Karen said she was a bit hesitant to give this Assignment:
“I think the reason I’ve been sitting on this idea is that it asks you to implicitly criticize yourself, which can be a bit of a downer. But let’s try to have fun with this, shall we?”
Extra Credit: If you could change two things, what would the second thing be?
I would be taller. I didn’t even have to think about this one very long, because I already have. I’ve changed my weight, although it’s gotten tougher to nudge the number on the scale downward (and Karen’s not allowing it anyway). I’ve changed my hair color. I’ve changed my vision from nearly blind to functional, and if I had the money, the technology exists to improve it more, and make the improvement permanent. The one thing about myself I truly cannot change is my height, and I’ve come to accept that. But if I could change it, I’d jump at the chance. Just another six inches – that’s all I’d ask for.
That would get me all the way up to 5’2.” I’m not aiming that high, literally or figuratively.
I don’t really mind being petite, but sometimes being sub-petite has its annoyances. Certain styles of clothes – long skirts and some pants – just don’t look right unless they’re specially tailored. I need to keep a stepladder readily available both at home and in the office, or else make a nuisance of myself asking people to get things off shelves for me all the time, and I’ve been known to climb up on a shelf in the grocery store when there’s no one around to ask. There are some cars I just won’t be able to drive, and some sports that are literally out of my reach (assuming I had any athletic talent, which I don’t – but that’s another thing entirely).
Getting past the five-foot threshold means that I would be taller than most kids for at least a few more years; my nine-year-old nephew has caught up with me height-wise (he’s been measuring the gap with his eyes for a couple of years now), and my stepson, who is the same age, is just a few inches behind. It would also make for a smaller height difference between my 6’1″ husband and me, although that doesn’t bother him – and it only really bothers me when I’m afraid that, at first glance, I might be mistaken for another one of his kids.
My stepdaughter, at almost 15, is more than a foot taller than I am, and I realize that being on either end of the height spectrum has its challenges. That’s why I wouldn’t ask to be tall – I’d just like being not quite as short. Besides, those extra six inches would provide some more area for weight distribution, so I’d have a little more leeway with the scale.
As for the extra credit, I’d like my feet to be one shoe size larger. Not only would that go well with the new height, but all the cute shoes start in size 6.
If you could change it, would you? And what IS it? I’d love to know in comments, and if you have more to say about it, please post it on your own blog and link back to this Weekend Assignment at Outpost Mâvarin!
My husband's grandmother was very short and it made it hard for her to find fashionable clothes, so I have an idea of how you feel.
Kathy (Bermudaonion) – It's a real test sometimes; so many things seem either too young or too old. Is that why it's called "middle age" :-)? But some styles just look all wrong on me, no matter what.
My daughter has tiny feet (size 5- 5 1/2), so I hear you. I feel lucky to wear a 6 1/2!
As for me? I would dearly love to lose my hearing loss. I'm not sure I can really imagine what it would be like to have perfect hearing. Mine has been bad since childhood.
I thought you might pick this. They both sound like realistic wishes. If I can get to mine before we leave I know what I'm going to say. I'll leave you in suspense until then. 🙂
You picked some good ones. I wish I had better skin. I don't have acne or anything like that but my skin texture, at least on my face is not consistent.
I also wish that I had perfect eyesight. That would be cool.
Boy do I hear you! I'm under 5 foot too. I think there should be stepladders at the grocery store. Seems like what I want is often on the top shelf.
Daisy – Your hearing and my eyesight have something in common.
Mike – I guess it wasn't hard to guess, if you know me pretty well :-). And I'm anxiously awaiting your post on this topic – but aren't you leaving tomorrow? Better get cracking!
Ti – I seriously debated "perfect eyesight" as one of my changes. My eyes are so bad they can't even be corrected to 20/20 with LASIK. My husband had that done four years ago, but now he needs reading glasses. Getting old is SO not fun :-).
Terri – I agree! If they can have them at the library, why not at the supermarket?
Goodness, I didn't realize you were shorter than the ShortWoman.
I am not shy about climbing grocery shelves; it's their fault for putting things I need up high! My husband says I should bring a cane and just knock stuff off the tall shelves. Sooner or later, the management of my local supermarket will see me coming and assign a tall person to help me rather than clean up after me!
Wow – interesting stuff! I had no idea this was your situation.
I had a co-worker who was definitely on the short side back in my record store days. She was also young and cute, and very good at befriending members of heavy metal bands with recording contracts. But she wasn't a groupie – oh, no! That was the claim, anyway!
Bridget (ShortWoman) – Yep, I'm shorter than a LOT of people over the age of ten :-). I'm glad to find someone else who admits to climbing the store shelves, though! I like your husband's idea about the cane – sometimes I'll reach up with something and knock down what I want instead of climbing, but only if it's not breakable!
Karen – My parents were short too (mom 5', dad 5'4" at their tallest), so it's mostly genetic, but I was born very small – just over 4 lbs. – and never really caught up. My "little" sister is 5'1" – I wouldn't mind being as tall as she is :-).
Your co-worker was a "Band-Aid." Have you seen Almost Famous? They weren't groupies either :-).
My response would probably be my hair. I've played with the color over the years–and the length, so I don't mean that. I wish my hair was thicker and softer looking and forever shiny. I want perfect movie star hair without needing beauticians or hair products. Is that even possible? LOL
Eyesight would be another one for me too. I would love to have perfect vision and not have to worry about glasses anymore.
Wendy (Literary Feline) – Eyesight would have been my choice if I were taller :-). I literally can't imagine what it would be like to wake up in the morning and be able to see clearly as soon as I open my eyes (although I get some idea when I take a nap with my contacts in, I guess :-).).
Now that you mention it, though, the hair sounds good too!