I have had the opportunity to blog on several sites: LiveJournal, iReport on CNN, and The Dallas Morning News. Each having its own parameters to what I would be sharing. I decided that I needed my own blog to share my thoughts collective of personal sentiment and interests, political commentary, and the events and programs with which I surround myself.
Much like myself, my interests are broad and varied. I spend a good portion of my time keeping up with whats taking place in the world. I continue to tell people that Americans, for the most part, have tendencies to isolationism. I live in a fairly affluent neighborhood in Dallas, and the conversations that I have with strangers are more likely referencing designer handbags, the newest hot spot restaurant that "I must try" and what future social event my presence is requested, rather than the horrendous episodes that are taking place around the globe.
Many of you know that I am a makeup artist, having spent 14 years both in Texas and California building a reputation for myself in the field. My skill has carried with me throughout my education and sustains me today in the interim of acquiring gainful employment in the public sector where my passion really lies. Honestly, I really love what I do. It's not as much the ability to transform someone into the best representation of them self, but more importantly the feeling that the client experiences. There is much to be said about empowerment and I can confidently say that on many occasions, through my art, I have in a small way given women a boost of self confidence so vital to empowerment and productivity.
Inevitably however, while working in aesthetics I encounter the worst kind of superficiality and vanity. Primarily working in my immediate surroundings - again referencing the affluent neighborhood - I am privy to clients with money beyond belief. Founders of corporations, oil tycoons (or the wives of) and trailblazers in business enterprise, I work with an elite clientele to say the least. Most of whom are quite charming, but not entirely aware of anything taking place beyond a one mile radius of our quaint venue. I am thankful to these women, for without their wealth and interest in fashion and aesthetics, I would be unemployed. But what concerns me and many times amazes me is that the population with the resources to do the most good - often times turn a blind eye to the urgent need surrounding them. In other words, some chose to isolate themselves. To isolate, according to the World English Dictionary, is to 1.) socially separate, or 2.) completely withdrawal from international politics. A couple of weeks ago, I was attempting to have a conversation about the revolution in Egypt, the rebel forces in Libya and the horrible human rights violations taking place in the Middle East, to which her reply was, "Who?" Sigh.... Yes, the client sitting in my chair with a flawless 8-carat Tiffany princess-cut wedding ring thought that Libya was a person.
So here is my dilemma. I love makeup artistry and the opportunity that I have to make women feel good about themselves, but many times feel that I am playing lip service. I continue to battle the internal conflict of persuading women to utilize my service, all the while discontent in their ignorance of world politics. What I really want to say to them is, "Have you ever thought about making a charitable donation to UNICEF," while the words that inevitably come out are, "Do you need a new mascara?"
