I know what you mean. I remember when I first heard my name — I mean, when I first heard it pronounced correctly. My last name is a Russian Jewish last name that was Americanized in the way it sounds. I never thought much about it, but there was always something...missing...something wrong. Then I started teaching…

When I was young, I had a speech impediment. I had therapy for it. Words like Lillian were VERY difficult for me to say. Finally, I was able to say it and I have been able to speak well since. To me, well, I associate the name "Lillian" with the total triumph of knowing that you have overcome something…

I have worked in retail. I have always found that the nicer I was, the more I sold. Easy. That anyone could think otherwise is just weird. I do remember going to some cheap store like Target once. I had gained a lot of weight and felt TERRIBLE about myself. I tried on this brown shirt and thought, "Hey, this…

Um, China the country or china the clay-ware?

It is a major factor. I went to a private boarding school that is a feeder school for the Ivy League. There were rapists on campus — high school boys. And it was KNOWN. I posted about this before — my best friend's roommate was raped and when she went to the infirmary, the nurses asked her, "Was it XYA?" And it…

I went to an extremely elite private boarding school that is a feeder school for the Ivies. There were rapists on campus (this is HIGH SCHOOL). We knew it. Anyway, my best friend's roommate was raped by another student and when she went to the infirmary on campus, the nurse asked her, "Was it XYA?" My friend's…

You pointed out the most frightening thing of all — some weirdo seeing it and stalking you. I had a very modest picture of myself up on a Jewish dating website. Very modest. I got mostly normal replies — and some weird, abusive, sick replies. One guy called me ugly (I asked if he had enjoyed a lot of success with…

Some people need to be fired and shamed for their kinks. If you are a teacher who is exploiting your students — you need to be fired and shamed. When your "kinks" are the children you are supposed to be protecting, you need to go — and everyone needs to know.

Oh, my G-d! STOP TAKING IBUPROFRN NOW! I am not kidding. One of my friends nearly died from taking as many as you are taking — internal bleeding — it was awful. Do not fuck around with that. Get oil of cloves from the health food store and use that. But Tylenol, ibuprofen, all those drugs are very dangerous. …

Mona Lisa was one of my favorite movies ever. And The Long Good Sunday. He was a BRILLIANT actor. So brilliant. And I found him very attractive, too. I know he wasn't known for that, but I did. RIP — there is no one else like him.

Excellent point.

Interesting point. I like that.

What? What is your point? Are you saying she doesn't want to face modeling competition from her daughter so she is telling her not to be a model? Ridiculous. There are already a zillion girls half her age out there RIGHT NOW that she is competing with. What are you talking about?

No, you did not. Damn it! Did you know I was going to wear the tomorrow? You did — don't deny it! You really need to stop doing that to me, TangoB!

I certainly hope she tells her daughter she is gorgeous. That girl is going to need to hear it more than most. All girls need to hear it and they should, but the daughter of a beautiful woman needs to hear it more than most.

Your question is silly and you are assuming Doutzen Kroes said things she never did. For example, you said that she wants her daughter to focus on "inner" beauty. What? She NEVER said that. You assumed that.

I cannot tell you deeply I admire you for writing this! I really do! Every word you wrote is true and insightful — it should be obvious, but sadly, it's not. I am really glad you posted what you did. Well done!

Doutzen Kroes's work pays her bills and provides the kind of life every parent dreams of being able to give their child. You shouldn't judge it. As for her career — it's NOT harmful for young women. Not at all. This societal idea that people only have worth if they have beauty is damaging. Blaming the models for…

You are an awesome person and that's easy to tell by your awesome post!

Really? I wonder what you think of Carmen Dell Orefice. She is 83. Yes, eighty-three. She has been modeling since she was 15. Here is a picture of her with Kanye. Impressed or not?