“The more things change; the more they stay the same”
Cartoon pen and watercolour 9″ x 12″
All artwork & content Copy right Jean Burman 2008
I haven’t bought a women’s magazine since 1997. Not since the day after the Princess of Wales’ tragic death in Paris at the hands of the paparazzi. What difference my one small protest was going to make… I knew to be insignificant. But I also knew…right there and then… that there just had to be something fundamentally wrong with pursuing a person “to death” in an attempt to gain access [and a voyeuristic peep] into the most private aspects of someone’s life. Even if that life was for all intents and purposes a public one.
My refusal to buy magazines… of course… would mean diddlysquat. Magazines would continue to be published. People would continue to buy them. And people would continue to be relentlessly pursued. And not just by the paparazzi. The quest for “the dirt” has now reached epic proportions in a multi-media industry hell-bent on being the first one with it.
And then the news that Heath Ledger was dead. And in recent days… Brittney Spears… committed for psychiatric evaluation. Two very different people… with little in common save for the relentless media intrusion that had become the hallmark of their very existence. And in Heath’s case at least… the demise of it.
[Sure there might have been mitigating factors... there always are in the ebb and flow of life... but the constant media attention could not have helped].
Heath at least was still riding high on the wave of good public opinion… whereas Britney had well and truly arrived at the bottom of that slippery slope… the sad victim of our thinly veiled mirth and the media’s unbridled derision.
But what preempts the turning tide of public opinion about people? One day they are nobody… then they are somebody [and we can't get enough of them]… and the next day they have fallen from favour. No longer famous [but rather... infamous] in the eyes of a fickle public… the media… like a pack of wild animals descends upon the prey… and pursues them until all the dirt is dug… and the worst is known and exposed for all to see… [and judge].
But what I want to know is… what makes us so perfect? And what makes us so interested? Why do we buy it? Worse still… why do we enjoy it?
Away from the spotlight… in the everyday world… one might expect things to be different. But they aren’t. You don’t have to be particularly famous to experience the sting in the tail of “perceived” success. Everyone loves an underdog it seems… but no-one likes it when their poppies grow too tall! Sad but true.
“Tall Poppies”
Cartoon pen & watercolour 9″ x 12″
Copyright Jean Burman 2008
In the workplace… in schools and universities… in politics and business… at home or abroad… wherever… in whatever sphere one seeks to achieve and excel beyond the average… there will always be those who make it their purpose to bring others down.
Surviving the final year of her studies in High School was a learning curve as steep as one gets for my youngest daughter. It should not have been so. She should have been able to rely at the very least upon her school to support and encourage her in her relentless strive for excellence. It was they, afterall, who would enjoy the spinoff from any success she might have. She was a bright and enthusiastic student. With her enquiring mind and eagerness to participate she was reportedly a delight to teach. It was disappointing therefore… upon notification that she had been awarded the coveted Vice Chancellor’s scholarship to a prestigious university in the south… [a huge honour and one which would pay for her entire university education]… the School Principal’s only begrudging remark was “well… that should be good for your ego” [True story] Needless to say [at the time] she was devastated… needless to say that was his intention! A wise and enlightened educator would have known better!
It’s human nature I guess. Tearing down the tall poppy [apparently] keeps things equal… makes people feel “less inadequate”. Afterall… who needs to be reminded of what could be achieved with a little bit of risk… and an awful lot of effort? It’s uncomfortable. And easier by far to attempt to level the playing field… by fair means or foul… rather than take the needed steps to rise up out of the mediocrity of an “unventured” life.
Personally… I think we should nurture our tall poppies… and love them for the exceptional blooms that they are! We should wish them well! Instead of seeing in them our own inadequacy and failure [and fearing it]… we should delight in their achievements… and use them as a springboard of inspiration toward our own endeavours… however humble they might be.
With more than enough success to go round… what on earth are we waiting for?
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
Jean I think the “cut back the tall poppy” syndrome is much stronger in Oz than in other places. Here in the U.S. non-conformists have a tough time but what they are not conforming to varies from place to place. I read the tall poppy lopping as bringing down people who excel at what society tells them they should try to excel at. Great cartoons.
