Now is the time of year where waking up is even more of a struggle knowing that there are cold winds and various forms of rimy precipitation ready to make the day worse than it already is. Fatigue and want of convenience stifles my creativity and I walk out the door looking not as the fashion plate that I would like to be, but more like an outmoded university professor of arcane subject matter. I have taken to wearing a sweater and shirt combination which in the dreary light of the morning is acceptable, until it is further examined in the fluorescence of my cubicle.

Looking around the office it is hardly an offense, in fact it is a welcomed change of pace compared to the wrinkled shirts and pants of the nerd army that sit amongst me, but this is no excuse or my behavior. I need to stop wearing this safe and predictable uniform.

Ok, I know given the venue I shouldn’t be complaining about this but I was at the chinese buffet this weekend for a family get-together. I am the most reclusive member of my family and my presence is a pleasant surprise (at least I like to think it is) to those who regularly attend functions. While chatting about the lack of excitement in my life, my aunts honed in on one of their favorite subjects… my fat. Yes, I did eat a lot and I wasn’t feeling the most svelte that day so it was exhilarating to hear the cackling women say they noticed that I lost weight. Now not completely true, I am the same weight that I have been for the last few years, but I have noticed that I’m fitting into smaller clothing. Riding high on this compliment, I was sent crashing down when I felt a hand pinch the skin underneath my chin and someone saying “yeah you lost this”.

I’ll admit, I have some chin fat but I didn’t know that my family was watching it with disappointment during my more plush years.