There I was, bopping along and listening to my current guilty pleasure, My Chemical Romance (which is somewhat less guilty of a pleasure now that I’ve discovered that despite having hits like “Teenagers” the band members are all actually older than I am), when I came across an article which I can only call The Joy of Schadenfreude (I know that’s redundant as schadenfreude literally means taking joy from others pain but it sounded better that way). Actually it’s called “Welcome to the Dollhouse” and it’s Radar’s cover story. You’ve got to check out this story, if only for the pictures! They have a picture of a Nicole Kidman barbie that looks more lifelike than the actress herself.
“Hollywood is a sea of desperation surrounding the Beverly Hill hotel.”
This article is all about plastic surgery in LA. Who has it done (everyone). How much it costs ($80,000 for a knee lift). How they talk about it (they don’t). And why actresses think fish lips & grapefruit breasts are so attractive (they’re insane). Also included is a photo gallery of surprising (at least to me) before-and-after pics.
“They all start to live in a bubble of artificial reality.”
Anyone who has watched the antics of the Desperate Housewives onscreen and off can believe this. But what do you do when no one will tell you the truth to your (altered) face but everyone wants to talk about it behind your back? It almost makes me feel bad for them. Until I remember they chose this.
And this is why I stopped watching TV and movies
This may shock some of you – what with my penchant for doing extreme things and all – but last January I gave up television and movies. (Although I did crack and watch the PBS special Super Skinny Me at a friend’s house.) At first I was worried I wouldn’t have anything to make small talk with random people like my dental hygenist and the woman behind me in line at the grocery store but then I realized that people would rather they talk and me listen anyhow so it all worked out. Plus I began to notice something. Something strange and yet marvelous: I started being less critical of my own body. I started focusing on other things about myself that are good or not-so-good. I officially stopped trying to lose weight. I smiled in the mirror when I put on my makeup. And I gotta tell you – it feels good. I don’t miss it at all.
Try the media diet yourselves and see!
PS> This may be the most parenthetical post I’ve ever written. I’m going on a 12-step ASAP, I promise.
I agree about the tv. I don’t even own one, although this fall I used a few shows as an opportunity to visit friends so we can watch together. Still, not having it in my house greately enhances my life.
Yay Alexandra!! Another no-tv friend! People seriously think I’m nuts but you are right – it definitely enhances my life by its absence.