Earlier this year when visiting R&J in London I came across their copy of Free To Be ... You And Me cd. I've wanted a copy of this oh-so-very 70s album for at least a decade - ever since friends of mine have started having babies. Listening to it in R&J's flat brought me back to my childhood and all of the album's lessons about accepting differences in others and being yourself.
There are so many great songs, stories and poems. I just heard Rosey Greer (the former football player) sing a song called "It's Alright to Cry" and Alan Alda sing about a boy named William who has a dolly. William is my dad's name so as a snarky kid I often sang it to my dad, occasionally put barrettes in his comb-over, and called him Wilhelmina. Course that was fair as he called me The Fonz and a gopher . . .
But back to Free To Be, I finally ordered the book and cd for myself. And on this rainy evening I found the box in between my two front doors - yipee! I'm currently listening to it and reminiscing about the complex simplicity of my youth. Each piece brings back vivid memories, feelings and visual images of Atalanta, Young John, and the 'tender sweet young thing' that insists on ladies first, to her demise.
Just looking over the book, I noticed that Shel Silverstein, Judy Blume, Carl Reiner contributed - in addition to the voices of Carol Channing (who could forget her voice?), Harry Belafonte, Mel Brooks, Tom Smothers & Diana Ross. What a great book and cd. It may be from 1974 but is timeless. I would love to see a second volume developed!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Mind Your Manners - Communal Living 101
I tried to capture a photo of the Hahvahd dorm bathroom rules, but I'm not yet well versed with my digital camera to get anything but a fuzzy orange rectangle.
Needless to say, the rules about what is and is not acceptable in the sink, toilet & shower stall were explicit. Acceptable activities were no more than 3 per item while forbidden activities ranged from 7-15! All of this was particularly entertaining to me as I approach 35 and have never had to walk down the hall to shower - not in college and certainly not now.
The shower rules were particularly impressive. From what I recall, one cannot leave bodily fluids such as mucus or blood on the shower floor; urinate; vomit; engage in sex; smear hair on the shower walls; or many other activities that you wouldn't want to see/hear/smell if you were in the next stall. Does this need to be said? I mean this is Harvard, not summer camp for 10-16 year olds?! Couldn't a "please be mindful of others and clean up after yourself" reminder suffice, if even that? Geez.
Moving on, the list for the sink included prohibiting the hand-washing of clothing, cutting nails and many of the forbidden activities for the shower.
And for the toilet, they reminded occupants that they may need to flush multiple times!
Anyway, all of this was very amusing to me.
When telling my cousin RHB about this, she asked if this list was laminated or not (it isn't),which made me wonder if the sign really stays that pristine or if they reprint & re-post it on a regular basis.
By the way, the shower, sinks, and toilets looked pretty good. Course it was move in day, they had been vacant for awhile and perhaps a cleaning service had been in ... Who knows?!
Needless to say, the rules about what is and is not acceptable in the sink, toilet & shower stall were explicit. Acceptable activities were no more than 3 per item while forbidden activities ranged from 7-15! All of this was particularly entertaining to me as I approach 35 and have never had to walk down the hall to shower - not in college and certainly not now.
The shower rules were particularly impressive. From what I recall, one cannot leave bodily fluids such as mucus or blood on the shower floor; urinate; vomit; engage in sex; smear hair on the shower walls; or many other activities that you wouldn't want to see/hear/smell if you were in the next stall. Does this need to be said? I mean this is Harvard, not summer camp for 10-16 year olds?! Couldn't a "please be mindful of others and clean up after yourself" reminder suffice, if even that? Geez.
Moving on, the list for the sink included prohibiting the hand-washing of clothing, cutting nails and many of the forbidden activities for the shower.
And for the toilet, they reminded occupants that they may need to flush multiple times!
Anyway, all of this was very amusing to me.
When telling my cousin RHB about this, she asked if this list was laminated or not (it isn't),which made me wonder if the sign really stays that pristine or if they reprint & re-post it on a regular basis.
