Beautiful People

I am not one who is obsessed with vanity. Sure, I may have a bit of an ego, but as far as my personal appearance goes I couldn’t be bothered. I’ve never thought of myself as being particularly good looking or “cosmetically challenged” ( a phrase I coined since ugly is such an ugly term.)

I am always surprised when someone pays me a compliment on my appearance. I mostly get compliments on my blue eyes. That’s cool, I’m gracious about compliments. The funny thing is that sometimes when I look at myself in the mirror while I prepare my morning shaving ritual I somehow see Johnny Cash in his later years looking back at me. My hair looks thin, my face looks exaggerated and lumpy, but somehow I look rejuvenated not long after that.

When ever I am complimented, I wonder what life must be like for people who are truly good looking. I’m talking about human specimens of extreme pulchritude who are so good looking that people constantly stare at them.

I’ve seen beauty worshipers do some real goofy things when a person of beauty enters the room. What are they thinking? Do they think their obsequious behavior isn’t noticed? Worse yet, how is a person of beauty supposed to react to this sort of stupidity?

Yes, I know people who know they look good and they not only expect this sort of behavior, but feel insulted if it isn’t forthcoming. I know people who feel cursed by their beauty.

I recall a character named Vida, in Richard Brautigan’s book, The Abortion. She was so beautiful that she never wanted to leave her house during daylight hours because people would drive off the road from looking at her. She felt very guilty for looking nice.

I suppose one must consider the pitfalls of attractiveness. The best line I’ve ever heard on the subject was I heard someone describing someone else as being attractive, and their partner came back and said, “Yeah, and worms are attractive to fish.”