Maybe it’s our British roots Roger! *wink* LOL
But no… I suspect the syndrome is alive and well across the planet… basically wherever there are people! It’s human nature. I have never seen such a witch hunt as the one currently being waged against Brittney Spears. I feel nothing but empathy for this poor girl who is continually pursued by the paparazzi and persecuted by the press. This girl clearly needs our help and empathy. But no… reports of her spectacular fall from grace are spoonfed to an eager audience on an almost daily basis… (even way over here!) I think it’s very sad.
Tall Poppy sydrome is not so much about non-conformists… as people who wish to succeed running into opposition (or outright obstruction) from people who feel threatened by another’s success. Albert Einstein said it well in his famous quote: “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds”
And I think it was the Duchess of Windsor (you know the American divorcee who ran off with the future king of England?)… who infamously remarked “One can not be too rich or too thin”. She omitted to say “too successful”! (((chuckles)))
btw… great to see you back Roger… we missed you!
Lots to think about here Jean .I only buy art mags now and borrow other art mags
I don’t know the people they talk about as I hardly read a newspaper now only the obituaries if I am truthful .Our local “Two minuit silence” doeasn’t last that long for me now either I am just not interested ……Also a reminder that at our grandaughters school end of term concert and having played her guts out . During the leavers presentation to the audience they all had a very flowery remark/s from the Rector (Wrecktor) Our girl was greeted with “Ah yes here we have Stefannie with an F “…..I had to hold my husband down he was incensed. She IS a bright spark and will go far .That man will get a side swipe from me if ever he comes close again . We still have another grandaughter there so we shall see
Perhaps, Jean, we’ve all bought into the success or failure syndrome. To not succeed at something comes to mean to fail, but it needn’t be that way. It should be about what we do, not how we’re defined and judged. For so many people their lack of success creates a frustration and unhappiness that can only be satisfied by the schadenfreud experienced upon learning of the failures of others. Perhaps that’s why the hysteria surrpunding Miss Spears, and why the media are willing to pay the pack of jackals called paparazzi the big numbers they do for photos and videos. Each of us, I think, must define what is right and wrong, and what contributes to right and wrong, and live accordingly.
Terrific cartoons, Jean.
I’ve never, ever bought a woman’s magazine or a teenager magazing geared toward young girls. When our girl scout troop had a meeting that hosted a manicurist to teach us how to properly do our nails I quit the organization. But…I was a pretty girl. Tall, blond, thin with a pretty face. My love was for the outdoors, hiking and animals but my peers thought I should pursue other goals…modeling, (ugh!) for one. Some girls hated me for not throwing my body and soul to fashion, (imagine). They resented me and made my life miserable, (apologized later). Those other girls, the ones that accepted my true self remain dear soul-sisters to this day! Having a gift, a talent or “looks” is not always a great thing. People are so determined to rip you apart regardless of what you do. I don’t know why. Festering jealously, feelings of inadequacy, damaged relationships may all contribute to this viscious nature. It’s unfortunate though that the rest of us, especially the sensitive must endure unsolicited, unprovoked evaluations of selves in such a way. Ah well…human nature is a curious thing. I’m quite pleased with my current crow’s feet and laugh lines and stretch marks…my “self” is quite thoroughly visible now!
And a beautiful self it is too Mary
I’ll second that Elinor!
Bravo Jean! The tall Poppy syndrome has raised its ugly head in varying degrees in my own life (forget about the gossip magazines – it happens within small communities too!) “Who does she think she is???” “What does she think she is doing now???” Because one might strive harder or even just be “gifted” …one stands out.
