…there is an equal and opposite reaction.
We all remember that from high school science, I’m sure. What’s interesting to me is how true that is of the human mind as well. Take me, for instance. I’m not an overly girly girl (I can hear my sister snorting whatever she was drinking right now and thinking to herself “not OVERLY?! You wore all gray for like five years!”). I’m not into pink, I’ve never been one for “girls’ night out,” and before I got out here I couldn’t have told you who Christian Laboutin was to save my life. The crazy thing is, being out here surrounded by men who, for the most part, pride themselves on their toughness, and women who often seem to be trying to keep up with the guys in terms of being one fo the guys, I’ve become more girly.
Honestly, I’m a little disturbed by the whole thing. All of a sudden I have this overriding urge to prove that I’m NOT one of the guys, that I don’t want to dress in cargo pants and hiking boots every day, that I like heels and dresses and feeling pretty. Those of you who know me, back me up — I am not one to say things like “I want to feel pretty!” It’s very strange. I suppose it’s a contrary streak in me, but I find myself thinking more about make-up and shoes out here than I ever have before in my life. It’s really sort of bizarre.
I’m hoping it’s temporary, that once I’m back in a normal place where no one stares at you if you should choose one day to wear heels, for instance, this will all pass.
Of course, that said I still cringe when I hear one of my new female co-workers saying something like “we girls are going to make this part of the office all feminine — we might even paint it pink!” in a very perky voice. So maybe all hope is not lost. I have yet to become perky as far as I can tell. If and when that happens, then I will truly be lost.
29 August 2006 at 18:53
Who is Christian Laboutin?
I think it’s great to be feminine, but I don’t think you have to choose between the androgynous-I’m-the-same-as-a-guy image or the Reese Witherspoon character from Legally Blonde. Seems like there must be a happy medium in there somewhere! If you’re toting a parasol next time I see you, I’m going to be very surprised, but I will consider myself forewarned.
29 August 2006 at 19:20
You always struck me as being VERY feminine, so this really surprises me. You were my inspiration when it came to high heels (:-)). I don’t think being feminine is synonymous with “pretty in pink” (although I did wear hot pink to my son’s wedding…).
And, yes, WHO IS Christian Laboutin???
30 August 2006 at 16:43
I don’t know Christian Laboutin either.
30 August 2006 at 17:17
Now I’m especially ashamed…Christian Laboutin is a shoe designer. French, I think. He does the heels that are red on the bottom.
31 August 2006 at 14:25
Oh you silly people… Christian Lauboutin is an AMAZING shoe designer. Now, I have been surrounded by people who will drop hundreds of dollers on a sweater or gucci shirt for the last 6 years of my life and am proud to say that money has yet to be that devalued to me yet… but with that said I have actually considered buying a pair of Lauboutin’s. They are beautiful. Oh ya, and Heidi you are going to hate this, but Oprah had a pair of them last season that she wore on numerous shows. 🙂
31 August 2006 at 23:16
um, i’m pretty sure i spent a day with you and at least 2 other females which involved mud masks & pirates of the caribbean…