"paint that other, prettier face on top of the one you already have."

Ugh, life is such a constant quest to be better looking.  It's like every corner I turn is in search of whatever new formula or whatever is going to make me magically beautiful.  It's disgusting and fueling of self-disgust and I'm fully a cog in the system.

Use this facewash and this serum or don't wash your face at all, you're just fueling oil production!  It's better to use all natural products so you don't upset your skin but make sure you wash with chemicals twice a day or you're done.  Try covering up with this but don't forget the second step and if you have the second step you can't go a minute without the third.  Graduate covergirl to sephora to mac.  Constantly find better ways to paint prettiness onto yourself.  

Straighten your hair!  Who are you all curls and curves thinking your colourful peacock self is ever going to be anywhere doing anything?  Garner no attention or at least think that you don't, forget why you even want someone to look at you but just know that you do.  Spend your time and your money on hot irons and blow-dryers, create a sadly twinned conventionality and attention.

You've got to get out of this competition, but this competition is everywhere and the world is the arena.  There isn't any escaping and you can't opt out.  You're approaching quarter-time but end-game is really the end, there's no point in looking forward to it.  I guess I'm just stuck in a rut right now, struggling to get back on top of my game.  That's the paradox, isn't it.  If you're winning, you don't even know you're playing.  I'm stuck at a tie or maybe a point down or two and I've always hated losing.