WHAT NOT TO WEAR: SAD MOHAWK

The Jim and I were at Ingles today doing some light grocery shopping when we noticed and odd character with one of the saddest looking mohawks I’ve ever seen.  There was a huge matted front fin and then a choppy back matted fin.  It was so sad and so sorry and he was in his 20s maybe which signals the reality that the 80s are indeed back fashion wise.  The Jim called it a Fail-Hawk and I called it a Facocta-Hawk.  Sadly, I didn’t have a camera with me.  Shucks.

MY MEMORY OF NATASHA RICHARDSON

I have to admit that I was somewhat stunned by the newsflash that jumped onto my screen as I was reading about Natasha Richardson.  Sadly, the dear actress, has passed away at age 45.  I can’t even believe this, especially because of the fact that she was reportedly walking and talking and the like right after the accident with “symptoms” hitting about 1 hour post-accident.  I have a clear and personal memory of Natasha Richardson.  My best friend from J-Stoc and I started a yearly ritual when we actually both made enough money to do it…we used to go see a Broadway show each year sometime in between our birthdays (my birthday is in April, hers in May).  The second year we did this, we went to see the revival of Cabaret on Broadway featuring the stunning Alan Cumming, and the beautiful Natasha Richardson in one of my “ultimate female roles”, as Fraulein Sally Bowles. We were running late but got to the show before the curtain went up.  Standing in line (at the end of the line), awaiting to give our tickets to the usher,  I remember telling J-Stoc about who Natasha was (wife of actor, Liam Neeson).  Just as I said this to her, Liam Neeson came into the lobby behind us and stood in line right behind me.  I remember we made small talk with him about being better late than never, etc; and him being a very nice person.  He was clearly there to see and support his wife in her Broadway performances.  I remember telling J-Stoc, as we let him go in before us that – that was indeed Natasha’s husband.  It was a cool moment, and it was way before he was in Star Wars (1), when everyone knew his name.  J-Stoc and I had good seats for the performance, and I loved her honest and somewhat raw, bold yet fragile performance as one of my favorite and complicated characters.  I was glad to have seen her live and in person performing.  She was also just on Top Chef this past season.  It’s such a shame.

So, in closing the Jim and I want to extend our thoughts to the collective outpouring of emotion and support.  Our sincere sympathy to Liam, their children, Vanessa, Lynn and Joley, as well as the rest of their family.

TRYING TO KEEP CHINS UP AND HOPE-FULL

It seems you cannot avoid the situation our country is in these days.  I wake up every morning to hear that more people have lost their jobs, even a few close to me; and you start to prepare for ‘anything’.  I mean, I’m not sure, but can things get better?  I really hope so, but I don’t know anymore.  I’m saddened because a lot of the situation that we’re in is due to the greed of many at the top and the reality that trickle-down only really works if those at the top (responsible for the trickle down), are benevolent people…not capitalism cheerleaders where it’s survival of the fittest or I’ll get mine and leave you behind.  The Jim and I are working to scale down a lot of things this year and be more “frugal” indeed, although I worry because if we all do that then the situation continues to just worsen on many levels.  Yes, I do think that the big 3 car companies need help, but why can’t some of the excess be cut out at the top levels rather than those who actually build the cars?  Add to that, the continuing new influx of posturing from Russia, Iran and any other country who’s not a big fan of ours these days and it makes you feel like the kid on the playground who’s obviously dealing with their status as underdog.  If anything positive can come out of this situation, I hope that it’s people becoming more community focused…more conscious of others…more delight found in simple things like time spent with friends, doing things that are not focused on spending a lot but rebuilding connection.  In the meantime, I suppose all we can do is be vigilant, trying to keep our collective chins up, and hoping…just hoping that things will get better.