I have never wanted to be a guy, although I would definitely have a penis for a day, if I could. But I think if I were a man, I would also be a woman for a day, just to get the pther perspective.

My looks are average, but I have big boobs and I can be vivacious, friendly and very polite. Have I ever tried to leverage appeal to get something? Yes, of course. People use whatever they have to try to gain what they want/need in certain situations. I've tugged the V-neck lower, leaned over the bar and smiles at the bartender at a busy bar to try to get faster service...but I am also friendly, courteous, and leave a tip.

I know I've had men pull over to help me with car troubles or heavy things, because I am a short, kinda cute woman, but never have I used sexual favors to get something.

At work, as a teacher, I do not accent my attributes. I don't frump myself up, but I am very aware of perceptions from students, parents, administrators and teachers. I've never flirted at work (with co-workers, not students, obviously!) I dress fasionably, but somewhat conservatively. My first year teaching, I wore some things that I didn't think a thing of, because to me, they were cute outfits, but not especially provocative or shocking, but I underestimated teen hormones.

I learned that lesson. I see young female teachers dressed certain ways, and then I hear how students discuss them, and I cringe, knowing that certainly I was the butt of similar convos my first year. I don't try to HIDE my boobs or my hips, but I choose clothes that, while they are flattering, cover up cleavage, bra straps and make it it clear I am wearing panties.

In a social situation, I don't really think about exploiting my body or looks; I think of them as part of the whole package, being appealing, and funny and likeable and polite -- greasing the social wheels, so people will want to be helpful.

And in situations where I HAVE tried to leverage my body, it's been in places, like the aforementioned bar, where being a cute girl/handsome guys is just part of the flirtation game, and people know the call-and-response; it's social networking.

But in anything career-oriented, I only TRY to use my pleasantness and my intellect. If people work with me because they perceive me as attractive, well, all right then. Because I know damn well that that's not my main skill set. And if other people don't realize that after knowing me for longer than 5 minutes, they are damn fools, because I have never, EVER pretended to be dumb.

Huh. Where is the focus to this statement? I dunno. I think I need to eat dinner!

Other people have said things about the biology of attractive people, and sexism and disadvantages to both sexes more intelligently than I have, so I am going to go stuff my face with something.

I have always liked having boobs, always will. I think they're great! But the things I have gotten in life because of my tits/looks are neligible, so I wouldn't be fussed if everyone became look-blind tomorrow. I've been the ugliest girl in the room; I've been the cutest. Usually, I am dead average, and I'm fine with that.

Can't say I felt the same as a teenager, but then, as a teenager, I would have though Twilight was a compelling read, too.

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Of course, tales of my exploitative feminine wiles would be greatly enhanced by me being able to get a date...but there you go.

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As a quick aside to this discussion: my Dad recently told me that the "I'm cute! Bring me something shiny!" thing was in me from an early age. When I was 9 days old, my parents took me to the local pizza parlor. Showing off the cute baby = free pizza, apparently.

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I was an ugly and sullen baby. My mother might have used me to get sympathy, but that's about all I was good for. My sister, on the other hand...

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I suddenly had an image of this tiny (well, tinier) Jilli, complete with black and pink ruffles and tiny (tinier) top hat holding court in the pizza parlor.

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I suddenly had an image of this tiny (well, tinier) Jilli, complete with black and pink ruffles and tiny (tinier) top hat holding court in the pizza parlor.

Um. So, there's this photo from my First! Ever! Trip to Disneyland! I was not quite 4. In the photo, I am wearing a poofy pink dress with (what looks to be, but you know how the color in old photos is) black trim, pointing gleefully at Captain Hook's Pirate Ship.

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Hee!

D is not feeling good, so I made tomato soup and grilled cheese for dinner. So good.

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I totally don't understand the land lease thing. That would freak me out, the uncertainty of what would happen at the end of the lease (even if the likelihood was that I wouldn't be there then).

At first I was like, oh whatever, it's just another bill. But the more I think about it, the less it makes sense to pay huge amounts for a place. If you don't own the land, you own nothing. So I was thinking, what if I go for a 15 year mortgage instead, but then *I* wouldn't be able to sell the place. No clue what the terms of the land lease is. Either way, it's pissing me off. There was a cluster of places in that area that are in my low price range. And seeing them all on Redfin gave me hope that the market had dropped enough, that I could afford something. But my hope is like a balloon with the valve being released. Blargh.

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In the U.S. one common case where we do the land lease is trailers. People who live in trailers (AKA mobile homes, AKA caravans for you English speakers) own the trailer, but lease the land. And yeah get screwed for it too a lot.

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In terms of better looking people being elected President - the fact is that it's rarely Fugly McIckyface from party A running against a George Clooney lookalike from party B. It's usually two relatively attractive people running against each other. The ugly candidates get weeded out in the primaries.

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