HJ-ED-DHJHerald Journal Columns
October 8, 2007, Herald Journal

Brought down by a blemish

By JENNIFER GALLUS

I kicked around the idea of writing about this subject for the last week. That is because for the last week, I’ve been plagued by the mother of all blemishes – right under my nose!

Now I don’t want to gross anyone out, but this type of problem, though temporary, can really make a person self-conscious. With my job, I need to be out and about town quite a bit, and the new feature to my face was not a welcome passenger.

I wanted to warn people immediately upon contact, “Look away from the zit – do not look directly at it – do not pass go – do not collect $200!”

I even had people ask, “What is that?” When my husband would move to kiss me, he’d get sidetracked by the monument and say, “Man, that is big!”

I can’t really complain too much because this only happens about two times per year – at least these huge versions of acne.

The worst part is not being able to control it, and waiting for its departure seems like an eternity.

Covering it up with make-up doesn’t really cover it up.

My mom called the other night and asked what was new. I said, “Well, aside from having Mount Everest under my nose – not much!” She can laugh about it because she no longer is plagued by them!

My birthday was last week, and we had a big party. My blemish had the time of its life at the party. I think I even saw it doing the limbo! I, on the other hand, was a little depressed about its presence at such an occasion.

It’s funny how our vanity can cause us to be brought down by such silly things as this. A reality check can bring things back into perspective. There are people who have suffered burns, scars, and really bad acne on their faces, and would love to only have to worry about a blemish – a very large blemish. I should be ashamed of myself!

My pores and oil glands should be ashamed as well. Why can’t they just get along? That’s it – my skin is grounded!

Kid-isms

My 6-year-old has wanted to be an archeologist since he could talk to tell us. The other day he was tired and didn’t want to go to school. I told him he needed to go to get smart so some day he could get the kind of job he wanted.

He replied, “Mom, I already know how to dig bones – it’s easy – if there’s no bones there, you go somewhere else!”