No Make-Up Selfies

The social media trend going around started by a British cosmetics company Escentuals last October to promote breast cancer awareness.  Women would sign up and gather sponsors to go without make-up for a certain period of time, take a picture of themselves and post them on social media.

The trend has hit North America; I've seen a lot of my friends' photos without make up.  You're all gorgeous by the way I have nothing against those pictures.  It makes a little more sense to me now. But I still have trouble seeing what the point is, and that's why I haven't done mine yet. 

On one hand, it is a small gesture with a bigger message: The old look good, feel good mentality.  Maybe the thinking is if we look our worst, and feel our worst we might have a small idea of what women with breast cancer go through.  Another message here: Beauty is only skin deep.  There are women who might see these pictures of their friends and family and realize you're beautiful make-up or not.  Your looks don't define who you are.

Even though it's a small gesture with potentially positive messages, I wonder if it trivialises what women with cancer go through.  The fear, and uncertainty after finding out, the brutal treatment protocols, which for some  means losing a breast. Like it or not for women breasts are a big symbol of what it means to be a woman.   The idea that all we have to do is post a picture of ourselves without makeup and somehow that demonstrates empathy with the cause is a little superficial.

There is definitely a selflessness in wanting to bring attention to a cause, and fundraise for a cure.  But, I wonder if we haven't gone from the selfless to the selfish with this one.  I haven't seen one picture of my friends that hasn't been greeted with positive comments, which, is a good thing.

I understand you have to bring attention to a cause no matter what methods.  I just wonder if we haven't gone too far with this one.

Writer's Confession: My first novel

Since January I've been working seriously on a manuscript for a novel.  Creative writing has always been kind of a hobby on the side of my real job as a Reporter.  It's been a way of working out the creative part of my brain that sometimes gets a little ignored while I'm more worried about getting someone's quote right.

I haven't told many people until now, because I've often thought myself it was silly... and if I think that way I figure others might too; so it's been my little secret for a while.  I've also been asking myself if this is being used as an escape from the ever-present frustration of job-hunting; something I can control in the middle of an endless list of factors I can't.  The answer to that is yes, but so what?

There is something fulfilling about creating my own world.  It's been cathartic: I create characters who do, and say things I can't or won't.  I escape for a couple of hours there and return able to deal with pressures, and frustrations associated with job hunting.  And you know what else? It's fun too.  I have the attitude that I have fun writing, and editing this novel maybe there are people out there who will have fun reading it too.

So that's why I'm writing it.  I'm posting about it as a way to share the experience with other writers; what I'm doing wrong... what I feel I'm doing right.  Most importantly though I'm blogging about it for myself. I want to track my progress on a weekly basis as a way of reminding myself that even though it may not seem like it I am making progress.

Title: Lost& Found (tentative)
Genre: Horror/fantasy with a dash of romance
Summary: His girlfriend's disappearance plunges Detective Andrew Foxton into the supernatural world.
Pages: 50 as of March 24, 2014
Words: 23072
Problems encountered: Editing- I've been editing in 15 or 30 page chunks, is there a better way to do this?
Knowing when enough is enough with editing.  I've been going on instinct... when I can read a section and only change a word or two then I'm finished.
Character names: Is it okay to have more one person of the same name?

One thing I'm doing right: Pacing.  Each chapter advances the plot in some way.

I hope you follow me on this crazy ride.  Constructive feedback is welcome, and appreciated.

  

Downton Abbey Season Finale Review

In a switch from previous seasons, the Christmas Special actually took place during the summer.  It's the "Society Season," and time for Rose to be unveiled to London's upper classes.  The entire family are at the Crawley's London house, and are joined by Cora's mother, and brother (played by Paul Gimatti and Shirley MacLaine) from America.

The question of Bates' involvement with Green's death is finally answered.  Mary chooses not find out, and burns the ticket to London found in his jacket.  Mary meanwhile has two (or possibly three if you count Evelyn Napier) suitors jostling for her hand in marriage.  She finds out Charles Blake (Julian Ovenden) actually has money to his name which changes her perception of him.  Following her introduction to the King, he appears at Rose's party to take the first dance. The Dowager Duchess Violet had a great 'cat fight' scene with Martha. Edith decides to take her future into her hands, and brings the baby back to give her to the farmer we met in the first episode.

The servants take advantage of the break, and a day by the seaside is arranged. Daisy is invited to become Harold Levinson's cook (which position Ivy ends up taking).  Baxter broke free of whatever hold Thomas had on her, and looks to be on the road to happiness with Moseley. Thomas is trying his best to spoil it though. The final shot of the episode was one of the most  memorable of the series: Carson, and Mrs. Hughes playing in the waves.

Downton Musings:

Season #5? Looks that way; there's a listing for it on IMDB. Part of me hopes it's the last.  These dramas are usually better quality over quantity.

-I wish the stunt casting would stop; Downton Abbey doesn't need Shirley MacLaine, and Paul Gimatti to be a success.

-Baxter and Molesley are cute.

-Mary bugs me: In this episode, it's as if the writers hit the reset button with Mary, and her love affair with Matthew never happened.  Now she has three possible suitors, and it's as if it's a game to her to play one off against the other.  Character development would be nice.

-Character Development 2: Thomas:  Season 3 was a big arc for him; we found out he was gay, he was beaten up, and generally reviled by the other characters for it.  Would've loved seeing some more of the consequences, and a peek into what it must have been like for a gay person in the '20's.  Instead we get plotting, scheming Thomas who spent a couple of episodes in America.  What a waste!

-Give him a kiss: I would've kissed Charles Blake (Julian Ovenden) before he left the house in the morning. 

-Is Gregson dead? or a spy?