances are getting us in the right place, though when I can't even get anyone to talk with me.
When, oh when, did we get away from talking? How is this good for anyone?
I have a very good friend--I mean a really really good friend--who doesn't answer her phone. She says she is going to be better about that, but if I would just drop her a text she would respond to that! I have been sitting in the room with my nephews and nieces and they will text each other. They are literally in the same room but they just don't feel like talking. I really wish I was kidding here. Another member of my family won't answer the door or phone: "the phone is a convenience for me and the door is there to keep those I don't want away." She must just have ESP to know if her kid is calling with an emergency.
I have to tell you, I just can't live with the anxiety of not knowing what is on the other end of that line or on the other side of the door. Not to mention the desire I have for the immediate gratification of conversation. I would just keep putting up messages over the top of messages while waiting for a response to my previous message. I'm just too impatient. I just appreciate face-to-face/ear-to-ear vocalization. I like to hear a person's voice fluctuate or sound sarcastic or pause for (wait for it...) dramatic effect. I like to ask opinions or get directions or get advice and have the fulfillment of a reply or instructions or guidance. I like making a joke and hearing a laugh. I like singing a song to support a comment. I like to throw in a movie quote to add dimension. I just like a good old-fashioned conversation.
Don't misunderstand. I am not suggesting we go back to smoke signals or Morse code. I just think that these "communication advances" are really a social backward step. I will just continue communicating the best I know how (like I ever shut my mouth!) and hope that I don't get left in the dust because I communicate like I wasn't born during this time.
When, oh when, did we get away from talking? How is this good for anyone?
I have a very good friend--I mean a really really good friend--who doesn't answer her phone. She says she is going to be better about that, but if I would just drop her a text she would respond to that! I have been sitting in the room with my nephews and nieces and they will text each other. They are literally in the same room but they just don't feel like talking. I really wish I was kidding here. Another member of my family won't answer the door or phone: "the phone is a convenience for me and the door is there to keep those I don't want away." She must just have ESP to know if her kid is calling with an emergency.
I have to tell you, I just can't live with the anxiety of not knowing what is on the other end of that line or on the other side of the door. Not to mention the desire I have for the immediate gratification of conversation. I would just keep putting up messages over the top of messages while waiting for a response to my previous message. I'm just too impatient. I just appreciate face-to-face/ear-to-ear vocalization. I like to hear a person's voice fluctuate or sound sarcastic or pause for (wait for it...) dramatic effect. I like to ask opinions or get directions or get advice and have the fulfillment of a reply or instructions or guidance. I like making a joke and hearing a laugh. I like singing a song to support a comment. I like to throw in a movie quote to add dimension. I just like a good old-fashioned conversation.
Don't misunderstand. I am not suggesting we go back to smoke signals or Morse code. I just think that these "communication advances" are really a social backward step. I will just continue communicating the best I know how (like I ever shut my mouth!) and hope that I don't get left in the dust because I communicate like I wasn't born during this time.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Whose Gym is it Really?
There are gyms in my town. Quite a few. Some are circuit training, some are full on rec. centers with tennis courts, climbing walls, swimming pools, etc., some are mostly weight machines. At any rate, any one who desires fitness and strength has a plethora to choose from. What I love about the gym I patronize is that it offers so much that I really enjoy...depending on the time of day.
If I get up and go to the gym ridiculously early in the morning, I join the Corporate Crowd. The ones who come to the gym, get in a good sweat, shower and place the blazer on their body to go to the office. These people appear to be the ones who go to bed at the same time each night. Who are organized and confident. I love my non-corporate life, but these people do make me think it would be nice to be among them as I watch them at the gym.
If I go early in the morning, I join the Mom-tourage. Those who are coming to get their gym on before getting the kiddies off to school. These women, I must admit, I fit in well with. They are there without make-up. They don't have the newest matchy-matchy outfit to exercise in. They have "I love the '90's" music in their i-pods. They are there to get rid of the post-partum spare tire. Power to the Mom-tourage.
If I hit the gym in the morning, there is a mis-mash of people. A few old, a few young, shift workers, those interested in whichever class is being offered at the time. This is a good non-judgmental crew. Keeping their cardio up, and doing their own thing. This group is also good to go with since they worrying about them and not about you--unless you are in trouble, then they are willing to help.
