Casino Games, Diets, and the Unrealistic Beauty Standards

Genie here. Remember me? I’m the one who made a commitment to playing online casino games to prove my ex-boyfriend (and myself) I am no quitter. I’m here to give you an update on how things are going.

First of all, I still enjoy casino games. Actually, I’m getting more and more into them each day. I started with roulette because anyone can place a chip on a number or colour, right. I tried slots and I must tell you some of those babies have a-mazing graphics, just mind-blowing. So are the jackpots! I haven’t had a major win yet but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Imagine the things you could do with a couple of millions.

Also, I’m getting much better at playing blackjack, which is definitely my game of choice at the moment. I’ve played it so many times now. I even read some articles on how to improve my game, looked at strategy charts, and tried the bet behind option at live casinos. You know, live games are pretty cool as you play against a real dealer – a person, not a computer! To sum up, one could say that I’m not only keeping up my promise but actually upgrading it. But we’ll see how it goes…

Second, I’m thinking about going on a diet. Now, don’t laugh at me. Like any woman who, after a long relationship, has become single again, I am a little self-conscious. About my looks, my dating skills, and my ability to trust another human being ever again… Did I say I was a little self-conscious? Geez, try with “a lot”! But how do I confront the problem?

My girl Amelie says a diet’s the cure. Don’t know about that but I could do perfectly well without a few rolls of fat here and there, thank you very much. I try to focus on being healthy without having to even utter the hateful four-letter word but, honestly, how can I give up my beloved Dairy Milk bars? Or the glass of chardonnay in the evening? What kind of sad life would that be? What will I do when I go down to Tesco and see the hard-to-resist 3 for 2 offer at the Cadbury stand?

Besides, if you’ve seen the Bridget Jones’s Diary film or better yet read the extremely entertaining book by Helen Fielding, you’d know that women do naturally have curves and the right man would appreciate you and love you “just as you are”. Well, that goes for everything, not just body shape, so, you see, it’s definitely not my fault, it’s men’s fault. They have unrealistic expectations.

So, what do you think? Should I go on a diet and succumb to the impossible body image ideals of patriarchal society or should I stay true to myself, disregard the objectifying double standard and warm my soul with some chocolate and wine, and cheese, and pretzels? If you were in my shoes, what would you do? Let me know.