jakorte's blog

Refreshed, dressed and ready to go a little early, I decide to take a moment to lightly unload my lightly filled expandable rolling suitcase only to realize there was actually no bureau. I didn’t find the shallow one-drawer nightstand to be very conducive to settling in, either. So, I lugged my luggage up off the floor onto the single bed, and reorganized essentials into distinct areas. Undergarments and sock in one corner. Pants and jeans and shirts were refolded and re-stashed in order of possible potential use. I hung a few items on the few provided wardrobe hangers hoping to reduce wrinkles, and placed my most used make up and toiletries on the bath shelf.

Even with that minor derailment, I felt so good I grabbed my camera. I did that thing all the kids do - leaned into the bathroom mirror, all smiled up and feeling fine. The looking glasses in Ireland seem to be kinder than those at home – I’m sporting an excited glow. I’m pretty pleased with the image staring back at me.

Phone above me, or below me, or straight ahead – it turns out it really doesn’t matter. Despite what I am seeing, happy with my reflection, the photo comes back like a slap – a sudden, unkind unsettling slap. I check the mirror again and confirm what I see - a young, pretty girl, head-on. The camera however chooses to capture a droopy eyed, warble-necked woman. So, I repeatedly try different angles, and am glad I was talked into purchasing a 16 gig media card for the camera – I mean supposed phone. At least that’s one thing the phony knowledge-imposter sales dork was right about.

After fifteen minutes of creativity and oddly angled lens shots, I manage to eliminate the warble, but still appear completely bald in every photographic image. Love the smile though, so I decide when I get home I will edit off the top of my head so you can’t tell. That one became my new Facebook profile picture.