Mary – I completely understand your attitude and agree. I had people hounding me to be a model (which I did do small amounts of for my sister: fashion parades and photo shoots for magazines and catalogues) Some people applauded my “natural” ability (what ever that means when you are strutting around in someone elses “creation”) and some threw daggers at my back once I was not facing them. I have explained to my Emily (after many razor sharp attacks from school peers, because she is 6 ft tall and gorgeous!) that many people cannot deal with someone elses popularity and their only way of feeling better about it, is to make the person of their target to feel bad. Also when I wrote my first childrens play for the Primary school I used to attend (I was 14!) my peers at school jeered at me and accused me of not wanting to leave my old school and “grow up!”…needless to say that did not stop me and my play went ahead to full houses and standing ovations (up your nose sceptics!!!) My heart also goes out to poor Britney and to all others who have had to face the world in such a “magnified” and undignified way (it reminds me of people standing around and staring at a car wreck!)How would we handle such an intrusion, given the “opportunity” to be in the same position as “the celebrities”. I cheer the “tall poppies” on and revel in their persistence to make it to where they want to be…in what ever field they excell at! It does take hard work and a very tough skin!!! many people do not realise just how destroying one of their “catty” and mindless remarks can be. I was once told I needed to learn how to “apply paint”…huh???
Elinor… you make me laugh… the obituaries? LOL My father in law used to refer to THAT page as the “hatched matched and dispatched”! Always made me laugh…
grrrr… it makes me so angry to hear about young people like Stefannie being subjected to the ignorance and small mindedness of people like the “Wrecktor” As adults they ought to know better. As men of the cloth… they should be above and beyond such spiritually impoverished behaviour! But they’re not.
Elinor… please tell Stefannie from me… not only is she beautiful… she is a talented musician who with dedication and a strong sense of purpose is destined to go far. I’m willing to wager that she will!
John… you are so right. Success (and failure) are overrated. Afterall… we can’t have one without the other. Failure should be encouraged from an early age. If we never learn to fail… we can never have success. It’s as simple as that. Kids especially should be encouraged to try everything… and when something doesn’t work… hey… try again… or try another way… or try something else altogether.
Our society unfortunately views failure as “failing” and something to be avoided at all cost. Kids learn early on that if you fail you’re a loser… and everyone laughs at a loser. Many never take that risk again. What we get from that is a society of underachievers who never quite reach their potential. Imagine if everyone on the planet were encouraged to reach their full potential. I dare say we wouldn’t have half the problems we now face… and the world would be a whole lot happier! But maybe (definitely) that’s way too simplistic! (((LOL)))
So glad you liked the cartoons!
MARY SAID [People are so determined to rip you apart regardless of what you do. I don’t know why. Festering jealously, feelings of inadequacy, damaged relationships may all contribute to this viscious nature. It’s unfortunate though that the rest of us, especially the sensitive must endure unsolicited, unprovoked evaluations of selves in such a way]
Mary… you hit the nail well and truly on the head there!
I grew up with the notion that I wasn’t a particularly pretty girl… in fact for most of my childhood I remember believing myself to be quite the dork! LOL Not exactly sure how I obtained that rather negative “sense of self” at such a young age… (probably typical of the stoic 60s style of upbringing … spare the rod spoil the child… don’t praise too highly… might get a swelled head kind of thing)… but it wasn’t good that’s for sure. Fortunately as I grew up and received good feedback from the wider world… my sense of self… (including my earlier perception of how I looked) improved! These days I’m more than content with who I am… both inside and out. Not perfect by any means… but that gives me something to work on!
Jools… I think when you have kids you get to see the Tall Poppy syndrome in 3D perspective. We’ve all experienced it… but to see it in full swing (and happening to your children)… is certainly confronting!
How to counsel them when it does happen is another difficult question. Do we teach them to retaliate… or do we teach them to take it on the nose with dignified silence? There are pitfalls in both.
Call me a dreamer… but if each and every person on the planet were to examine their motivations before opening their mouth to speak… we would all be a lot better off!
But then there are those who don’t speak… and in their silence lies another form of disdain. As Elinor’s Stefannie learned the hard way… it’s not always what IS said that hurts the most… sometimes it’s the (the good things) that are left UNSAID that hurt even more. That’s why I’m such an advocate of praise and encouragement.
I firmly believe that these two gifts (so easily given) are the quintessential key to unlocking the door of human potential! Like I said… call me a dreamer! LOL
Jean..without dreams nothing ever happens!
