When You Don't Look Like What You Thought You Did

Has anyone else had this experience?

I've been taking some  pictures of myself because I'm letting my hair grow longer and thinking of changing my glasses.  I don't know how else to judge objectively what could use improvement. 

The mirror, it turns out, lies.  I look much worse than I thought.

By last night, I'd decided to get my eyes fixed so I don't have to wear glasses (cleverly disguised as cataract surgery so I won't have to pay).  Plus have another go at orthodontia (wore braces from 13-15 but there's been regression).

If anyone needs cataract surgery, surely she's at an age when vanity should wither away like the Communist government was supposed to do?

Apparently not.  My mother-in-law had a facelift when she was in her early seventies.  At the time, I thought it was crazy--I mean, old is old.

This morning I took another picture of myself after I'd blown dry my hair, which is very fine and therefore always flat.  Surely now I'd look like I have fluffy hair?



I played back the picture:  There was a frowzy old bag who looked like she's been in a casino all night.  My hair was not big at all and looked damaged on the ends.  I had bags under my eyes.  There was this unfortunate overall drooping. I rushed to put on some make-up and took another picture.  Still not good.

Jerry's  always critical of  photos of himself.  "It's adorable!" I say and mean it.  Here's one I took of him in London on his birthday, not my favorite, but I think it's fine.

He hates it

I'll show him pictures of myself that I hate, and he'll say, "What's wrong with that?"

Maybe it's best not to look.  Or go with what I see in the mirror.  What the hell.

Just tried it:

Better.  Still, note the drooping.