Scarlett Take Me Away!

Work has been stressful the last couple of days -- dealing with contract stuff and cost overruns. I woke up this morning thinking about it, which is always a bad sign. I ran the tape loop of fretting as I got ready for the gym, as I lifted weights and at the grocery store. Even at 6:30 in the morning in a small town, I had to wait in line for a moment, where the magazines caught my eye, as they're meant to do.

Scarlett Johansson beamed at me, all sultry eyes and milky skin. Kate Hudson sparkled with a saucy wink. For an instant I longed to be them. I thought, how wonderful to have Scarlett's life, with her beauty and those gorgeous clothes.

Yes, yes -- I know. Silly.

In my defense, the emotion washed away quickly. I know perfectly well that the conference calls today won't be anything I can't get through. And there are much worse things in life than suffering a little stress for the money I earn, that allows me to lead a very pleasant life. I know, also, that Scarlett's life is also full of stress and meetings and working out at the gym. She might not have to stop at the grocery store on the way home, but that's about it. And Kate Hudson has done several things that I suspect makes her emotional life not all that rewarding.

The thing is, I didn't really long in that moment be THEM, to live their lives. What I wanted was to be those pictures. I wanted to feel what the glossy women seemed to feel. Which is what they're selling after all.

At least I didn't buy it.