These are the thoughts and observations of me — a woman of a certain age. (Oh, my, God, I'm 65!) I'm single. I'm successful enough (independent, self supporting). I live just outside Chicago, the best city in the world. I'm an aunt and a friend. I feel that voices like mine are rather underrepresented online or in print. So here I am. If my musings resonate with you, please visit my blog again sometime.
I don't want to hear that you take up two seats because you are claustrophobic. You take up two seats because you are rude.
By taking two seats when you paid for one, you are stealing. Oh yeah, I forgot, you're "claustrophobic." So if you're lactose intolerant, you get to take two cartons of almond milk for the price of one? No, that would be stealing. Just like you're stealing when you take up two seats after paying for one.
You're just rude. Embrace it. Admit it. Then change it.
1. List 5 things you want to do before the year ends. First, see some of the big year-end movies. Second, try on my jeans and see which ones fit and throw those that don't into the Goodwill box. Third, take that box to Goodwill. Fourth, write up Christmas cards for my coworkers (I've already mailed by personal cards). Fifth, update my pedi.
2. What color are your pants? White. (I'm still in my nightie.)
3. Favorite motivational quote.
4. When was the last time you drank coffee? I can't even recall when it was, but I hated it and vowed never to do it again. And I haven't.
5. What was the last thing you ate? It was last night. I ate way too many sweets at my movie group's Christmas party. Chocolate chip cookie? Cinnamon roll? I don't remember which was last.
6. Favorite animal. Cats. Specifically my cats, Joey and Reynaldo and Connie.
7. Favorite song. It changes. Right now, it's "Christmas Holiday" by Andy Williams. If you ask me again on January 2, the answer will be different. But this time of year, I'm all Andy.
8. Last movie you watched? The Bishop's Wife. (See post below)
9. Any turn ons? Of course.
10. Any turn offs? Of course.
11. List 4 big words off of the top of your head. Train, TV, toys, tree. (Not big enough fer ya? Sorry!)
12. What are some meaningful movies? Good goobies, there are so many. Bonnie & Clyde, because it's about America's love affair with money and celebrity. Mary Poppins, because it's about charity and acceptance and love. A Hard Day's Night, because it gives us a credible version of the lads' personalities and shows them in concert at the end. The Way We Were, because it illustrates the importance of, "to thine own self be true." I could go on, but I'll spare you.
13. 2 most important people in your life right now? My incommunicado and very troubled oldest friend is top of mind. And my friend John is very dear.
14. What are 3 things you want for Christmas? I don't want things. I just want an uneventful trip to Key West, to find my friends down there happy and healthy, and to have a pleasant holiday.
15. When was the last time you read a good book? I really loved The Voice, the first volume of James Kaplan's massive study of Frank Sinatra. His life was filled with love, hubris, lust, loss -- and he poured it all into his singing. Soon I'll start on volume 2, The Chairman, which was my Christmas present to myself.
16. What was the last thing you studied? Hmmm .... I suppose that would be FDR. I was inspired by the 2014 Ken Burns PBS series and researched him more.
17. Do you have any nicknames? Yes
18. Favorite kind of perfume? (fruity, alluring, etc.) Sweet spicy. My favorite of all time is Black Pearls, but alas, it's been discontinued.
19. Do you have any international friends / friends who live out of state? Out of state? Yes. International? No.
20. What is something unique that you do every single day? Lately I've been watching old game shows, like What's My Line? I love how elegant it was! The women panelists wore gowns. The men in the audience wore ties. It was the 50s, but it feels like it's from a galaxy far, far away.
21. If there was a movie based on your life, what would it be called? Let's call it The Gal Herself.
22. When was the last time you bought a gift for someone? I ordered two vintage magazines (Photoplay from 1964 and 1969) for my oldest friend's Christmas gift.
23. Are you a shopaholic? Yes
24. What are some songs that always make you feel better? "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire. "You've Got a Friend" by James Taylor. "She Loves You," by the Lads from Liverpool.
Last night my classic movie group had a special Saturday night meetup to celebrate Christmas. And we celebrated it with Cary Grant. As an angel. There is nothing in the history of cinema as appealing as Cary Grant as an angel.
He was perfectly cast as Dudley in The Bishop's Wife. He is clever and deft and handsome and charming. He can figure skate like an Olympian and play like a concert harpist and create a bottomless sherry bottle and write a bitching sermon. All women are infatuated. All men find him simpatico. Dogs and children adore him, too.
My meetup buddy, Joanna, brought a pair of friends to the event. I found them highly intimidating as they chatted about architecture and art in a way that was completely over my head. I hope she doesn't bring them again. I know this is on me -- this feeling inferior -- but still, they harshed my holiday buzz.
Instead of sitting with Joanna, I chatted with another regular, Barbara, and a newbie, Steven (I believe). Steven is very young -- the green side of 25 -- and just moved back to the United States from Switzerland, where he spent the last decade, living with his parents. A classic movie fan, he sought us out, hoping to meet new people. I hope Barbara and I didn't freak him out. Two post-menopausal women openly lusting over a dead guy.
December 6: Your Favorite Ornament
I'm not putting a tree up this year, so it doesn't matter that my
favorite ornament won't be displayed anywhere. In fact, alas, it no
longer exists.
I created this styrofoam snowman with my own two hands at my classic film club's first-ever Christmas party back in 2013. He was top of mind because we had our 2015 gettogether last night. Instead of crafts, we had cookies and juice. I'm always touched by how much work and care our moderator puts into our meet ups.
This ornament met an unfortunate end. When I looked at him, I saw a charming snowman. My diva girlcat, Charlotte, looked at him, and saw three of her favorite targets of prey: pom-poms, pipecleaners and elastic bands. She dispatched him with brutal efficiency.
