It's difficult not to be obsessed with them. So obsessed that it was HARD to socialize him when he was a little guy (letting strangers and friends hold him when I wanted to hog him) but it was so worth it. Now he's a big attention whore and loves people and other dogs.
@toohotforporncareer: One of my friends lived in an orphanage in Napal for a year so she could, "Hug orphans and teach them some math." Then she started a trust so they all have money for school. She lived on the money she saved working as a waitress and living in a tent for a summer in the States. She doesn't own caftans so I'm not sure that would make a good book.
This happened at a pretty popular bar for actors/comedians to gather after late night shows. A gentleman came up to me and started the whole "put her down a little while flirting" routine.
Gentleman: Hey, how's it going? Me: Pretty good. I just got out of a show. Gentleman: Oh? What show? Me: I'm doing a sketch show around the corner. Gentleman: Uck... Sorry, it's just I'm an IMPROVISER so I hear "sketch" and I'm just like ugggghhh. Me: *Silent angry stare* Gentleman: See me and my friends have been doing a show here for a while... just five guys talking about life. Me: So it's just you and 4 other heterosexual white dudes talking about life? Gentleman: Yeah. Me: So it's a detailed examination of privilege? Gentleman: Uh... Me: Sounds really funny. Gentleman: I have to go... over there.
This may be my nostalgia talking but I never saw Yacht Goldie as very independent. It wasn't like she was in a boardroom. I also wouldn't consider her a housewife; she designed the whole mini gold park! Again my 8 year old self might be rationalizing.
@Wandell: At least in my experience, feeling happiness in your own skin couldn't be further from a "who cares?" mentality. We are constantly thrashed with negative messages about our bodies so you have to fight back with positive thoughts and images. Find things you love about your new body. If you can't think of one thing, look at art that celebrates bodies like yours. That's just what's helped me... and talking a therapist could be helpful too!
It's interesting to me that, as someone who's always been fat to a degree, I have a very happy relationship with my body because being fat has been a given. I don't have "thin pictures" or "skinny jeans." But sometimes I worry that being fat is too much a part of my identity. It makes me feel alternative, it makes me feel subversive, it makes my clothing choices more challenging and therefore more rewarding. Being afraid of losing weight isn't a typical fear but it's one I have.
As we try to love our bodies and claim them, we also have to find peace with the fact that they are constantly changing.
@westvillagegirl (exiled in chicago): That was interesting. I got really upset when I saw the Nazi uniforms but then I remembered the illusions (and the books flat out saying) that Godric specialized in hunting, abusing and draining children. Godric and Eric take a lot of rationalization for me to love... but I manage to do it.