You know… I just realised that this probably isn’t such a new thing!
Back in the topic about Arthur Melville – What’s in a name? 23rd Jan – remember how I mentioned Stephen Quiller as having said “Melville’s works were often “skyed” or placed out of eyeline at national exhibitions” Even way back then the “Hanging Committee” were making political decisions about whose work got to go where! Anyone who has ever had their work hung down the corridor on the way to the loo will know exactly what I’m talking about! I guess if it ever happens again we shouldn’t worry… we’ll have been in (very) good company! (((LOL)))
AAaaaaaaarghhhh Three little words just try again ….does anyone know that verse?
It was framed on top of our piano and I cursed it (not that I knew how to then grin)
Then there was “No such word as CANNOT ” but most of all my dads offering
“If you don’t stick in at your “Jotters” you will finish up wheeling a barrow in the brickworks” I got to thinking it wouldn’t be such a bad thing .
Stefannie is such a lovely laid back girl who wings it……can keep her grumps in order with “Just don’t go there Granpa” As an infant she had such a deep belly laugh specially when she saw daffodils and welcomed everyone to her pram with a huge smile I miss that and have to make do with a young miss’ busy life full diary.
Oh Jean! I’m the queen of dork!!!! Always have been! And wouldn’t it be terribly boring if we were all perfect? The flaws are the meat of character. I’ve always loved the Leonardo Da Vinci sketches of gnarled old men and women bent over with hardship and age. Such statements! The paintings of beautiful people are nice, but, for me at any rate don’t scream with passion. (By the way, I LOVE your father’s description of the obits! So funny!)
Jools…a sister in the spotlight! I’m sure, having had similar experiences yourself you will have the tools necessary to guide your beautiful Emily through the rough times! What a lucky gal she is to have you for her mother!
Oh Mary ..thankyou so much! Emily reminds me of me when I was at school, in the fact that I was always a “fringe dweller”..never had a “set” group of friends. I used to “cruise” the edges of groups and never committed to the “gossip galleries”. I never got a handle on how they (the “pretty girls”) could all sit around at lunch time and spend the whole time casting their votes on who was cool and who was not! I would either be helping someone in tears in the toilet or playing handball with the boys!!! I hated the talk of whose parents had just updated the family car or who had a second TV in the house…I did not understand why that would make anyone better or worse! My head was full of learning lines for the next school play or considering which part of the creek I would go to that afternoon to catch some crayfish! I think to be truely creative, you have to be a bit of an “outcast”…just so that you can see past the “fish bowl” mentality and try something different, to be able to step outside the barriers of “normality”. I have told Emily to hold her head high and walk with her back straight, to be proud of who she is and let the jibes and taunts wash off, to use that pain and hurtful memories to not become one of those people who sit back and watch and then judge.
Elinor..your Stefannie worked hard and understandably would have been crushed…it takes a much finer person to turn a negative comment into a positive reaction, than the maker of the negative comment will ever be! Success is the sweetest revenge..and if we were to give up because of a “left field” slice that gets put in our way – how important is our sense of “self” and the dreams that we have.
Jean…..long live the dorks!!!!
By coincidence… I was talking about this just the other day with my brother. We were discussing our childhoods and comparing notes. (Funny how kids don’t do this until they grow up… it might have been helpful to do it back then! LOL) Funnily enough… he was horrified by my dork assessment… his memory of me was of a very pretty and capable little girl! So it just goes to show… we aren’t always the best judge of ourselves… especially in the impressionable years when we absorb outside information like a sponge!
ELINOR… your description of Stefannie as a baby with a deep belly laugh welcoming everyone to her pram with a huge smile brought back such memories! No wonder we miss them. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they remained as uncomplicated as that forever?
MARY… I wouldn’t know what perfect is… not sure anyone does really. I guess society determines an “ideal” but you and I in all likelihood would not agree with it! The eyes have it… and the attitude too. I once met the most beautiful 90 year old. She was a tiny person with the most beautiful blue eyes… and an inner glow. Her name was Amy and the last time I saw her she was bouncing around the piano in stockinged feet at midnight singing along to her favourite songs. It was a joy beyond description!
