Girl Friend Talk- Part 1

The topic of girl friends (friends who are girls) is as broad ranging of a subject as any known to man- the dymanic between a woman and her closest friend is often as, or more, complicated than your average marriage. I wouldnt dare try to speak generally about a topic as close to my heart or as deeply routed in our female psychee as this and so I'll be breaking this up into a series of posts I'll call "Girl Friend Talk".


I was inspired to write this series of posts because I have a very, very dear friend Barb, who I usually talk to every day, sometimes more.... She is the kind of friend who knows me better than I know myself, the kind that offers unquestionable support and a swift kick in the ass when needed....the one I know I can trust with every secret, insecurity and heartache. She is my go-to-gal and confidant- the Thelma to my Louise.

The past few weeks we havent been able to chat as much as usual as we've both been unusually busy. That little missing piece of my day is an unwelcome hole, an absense that makes me realize just how much joy our daily chatter brought to my life. I am sure that things will go back to normal soon but I couldn't help but worry this evening, as another day passed without our usual chat, that there may come a time where we will naturally drift apart- A change of schedule, a big move or perhaps a new friend to takes over that role of prominence in her life. Sometimes one friend drifts away before the other is willing to let go and jealousy, hurt feelings and bitterness can result. I've had that happen a time or two. I think I've always been more insecure in my friendships than I have have been with men and relationships. I've lost a few girl friends over the years, which is never easy for anyone but particularly difficult when, by nature, one is as fiercely loyal as I am. I trust in the strength of Barb and I's friendship, that I will always be blessed enough to count her as one of my closest friends and ally. I write this by way of example, to show that even a friendship as time, tested and true as ours is not immune to the oversensitive, insecure, dynamic and diverse layers that make up a friendship between two women.

And I know she'll kill me for posting this...but I will anyways! I can just hear her voice callin' me up to say, "Are you crazy! I call you all the damn time but you're never home!" and then I'll say, "I called you twice yesterday!" and then she'll counter with "Whatever! I called you three times the day before!" and it will go on from there...

Anyways...

Lets start by gaining a consensus-

Do you have a girl friend whom you consider your "best friend"?

Do you have one girl friend who you see or talk too most often? If so, how often do you speak to her or see her?

I've always disliked the term "best friend" because it is so exclusive... it is the kind of word that as an insecure girl I learned to dread as the cliquey, catty, groups in school perpetually dumping one and other (or me) for their next "best friend"...

...and I think anyone I love has an inherent value that is both without measure or class.


Next post in this series will be about friendships that have gone awry- titled, "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do".

Lets Talk Wrinkles

Alright, lets hear it! I wanna know...

What's the deal with wrinkles? (a woman's 8 letter, "4 letter" word)

I am only 26 but I have to say, I've got a few starting to appear...

I am not freakin' out about it, not even concerned...really...

But it certainly has me thinking about whether or not I am going to be one of those women who consider wrinkles "life lines" or if I am going to be a plastic surgery junkie by the time I hit sixty.
Will I botox it?

Lift it?

Fill it?

Or slather cream on it?

Will I contribute to the billion dollar "anti aging" industry or not?

I really don't know. How can you predict how you will think or feel when one day you look in the mirror and discover that you've suddenly, inexplicably, undeniably become.... old!!! *gasp*

That day may come for me... or it may not. Either way, I am thinking that now might be a good time to start thinking about keeping the ol' "life lines" at bay.

So, what is your weapon of choice?

**********

(Chelsi's Ping.... a wonderfully wrinkled old lady. Please excuse the quality of this picture... I dont have the original so had to take a pic of the computer screen!)

Since posting this I came to the conclusion that my question and statement wasnt coming across the way I had intended it. I actually LOVE wrinkles and life lines on the people around me...and in nature as well. I love the character they bestow and the depth they give to a persons expression.... Actually I like them so much so that I did three large drawings with the central theme being wrinkles. One is a piece of really old and weathered lady like the man featured above. My family named her Ping. Dont ask why, I actually havent a clue. The others are of an elephants, a water buffalo and a lion (all with wrinkly faces).

(my dawing of Robert Batemans painting of a Water Buffalo... did you follow that?)

With that being said, I just don't know how I will feel about wrinkles when they become my own.... and want to avoid that quagmire for as long as possible.

Do they matter to you? If so, what do you do to avoid them?

What is your magic cream? Or is it staying well hydrated? Exfoliating? Sun screen? Botox? *grin*

(Elephants by Chelsi.... from National Geographic photo)

Do you think that Hollywood today puts a unrealistic expectation on the average woman to look 40 at 60? or 20 at 30?

Or do you simply not care!