By the way, the shower, sinks, and toilets looked pretty good. Course it was move in day, they had been vacant for awhile and perhaps a cleaning service had been in ... Who knows?!
Road Trippin'
This past weekend I drove from STL to BOS in two days with MJ. We were on the road for 24 hours within a 48 hour span. Of course this also included stops for gas, bathroom breaks, the odd stretch & stroll, and some eating in places other than the car. Oh, and traffic in NJ, 5-6 hours in PA (luckily that state is more scenic than KS though still a bit monotonous on the 5th hour), and a semi that fell on its side and caused a rerouting of traffic on a tollway.
Other than that, it was uneventful so I'd say it went great. I even got a nice farmers tan in addition to some quality time (or captive audience) with MJ!
While in BOS, we spent time with my funky uncle & aunt who are so very easy going & kind; met up with VP and saw her new cool three-decka in Cambridge, and moved MJ into the Harvard dorm. And since it was in the 90s we had some yummy strawberry rhubarb ice cream. MJ also tested the cake batter ice cream, which tasted very much like the real thing. Dee-lish!
Luckily I flew back - no more long distance driving for awhile - though I would like to have more driving vacations, to see the great American landscape in all its dullness & splendor.
Anyway, it's back to the grind. Thank heavens tomorrow is Friday. Too bad I can't have longer weekends than workweeks. Hmmm, someday ... maybe.
Other than that, it was uneventful so I'd say it went great. I even got a nice farmers tan in addition to some quality time (or captive audience) with MJ!
While in BOS, we spent time with my funky uncle & aunt who are so very easy going & kind; met up with VP and saw her new cool three-decka in Cambridge, and moved MJ into the Harvard dorm. And since it was in the 90s we had some yummy strawberry rhubarb ice cream. MJ also tested the cake batter ice cream, which tasted very much like the real thing. Dee-lish!
Luckily I flew back - no more long distance driving for awhile - though I would like to have more driving vacations, to see the great American landscape in all its dullness & splendor.
Anyway, it's back to the grind. Thank heavens tomorrow is Friday. Too bad I can't have longer weekends than workweeks. Hmmm, someday ... maybe.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
The Whites of their Eyes
I'm channel changing, all seven broadcast stations I have. Slim pickings abound now that it's in between seasons. Normally I can count on PBS (unless Lawrence Welk is on), but right now they have a special on Blue Man Group.
I've never seen Blue Man Group perform live. Watching a tidbit of this show reinforces my lack of interest in seeing them. I had to change the channel to the local news, against my better judgment.
I do have a certain fondness for them as they remind me of one of my favorite shows, Arrested Development. Tobias, one of the misguided souls, tried to join BMG because he thought they were a men's support group. Then he decided it was worth trying out to be an understudy - to which BMG issued a restraining order. Nearly everything on that show made me laugh, and so often it was a guffaw which awoke the dog sleeping at my feet. I know I'm not doing it justice with this synopsis. You must rent them for yourself and watch them with your undivided attention to take in all of the subtleties.
But back to BMG. There is something creepy about men painted, perhaps shellacked is a better word, royal blue. The only non-blue part - from what I can tell - is the whites of their eyes. And they don't seem to blink. Are their lids painted open?
My friend's husband Joe loves Blue Man Group. Last Halloween Joe shaved his head and painted himself (well, his face and neck) blue. Again, the whites of the eyes thing. It doesn't help that Joe is a rather serious guy, a seldom blinker or teeth-showing smiler. Guess that means it was a logical costume for him. And an effective one - even his long time friends didn't recognize him at first. Maybe they were spooked too.
All of this reminds me of that saying: "Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes." Having been out of school too long and not fully appreciating my history classes back then, I had to look this one up. It's attributed to the Battle at Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War. Personally I'd rather run than wait & shoot. Not only because I'm opposed to war for war's sake, to individual gun ownership among the masses, and a bit of a pacifist - but also for the simple fact that I'm chicken. And proud of it.
I've never seen Blue Man Group perform live. Watching a tidbit of this show reinforces my lack of interest in seeing them. I had to change the channel to the local news, against my better judgment.
