Random Melon Facts...

People's heads aren't like melons. You can't really smell it to figure out what's going on inside. Though it can still smell pretty darned nice anyway.

Beauty...

We live in a very peculiar world, where society is constantly trying to shape how we think about ourselves by displacing one image of the 'self' with another. An example of this is the concept of 'beauty'.

For now, we hold 'beauty' to be what would be defined as what is physically attractive, as in what we would see on the covers of contemporary fashion magazines. Society, or rather the mass media of which society uses a medium to convey its opinion, tries to shape us into this 'perfect' image. It tells us that pursuit of 'beauty' (as in the beauty it defines) will bring self-confidence to the pursuer. Those who are not born or do not try to conform with or follow this prescription are looked upon as 'imperfect'. They do not appear as how one should appear, and therefore they are not 'beautiful'. Yet, they do not have to be condemned to be this way! There are myriad of methods to 'correct' this 'imperfection'. Make up, fashionable clothing, plastic surgery...all of these are 'cures' for this 'disease of imperfection'!

So we live our lives constantly being told how undesirable we are, how ugly we look, with the comparison of what is 'desirable' and 'beautiful' inevitably drawn from the celebrities and models whose images adorn the different forms of mass media. Those who choose not to listen despite hearing these messages, messages that bombard us relentless everyday and everywhere we go in our modern world, are labeled as 'freaks'. How could they not want to be beautiful? Especially when a wide range of products are available to them on the market to 'improve' their pathetic selves?

And so this is the norm. Or rather, it is the hegemony we have accepted.

But this conception of beauty has not always existed in its current state in history, or even in every culture in contemporary societies. Nor will it likely continue to persist in this form into the foreseeable future. Already, there are signs that this is changing. And it comes from who else but the mass media itself!

An example of this is the trend of the 'no make up' look. Celebrities and models are increasingly embracing the au naturel look because 'natural beauty' is now considered to be more 'desirable'. The media plays its part by conveying to readers and television viewers that this, now, is 'beauty'. Or rather, the media is 'selling' this look as the latest fashionable trend.

Just not so long ago, tabloids and fashion magazines were denouncing 'make up-less' celebrities, citing unflattering pictures of them as incriminating evidence of their transgression to beauty. Of course, they do not mention the fact that anyone, if being photographed in the wrong instant in the wrong way, could look horrendous; just as anyone, if being photographed at the right instant in the right way, could look 'beautiful'. But these are merely images, they do not necessarily represent the actual 'self' of the particular person. Merely the 'image of the self'. We do not actually know a lot about these people just based on how they look. And so we go on to read about how they live their lives, for which celebrity rags will often 'rag' the celebrities to provide entertaining gossip. So we still do not know how they are as people. But I digress.

Another example is the popularity of Lady Gaga and like public figures. How could some one dressed like a freak-show be on the cover of magazines!? She is definitely not 'beautiful' in the sense that we have been conditioned to view as 'beauty' up until now. Her fashion-sense is in many ways the complete opposite of convention. Yet, this is increasingly being accepted as 'beautiful' in one way or another. For this 'alternative' image of 'beauty' is being plastered on every single advertising surface that will have it. And so it is increasingly becoming accepted just as much as what has been the 'conventional' definition of 'beauty'.

So looking at how it is possible to distort and twist the idea of 'beauty' with such images, why is it that we still subject ourselves to following what we are told to be 'beautiful'? Certainly, there is some value to dressing well and looking presentable, for there are many social situations that require a particular 'look' (this is just one of the realities of society), but for this function there are no clear judgments of 'beauty' per se. 'Beauty' might play a role, but more often than not there are other elements that are of greater importance that reduces its usefulness. And whatever usefulness of 'beauty', in its current definition by society, becomes obsolete with the onset of time and the inevitable process of aging. One can, and many do, try to find means to 'preserve' this 'beauty', but it is often futile. For a face injected full of toxins is not a real face anymore, but just a hideous image of what once was considered 'beautiful'. So 'beauty' is not ever-lasting either.

At the end of the day, do we really need to concern ourselves with what is 'beauty' if it is often just a different image projected by society at different times? Perhaps a little, for it is useful in many cases when trying to live (or be left alone) in peace as a member of society. But should we feel ourselves less 'beautiful' if we decide not to 'live up' to this image at every single instant of our lives? Certainly not.

Conspiracy theories...

Random thought trying to play military strategist: Could it be that the US is goading North Korea into action because Kim Jong-Il is physically weak and there is a strategic opportunity to remove his regime from power based on some kind of intelligence provided by the CIA? The Americans seem to be pushing quite hard on this, while at the same time trying to force China's hand in dealing with it, which would commit the Chinese into taking stronger action and being geographically closer to North Korea, it would be of more risk to the Chinese than to the Americans. Therefore, if China has to act, it would stifle its steady rise to power while not having as as much consequence to the US (comparatively) and allow for them to recover and retain their hegemony over the world. Of course, there would be a great risk consider DPRK has nukes, but who knows what goes on behind closed doors and what these higher types are thinking when they strategize?

Money no enough...

I am completely broke for the month for the first time in my life. Rent, bills, phone charges, gifts, air tickets, expenses. I am living way beyond my means. Oh, the joy of worrying about money can only drive one to utter insanity!

For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health...

I guess at the end of the day, all that really matters are the fundamentals.

The looks will go one day. That is a fact.

There would inevitably be things that you discover about them that may not be as perfect as you imagined in the beginning (as we are wont to expect it to be when starting a relationship).

The circumstances may not be perfect either. Sometimes it may be easy, other times it's difficult as hell. And it may not always be nice on either of you.

If one were to be too fixated on the notion that everything has to go exactly as planned, and to continue to be obsessed with those initial expectations, it would take its toll on each other. Thus it would, regrettably though not unexpectedly, fail.

The point to the whole thing is that you have to look past the warts and wrinkles. Accept the idiosyncrasies, and their fears and insecurities. Be okay with the stupid things they may do sometimes. Still find the joy and comfort in being with them even if it means on some days they will have bad days that will affect you (as you will also have bad days that affect them). Accept the variables they may bring to your life that may complicate it (as you certainly bring some to theirs). Deal with those difficult situations together and never walk away. Care and listen when they're trying to tell you something even when your instinct is to shut it out. Make an effort once in a while and not take them for granted.

At the same time, in their presence be able to feel relaxed and not have to care about the mundane day-to-day responsibilities that all too often wear us down in life, especially on the days you really need to feel that way. To be comfortable with your fears and insecurities when you are with them. Maybe, even because you are with them.

Seems like a fairly long list of things to ponder. Impossibly daunting, almost.

But again, I guess it boils down to the basic, fundamental thing.

And that is just to love them.

Ennuity at work...

Very, very bored,
and very, very tired.
Though if I were to snore,
I think I would get fired.

Me, myself & food safety...

The funny thing about food safety as a science is that your discoveries cause people to stop eating stuff they really like and have been eating for ages without much of an issue. Instead of say, discovering the cure for cancer or how to stop climate change, your discovery generally causes anxiety and the realization of suffering in people who never even knew they had a problem in the first place. After you tell them what's in their food, that plate of hormone-laced, E. coli:0157-contaminated (among the many other bugs), dioxin-permeated steak tartare just doesn't look the same anymore.

Regardless of the grim nature of my field of work, I really hope I'm onto something here! All I know is that food safety is just so bloody cool!