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July 13, 2009
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Hi kids,

just a quick note to say I've moved in to my new house and am without internet for about a week.   

Thanks for the support on my picture of my girl Solace.  She is going very well and being terribly spoilt by my parents: two long walks a day and a spot infront of the fire.  

I've begun rehearsing my new play and I am loving it.  Must now run back to rehearsal but love to you all.

Also, check out miss ~eckyducky's most recent posts!  They are incredible and she inspires me such a lot.  Go and give her love.




This journal is now also a news article: [link] go and check it out.


Over the last few years I have noticed an interesting change in the world of cyber-art in relation to body types.  I am not saying that I have seen the bodies change – there are still a massive variety of bodies out there – but I have seen how people respond change.  

An evolution is taking place before our eyes.  A few years ago, photos of large, curvaceous women almost exclusively attacked comments such as 'ewwwww', 'gross' and 'I just threw up a little' (I actually received that last comment on a photo of one of my larger models).  Then views began to change.  Attackers were attacked by a new breed of commenters.  These new voices praised the models for their bravery, thanked them for showing how beautiful larger women could be and told them how sexy they were.  

Meanwhile, the opposite was going on for the very thin models.  They started out as glorified sex objects but a few years back things changed: comments went from 'hot' to 'FEED HER A CHEESEBURGER PLZ'; from 'nice model' to 'that is just gross'; from 'mmmm' to 'ANOREXIA', attacks on the photographer for photographing her and attacks on the model for making other women feel bad.

Today a third type of commenter has emerged; a backlash to the backlash, so to speak.   Mixed in with the 'good on you' and 'work it girlfriend' messages, larger models are again being attacked but the tone has changed.   Now people consider themselves doctors.  Instead of 'ewwww' we get 'Why the fuck does everyone keep saying this is hot?  This is unhealthy and by encouraging her you're only affirming her bad habits which are going to KILL HER!!!!!!!   This is not hot!  This is dangerous!  GO FOR A FUCKING RUN AND STOP TELLING HER THIS IS A VALID LIFESTYLE CHOICE!'   The skinny models have also seen a change: people are speaking out for them, defending their bodies and their health.  'I'm as skinny as that model and I eat constantly and never exercise.  Women come up to me in the street and tell me to seek help for my anorexia and that I look sick.  It feels like shit so maybe you should check your facts before you attack her.'  

So this is my stance: kids, a stranger telling you that your body is 'gross', 'unhealthy' or 'dangerous', that you 'need to fucking eat something' or 'lay of the maccas' is not going to help anyone.  It may make you, the commenter, feel better but that is all.  You are not a dietitian or doctor, you do not know the full story behind someone's body type and thus comments such as this come off as ill-informed, judgmental and completely insensitive.  Leave women to work out their own bodies and minds!  Point and laugh at the bad photo shopping or call a models body 'gross' to your friends in the privacy of an offline conversation but please do not attack the model online or where she will read the comment!   Do not think that you are helping anyone but yourself by doing this!  

In short, be nice, be humane, be compassionate and be respectful.  Look after yourself but not at the expense of someone else's mental health.

Thanks.

:thumb127298924:       :thumb126369391:    :thumb117591813:     


Also, I HAVE A NEW HOUSE!  We are moving next week in to our beautiful art deco apartment surrounded by gardens.  I am so, so happy and so relieved.  Incidentally, this means I'll now be living with my hairdresser so if anyone wants to make use of that, do so!  She's amazing!


Links:  


~miss-mosh has written a fantastic article with tips for models.  I agree 100% with everything she says and particularly love that her first point is not about makeup or posing but about professionalism.  Check it out and give her some love.  She is amazing:  [link]

And the best version of 'All That Jazz' ever, performed by the incredible Bernadette Peters: [link]



The ever expanding (and not very up to date) cast list of those I have collaborated with on DA.  If I have worked with you and you aren't listed below, please just point this out to me.  I apologise.:

:iconeckyducky: :iconphotograjph: :icondalaiharma: :iconteamhyphenpants: :iconjennipenny: :iconsimoneales: :iconptollemy: :iconlucyhotchin: :iconshraka: :iconmishkamink: :iconmrgone: :iconkoukei: :iconclandestine-wishes: :iconartinfeminine: :iconscottb: :iconsyboro: :iconcougars: :iconscottish-gardeners: :iconshoot-at-everyone: :iconthequeenofrussia: :iconsolitudoaeternus: :iconkimberleycamilleri: :icondiamondfox: :iconbelieve-hope: :iconmissbecca: :iconmastertouch: :icongregd-photography: :icongazzaa: :iconsarampage:  :iconbecca-of-prophecy:


My other account for my collaborations with ~eckyducky

:iconteamhyphenpants:

Clubs:

:iconbtsclub:  :iconcharacter-portraits:

:thumb110606322:


A reminder to all to please avoid calling me by my 'real' name on this site. It is ~Halohid, Susannah (my middle name) or nothing now, for reasons of privacy.
  • Mood: Optimism
  • Listening to: The Mars Volta, 'De-loused in the crematorium'
  • Reading: 'Paula' by Isobel Allende
  • Watching: Her bank account and crying a little
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:iconsilentlydamned:
~SilentlyDamned Jul 15, 2009  Hobbyist Writer
I just realized you licked me. Goofball!

Also, is there any reason you know of why I can't reply to other comments on this post? It's... unusual, and slightly problematic.
Reply
:iconhalohid:
Hmmm. No idea I'm afraid, possum!
Reply
:icongoddessredd:
~goddessredd Jul 9, 2009  Professional General Artist
Bravo!

I'm on the skinny end of the problem. I wish normal and heavier people would understand that we naturally skinny people do not ALWAYS have anorexia, and due to society, we don't think we are beautiful either. We can't find clothes that fit, we have health-related problems as well, and now society is shunning us too.

There is no such thing as a perfect body, there is no such thing as being perfectly healthy. Everybody's different, and if those people who would just take a second to stop and think before they let their snap judgments flow to their fingertips, the world would be a much better place. At least there's folks like you to remind people of that.
Reply
:iconhalohid:
I completely agree! No matter what size you are, having a stranger pass negative judgement on your body in a hurtful manner will never benefit you and your health. I don't quite understand why not everyone understands this! It seems so simple to me. It is about having respect for fellow human beings! Easy!
Reply
:icontheealex:
Halohid you are always amazing in your writing, I like this pure honesty and I think everybody should be more accepting of the human form in all of its many shapes.

However people should also be able to take care of themselves at the same time.
Reply
:iconhalohid:
Thank you, possum.
Reply
:icontheealex:
I like that, possum.
Reply
:iconhalohid:
:D I have a long list of embarrassing pet names for everyone.
Reply
:icontheealex:
haha, I do not find that one embarrassing :)
It is like calling someone babe or sweetie in my mind.
Reply
:iconhalohid:
Try ';pumpkin-berry', ';poppet', 'munchkin', 'ducky'. ;)
Reply
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