pretending

I know is off-topic, in a way, but it's something that has been roaming my mind for a while now. And today while having lunch at central park, nurtured by my tamari soy seasoned chicken with quinoua and collard greens, I saw too many people with that label on their bodies.

Good clothes make you feel good; a good, well paid job will do to; a partner who loves you even more. But creating something you are not to make people feel you are, is not good, healthy and in my own opinion, is SAD. Let me explain this to you visually:
(like designers do... we start talking and somehow a paper and pen are in our hands to explain things better)...
Well, I was sitting by the statue at lincoln center corner of the park and among all the people having lunch around me i noticed a guy with sunglasses and an opened shirt, combed gel hair, sitting on the border of the plaza; he was looking everywhere and I guess trying to find somebody to stare at and to "enchant" with his looks... it was funny, but then I realized some people around too were not "fitting in their persons"; I don't know how to describe that, but you feel they are not comfortable with themselves, and pretend to be something else. I soon though about people I know who have some characteristics like that, friends and acquaintances; I even thought about my own behavior in different situations: was I being pretentious or was pretending something I am not depending on the situation? Moreover.... Is it bad? if not always, where is the line?

I know I am a more-than-good designer on the way to be a great designer, I am not the best, but it doesn't bother me, it challenges me. Recently I replaced my old pair of glasses (metal frame, a bit round, artist'-beaten status) with a pair of brown thick frame glasses, like intellectual and designer look I guess.. dont know. But, was I pretending, I feel more comfortable now, they fit ME. so I guess I am not pretending... right?

You can be a good, average, great, outstanding designer; that doesnt mean you cant be the better; be what you are and aim for the next step, just dont pretend what you are not; because if somebody discovers you, it hurts.. and you may not be able to recover to that client/friend/contact to the previous status.

One more thing New York taught me I guess.