Fake Conversations Sometimes Make me Feel Good

Do you ever have that where you make up a conversation you could potentially have, and somehow just creating it out of the ether makes you feel a little happier or better in some way?

In this specific little narrative, I was driving home listening to a song that was a bit of a tearjerker since it reminded me of something that was going on in my life. Tears were, thus, jerked. I left my car hurriedly for my apartment, walked into the building and I happened upon my neighbour (Note: this was not an actual neighbour, nor do I really have a form for this neighbour. My only idea about this person is that they were generally attractive, but could be of either gender (that is to say, I'm not actively attracted to this person, but they are good looking.).)

They notice my tears and ask whether everything is okay. My imagined reply is as follows (as I am noticebly shaken up): "No..it was a song.... It's music."

The person looks back at me with a kind, understanding smile and nods in the most minute way possible. I smile more than I expected to and we part ways.

"Realists" < Hitler

I have recently concluded that no one is a bigger asshole than a person who describes him or herself as a "realist." What an arrogant statement.

First of all, when you're essentially saying is that you think you have a realistic worldview. Really? Do you know anyone else who would consider their worldview realistic? Perhaps... everyone?

Why would anyone have a worldview that they consider to be unrealistic? That's just... impractical.

I suppose the only example I can think of is someone who is halleucinating and realizes they are doing so. that would be the one situation where someone would look at the world and think, "man, my perception of things is way off right now. I sure can't wait until this acid wears off."

It's the same as when people call themselves an optimist or pessimist. That is invariably a lie. By saying that, you're claiming that you have an unfairly positive or negative view about the world, thus expressing that you know the world isn't really as sunny or bleak as you're painting it to be. Therefore, you are not an optimist or pessimist. You are a fucking realist who speaks positively, possibly so more people like him or her.

However, this is certainly not as heinous as claiming to be a realist. To anyone who has ever called themself a realist, I sincerely hope you go jump off of something.

Still Alive

Hey everybody (or, probably more accurately, nobody),

I just posted part two of the Fat Acceptance Movement to get back into the swing of things a bit here. It isn't perfect but I had most of it and it just needed a polish, so I figured why waste the copy?

I've been having a few writing ideas lately so I think it may be somewhat likely that I might consider starting to write in this blog again, possibly. I can't know for sure.

So this is really just a post so that I'm posting something so you can't say I never post anything. See! I do.

Jason

Lululemon and the Fat Acceptance Movement Part 2

This is part two of the posts, which explains why there is almost no mention of Lululemon. I suggest reading the earlier post below (and the disclaimer) before you dive into this one.

I've never been sure of what to make of the so-called Fat Acceptance Movement. To me, it's very much a two-sided issue. Obviously, making someone feel bad about their appearance is never going to help them, and will almost always hurt. There are often psychological issues involved in weight gain, and some people are naturally bigger than others. On the other hand, numerous studies have shown we are way heavier than we were a couple decades ago, suggesting genetics is not the sole problem--and in most cases, it isn't even the major one.

What bothers me about the Fat Power gang is that their movement is based on a couple premises that I think are either untrue or just oversimplifications: that "diets don't work" and that health is independent of weight.

While I agree that "dieting" is not a good way to improve one's health (because it is, by definition, a temporary state, and often depraving), a healthy diet (one that minimizes processed/restaurant foods) absolutely will. You may not lose all of the weight you would like to, but you will certainly feel a lot better, especially if combined with exercise. And no, weight is not an absolute indicator of health. But being overweight absolutely does increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain cancers.

One thing I do agree with the Fat Acceptance Movement on is that overweight and obese people do face discrimination. They are invariably judged and frequently ridiculed. I consider myself quite sensitive about these issues and I still admit that I'll probably never meet an overweight person and have it not affect my view of them at least slightly.

And while I judge almost everyone at the grocery store for buying foodstuffs rather than actual food, I judge overweight people extra hard. This is absolutely not fair because no one should eat a potato chip, even though I sometimes do. I wish I could change that (and I've mostly done so consciously, but unconsciously, I think almost everyone has this in their nature. I blame television.).

As far as health being independent from weight goes and the societal perceptions of weight, I don't want to speak in generalizations, because that's almost certain to bother someone. But I can speak to my personal experiences with weight gain/loss.

Back in high school, I used to be a fast food junkie. I worked at Pizza Hut, ate out at McDonald's, Taco Bell or Wendy's at least four times a week, and I drank a significant amount of pop. I ate, basically, the worst diet one could imagine--and not one person in my life seemed to question this. Meanwhile, I was going from a fairly skinny kid in Grade 10 to a downright bulky kid in Grade 12 and the couple years beyond. Sure, my dad would offhandedly mention something about exercising more, but there was no serious discussion of my weight or lifestyle by anyone. I remember one time when I was doing one of those 6k runs in gym class. I partnered up with a smoker thinking I would be able to at least keep up with him. I could not, and had to stop running about halfway through.

After high school, when I was in my early twenties, I decided to transition into vegetarianism--and later veganism. Since this was combined with moving towards healthier living and eating, I lost about 50lbs and I now reside in the ideal BMI range for my age (I'm actually in the section that suggests longevity, according to some). I've always had a skinny build so I'm aware it was probably easier for me than most, but it certainly took a lot of work, health and education--and about four years' time. But the funny part is is that it's now people question the healthfulness of my lifestyle--since I don't eat meat, eggs, dairy or any other animal products. In general, I have the most energy I've ever had and I'm in the best shape I've ever been in.

While this is somewhat of a microcosm, I think it illustrates the following:
a) People don't question shitty food choices; only weird food choices
b) It's really easy to be unhealthy in our society, but we have to try to be healthy
c) Healthy living can (and I think the Biggest Loser proves it almost certainly will) have an impact on weight. It may not be the impact you want, but it certainly will have an impact.

While making someone feel bad is never the answer, are we not at least somewhat responsible for the health of the people in our lives?