Wow, that's so cool. . . !

What's up with 'cool'? I'm being kind of serious here. Who sets the standard for cool these days because I would love to have a little chat with them. I need someone who's cool to set me straight because I'm confused.

Cool has really changed but whatever cool is it never seems to go out of style. This has to be true because the word "cool" is still around and cool people still say it. Cool can describe a lot of things and it can go off in many different directions but it always seems to come back to describe people first. OK! I'm cool with that!

Individuality is the key to style and that's really cool these days because I don't believe you have to be perfect to be fashionable or stylish. You can be yourself. That's so cool!

Fashion really loves cool, especially when it's a little flawed and somewhat quirky but only when your imperfections stay within strict limits of cool. Crooked teeth and braces are now cool —but only when you have a gorgeous face and a cute outfit. Maybe a cool person had crooked teeth and, well . . . somehow it's now cool. Pregnant is sexy and cool now, but not with water retention. Bald is really cool, but only with incredible bone structure. I also don't think you're going to see a great head of hair shave his head anytime soon. Fat is now fabulous, but only if you’re a huge personality or very rich. Being rich is VERY cool!

What has really changed for the better is that prosthetics are cool today. Just ask model, Aimee Mullins, (pictured above) with the two artificial legs, wow! That to me is cool on every level and if you knew her story I'm sure you would agree.

Maybe it would be easier to define what isn't cool. I had a conversation one time with my niece and her boyfriend and I jokingly used the word "whack" along with a hand motion to emphasize the point even more and I was quickly laughed at and was told that "whack" is no longer cool. Really? When did that happen? Apparently about five years ago. I didn't get the memo on that from the cool people. Not cool can be very unforgiving.

I really don't know or care what cool is anymore and just like the judge who can't define pornography, I just know cool when I see it. I think!

Jim