And The Vote Is In: Mom's Right, Again
You know that classic bit of Mom advice about looking presentable, even if you’re just running out for a carton of milk, because you never know whom you’ll run into? Well, turns out, it's right on the money.
It’s 7:50 Tuesday evening and I am on countdown to the 8:00 pm start of “American ldol” when the phone rings. It’s my friend Sheri, citizen exemplar. “Did you vote?” she asks. “Vote?” I think to myself. I haven’t even seen the performances yet, so how could I vote? Turns out she meant the local school budget/board election, not AI. And no, I haven’t. It had completely slipped my mind. I am in sleeping sweats and an oversized T-shirt. My face is washed clean of make-up, slathered with moisturizer, and my hair is pulling back in a scrungie. Perfect for Idol watching, not so much for public consumption. Plus, the polls close at 9 PM, the exact time Ryan S. signs off. So, the choice: Do I go?
My conscience kicks in. I want to be a good citizen and exercise my civic duty. But. The Idol is about to start and there is also the pesky little matter of my appearance. I come up with a compromise. I’ll watch the three finalists’ first songs, run out in the middle to vote, and hopefully return for the recap, a plan that allows, however, for little more than a two-second brush through my hair while at a stop light. (It’s times like these that I can really appreciate the appeal of a fashion statement like the burka.) But, I reassure myself, how many people that I know could I possibly run into during the six minutes it’ll take to practice good citizenship?
The answer to that would be: plenty, or one for each minute of my polling blitz, including a neighbor, a friend, a friend of a friend, my kids' former babysitter, AND one of their past teachers and his wife. Spotting each, I am faced with another choice: Do I go for the quick power sprint hello and risk being branded unfriendly, or do I go with the longer chatty greeting format, which not only gives the person I chat with more time to get a good look at me (“What’s with Laurie? She looks so tired lately!”) but also cuts into my Idol watching time.
I end up wimping out and going with the combo approach, which only succeeds in leaving people both ticked off and wondering why I look like I just rolled out of bed. The good news? I am soon back in front of the TV having missed only two songs and lots of commercials. The budget passed, my school board candidates won, and no chads were left hanging out for all to see—just you-know-who.
Comments
OMG! That's an awesome post! It never fails that whenever you have the thought that "you couldn't possible run into someone you know so who cares how you look" that you actually do run into someone that you know. I always try to at least swipe some mascara on the lashes if nothing else. But I am VERY adamant about taking at least one shower every day (sometimes two); even after I had my son I NEVER missed a shower. This girl came in to where I work yesterday (I'm a secretary at a hospital) to apply and interview for a job and she hadn't showered in days and looked like she was wearing pre-baby jammies (i.e. they were WAY too small for her still-chubby self) and her hair was all nappy and greasy. Anyway, she had a one month old daughter. I think that our HR lady hired her because she's her daughter's friend. I had to point out that NO ONE has EVER seen me look like that. Even when my son was just days old. I don't buy the "I'm a new mom" excuse quite simply because you can always find ten minutes to shower.
Sorry about the rambly post! YOU obviously care enough about how you look to actually give it a second thought, I was just thinking about all of the people that I see coming in to my office who don't.
I have been in the situation where I give it a second thought and then decide that I don't care. But it's basically the limit of no makeup with my hair in a ponytail.
So true! It's crazy how many ex-boyfriends you can run into when you realize you're out of milk and run to the convenience store during a commercial break!
Haha, Adri! That's so TRUE! I never run into ex's when I'm looking completely fabulous and happy with my little family unit. I always run into them when I look like total crap because I don't feel well or whatever so I don't put an effort into how I look. But hey, like I said, at least I'm always clean! lol
So, so true, LMSP and Adri! The only thing worse about running ino an ex while looking like you were run over is looking that way when you're with your sassy teen and/or tamtruming two-year-old! Does wonders for the whole look! LOL
The most meaningful human relationships I've had is with fellow cancer patients...all of us bald, pale and dressed in baggy sweat pants.
Prior to the cancer, I was one who wouldn't walk out the door without spending a huge chunk of time on my appearance. Now I realize that make up serves as a mask, one that hides the (dare I say it) inner beauty.
We devalue ourselves when we think we're less without more on our faces.
American women spend billions on make up while women in other countries are struggling to feed their families. How have we gotten to the point of finding this acceptable?
I've looked at life from both sides now...vanity vs humanity...and find that vanity is a roadblock to finding true peace and meaning in life. The time and money spent in the name of vanity could end world hunger and disease.
Why are intelligent women allowing themselves to be manipulated into feeling bad for being who they are?
Cancer has opened my eyes more than any mascara ever could. It's so liberating.
The most meaningful human relationships I've had are with fellow cancer patients..all of us bald, pale and dressed in baggy sweat pants.
Prior to the cancer, I was one who wouldn't walk out the door without spending a huge chunk of time on my appearance. Now I realize that make up serves as a mask, one that hides the (dare I say it) inner beauty.
We devalue ourselves when we think we're less without more on our faces.
American women spend billions on make up while women in other countries are struggling to feed their families. How have we gotten to the point of finding this acceptable?
I've looked at life from both sides now...vanity vs humanity...and find that vanity is a roadblock to finding true peace and meaning in life. The time and money spent in the name of vanity could end world hunger and disease.
Why are intelligent women allowing themselves to be manipulated into feeling bad for being who they are?
Cancer has opened my eyes more than any mascara ever could. It's so liberating.
Wow! What a profound comment N/A! I would have to say that I agree with that. Although, I don't spend a lot of time on my appearance. I usually just put on eyeshadow and mascara and pull my hair into a pony tail (even for work) and that's good enough for me. Although, if one was to look at the pics on my website, those instances I did put effort into my appearance because they were special occassions.
N/A, Thanks for reminding us all about what's really important and for taking a moment to share your story with us. I know we all wish you all the best health, and other-wise. Take care, Laurie
Wouldn't life be easier if we all signed a pact not to spend time and money on such frivolous things as hair and make-up? This way, we'd all look the same relative to the next person and have more time and money to spend on charitable causes.
