Tickled Pink

You can take a look at it here, and it won't let me copy the cover, which is not worth scanning. However, be forewarned if you see one (free-circ, usually in lobbies of stores or supermarkets), it's just a package of ads with a few articles in the margins. That's actually how women's magazines got their start in the 19th century, but they have come full circle. Anyway. . . the all out dumbest thing I've ever seen in a woman's magazine is on p. 15. An advice column for women by a gay man--on sex and relationships. Truly, it was beyond dumb, it was disgusting. I'm glancing through to see if there's anything else you couldn't find in the stack you have waiting to go to the trash. . . breast cancer, skin spots, exercise tips, fall weddings, safety tips for halloween, Thanksgiving tips, and so forth. One thing worth reading, however, is a very short piece on p. 37 that looks like a scanned diary, called Soul Searching. If I would have known then. . . addressed to a 21 year old into the clubbing life.

"This drinking and smoking, the stress you are under, trying to take on the world's problems, it's a ridiculous way to live, The risks the doctor is talking about with this disease. . . pregnancy complications and skin infections and heart attacks. . . all very real things that will happen to you.

The daughter you think about having one day that will look just like you? Gone at 8 days old, when you are 26, from complications of open-heart surgery to correct a heart defect your uncontrolled diabetes gave to her. The body you are abusing with the Alabama Slammers and the Marlboro smokes? Riddled with scars from a staph infection that gets into your bloodstream because you are too stubborn to go to the doctor. Think you are going to live forever? Think again. . . you are lucky to survive the massive heart attack that almost kills you on January 2, 2004.

Please. . . listen to what the doctors are telling you right now. . .Oh that guy you think is perfect for you right now? Drop everything and Run!!!"