Monday, March 8, 2010

Do You Look Like You Feel?


Do you look like you feel?

I go around feeling like this:


Of course I don’t think I look like that! I know I don’t. Not anywhere close. Not in the same ballpark, neighborhood of even hemisphere of it, it’s just that If I had to visualize how I feel, this is how I visualize me. Then, I will unfortunately, see a photo of myself someone’s recently taken, and immediately I feel like I look like this:


The stomach! The wattle! The dried-out hair…it’s hard to take it all in. I exercise, I only eat 27% of what I WANT to eat in a day; I take tons of vitamins; I try to get enough sleep, but there it is. I am old and dumpy. Far from what I looked like in high school, and of course, intellectually, I know I don't look like I looked in high school, but I still feel the same spirit-wise.

Then, time goes by and I forget about the photo (can you spell “post traumatic stress disorder?) and happily go about life. Recently, I was happily going about life while some contractors were over to tend to the effects left by having a new door installed (of course, installing the door uncovered tons of rotten wood around the door frame which lot$ had to be done to correct. (Can you spell home ownership: the pantload that keeps on giving?) Anyhoo… I’m making out the check for the head contractor dude, when he asks, “You know who you look like?” While I know the answer will NOT be Cameron Diaz or anyone close to it, you naturally think, when someone makes a point of saying, “You know who you look like?” it’s going to be really flattering. That they're going to name someone a little younger, someone you could only hope to look like if they are saying it to your face and especially IF YOU ARE WRITING OUT A CHECK TO THEM AT THAT PRECISE MOMENT. I asked, with trepidation, “Who’s that?” Wait for it… Wait for it….


“Bonnie Hunt!”

“Really?” I asked, trying to sound pleased and not totally deflated.

“Yes! You look just like her! Do you know who she is?”

“Yes,” I reply trying to continue writing vs. visually tasering contractor dude. “I love her.” Which I do. I really, really do. It’s just that I wanted him to say someone younger than me, not someone a year older. You never want to hear you look like someone older or even close to your age. (Naturally, I immediately looked up Bonnie’s age right after the contractor left to see how old I was looking to the unbiased, outspoken local contractor population.)

While looking up Bonnie’s age, I found lots of photos of her. Looking at them, I realized I would be happy and lucky to look like Bonnie Hunt or remind anyone of her. She is a wonderfully warm, happy, funny, kind and beautiful woman – at least that’s what I think of when I think of her, and if that’s at all how I present myself to the world, then I am very lucky indeed. Stomach, wattle and all. (I'm talking about my wattle and stomach - not Bonnie's - she doesn't seem to have those things, and if she does, mine certainly trump hers!)

10 comments:

  1. I would take either compliment and not start to sweat it until I was told I looked like Jabba! Then,my friend, you have a problem!

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  2. You are right, Sheila! I am counting my blessings! Sadly, I started sweating months ago, though, due to hot flashes...

    Thanks for visiting!

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  3. Tracy!!! You have to read my post from my personal blog: (I knew we had tons in common!) Too funny ... http://mizwrite.com/2010/02/12/who-is-your-doppelganger/

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  4. OMG, Laurie! TOO WIERD! AND FUNNY! Of all the people out there, we both look like Bonnie Hunt!

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  5. It's the dry winter air, Tracy! No amount of lotion seems to help moisturize our darn dry skin! Aarrrghh!!! :D

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  6. You're right, Liggy, but I suspect in my case, it's all AGE syndrome! Thanks for visiting!

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  7. I can relate so well to your sentiments. When I was in my twenties, I was told I looked Chynna Phillips and Josie Bissett. I hit my thirties and was told I looked like Martha Stewart (which is also a huge compliment, she was simply 20+ years older). In my forties, I'm too scared what I'll be told. When this happens, I know I'll run to the computer and check their ages, too. Love it.

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  8. Melinda - you're cute as a button! Much more than Martha Stewart who I would love to be compared to. I really wish our bank accounts were twins!! You made me feel better about my experience, though! Thanks for visiting!!

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  10. I am so much better looking in my mind. I'm always shocked and appalled when I see a photo of myself. Love your definition of an ungirdled woman.

    If you get a chance, please check out my blog. My Decade As A Dyke (dykedecade.com)

    Notes from my life as a lesbian ... and my journey back to hetville.

    It's got something for everyone -- nuns, vibrators, birth control and beef jerky, not all in the same post, of course.

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