If I'm getting my tread on during the mid-morning to afternoon, I am a lone woman in the gym. Actually, the six of us there hardly make a peep and we hardly know that the other five exist. I love the social experience and undisclosed competition between treadmills so I rarely join the few and proud afternooners, but the attendees who prefer to have privacy and space are good to go.
Now comes the rest of the day...once it's after school, the gym goers have a little bit different kind of goal. This is the crowd that intimidates me. The companion seekers. Granted, if you enjoy fitness and having an "A" body, you probably want your mate to have the same. So, if you are looking (hunting), the gym would be a natural place to find (lay out your scent for) someone with the same interests (great body) as you. I'm sure if I didn't have my awesome spouse, I'd go to the gym at this time of day to find someone with my same interests (washboard abs) wearing my cutesy outfit, with my make-up all perfect, the newest cross-trainers in a shade that matches, and my hair perfectly coiffed. My situation, as it now stands, does not take me to the gym at that time of day.
However, late at night, is another crowd I can relate to. They are the I-just-got-my-kids-in-bed or I-can't-fall-asleep or I'm-avoiding-doing-something-else-so-I'm-here bunch. On many occasions, I have hit the gym late at night for the afore mentioned reasons. It doesn't matter what you look like, you are just there to burn off steam or energy or boredom. None of these reasons is a bad one.
As I work on my workout and observe each of these types of exercisers, I feel an array of feelings. Just being at the gym is good. It is nearly half the battle; the other half is to focus enough to feel the burn instead of feeling the overwhelming fact that you aren't like them or maybe you are. It really doesn't matter when your clothes fit better, though, does it.
If I get up and go to the gym ridiculously early in the morning, I join the Corporate Crowd. The ones who come to the gym, get in a good sweat, shower and place the blazer on their body to go to the office. These people appear to be the ones who go to bed at the same time each night. Who are organized and confident. I love my non-corporate life, but these people do make me think it would be nice to be among them as I watch them at the gym.
If I go early in the morning, I join the Mom-tourage. Those who are coming to get their gym on before getting the kiddies off to school. These women, I must admit, I fit in well with. They are there without make-up. They don't have the newest matchy-matchy outfit to exercise in. They have "I love the '90's" music in their i-pods. They are there to get rid of the post-partum spare tire. Power to the Mom-tourage.
If I hit the gym in the morning, there is a mis-mash of people. A few old, a few young, shift workers, those interested in whichever class is being offered at the time. This is a good non-judgmental crew. Keeping their cardio up, and doing their own thing. This group is also good to go with since they worrying about them and not about you--unless you are in trouble, then they are willing to help.
If I'm getting my tread on during the mid-morning to afternoon, I am a lone woman in the gym. Actually, the six of us there hardly make a peep and we hardly know that the other five exist. I love the social experience and undisclosed competition between treadmills so I rarely join the few and proud afternooners, but the attendees who prefer to have privacy and space are good to go.
Now comes the rest of the day...once it's after school, the gym goers have a little bit different kind of goal. This is the crowd that intimidates me. The companion seekers. Granted, if you enjoy fitness and having an "A" body, you probably want your mate to have the same. So, if you are looking (hunting), the gym would be a natural place to find (lay out your scent for) someone with the same interests (great body) as you. I'm sure if I didn't have my awesome spouse, I'd go to the gym at this time of day to find someone with my same interests (washboard abs) wearing my cutesy outfit, with my make-up all perfect, the newest cross-trainers in a shade that matches, and my hair perfectly coiffed. My situation, as it now stands, does not take me to the gym at that time of day.
However, late at night, is another crowd I can relate to. They are the I-just-got-my-kids-in-bed or I-can't-fall-asleep or I'm-avoiding-doing-something-else-so-I'm-here bunch. On many occasions, I have hit the gym late at night for the afore mentioned reasons. It doesn't matter what you look like, you are just there to burn off steam or energy or boredom. None of these reasons is a bad one.
As I work on my workout and observe each of these types of exercisers, I feel an array of feelings. Just being at the gym is good. It is nearly half the battle; the other half is to focus enough to feel the burn instead of feeling the overwhelming fact that you aren't like them or maybe you are. It really doesn't matter when your clothes fit better, though, does it.
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