JOOLS… I was a fellow thespian as well… making my debut at the tender age of 8 as Moth in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I spent my schooldays in every play and musical that came along. One sure thing was… when the curtain went up… I was behind it! LOL
I studied Speech and Drama throughout my school years and was shocked and upset when my drama teacher unceremoniously knocked me back for a part in the final year production of Trojan Women with the comment “I have many more talented students than you for the major parts”
That was the day this poppy grew a backbone. I turned and left the room right there and then (never to return) and marched immediately down to the Music department where I got in line to audition for the Musical. It was the best thing I could have done. I got to play second lead in Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro and found (in more ways than one) the voice I’d forgotten I had! LOL
Cool Bananas Jean!!!!!
I am “seeing” an old school buddy at the moment, he told me the other day that ALL the boys at school, thought that I was a “spunk” and the nicest girl in our year!!! I said..”Why the hell did no one tell me!!!!” Lol! For years I clambered around thinking everyone else was popular!!
It’s funny (strange) isn’t it? Imagine how different life would have been had you known that then. But so nice as well… to finally know (better late than never)
Have you noticed how often people wait until the funeral to say nice things about someone? It always surprises me to learn so much good stuff about a person after they’ve gone! We should make it a policy to say the good things we know about each other… while we’re all right here and now! LOL Imagine what could be achieved if people saw themselves and others in their true light… instead of through the filter of someone else’s secret agenda.
And what a waste… that whole lives can be led with people mistakenly believing that they are something less than they really are. Doesn’t seem right to me.
I know… I know… it’s deep… LOL *wink*
Nah..not at all Jean! I think that it is quite simple really…why are we so afraid of it though????
Beats me! That’s why I wrote about it! (((LOL)))
I for one am soooo glad you did .
Ditto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, me too! This topic hits home, (and you can’t beat the cartoons! I think the second one should be made into a card…)
My sister once called me an extrovert. I said, “Me? Not me! I’ve always been shy and uncomfortable in social settings” She said that shyness had little to do with it. I’m an extrovert because I rely so much on what OTHERS think of me. That Jean, was when I decided to grow MY backbone! Now I’m married to a pastor and, as you can imagine, thrust into oh so many social occasions. But it’s not so uncomfortable anymore. Exhausting, yes…but interesting to engage in so many conversations and interactions. Now, if I could just figure out how to overcome my fear of failing in art!
Jools, we grew up on the wrong sides of the planet! We probably would have been great friends in school! I too spent many an afternoon exploring, crawling through blackberry thickets and foraging for treasures along the creek that wound it’s way through our backyard. What wonderful memories!
Elinor, I think I’ll have to frame those special “three little words” and hang them on my studio door! I give up waaaaay to easily!
Yes Jean your cartoons were great with this blog (not that they are not good any other time!!) I too love the last one!
Mary – tom boys, dorks and nerds should all unite..Lol!!! Imagine what an interesting and varied community it would be. Hold on….we have united, we are all here, Lol!!!!
Jean – one of my all time favourite dorks and tall poppies is Dick Smith, have you heard any news of him?????
Oh gosh Jools… on the contrary! *wink* (((chuckles))) I’d prefer to think that we’re discussing this now because we have evolved from the raw material we once were… and have grown into the amazingly competent (and ahem – wildly successful) people we are to day! Yay! No longer tom boys dorks and nerds as such (although the spirit may still there) but now “works in progress” striving toward our greater goals and individual dreams! Ahhh… THAT sounds better! (((LOL)))
Mary… funny you should mention it… the second cartoon is destined for publication in a motivational series pitched toward school age kids. It’s been a project in the wings for a couple of years now… refining and developing. The prototypes were straight watercolour and way less cartoony… (and according to my kids – too wordy) … but the biggest obstacle… they took too long to paint. So I think the cartoons will be the way forward for these. I’m looking forward to doing more.
btw… thanks you guys for mentioning the cartoons! It’s great to get feedback to see if they are “doing their job”. I appreciate it more than you know!
