Bling

In middle school (1991-1994),  this is what I wore:

It’s not that I rode skateboards. I just liked the way it looked and the image it portrayed. It’s what my peers were wearing.

In high school (1994-1998), this is what I wore:

It’s not that I was a lady who lunched. I just liked the way it looked and the image it portrayed. It’s what my peers were wearing.

In college (1998-2002), this is what I wore:

It’s not that I skied. I just liked the way it looked and the image it portrayed. It’s what my peers were wearing

You know what else I wore in college? This is me in my junior year (2000/2001):

See those glasses? Pure theatre! My vision was perfect: I just thought they made me look hip/smart.

So fast forward to 2013, and this is my dog:

The one on the right: that’s my dog, Junior (aka “Bug” or “Bobblehead”).

I know, I know. He never wears that collar.

Bug usually looks like this:

But I took that other photo tonight (May 28, 2013) because I got thinking about my own “costumes” and I wanted to make a point.

It dawned on me: this is ALL about costumes. Images. Perception. Judgment. Facade. Trends. What everyone else is doing. At the time, in the place.

* * * *

In 2010 we had a “Community Pet Day” in Philadelphia to share info and resources with dog owners in under-served areas. These two dogs and their owners showed up.

Recognize that collar on the left? It’s the one I posted next to Bug.

My first thought when I met that dog?

WTF?

My second thought?

I had a flashback to wearing Stussy shirts in middle school.  Or pearls in high school. Or those not-glasses I wore in college.

My third thought?

“My name is Kim. I’m so glad you’re here. What are your dogs’ names?”

I’m glad they came. They were really nice dogs. And really nice people.

What do we really know about appearances, anyway?

Who cares?! Just proceed. Thank goodness people did with me.