I'm So Vain

When I got my first pair of glasses at age nine, I thought the world would come to an end.  I had put it off as long as I could, choosing to move closer and closer to the front of the room in an effort to prevent the end of life as I knew it.  Glasses were so not attractive, as a couple of my classmates had already learned.  Since I already held the "chubby girl" distinction, I didn't need to add "four eyes" to that (although, I really still don't understand that taunt).

However, that year, my highly observant teacher sent home the dreaded "I think Robin needs glasses" note.  My mother promptly carted me off to the eye doctor, where I was fitted for my first pair of glasses.  Due to the traumatic nature of the experience, I have blocked out what that first pair even looked like.  Rest assured, since it was the mid-80's, I highly doubt they were anywhere near as cute as the ones above.

I detested my glasses.  Even once cuter styles emerged, it was a long time before I began to appreciate the tools that afforded me the gift of sight.   The one pair that was the exception was a gold pair of square frames that once belonged to my mother.  They fit perfectly with my tie-dyed, bell-bottomed sense of style (yeah, I was that girl).  I wore those until they could no longer stand up under constant adjustments and lens replacements.

Once those glasses were retired, I began to ask for contacts.  It wasn't until after I turned 16 that my request was given serious consideration.   I was granted reprieve from my glasses, only to learn that the first contacts I had required more care than I expected.  I can count more times than I care where I stuck them in after a night of enzyme cleaning without scrubbing the eye-frying cleaner off.   I did move into the land of disposable contacts later on, which eliminated that step.

While I was unemployed, contacts were a luxury we could ill afford, so they were briefly retired.  Once we moved and had vision insurance again, I decided to go back to them.  Alas, my work environment is a dry one, and I again let them fall by the wayside.  I also stopped really paying much attention to how I looked, so glasses were fine.

Since I have taken the time to focus on myself and my health, my "vanity" has transferred to other parts of my life.  I made a promise to myself that I would no longer purchase warm up suits to live in (which had been the norm).  Regardless of how I feel on any given day, I make an effort with my clothes, hair, and makeup.  I get my hair cut ever 8-10 weeks, and I took the time to find makeup that works for me.

Today was my 23rd-ish eye exam.  I went in to get my routine check, and the new eye doctor asked if I had considered contacts.  I explained the above issues, and she recommended the daily wear.  You wear them once, and then you toss them.  With the idea that they could be worn every once in a while without needing storage or cleaner, I was sold.

I walked out today with a five day trial, so we'll see.  I have always loved the idea of skipping glasses.  A whole new world of sunglass options open up, which is perfect for the cruise.  With the amount of sunshine that will be around, contacts will come in handy.

One more piece of vanity.  One more moment to think of myself.

And, you know, it's not such a bad thing.

Old School

Yesterday, while out and about having time with my boys, I happened to see a Blockbuster video with signs in the windows declaring that "Everything Must Go!"  I missed the closing of my local Blockbuster for movie deals, so I had hubs pull in.

I was particularly looking for a copy of Pixar's The Incredibles (which I refuse to pay full retail for now that it is several years old).  No luck there, but we did find several Indie films (for me), a NASA documentary (for hubs), and some Care Bears (for the boy).  For my take on "boy" things, please see here.

I have fond memories of the Care Bears.  The Care Bear movie was the first one I remember seeing in a theater.  I was on a mother/daughter vacation when I was little in Savannah, Georgia, and I felt like I was all grown up.

As my son watched the episodes in the collection to the left, I was taken back to my childhood and that trip.  To rushing out of bed on Saturday mornings to see my favorite Care Bears (Good Luck Bear and Hugs 'n Tugs) and Care Bear Cousins (Tender Heart Elephant).  My Care Bears went with me to watch their animated counterparts in action.

After he finished watching the first collection, he moved on to this:

This is touted as the Care Bears' "first CGI Animated Movie!"

Within the first few minutes, I began to wonder if this was a good thing.  With all fairness, there are 16 years between these two DVD's.   There is a push to move away from old school animation.

And it is sad.

As I pass each birthday, I look back on the things of my childhood with fondness.  Nostalgia takes over, and I grow wistful with remembrance of movies, music, and stages of my life that have moved into the past.

While "classic" Disney movies like Beauty and the Beast and Snow White are "Digitally Remastered" to be brighter and improved, they are not subjected to a complete overhaul with new sub-par versions of themselves.

I battle with how I feel about this.  I like the updates, but I am concerned about the potential for a time to arise when the joys of my childhood have well and truly passed away.

And so, I don't waste a moment.  I take every opportunity to share the loves of my childhood with my son, hoping that when he has children he will do the same.