The Good, The Bad, and the Evil

Well, it's been a hell of a week . . . from the Royal Wedding to the death of Osama Bin Laden to Cinco de Mayo, there has been no lack of drama in our world. As a result, I want to quickly mention a number of thoughts I've had over the past week or two related to the subject of body issues.

First up, the Royal Wedding . . . I'm probably the only person on the planet (besides my Facebook peeps Sophia, Kristie, and Ajsela) who didn't love Kate Middleton's dress—what was up with that stiff armor-like bodice?—but I did appreciate some aspects of the royal gown.

I was thrilled, for instance, that the new Duchess of Cambridge wore sleeves. Not because I'm a prude who wants everyone to dress like a sister wife but because I'm sick to death of the long-running American obsession with all things sleeveless. Most of us don't look good in sleeveless, people! Let's try something else for a while.

For that reason, I'll file Waity Katie's dress under bad with a huge side of good.

I'm also happy that Kate—unlike Diana—did not have to be a virgin to marry her prince. Nor did she have to be of royal blood. These outdated requirements are no better for us than the idea that only thin women are beautiful.

This is very, very good.

Second, the death of Osama . . . I'm not a big fan of celebrating the death of anyone—even someone we can actually call a mastermind of evil without exaggerating, but it was hard not to be a bit pleased that a person who killed so many people has been banished from the earth. I'm also glad that a man who still wants women to be covered from head-to-toe is gone too. I may not want to wear sleeveless, but I want the RIGHT to wear sleeveless.

An evil killer who hated women is no longer among us?

Good.

Third, my haircut this afternoon . . . today I got my hair cut for what feels like the first time since Princess Diana's wedding. And while the stylist was lopping off my split ends, she looked at me and said, "You know, your hair could look just like mine if you wanted."

This woman had bleached blonde hair that she had blown out in a straight but fluffy cupcake-like style. I couldn't imagine why she would think someone with dark, curly hair would want to look like she did. But rather than say this directly, I said, "I like my hair curly."

Unfortunately, the stylist didn't take the hint.

"But it could look like mine," she pleaded. "Just use a big curling iron every morning. And you could have highlights like mine too. That would look great!"

A person who wants me to change who I am to fit her image of beauty?

Bad. Very bad.

Fourth, tonight's episode of The Office . . . in which the old boy network, embodied with scary authenticity by Will Ferrell, finally gets what it deserves . . .

So good I want it to get an Emmy.

Fifth, the guy who waited on me a couple of weeks ago and said "Big appetite, huh?" after I cleaned my plate of lean pork, rice, and vegetables?

Bad and maybe even a bit evil given that kind of comment is designed to undermine our self-esteem.

Finally, last week's Glee . . . I haven't had a chance to write about last week's amazing episode in which all of the glee clubbers don t-shirts advertising what the world sees as their worst quality, thereby reclaiming that part of themselves.

If you missed it, Rachel Berry's shirt said "nose", Artie's said "four eyes," Emma's said "OCD," Finn's said "Can't Dance," Mr. Shoe's said "butt chin," and Kurt's said, "likes boys." (Perhaps the funniest, though, was Puck's which said "I'm with stupid" and had an arrow pointing to his crotch.)

If you know me at all, you know that I simply loved this idea. So much so that I'm thinking about getting a t-shirt that says "curvy." Or maybe "gossip." Or both.

A television show that encourages us to turn our "flaws" into something we wear with pride?

All good!!!