Sunday, September 26, 2010

Shopping revisited

In less than a month, I'm going to my annual dog conference. For those of you who have been following my blog for awhile, this is a conference I've gone to for the past six of seven years. The conference tends to have1000+ people come from all over the world and have world class speakers in the field of dog training, education, and veterinary practice. Over the years I've begun to come out of my shell and have established myself as an important member of the conference staff. Last year was what I call "my break out" year. And this year I had the big task of writing work plans for the off-site workshops--8 total, I'm writing 6 of them It's been exciting being in collaboration with some well known speakers. I still get starstruck at times. There is still a lot of work to do as we have run into snafus, but it'll all get done.

This year the conference is in Hotlanta (Atlanta), though in October, it shouldn't be too hoot. I've been informed that our uniform has been changed. We are no longer allowed to wear jeans but rather khakis or something similar. I think this was mostly due to the fact that the board of directors felt like we as "staff" should stand out more. So, this means I do actually have to go shopping again. I have two pair of wearable khakis (one is a very nice pair so do not want to take with me). I realized one pair I got last time had a big pen mark on the butt. I have no clue how I missed this-this was a thrift store buy so returning it is not an option.

Several months ago, I talked about the lost causes of shopping. At the time, I had to shop for some khaki pants at work. Several of my fabulous readers gave me great comments in the next post where I recapped my shopping adventures. This attire policy has since been revoked, and I now get to wear jeans every day along with my beige logo polo shirts. This suits me fine, honestly, because though khaki pants are okay, with dogs, it just equates to mess, dirt, and a lot of hair. An example--we have a Siberian Husky/Border Collie cross who sheds an entire small dog when she is at daycare. I'd post a pic of her, but that photo is not on this computer. She has the coolest looking eyes I have ever seen on a dog--literally one eye is half blue, half brown top to bottom; while the other eye is exactly opposite.

Anyway, so I have to gear myself up once again to go shopping. You'd think that after my last shopping excursion, I'd feel good about this. But really I'm still not feeling totally comfortable enough in my body to just go out and shop. It seems to take planning, deliberation, and a lot of patience. And there are a million and one things I'd rather be doing/have to do than planning a shopping trip. We have events and many classes going on at work, need to get my hair cut, many things to do with the house, yard, etc. Btw, did I mention my tadpoles have still not grown? I had to add more water (had to dechlorinate it) since we have had sparse rain here. Therefore, I can't clean out the pond yet.

So I don't know if the issue is really just a time factor/don't want to deal with it issue or more of a body image one. The latter seems to surface more when I am faced with shopping or dressing for something out of the ordinary, etc. I know I would feel a little better if I was just moving more, but I've turned that into a when do I really find the time excuse issue. That brings up another set of thoughts as well reserved for a a post for another day.

I guess I'm just looking for some rah rah rahs for shopping and encouragement. As we say in dog training, it is often times harder to change the emotion than just the behavior.

5 comments:

I Hate to Weight said...

there really is nothing worse than shopping for pants. it's so complicated -- hips, waist, length, comfort when you sit...most of the summer, i opt for dresses.

i hate dressing rooms --- the lighting makes you look so weird.

good luck. i hope the first couple of khakis you try on are perfect, inexpensive and self-ironing. and you can go get on with your day quickly and easily

Tiptoe said...

Thanks Lissy! Definitely agree with the lighting in the dressing rooms--just awful!

ola said...

Eeks, pants shopping is so triggering, tiring and really boring... I am lucky that I have usually a friend or a sister with me as a support or as someone who is getting me out of panic attacs and/or book stores.
I am also very bad in having a haircut... looking so long in the mirror and speaking with the hairdresser scares me.

But you can do it Tiptoe! The dog conference sounds so interesting and motivating and that pants are just a small part of preparation for it. Good luck!!!!!

And I really would like to see the half-half eyes:)

Girl, in Progress said...

How funny! Several weeks ago, I posted about the emotions surrounding shopping too. What used to be a favorite hobby has since become a major stressor for me. At least you are aware of what the experience could potentially bring and can stay ahead of it. Best of luck :)

Tiptoe said...

Ola, thanks so much for the encouragement. You are right that the whole pants issue is just one small element of the conference. And likely, people aren't really going to notice that much anyway unless there was something blaringly wrong with the pants.

I'll try to post the pic soon of the dog. I should be on my other comp. in the next day or two as I need to use it for a power point.

Girl, in progress, thanks for commenting. Shopping is such a chose these days. Like you, I did used to enjoy it. Maybe we can both get to that point again or at least cope better.