Weight Loss Surgery Article Series

As I said recently, my new obsession is writing Web Articles. I am learning how to write for the web better all the time. Meanwhile, based on my own experience, I have written a series about having Weight Loss Surgery. This is not the personal story, rather it is what you need to consider and what you can expect if you choose to go through the process. Here are the links if you would like to read more.

So, You're Considering Weight Loss Surgery
So You Want to Pursue Weight Loss Surgery
A Guide To Getting Ready for Weight Loss Surgery
So You've Had Weight Loss Surgery: The Physical Aspect
So You've Had Weight Loss Surgery: The Mental Aspect

There's a lot of practical information here. If you are even thinking about Weight Loss Surgery, please take a few minutes to read these articles.

Hey Hollywood, Step Away From the Fat Suit

There are real fat people who can play the part
(article by starrgirl on Associated Content)

copyright free photo from www.sxc.hu

As if there weren't already a long line of celebs packing on the artificial pounds, guess who is the latest to join the fray? Right behind Tyra, Gwenyth, Meg, Julia, Eddie Murphy, Tim Allen and Courtney, the news was leaked this week in E! Magazine and various news outlets that none other than Tom Cruise is making a cameo in the movie Tropic Thunder as a bald, flabby fat guy. On the heels of that leak, Tom's attorneys have stepped in to prevent any contraband photos from being published prior to the movie's release. What's the matter, Tommy? Running out of publicity stunts?

The Spin Machine says that Tom was doing this bit part as a surprise for his fans. The bad news is that the Fat Suit has been done. To death. Shallow Hal said it all.

So, Hollywood. What's up with being Fat For A Day? Do you really think a celebrity can capture the experience of being morbidly obese by donning a latex suit and waddling around in it for a few hours? Is the viewing audience going to be enlightened about obesity by watching a normally thin and glamorous person suffer the humiliation that a fat person lives with every day? Of course not.

First of all, it isn't real. It's publicity. Publicity for the media star, not real fat people. Second, it's misleading. Padding up with an exta hundred pounds or so is not like getting fat over time. The person who becomes obese over many years has grown into the situation. They move with the gait and cadence of one who has had to adjust to growing girth. Their self confidence has been worn to a thin veneer. A fat person knows in every fiber of their being that they are unacceptable to society because they have suffered the misery and slights of fat discrimination every day.

In contrast, the would-be "social enlightener" has endured a few hours of uncomfortable makeup. They venture out into the world in a costume - a fat costume that is neither natural or believable. They bring their own stereotypical impressions to the performance. Have you ever seen a celebrity in a fat suit made up to look attractive? No, they take on the supposed misery and frumpiness that further displays their own fat-phobia. They wear ugly clothes and big glasses. They order lots of food. They recoil in disgust when they do not get their usual preferential treatment and admiring glances. Oh, the horror.

It's time for Hollywood types to step away from the fat suit. It's one thing for a movie character to reflect weight changes while playing a legitimate part. It's another to exploit a large section of the population. If it is entertainment news when a "model" from the show Deal or No Deal puts on a fat suit, what message does that send? Why isn't a real fat person doing that news story?

Fat people do not need anyone calling superficial attention to obesity. We all know that the best way to be invisible and ignored in today's society is to be fat. What kind of revelation is that? Big whoop. Did we really need to see Tyra or the Deal model be disregarded on the street or in a fancy shop for being fat? No, we need to see them endure a job interview or go on a date - after wearing the fat suit for three months. Then contrast that with the skinny gal who gets the job or the date with less than half the qualifications. We need to see them try to fit into an airplane seat and sit bolt upright without touching their seat-mate during a three hour flight. We need to see them put their entire lives on hold while desperately trying to lose weight on every diet and exercise program that comes along, while knowing that doesn't work for the majority of long-term morbidly obese people.

The fat suit is not a funny gag. It's old news.

Well, now I'm writing articles..

I admit it - my hobby is hobbies. If it's something creative, I've probably tried it or wanted to. Lately, it's writing. I joined a writing forum called Associated Content to get some practice and a little spare change. I thought I'd link to some of the articles for those who check my blog.

Here's how it works. I'll print a bit of the article here and a link at the bottom if you want to read the rest. If you do click to read more, it registers a page view for me. Even better, you can rate my article if you like by clicking on the stars at the top. And you can be honest - no one knows which star you clicked on. There's also room for comments after the article just like there is here. I hope you'll come and visit when you can.

This is one of my first articles. It's a bit long (I'm learning to condense already), so I'll just print some of it.


Celebrity Worship - Are You Part of This Madness?
10 Celebs that I Wish Would Disappear

One of the most famous signs in the world, and iconic image of an industry.
Credit: Rich DuBose
Copyright: www.sxc.hu

Celebrity worship is not a new phenomenon, but it has soared to new heights and become its own culture. Hollywood-style entertainment started out as a nice diversion for the normal person who wanted to relax and see a movie on the weekend. Now you can't turn on the TV or walk past a newsstand without being assaulted by the media darlings.

Exactly what constitutes a celebrity these days? Surprisingly, very little. There is no longer a prerequisite for having talent or making a difference in society. I admire those who do have these qualifications, but really, all it takes now is to be found charming on a reality show or to have an extravagant lifestyle where you are on exhibit for your abilities to party with the A List. No need to worry about a few drugs or a bit of jail time - all that can be fixed with a well-paid publicist and the fans will continue to hunger for what happens next. What kind of credentials are these??

We need to take a good, reflective look at ourselves to get to the bottom of this phenomenon. Celebrities exist because we make them who they are. If we quit paying attention right now, eventually they would cease to exist. If we pay no mind to their drug problems or buy their products, we can have an effect on this epidemic of celebrity poisoning. Who are these people anyway? We don't really know them. All we know is how they are presented by the media. We watch them rise and then we watch them fall. We watch them spend their money and we watch them go through rehab like it's nothing but a revolving door. Is that what you want your children and grandchildren to emulate? That's not what I want.

What I want is for ten of these overexposed creatures to disappear.
(to find out which ten, click here)