Yesterday I heard in passing that a woman in Toronto died on the table when when she had liposuction. I don't know if I feel sorry for her or if I think it serves her right...It just seems like such a stupid way to die. And a pathetic way to die. Dying in order to fit some arbitrary standard of beauty is a tad ironic isn't it? 'Cause the lady? She ain't fitting nuttin' no more.
I understand insecurity. Hell, I haven't worn a bathing suit in years; I wear surfer shorts and a tankini top if I get anywhere near the water. We all have our issues. Especially when confronted to perfect bodies on the beach.
But between that and actually risking death in order to free myself of my fat ass... well not so much thank you. Because a fat ass doesn't make me any less acceptable - at least not in my eyes. And it makes sitting much more comfortable. Jesus Mary and Joseph, what's wrong with me?!?!?!
As far as I'm concerned, plastic surgery should be reconstructive. Some people really do need it. But there's a huge difference between being deformed and wanting Angelina Jolie's lips. Ok, maybe not the best example, cause those lips?.... Ok, Mom, if I can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all... right. Gotcha.
Moving along.
What kind of society do we live in that having huge knockers is supposed to change your life? The only thing it would change as far as I'm concerned is that I could get a job at Hooters. Not something I'd want to do anyway, so it's a moot point.
Collagened lips, paralyzed faces (I'm sure people whose faces are paralyzed from strokes find this one sort of ironic too), mega-boobage, butt implants, faces so lifted they're hardly faces anymore.
And apparently more and more men are jumping on the bandwagon. Boys, get a hold of yourselves! Now, before it's too late. You really don't have to act stupid because women do too.
Yes, I understand societal pressure. It's all the fault of fashion magazines and all that crap. Right. Of course.
And the idea of actually basing one's life on the dictates of a Vogue or Elle or Glamour magazine, doesn't that strike people as more than a little whacked? Again, I read fashion magazines, I love 'em (especially the shoes! oh the shoes! I saw these perfect red shoes.... ok, off topic). I also love the irony of the "be healthy" articles and the clothes hanger teenagers modeling the clothes. No people you don't have to look like them! They're 13 and they're there to make the clothes look right. If the clothes don't look right on you, buy something else, don't fucking get lipsuction!!!
I'm begining to wonder if there wouldn't be lots of money to be made in brain transplants.
People can blame the media for all the ills they want. When it comes right down to it, it's another case of people acting like idiots. Because you know what? If people just fuckin' decided to accept themselves aleady, the whole damn "system" would collapse. This whole, how-dare-you-actually-look-your-age-you-should-never-look-older-than-35-even-if-you're-106 culture would be a thing of the past. Yeah, I know, pipe dreams. What does that expression mean anyway? What pipe?
It's a profoundly sad society when people strive to look like cookie cutter clones (oooh! alliteration!!!) of one another.
Just sayin'
15 comments:
You are wise and wonderful, dear one. Ah yes, vanity and insecurity as a motivational factor for North American and Western European societies. I wonder if women in Baghdad are concerned that their tits aren't big and firm enough? As for a sizeable ass, I'm an ass man forever, so I'm not bothered if a woman's nether side looks comfy, I'm enticed. OK, TMI, but you get my drift. Well done, yet again.
You left out chin implant. 'Course those are probably bigger with the guys than with the gals.
And Ian, the more TV for USA that gets piped into Baghdad, the more the women and men will be concerned with big, firm tits.
Insecurity about self is probably the thing we best spread around the world.
Hoorah! I can understand looking good to feel good, hell, I rarely leave the house without a little mascara. But I also think it's important to counteract the evils of the media by stressing to our daughters (and now our sons, apparently) that we're strong and beautiful no matter what.
Funny to think that most of the people I admire don't have movie-star good looks.
I'm embarrassed to admit that I have a slight prejudice against people that jump through all of those surgical hoops. I don't deny them their right to do so, but I always imagine that we aren't going to have a lot in common, or have a lot to talk about.
Billy Joel said it best: I love you just the way you are.
And Ian, I totally concur(r?): a sizeable ass is a great ass, especially Jazz's. I'll avoid TMIing by stopping now ;-)
Ian - Comfy is always good.
Ticknart - Indeed. Very good point
Gnightgirl - I see your point. I guess I can understand feeling like you need surgery to feel better about yourself, but personally, I'd see a shrink beforehand and try to fix my self esteem issues.
Mr. Jazz - *blush*
Jazz, I felt awful when I heard about that poor woman. How stupid can you get? But, you know, men are partly responsible. A great number of them grow up thinking a naked woman looks like the airbrushed centrefold in a man's magazine. When they see that real women don't look like that, it can have a negative impact on both the man and the woman. So, women strive to look like the airbrushed centrefolds. It's a vicious circle. I love the ads for Dove soap, because they show real women, and real women are beautiful.
Josie - I'm not sure it's men's fault. I mean, who gives them the idea that women are airbrushed centerfolds? They don't pluck that out of the sky. Thing is, I think women have to tell them, "Hey dude, I'm not an airbrushed centerfold and nor, for the record, are you". Both men and women's expectations are skewed, but we need to take responsibility for ourselves and say, sorry that isn't reality, this is. Deal with it, rather than go out and get lipo, a boob job or collagen.
The whole thing is really so off the charts bizarre.
Wolfgrrl's latest blog is about the concept of size vs what is expected.
I wouldn't tempt death by trying to down size my butt.
Wow, we ARE on the same page today...and you just had to include that Jocelyne Wildenstein (or whatever the hell her name is) photo, didn't you? As a shout-out to my name and all the plastic surgery I've had?
Okay I've had three plastic surgeries, but to be perfectly fair here, Jazz, you never had kids. I could e-mail you the before pictures of my stomach before I had my tummy tuck. What my stomach area turned into after my pregnancy was an awful alien mess. I was thin and in great shape and had this mass of loose flesh that I had to make sure didn't get caught in my zipper. My entire belly button area was gross looking. Same thing with my boobs. After the pregnancy and breast feeding, my boobs were hideous thin long tubes. Call it vanity or whatever, but I was not happy with my post pregnancy body and made the (somewhat scary) decision to do something about it. I'm done with plastic surgery and am ready to go with the natural aging process from here on out, but I'm glad I did the things I did. I guess I'm the outsider here, but I felt like I had to defend my decisions.
I guess when people believe their only worth and value is how they look, they will take any step to obtain the look they feel they must have.
I find that sad as hell because no matter how one makes themself look, it won't last forever. But personality and self confidence will go a long long way. Plus, it's free!
John Lennon said it pretty well too...
"One thing you can't hide
is when you're crippled inside"
Tai - we all seem to be on the same page today. Jocelyn wrote about size too.
Jocelyn - Yep, that's what I was thinking about the whole time.
Geewits - You really don't need to justify your decisions to me. But since you have, I can see your point. It still freaks me right out that people end up dead after plastic surgery though, which is what prompted the rant.
PoP - Free is good.
Joe - How true is that though? I've met some pretty "crippled" people who hid it damn well.
How do you know that? :oP
I amwith you 100% on the vanity plastic surgery issue. And the more it is done, the more our society's idea of what "normal beauty" is, shifts. Reconstruction or fixing a true deformoty, I'm all for. But a pox on surgeons who earn their livings sucking fat, adding plactic and tightening faces.
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