I do have a certain fondness for them as they remind me of one of my favorite shows, Arrested Development. Tobias, one of the misguided souls, tried to join BMG because he thought they were a men's support group. Then he decided it was worth trying out to be an understudy - to which BMG issued a restraining order. Nearly everything on that show made me laugh, and so often it was a guffaw which awoke the dog sleeping at my feet. I know I'm not doing it justice with this synopsis. You must rent them for yourself and watch them with your undivided attention to take in all of the subtleties.
But back to BMG. There is something creepy about men painted, perhaps shellacked is a better word, royal blue. The only non-blue part - from what I can tell - is the whites of their eyes. And they don't seem to blink. Are their lids painted open?
My friend's husband Joe loves Blue Man Group. Last Halloween Joe shaved his head and painted himself (well, his face and neck) blue. Again, the whites of the eyes thing. It doesn't help that Joe is a rather serious guy, a seldom blinker or teeth-showing smiler. Guess that means it was a logical costume for him. And an effective one - even his long time friends didn't recognize him at first. Maybe they were spooked too.
All of this reminds me of that saying: "Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes." Having been out of school too long and not fully appreciating my history classes back then, I had to look this one up. It's attributed to the Battle at Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War. Personally I'd rather run than wait & shoot. Not only because I'm opposed to war for war's sake, to individual gun ownership among the masses, and a bit of a pacifist - but also for the simple fact that I'm chicken. And proud of it.
"You usually don't make out with guys you know"
On the drive home tonight I caught up with my friend M. We each replayed the highlights of our weekends.
We try to, once a week, meet for lunch in addition to our phone calls. Last week's lunch included 1.5 beers each. Just what the doctor ordered! I love that she lives & works close to my job for those much needed breaks.
Tonight's conversation featured our usual juggling of at least three topics at once. The highlight was today's title - an observation, perhaps even an epiphany, about M.
M is known for her one-night-macks with acquaintances, almost strangers. They meet and part in just a few hours. They flirt, she fires off her quick witted banter over beers, and once they've had a good make out session, she's done with them.
I wish I could be as sharp with the oneliners and comebacks as she is. It's amazing!
Anyway, M is known for certain things (like peeing and talking). But one thing she is not known for is casual macking with men who know her non-bar name. I forget what her bar name is, or which fake accents she's used, and many of her other adventures with boys at bars. I only know that she never macks with someone she really likes. They're usually strangers - guys she wouldn't let have a gulp of her beer - but after a few beers, a kissing session is in order. We all have our quirky routines, this is one of M's.
What is noteworthy is that this weekend she broke from tradition and made out with a longtime family friend. Quite the exception for Miss M - who knows what it means? Could be the beginning of a serial making out with the same guy!
Maybe he'll even be inducted into the elite group of friends & family that talks with her while she's tinkling! :)
We try to, once a week, meet for lunch in addition to our phone calls. Last week's lunch included 1.5 beers each. Just what the doctor ordered! I love that she lives & works close to my job for those much needed breaks.
Tonight's conversation featured our usual juggling of at least three topics at once. The highlight was today's title - an observation, perhaps even an epiphany, about M.
M is known for her one-night-macks with acquaintances, almost strangers. They meet and part in just a few hours. They flirt, she fires off her quick witted banter over beers, and once they've had a good make out session, she's done with them.
I wish I could be as sharp with the oneliners and comebacks as she is. It's amazing!
Anyway, M is known for certain things (like peeing and talking). But one thing she is not known for is casual macking with men who know her non-bar name. I forget what her bar name is, or which fake accents she's used, and many of her other adventures with boys at bars. I only know that she never macks with someone she really likes. They're usually strangers - guys she wouldn't let have a gulp of her beer - but after a few beers, a kissing session is in order. We all have our quirky routines, this is one of M's.
What is noteworthy is that this weekend she broke from tradition and made out with a longtime family friend. Quite the exception for Miss M - who knows what it means? Could be the beginning of a serial making out with the same guy!
Maybe he'll even be inducted into the elite group of friends & family that talks with her while she's tinkling! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)