Posts by Lawrence Garcia3

I was scrolling through my feeds the other day, and I realized that I can barely keep up with what people are supposed to be wearing anymore. It feels like every three weeks, there is a brand-new "aesthetic" dropped into our laps. One week everyone is dressing like they live in a sun-drenched villa in the Mediterranean, the next it’s like we’re all supposed to be forest nymphs, and then suddenly we’re all pivoting to some hyper-specific, almost mythological vibe that feels more like a costume than actual clothing.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good seasonal shift. There is something genuinely fun about pulling out the linens in July or the heavy knits in November. It’s a ritual. But lately, it feels like these trends aren't just about a change in weather; they are these highly curated, hyper-specific "cores" that demand a total overhaul of your wardrobe if you want to stay relevant. It’s like we’ve moved away from "style" and moved toward "identities" that we have to perform.

I find myself looking at these sudden surges in popularity—where suddenly everyone is obsessed with shells, shimmer, or a specific kind of "energy"—and I can't help but feel a bit of fatigue. It feels less like an organic expression of culture and more like a feedback loop. You see a few influencers adopt a certain look, the algorithms pick it up, and within forty-eight hours, every fast-fashion retailer is churning out cheap, disposable versions of that exact look. Then, as soon as the "core" becomes too ubiquitous, it’s discarded for the next one.

I remember back in my early twenties, I had a specific look. It wasn't a "core." It was just... me. I had a few go-to pieces that I loved, things that felt comfortable and reflected my personality. I didn't need a new vocabulary of aesthetics to justify buying a pair of sunglasses or a sundress. Now, it feels like if you aren't leaning into the "vibe" of the month, you're somehow out of step with the world. It creates this weird pressure to constantly consume. You aren't just buying a shirt; you're buying an entry ticket into a specific subculture for the summer.

There’s also the problem of the "costume" aspect. When a trend gets too specific—like when people start dressing in ways that feel more like they’re heading to a themed party than a grocery store—it loses that sense of effortless cool. To me, true style has always been about that subtle, lived-in feeling. It’s about the items you’ve owned for five years that still look better than anything you just bought. When we chase these hyper-niche aesthetics, we’re essentially trading longevity for a momentary flash of "being on trend."

I worry that we're losing the ability to develop a personal sense of taste. If our preferences are constantly being dictated by what is currently "trending" on social media, are we actually making choices, or are we just reacting to an algorithm? It feels like we're being trained to view fashion as a series of fleeting personas rather than a way to express a consistent self.

I'm curious to hear what you all think. Do you find joy in these rapid-fire aesthetic shifts, or do you feel the same exhaustion I do? Is it possible to participate in these trends without feeling like you're just wearing a costume, or is the whole concept of "core" trends fundamentally at odds with having a real personal style?

Brilliant

Does anyone know a dermatologist in NYC who actually knows what they're doing with lasers for facial redness?

slyviper6 said:That song with Katy that you supposedly love... it’s just a drag, and honestly, the track itself is even more boring.

I guess you only actually listened to the song because of Katy. Real fan behavior there, I suppose.🙂

That’s just how Mayer’s stuff goes, I guess. His music is always more about the instruments than heavy studio production, which is why everything he does feels so laid back and mellow. If anything, Katy probably just leaned into his specific style since she was only there as a guest.

The song is great and the production is solid, though I honestly don't see them making it big. Looking at the band photo, one of the members is that guy who used to be in Voodoo Lizards—the group that everyone kept hyping up, claiming Americans had discovered them and they were headed for global stardom before they just completely fell apart. If this band actually lasts and keeps putting out tracks like this, I guess I'll be happy about it, 🙂 but I really don't know how likely that is, considering their only shot at success is right here in the States, and even then, they aren't even singing in an American style.

His latest album is actually pretty solid

here’s the link if you want to give it a listen

I don't agree with that at all.

I guess you might be getting caught up in this vibe where we’re out here celebrating while Americans are mourning the verdict. But honestly, we spent twenty years constantly talking about being victims of aggression; places like El Paso and that small town, USA, are still being mourned today, and veterans still play a massive role in our political life (not to mention we actually have a Department of Veterans Affairs).

Maybe you're feeling this way because we're being bombarded with news from our neighbors lately, so it feels like we're just celebrating while they're busy talking about their people being expelled or killed. But every year, the media and newspapers mark the anniversary of the attacks on the USA, and pretty much every major wartime date gets brought up too—commemorations for the killing of civilians and things like that. Even in elementary school history books, they talk about stuff like the Siege of Ottawa or Josip Jović and others.

Do you need a prescription for Fact ointment and those earwax removal drops, or can I just grab them off the shelf at a CVS?

I know I have some topical stuff on hand—even some external creams—and there isn't any pain or bleeding right now. Well, once before there was this massive bleeding incident that stung so bad I couldn't even finish using the restroom properly, let alone wipe 😂, but since then, nothing has happened. So, I guess I'm just wondering if those things for treating inflammation can be bought over the counter, or if everything has to go through a doctor via a prescription.

So, I’ve got an operation scheduled at Mayo Clinic (which includes a free cosmetic touch-up, septoplasty, etc.). I was just wondering, if you guys had similar surgeries, did you give the doctor anything? Like, maybe as a thank-you gift or something?

Look, you definitely don't have to, but if you feel like it, you could bring something—maybe some local bourbon, a decent bottle of wine, that kind of thing. You could bring it during the check-up, or wait until you're discharged and head back for a follow-up. But again, only if you actually want to.

Is it possible to fix it so the nose doesn't sort of sag when I smile?

I mean, it's possible, but I guess you shouldn't overdo it. It's probably never a great idea to cut muscle unnecessarily, so if they can achieve that look without touching the muscle, they should try that instead. Plus, when they fix a hump, the tip usually lifts a bit anyway, which makes the nose look less droopy (not quite as much as if they actually cut the muscle, though). But honestly, it's up to how you want it to look.

