The Make-Overs

If all that so-called reality stuff on television isn't enough our so-called society now seems to be stuck on the "Extreme Make Over" fad.

Well pholks, I see this as another indication that the majority of today's citizenry just can't face reality. Maybe I'm just getting too old but I'm not convinced that has anything to do with it.

Heck, I grew up believing that one should face reality and to do his or her best to cope with it. Always try your hardest and make things better through your own efforts. Don't rely on luck or the Fairy Godmother, etc. etc. Turn life's lemons into lemonade.

Of course most everyone wants to be better than they are or have life a little easier than they conceive it to be.

But right now I think Americans and others who act like us, seem obsessed with "making over" everything from their personal appearance, to their homes, their cars, pets, and even family members.

There are at least a dozen shows on TV today with "extreme make-over" themes. So-called "experts" are grabbing people off the street and giving them a re-do.

It doesn't stop on national television. Local channels across the nation are doing"extreme make overs dealing with personal appearance, homes, apartments, cars, and backyards, bedroom closets, kitchen and fingernails. I have not watched a single one of these shows from stop to finish, although I've seen bits and pieces of several and have made actual attempts to catch the final "after" results.

One which I find interesting deals with "Pimping Your Ride" which involves a group of auto specialists transforming a beat up car into a super customized vehicle. Last week, I clicked the remote enough times in a half-hour to see these auto guys take a young woman's aged Pontiac TransAm and turn it into an eye-catching street rod. In addition to major body work, paint and upholstery, wheels and tires costing thousands of dollars, the "made over" Pontiac features a coffee maker, a mega-watt sound system, and a makeup and vanity set up in the trunk. This will allow her to be at her very best as she strives to make her mark in whatever career she is seeking.

Actually I admire the efforts of groups who donate skills and materials to remodel the home of some deserving family. Those projects are worth thousands of dollars and some stories really do deserve a few tears of joy. Despite believing they're kinda hokey, these things have some merit. Worth watching half a program.

But the personal appearance make-overs are just too much.

Reluctantly I admit that I'm not perfect. In fact, I would need a couple more handfuls of fingers and feet full of toes to count the imperfections. But I've lived this long without being six foot tall, (by quite a bit) and not having the greatest body (after the first 30 years, or so) and not looking a little more like Tom Selleck or Paul Newman. Thick wavy hair never was close to a reality and drop-dead blue eyes were not in the genes. Although inherent charm has made up a little of the slack, I have survived and don't completely hate myself. Sure, I could use some improvements, but I certainly don't plan on wasting a minute thinking of how I could get an "extreme make over."

Some improvement of my golf game, especially my slice, would be nice. But even that won't make me a lot better person. Maybe becoming a better writer would be nice, but why change now?

My wife makes sure my socks match and my pants have no holes in them, but she doesn't complain too much about me. Maybe it's because she's given up. But I honestly think there is more to it than that.

Winning the Lottery would be swell, buy a new car, a new house, travel and investments would be the limit there. I wouldn't give body stretching a thought. Maybe a frequent manicure and daily massage would be part of the plan, but that' about it for the "extremes."

So pholks, even if you have some suggestions about making me over, please keep them to yourself. Like Popeye says, "I am what I a.m.." And that's okay with me.

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