How much do looks define your self-image?

[shootingstar]

Hey, Grog had no idea about the tv episodes. How interesting.

Zen, where did you get that tiara?
Speaking of which, one of my closest female friends for about 20 years, before she and I naturally parted ways, was in a Miss Canada beauty pageant. (Yea, it's true, some of the snippy stuff backstage. Waste of time.) Long after that event (which she didn't win and didn't care to because she was caught up in her university studies), she was with a bunch research colleagues in a downtown teaching hospital in Toronto where she did her work. There was a parade outside which included a Miss Canada regally in some car/float.... Her research colleagues hooted and mocked, made minor jokes.

She absolutely dared not to reveal that she was in the pageant once upon a time. She really wanted to do well on her pharmacology thesis based on her brainpower and work.

She also had 2 older sisters who were genuinely nice individuals...and they did each do part-time modelling. Last I heard one of them died of breast cancer recently.

In some sort of curious way, I would be interested in knowing/meeting her daughters..if they took upon their mother's need to constantly look good. One of them would be same age as my niece....a great young woman (can't you tell I'm a proud aunt?), whom I've never seen wear makeup at any dressy party event so far. I'm glad...no reason..she's with family.

Same for my partner's daughter. I'm secretly glad she drags in to visit us, looking dishevelled at times, but bohemian chic. I've only seen her wear makeup once after all these years. As soon my partner told me she was exploring feminist theories etc. when she was 16, I thought: GOOD!!!!! that's when eureka starts. Hopefully.