It occured to me just a week ago that I seem to be starting a new stage of life, or perhaps a new life, and I thought it may be interesting to take a few notes this time around. The first time, being an infant and all, I just kind of had to go with the flow. This life begins now. I am a completely ordinary person. I can guarantee that if you saw me on the street, you would forget about me within 5 minutes. I don't say this to put myself down.... not at all! Actually, it's interesting. In college, I had a purple crewcut and a chain that ran from my nose to my ear (attached to one of my rings on either end.) Before that, I was physically ordinary but usually in trouble of one form or another. Noticable. I'm finding that now, at 37, and in a new town, I am unusually usual. I have brown hair, usually in the obligatory mom ponytail. I am neither thin nor fat. I am intelligent, but there are far more intelligent people around me... and also less. I am completely unremarkable. And so, the only thing left to do is to remark upon it.
As a child, I was an avowed "tomboy." I swore off pink in all shades, never ever wore makeup (until the thick black eyeliner phase), wore only jeans and Doc Martens, and if my mom gave me a second glance then combing the hair went out the window as well. Delilah, from Free to Be You and Me, was my personal heroine. I was bound and determined to be as unfeminine as my chromosomes would allow.
That was the first marker of this "new stage of life" I mentioned. I have noticed that, only three decades and change into this life, I am turning into... a girl! I have gotten my hair "done" quarterly for 9 months running. I have makeup, not just at home but in my purse, and I know how to use it. And, on my Christmas list, there are things with ruffles! (Of course, noone bought them because they assumed it was a mistake.) But, most of all, I have a secret crush on a real live celebrity. I, plain jane, have recently swooned. I do wonder who this girl will grow up to be?
