February 10, 2013

So I'm Doing It....


As some of you will know, in recent times I have been contemplating my sticky-out ear. Actually, I've been contemplating my sticky-out ear forever. It is something that has bothered me for as long as I can remember. It bugs me when I look in the mirror. It bothers me when it pokes out from under my hair in photos. And it drives me crazy in strong wind when I fear I might actually take off and fly (but in circles, because only one of my ears sticks out, so I have no chance of going in a straight line).

And now, I have finally decided to do something about it. I am forty-four. It is now or never. And I want to know what life feels like without a crazy ear. I want to know what it feels like to be able to wear my hair back without looking like a lopsided Minnie Mouse. Most importantly, I guess, I want to like my ears.

Since writing my previous post and talking to friends, I've been amazed at the support for my decision - at least from women. "If it bothers you and you can fix it, then do it!" they say. Several friends have admitted to having their own minor procedures done. I had no idea how many of my friends have had nose jobs, Botox, teeth capping, and their own bat ears corrected.


Men, interestingly enough, don't seem to understand. "Your ears have never bothered me," said my husband. "I've never even noticed your big ear," said a male friend. But then I've always maintained that men see the entire picture - face, body, boobs, four limbs - whereas we women are all about detail. 

Only one female friend of mine questioned my decision (and yes, hon, I'm talking about you). "The whole quest for perfection bothers me," she said. "I love imperfections in people. I love your ear."

But I'm not trying to be perfect. I'm far from perfect. If I'd wanted to be perfect then I'd be fixing a lot more than my ear. I'd be getting the veins on my legs stripped. I'd be getting a boob job. A tummy tuck. A face lift. That special fraxel laser treatment on my skin to remove all the pigmentation. And Japanese ionic straightening to permanently correct my crazy frizzy hair.

But I don't want any of that. I don't want to be perfect. I just want to have a nice normal ear. So I'm going in tomorrow for a day procedure and I'm saying goodbye to my sticky-out ear forever. It's a strange feeling. But bizarrely exciting.

So thank you for your support in anticipation. Photos shall come soon. And my ear and I shall see you on the other side.          

38 comments:

  1. hope it all goes well :)

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  2. My husband has two entirely different ears...one much smaller than the other...and I can't watch Peter Overton read the news without noticing the differences in his either.....hope everything goes perfectly...uh no...normally for you tomorrow :)

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  3. I fully support your decision too - your body, your choice - but you are right about men...we just don't notice stuff like that...we just see you as the sum of your parts, not the parts themselves...


    But if it makes you feel better, go for it...just don't expect me to notice that anything's changed about you ;)

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  4. There is a school of thought that men really do focus on the big picture (the hunters, who had to scan the plains and take it the vista to find the game) and women really do focus on the details (the gatherers, who had to find the edible plants, nuts etc, often while on the move). I think your ear procedure is a great idea. It's prompted me to finally look into doing something about my teeth. Can't wait to see before/after photos and more importantly, hear how you feel about it.

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  5. You go, girl! It's lovely to tick things off the list of "Things To Think About Doing". All the best and looking forward to seeing the Before and After photos!

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  6. Yay go you Kerri! And I agree, it is not a quest for perfection at all. It is taking something that bothers you and fixing it. Because you can!

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  7. Ear! Ear! You go, girl. And as one of my characters says about her in House for all Seasons: "I'm a flawed person trying to be good." Personally, I think it's the 'do good' rather than the 'be perfect' that makes a person beautiful anyway.

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  8. good luck Kerri, hope its not painful,I don't think anyone would notice if you hadn't pointed it out. I can't hide my imperfection, nor have it fixed!

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  9. Why not - if it bothers you so much then you should have it fixed.
    Perhaps a totally different question is whether people would support you if you had a boob job. I detest the look of my breasts after 6 long years of breastfeeding.They have deflated and are also different sizes. I feel like I can't fill out my clothes or swimmers anymore and I am really self-conscious about them. However, I have always wondered how much ridicule I would receive if I had a boob job. I have tried to work out ways I could have one done without anyone knowing. I think most people would be supportive of your decision to have your ears fixed (the worst you might get is people thinking that it was unnecessary) but I don't think people would judge you badly at all.

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  10. Good luck with it Kerri! - You go girl!

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  11. Lisa @ Blithe MomentsFebruary 10, 2013 at 11:53 AM

    Exciting! I'm sure you will be thrilled for the result and it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks because if it makes you happy all, that is all that matters. Can't wait to see the outcome.

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  12. Good luck, do it for you and you alone, you know you will still look fabulous either way. I am looking forward to the photos. xxx

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  13. But I really wanted to see you fly around in circles! Spoil sport.

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  14. I won't. But when you slightly change your facial hair, I'll notice in a SECOND x

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  15. Oh people notice. But it's not about them. It's about me! x

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  16. I think anyone who ridicules you is not a friend. I wouldn't have breast augmentation because a) my deflated boobs don't bother me (as long as I can wear supportive bras) and b) it's a fairly risky surgery. But it's YOUR body and YOUR decision. 100%. x

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  17. I can still scare small children with my Bum Finger if that's any consolation..... x

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  18. I think it is wonderful you are doing something for yourself to make you feel more comfortable.
    Not everyone is brave enough to do so.Good on you.
    Wishing you all the best.Xx

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  19. Perfection is over rated and as time progresses even "perfect" people get wrinkles, sorry, character lines, and their boobs will probably sag. I'm pleased for you that you are getting your ear fixed though. It has bothered you forever, so it's time. I have a couple of things I'd like fixed too.....maybe in my next lifetime.

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  20. Go for it! As for ears, I was aware of a couple of guys getting theirs pinned back just before they started high-school. And seeing that I'm also forty four, we're talking 1981, so it did/does bother blokes too. I also recall that NONE of them were teased for getting it done.

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  21. Go for it Kerri. It's your body to do with what you like x

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  22. Good for you !!!! Wishing you a great result - one that will see you putting your hair behind your ears every single day !!
    Can't wait to hear how it went.
    Have a great week - with no sticky-out ear !
    Me

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  23. I had my ears pinned back when I was 10, I am now 51. I believe it changed my life. I can remember being called "elephant ears" in primary school. In fact, I believed it changed my life so much that I had my son's ears pinned back when he was 4. He has never said "I wish you hadn't of done that." Good luck Kerri. There's nothing like putting your hair up with confidence. A lot to be said about feeling good about yourself. All the best!

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  24. Good luck!! Great decision - it's not about perfect - it's about freeing up your headspace to stop focusing on the thing that bothers you, so you can focus on more worthwhile things, right? Like being awesome, of course. Uh oh… what if nobody recognises you anymore? Maybe you should ask for a button so you can retract at will …

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  25. Make sure you get heaps of before and after photos! After you live the next half of your life you may forget what or why it once bothered you.

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  26. Hope the 'pinning' is less painful than it sounds and you end up feeling free enough to wear your hair any damn way you want (ponytail and big earrings at DPCON13?). I'll make sure I speak up next time I meet you so you can catch it in the new, improved, tiny little ear. x

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  27. Lisa @ Giving Back GirlFebruary 12, 2013 at 6:50 AM

    Gawd, now I'm questioning my own sticky out ear. And a wee procedure means you probably get to spend a day in bed reading trashy mags (oh no that won't be happening right!) and watching recaps of Masterchef/MKR. By yourself under a doona with cups of tea and biscuits. Hope it goes well (as Kerri exits the Single Sticky Out Ear club)

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  28. Hope it all went well and you're feeling happy with your ear. xxxx

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  29. Blu-tack would be a cheaper option! ;)

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