Being a Writer

I have not made the conscious decision that I am a writer.  I write…that’s easy to say.  However, I have found that I don’t feel confident enough to say, “I’m a writer.”  Because then I will have to prove myself, and I don’t know how to prove that I’m a writer.  I guess it’s difficult because writing is subjective; some may love it, some may hate it.  I guess I’m afraid of those who may hate it.  I suppose no matter what profession you are in you’re going to make mistakes, but I think it’s harder to deal with when that mistake is in hard copy.  If only I were a chef…I could eat my mistakes.

Botox as a Preventive Measure

Botox is getting increasingly popular, and the women seeking this treatment are getting younger.  The most popular cosmetic procedures are liposuction, breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, and rhinoplasty; however, non-invasive procedures are on the rise. Botox injections is a non-invasive procedure that fills in lines and wrinkles on the face by paralyzing the surrounding muscle without the use of a scalpel.  Although it is a medical procedure, women have compared it to getting highlights or getting their teeth whitened; it’s not considered a drastic measure.

Now girls as young as 18 years old are getting the procedure done in order to prevent wrinkles, and doctors support this early intervention.  They explain that wrinkles occur due to frequent muscle movement.  Therefore, when the girls paralyze their muscles with Botox when they’re young they won’t as easily get wrinkles when they’re older.  To support this argument, doctors point out that people with facial nerve palsy do not get dynamic wrinkles where their face is paralyzed.

Article: Young and using Botox to stay that way

http://www.antell-md.com/msnbc05.html

Plastic Surgery and Psychology

Over the years plastic surgery has become more acceptable, and the psychological explanations mirror this change.  In the past, someone’s desire to have plastic surgery was described as neurotic or narcissistic behavior.  However, these perspectives began to change in the 1970s when psychologists found that most people who sought plastic surgery were relatively normal.

 Although the desire to have plastic surgery no longer indicates psychological problems, there are still psychological aspects attached to plastic surgery since the ultimate success of the surgery depends on the the patient’s perception.  The doctors must differentiate the good candidates from the bad candidates.  Someone who is a good candidate for plastic surgery has realistic goals; a bad candidate comes in and says, “Make me look like Brad Pitt.”  Also, a bad candidate would be someone who is hoping for a major life change.  For example, as described in the article, a man consulted with a doctor for a nose job and proceeded to explain that his goal was to become more sociable and attract more women.

Doctors must ask their patients specific questions such as, “Why do you want this done?” and “Why do you want this surgery at this time?”  It is a doctor’s responsibility to figure out his patients’ motives.  The patient’s answers to these questions along with the doctor’s intuition will help differentiate good candidates from bad ones.  A good doctor is one who is willing and believes it is necessary to turn some patients down.

Article:  Beauty quest- psychological aspects of cosmetic surgery  http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1175/is_n5_v22/ai_6622823/pg_1

Writing as a Routine

While reading Anne Lamott’s book Bird by Bird, I found myself completely relating to her process of writing.  She describes sitting in front of the computer staring at the blank word processor, thinking about what else needs to be done…perhaps about what would be good to watch on tv, getting up and wandering around aimlessly, sitting back down and staring at the blank page again, getting back up to get something to eat etc.  All this time I’ve thought to myself, how could I truly be a writer if this is what I always end up doing; or I thought I might need a prescription for adderall because I must be suffering from ADD.  I thought all good writers could sit down and just write for hours.  Yes I’ve heard of a thing called writer’s block, but I thought that happened once in a blue moon.  It was very comforting to hear a published writer explain the same scenario I experience every time I sit down to write.  She also offered somewhat of a solution; develop a daily routine.  She suggested to have a set time when you write every day.  Whether it’s 9 in the morning or 10 at night it is helpful to make a routine out of it.  I think it is a good way to kind of prep your brain.

Poetry

I love poetry.  Some of the pieces that move me the most are poems; I love how they can be so profound in such few words.  I think that, for most writers, when we are overwhelmed with a certain emotion we quickly turn to poetry.  They always have meaning and a purpose.  As much as I love poetry, I rarely write it.  For me, the act of writing poetry is a strange one.  I cannot just sit down and set out to write a poem.  When I do write a poem I feel that it is hardly my choice, that the words aren’t even mine.  A feeling comes over me and I am just compelled to write; I feel like a vehicle for some outside force.  The emotion is inescapable and the words just flow.

