Buffalo Gal

We work in teams in my office. My alter ego is smart, efficient, anticipatory, intellectually curious and a really nice person. I've worked with several excellent early career professionals over the years and she simply amazes me.
I considered myself very fortunate, until...
We went to the photographer for our agency photos today.
I knew she was very young, very thin and very sweet. Intellectually , I also know I'm not. But seeing our head shots side-by-side on the photographer's monitor made the contrast more jarring than the harshest fitting room mirror.
I looked like I was old enough to be her mother (OK, I am)
And that I'd been around the block a few times (OK, maybe more than a few).
And the good old Texas chesnut "rode hard and put up wet" could not be avoided.
We make quite a team, we do. Sweetness/Light and Not Even Close.
My face next to hers is inflated for the Macy's Parade. While there she is, not even recognizing the value of her singular chin.
It took many years and thousands of dollars for me to get to a smile that I could flash easily... just in time to discover smiling makes the wrinkles around my eyes jump up like a road map of Manhattan.
Her smile is natural, easy and makes her look... even prettier.
I certainly can't fault her for the guileless display of an exterior facade that is nearly as spectacular as her work.
But I can, at all costs, avoid standing next to her.

Copyright 2005 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (1) Share on Facebook		2005-10-21 4:47 PM Facing it We work in teams in my office. My alter ego is smart, efficient, anticipatory, intellectually curious and a really nice person. I've worked with several excellent early career professionals over the years and she simply amazes me. I considered myself very fortunate, until... We went to the photographer for our agency photos today. I knew she was very young, very thin and very sweet. Intellectually , I also know I'm not. But seeing our head shots side-by-side on the photographer's monitor made the contrast more jarring than the harshest fitting room mirror. I looked like I was old enough to be her mother (OK, I am) And that I'd been around the block a few times (OK, maybe more than a few). And the good old Texas chesnut "rode hard and put up wet" could not be avoided. We make quite a team, we do. Sweetness/Light and Not Even Close. My face next to hers is inflated for the Macy's Parade. While there she is, not even recognizing the value of her singular chin. It took many years and thousands of dollars for me to get to a smile that I could flash easily... just in time to discover smiling makes the wrinkles around my eyes jump up like a road map of Manhattan. Her smile is natural, easy and makes her look... even prettier. I certainly can't fault her for the guileless display of an exterior facade that is nearly as spectacular as her work. But I can, at all costs, avoid standing next to her. Copyright 2005 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (1) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top