And Mary… you should have NO FEARS about failing in art! Your paintings are the most beautiful watercolours I have ever seen. With your extraordinary ability and talent you are a shoe-in for success. When collectors get wind of it… you’re going to be in such demand you will be kept on your toes keeping up with supply. Go on… get it out there!
Extrovert eh? A lady,newish member of the local art group (said they had been thrown out of Wales ) Called me, moi? an eccentric I stumped ( could do then ) back along the road to my DH and reported this insult ……”but don’t you think you are ?” Sheesh I now try to live up to that …….grin
Thank you Jean! You are very kind, (and motivating!)! I’m so glad your cartoon will be published! I can think of no better artist to do illustrate healthy motivation than you!
And Elinor! What an honor to be awarded membership to the eccentric club! I bow down to you!
Isn’t it wonderful to be part of a mutual admiration society!!!!!! I really do enjoy the bantering here Jean!!! I also love that everyone else is on the “same planet”!!! Elinor – some people do not realise what a “back handed” compliment is…what is eccentric anyway????? Does it mean you are different and stand out or does it mean that you are happy in your own skin – no matter what others think or say? I am amazed with some of the descriptions I get from people…some think I am really tough. Some think that I am not tough enough!!!! I think that I am just doing the best I can! Och….!!
Well I now have my hair cut in a funky spiky fashion and wear pink shoes or clogs in the warmer weather and red boots in this cold windy season. I do say things I uoghtnt ‘cos my head aint connected up any longer Time to buy purple maybe?
Ye Gods… a mutual admiration society!? Heaven forbid. And not quite what I was shooting for here! ~grin~
Elinor… we’re all eccentric to some degree… what’s normal anyway. And if normal means boring and predictable… and doing what everyone else is doing… well… who wants to be THAT? Give ‘em heaps!
Oh well Jean…it has been fun anyway and I’m sure it has lifted some spirits in many ways!!
Jools… you’re right… it has been a fun topic! I think more people have experienced tall poppy syndrome than we ever get to hear about. Few want to talk about it… but I think we should. Maybe awareness can bring about change… although going by recent developments I have my doubts!.
What’s with the Washington Post reporter Andrea Peyser who took it upon herself to maliciously preempt suicide in the wake of Heath Ledger’s death… labelling the actor selfish reckless and greedy. I wonder where she pulled that from… the coroner’s report was still a long way off. How cruel for the family. Some people simply can’t help themselves.
And poor old Brittney continues to be pursued. I read where one of the paparazzi resigned saying he didn’t want to be responsible for what might happen to her. He believes she will ultimately die if she is not given the privacy she so desperately needs to sort herself out. He doesn’t want blood on his hands. (All this and I don’t read gossip mags or watch celebrity shows… this is in mainstream media for heavens sake!) Surely we have more pressing global issues?
Hmmm overdose of prescrpt meds ….I know that one only it was my memory that was not doing its job . Oops no insulin taken and jab,jab ……do I phone or leave a note ? Phone rang and when I said to my son “This might be the last conversation we have ” sigh . His reply was “Get a life mum , you are still there ! and find a way to record it ” Sympathy ? You got to be joking ………
Phew… thank goodness it worked Elinor! Had he dispensed sympathy you might have succumbed… *sigh* I’ll bet it secretly scared the begeezers out of him though! So glad you were okay… don’t do that again now will you?
Its not sympathy we need, its empathy! But sometimes a “clip up the back of the head” is what we need to jolt ourselves out of a “slump”. Its a fine line and a hard call to be able to see where it begins and ends…too much attention or not enough. Dwelling on or shutting out. Fighting and struggling all of the time is so wearing and is a rut in itself. I am so glad I am not in the “limelight” and can hide when I need to – not like celebrities!!!! All I can think of is how Dianna was pursued to her death and can see the cast being dyed with Brittney.
Elinor..you are so well loved, never ever forget that!!!!