Plastic Surgeon in Guatemala

Most of us think of plastic surgery as superficial and unnecessary.  However, the work that some plastic surgeons do for those in poor countries is quite significant and inspirational.  The article titled “Plastic Surgery Benefits Everyone,” http://www.ienhance.com/article/Detail.asp?ArtID=127 shows that plastic surgery can be a worthy cause.

Dr. Daniel J. Ervin donated his time by traveling to Guatemala in order to correct deformities for those who don’t have the means to seek help themselves.  For example, a 12-year-old girl was born with a cleft lip, and Dr. Ervin was able to correct it for her.  For most of the people in Guatemala, having such an opportunity is a dream come true.  In order for them to seek help, they must travel to the city; since it would cost them $2,000 in American money to do so, such a trip is impossible.  $2,000 is equivalent to 4-5 years’ salary to the Guatemalans.  Therefore, you can imagine the gratitude they have toward the surgeons who donate their time and supplies.

 This article shows plastic surgery in a different light.  The surgeries that are performed in Guatemala are truly life-enhancing.

Organization

Whenever I write papers, long or short, I just sit down with ideas jumbling in my head and write.  I have never been able to bring myself to create outlines.  However, I was required to create an overview of a 15-page research paper, and I have found that breaking my ideas down into specific categories is very helpful.  It also makes me think of new ideas that I may not have addressed otherwise.  Even though I have just started considering my topic and have not gone in depth with it yet, my outline has provided me with clarity and a mission.

The Booming Industry of Plastic Surgery

Many call the uprise of teenage plastic surgery a “trend”.  However, an article titled Bodies Under Construction suggests that there are deeper issues.  I think Dr. Antell brings up a good point when he mentions the media; “The media has also done a good job of making people aware of the procedures available. Another reason is acceptability. In a way, plastic surgery has come out of the closet.”  Although Dr. Antell brings up an important issue, he does not address it with 100% honesty.  The media has made people aware of the procedures available, but more importantly, I think it has provoked people to feel that they need improvement.  The media is filled with tall, skinny, seemingly flawless people who are supposed to represent society.  The problem is, the majority of people do not look that way and it is not realistic; therefore, people seek this unattainable dream through plastic surgery.  The media does not so much inform readers as it does brainwash them. 

The media (magazines, movies, television), whether we are conscious of it or not, influences the way we think.  The recent increase of plastic surgeries proves that the images that are being flashed before our eyes are having psychological impacts.  In the article, an 18-year-old girl describes a game that she plays with her friends where they say what procedures they would undergo if money weren’t an object.  This game may seem harmless, but we all know this is a common case and I think that says a lot about our society.

You can view this article at http://www.fazeteen.com/fall2003/cosmeticsurgery.htm

Conciseness

At last, I am involved in a class where being concise is valued.  I have been told by teachers in the past that my writing is too succinct.  Therefore, I’ve developed a sort of insecurity with writing where I always feel like I need to add to it.  This pressure always becomes most apparent when I need to fulfill a length requirement.  Most students have developed the skill of “bull-crapping” a paper.  Well, I can’t bull-crap to save my life.  Instead of dwelling on length, I try focus on quality (accomplishing my task), and if I’ve done that then I’m satisfied. 

Man Talks Wife into Plastic Surgery

An online article disusses how a Chinese man, Zhao Gang, has talked his wife into getting plastic surgery.  As if that isn’t shocking enough, his reason is even more absurd. Gang had lost his first wife in a tragic car accident and was devasted.  He has said that he wishes he had died with her.  His parents had convinced him to re-marry, and he is now asking his current wife to get plastic surgery in order to look like his former wife.  Gang’s wife, Cai says “I feel conflicted.  I don’t want to become another’s shadow, but I also don’t want to lose the family.  Now I only hope the surgery will not make me look ugly.”  Despite her mixed feelings, she has agreed to the surgery.  However, the plastic surgeon they have consulted with has insisted that they pursue counseling.

 I think it’s a good thing they have contacted a surgeon with moral values.  I hope they take her advice, but with the situation being so dysfunctional, I wouldn’t be surprised if they sought a doctor who is a willing to do the surgery.  I think many people turn to plastic surgery in an effort to heal internal wounds; they feel that they will be more complete as a person.  I think it is a surgeon’s responsibility to be wary of patients like these.  The strange thing about this situation is that Gang is persuading someone else to get plastic surgery in order to heal himself.