I've got this lump—not just a little bump, but a real lump—on the left side of my nose, stretching up toward my eye. You can't really see it like this, but I can definitely feel it when I touch it.

Mine ended up clearing up after a few months, I guess.

I'm looking for a decent dermatologist somewhere in the Washington, D.C. area😁 maybe one that isn't part of some overpriced private practice, though if I have to go private, I'd prefer something that won't break the bank

I mean, what can you do? They’re about as direct as it gets, though I guess they probably just rub those high-brow culture snobs the wrong way—you know, the ones who haven't been relevant lately.
The music scene here is honestly a disaster. The awards just go to the same handful of people every single year (Toni, Massimo, Gibonni, Oliver, Nina, Vanna, and occasionally Ivana Kindl, Žak, Parni Valjak, or Elemental), so I suppose the whole reaction when Rozga won Song of the Year pretty much explains the entire situation.

They seriously need some changes at the top of the Recording Academy, and maybe actually bring out the performers to the ceremony, because it seems like things just get worse every year.

When I first scheduled everything, I was acting all fearless and brave and stuff, but then I woke up that morning and headed to the hospital and just hit this wall of pure panic and anxiety. I got to the unit and sat in that chair looking like some junkie going through withdrawals, honestly. I can't even describe that feeling. It wasn't exactly fear, more like this sudden surge of panic just deep inside me. Then came the surgery—getting the shot in the butt, the ride to the OR, and being in there felt like being on a roller coaster 😁 great 😉. I woke up, opened my mouth, and felt a little scratchiness in my throat from the intubation, but nothing major. They didn't use tampons, and my balance was pretty shaky for the first few hours, so I had to walk with someone helping me. The staff was friendly enough. In the evening, the nurse asked if I needed anything for sleep or pain and I said no—which was a huge mistake. I couldn't sleep at all because of the TV in the next room and the lights in the hallway, plus whatever they gave me during the procedure. So, for anyone heading into a hospital, if they offer you something to help you sleep, just take the pill; you'll drift right off
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Once I got home, I started getting these dark circles under my eyes, looking like a raccoon or a panda, with swelling all around my eyes, but that only lasted about ten days.

It’s been four months now, and I haven't had any pain during the surgery itself or while recovering. I’d do it again.

Anyway, the surgery was at Mount Sinai, and the surgeon was Dr. Alexander Milenovic—he was funny, approachable, and pretty young, maybe around 40
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Let me tell you something about deviated septums.

Most people on this planet have a deviation, but it only actually causes issues for a handful of folks. It only becomes an issue for breathing if your nose is shaped weirdly—like it’s unnaturally tilted or has been bumped around a few times.

When I went in for surgery, I was actually praying I'd have a deviation because I was going through Medicare, and sure enough, I ended up having one. But even then, I had some trouble breathing through my nose—not that I couldn't breathe, but you just feel like you could pull in way more air if you could.

During my exam, the doctor told me I have hyperactive mucous membranes. He said that feeling of not being able to get enough air comes from the lining reacting too aggressively. That can be caused by allergies (though I never bothered with those tests) or maybe from using too many nasal sprays in the past, which messes with the lining. So, according to him, it wasn't the deviation itself causing that sensation.

The doctor went ahead and fixed my nose and straightened the septum, but like he mentioned, it didn't really help much. I still have that feeling where I want to inhale through my nose like a dragon, but I just can't. It's not like I'm mouth-breathing, but when I'm doing sports or being active, I tire out faster because of the breathing.

So, my advice is this: if you're planning on seeing a private specialist, you should probably book an appointment with an ENT first to get a real diagnosis. They can figure out if you actually have a deviation and if it's even the reason you're struggling, or if it's something else entirely. If you go straight to a private clinic, they might just tell you that you have a deviation and offer to fix it for an extra fee $667, only for you to find out in the end that your breathing hasn't improved, or the change is so tiny you won't even notice.

I'd strongly suggest going to a hospital ENT first. Tell them you aren't breathing right, and they'll check you out and maybe prescribe something (like they did for my mucous membranes). It's honestly not worth the money to mess with a deviated septum if it isn't the actual source of your breathing problems.

When I took my mold off, my nose was so flat that nobody had anything like it; it looked way too straight to be natural 😂 but that only lasted about two days because the mold basically "constricts" the nose.
After seven days, I actually thought my nose was growing, but I figured it's just because when you first take the mold off, it looks totally unnatural since the mold was holding everything in place to let the bones heal in peace. Once you remove it, the nose starts to "swell" back into its natural state, and the tip stays feeling stiff for about a month—you'll honestly think your nose is going to fall off if you try to do any contouring ☕. But that’s probably happening because your surgeon likely lifted the tip slightly; when they fix a hump, the nose ends up looking much longer, so they lift it a bit to compensate (unless you're someone like Blanka Vlašić or one of those other Glumicic patients who specifically ask for it or have the doctor overdo it). It lifts it just enough so your nose doesn't look like it's touching your 🙄

And once they lift the nose, they adjust it by moving some tissue around and securing it with sutures so everything heals cleanly. That's probably why you might have little suture ends that shouldn't really be visible even though they're practically inside the nose at the tip—you might feel them with your finger.

As for the change in looks, the nose is the centerpiece of the face, so everything else depends on it. Maybe your old nose helped emphasize your eyes or cheekbones, whereas this smaller one doesn't do that, but it gives you a more feminine face.

Anyway, even two months after surgery, my nose still hurts if I mess with it (thank God for Mitisers 😠), but it's not stiff anymore. It's as flexible as it was before the operation, it's just that specific "pain" when I press on it.