“I am so glad I am not in the limelight and can hide when I need to” -
Jools… you’ve hit the nail on the head there! I think if those who pursue and persecute looked at the ups and downs in their own lives (and let’s face it… we ALL have them) and asked themselves how they would feel to have the end of a telescopic lens poked in their face 24/7 even on the bad days… it might be a different story. What we need is a bit of “do unto others” logic – that Moses really knew a thing or two… even way back then! LOL
and to think he was a basket case at first …….
hahahaha… and lost in the bull (um…rushes) to boot! LOL Elinor I could really (((hug))) you if you weren’t so far away!
A cyber one or even two if I am greedy will do fine Sun is shining and all is golden.
Oh good… here comes the sun… and here comes that (((hug)))!!!
Group hug!!!!!
Here you are!! I was at the old page and thought that I had ended the conversation. Talk about feeling on the outside lol. I have read this with great interest because my grand daughter, Ashleigh, went through a hard time in High School. A friend of hers since childhood “shined her on” because Ashleigh is shy around boys and thought that she must not be one of the “cool” ones. This girl joined a group of friends that were like the girls in that “Mean Girl” movie. They were so awful to Ashleigh. I hear that they are pretty wild and I am very glad that Ashleigh did not go in that direction. She is a very beautiful girl and a wonderful artist. She is in college now and LOVES it. She has so many true friends now. She looks forward to school every day. Jean and Elinor, I am shocked that adults would be so thoughtless. Especially adults who deal with youngsters. I guess that it takes all kinds.
Ellie
ps. Ashleigh got her first rejection as an artist. Someone who had Ashleigh do portraits of her children together told her that her children were much prettier and started making suggestions on how to change the drawing (charcoal). Ashleigh decided not to do more on it and told her mom (my daughter) that maybe she shouldn’t have removed the little girl’s unibrow. If she had left it in, it might have looked more like her. At least she can laugh at things like that now.
Hey Ellie! So glad you found us! You might have to refresh the page each time you visit to get the new topic. I usually try to post around once a week or so… that gives us time to have a nice long discussion afterwards (as you can see from this! LOL)
So sorry Ashleigh has suffered too… but it sounds as though she’s a very smart girl… and by the time our gorgeous girls get to college they can usually handle most situations. It doesn’t mean it won’t still hurt though… it’s just that they’ll know it for what it is and hopefully be able to deal with it. [I almost went crazy watching that Mean Girls movie... but my girls insisted... they wanted me to know what was out there!] LOL
Also sorry to hear about her commission rejection… gosh that’s a tough call for one so young. But it sounds as though she took it well and could laugh about it after. That’s so great to hear.
It certainly is!
I agree and am glad most of my early knocks were on a learning curve towards street cred. The first job where the Drawing office were all males I was told NOT to let them know if I understood their chatter . One day they were on about rugby …scrums and hookers, so I asked what they were talking about and they just HAD to demonstrate ….all hunkered down and the boss came in . Was I wrong to snigger ? Another time I pretended to punch a colleague and tht started them on re lassie slaps SO another education on howto punch DO NOT enclose your thumb it could fracture and put your weight behind it and follow through aahemm! right got it …….and PUNCH hehehe I am a right nasty berger when I try
Ouch Elinor! I felt that one half way across the world! Maybe we should hire you to take on our American Paparazzi!
Oh Mary these days are gone…….haven’t the energy in the first place and have
taken the road less travelled . I think ?
Its not the actual punch…but how and where it is delivered – hey Elinor!!! Lol! I once worked ina shearing team of 8 shearers, a wool classer, a wool packer and another “rouse-about” (that was my job too – picking up sheep fleeces and throwing them onto a table all in one piece and flat on the table, sweeping up around the shearer and then “penning up” more sheep from the yards..it was HARD work!) the first week I was there they (all men!) gave me a terrrible time – really crude jokes and many, many jibes about being a girl!!! But…once I showed them I could keep up and tell jokes back – I was treated just like I was their little sister and an important part of “their” team!, Lol!!!! It was a great time actually, I loved it and have many fond memories!