I found it incredibly fascinating to overlay his professional timeline with that of my father’s. To hear him mention people and places in So. Cal. that my dad has also mentioned in the telling of his musical career… I came away with a lot of questions for my father. Martin also did his own little musical interludes on the banjo that made for a nice transition betwixt chapters.
Both are intelligent and funny men who write exceptionally well, with the heart, humor, and deadpan honesty that make their comedy so delightful. Alda feels very worldly; which makes sense as he’s travelled the world in doing his scientific PBS Nova series. And both men firmly remain guests of mine for that age-old hypothetical dinner party invitee list.
Both narrated their own story as well, something I prefer. After all, author knows best where they want to place the emphasis and how they want the delivery of their own words to be made.
They were good to stop and start as you changed drivers or pulled over for bathroom breaks. But Alan Alda’s you couldn’t let too much time go by if you were mid-speech because it would break up the momentum and diminish the a-ha moment of his point.
Both have written other books, and I for one am going to make a point to see if our library can get those others in their audio format for future road trips. If you do read or listen to them, be sure to drop me a line to see what you think.
So, what do you do when you’re in between Netflix movie ships, you’re caught up on your tv shows, and you’re still in the mood to watch something? Surf YouTube for random Monty Python and Carole Burnette Show sketches of course. That’s how I stumbled upon this little number of a sketch. We had joked about it while we were on the plane recently and reminisced about a time when we flew where the little boy in front of us exclaimed very loudly and dramatically “We’re going down!!!!” midflight. It startled several people, us included. Eventually though, we resorted to a teary eyed fit of giggles while the mother admonished her son in a stage whisper; as if to make a show of the fact that she disapproved and was correcting the problem and silently implored that people won’t do the ol’ “Lady, you need to control your kid better” speech. Again, I was reminded of it when I tuned into Sirius’ Laugh USA station to find them doing a Monty Python Marathon through Sunday. It was a joy to listen to “The machine that goes PING!” while I drove my kid to school. It takes a lot to break my glum morning face prior to my full two cups of coffee. But, as always, those guys managed to do it.
Since we are on the topic of funny skits. Here are two commercials sent to me recently. The first one, an Italian commercial for gum/condoms made me think…well, you watch it first and then I’ll tell you:
Ew!!! All I kept thinking about was the powder coating residue on them or Hope that wasn’t lubricated with spermicide. Ack!
And then there’s this one. Sometimes I feel like if there was a hidden camera on us, we could do our own commercial to give that boy a run for his money. Ever have one of those moments?:
And this second one for Mastercard…My dad is known for his sense of humor, but I think even he’d refrain from that joke. It was funny though, the idea of it.
Driving Kosette to school this foggy morning, I got to see just how much the trees had changed in the 5 days since I was away in LA. The colors are close to full blown, some trees are dropping their load already, and the grasses are beacons of yellow, orange or red. It is stunning, especially when pitted against the grey skies. Who needs Vermont when you have Corvallis, Oregon? I pinch myself in times like these, hardly able to believe that I actually LIVE here and get to see this every year for the duration of the season. I live in a postcard. I would loathe living in LA again (save wonderful friends and family there). This climate is soooo much more my scene. My skin is much happier that’s for sure. When I’m in LA, my dry skin just shrivels up in a pucker and I have to slather the lotion on. I feel like my forehead lines have plumped out, my skin feels eased and soothed, and I don’t have to apply as much lotion thanks to the moisture. And the heat…even though we were lucky to only have weather in the upper 80s low 90s, having acclimated to Oregon weather, and us having already been experiencing the cooler fall temps before we left, it was hard to go back to summer. As my mother drove us to the Long Beach airport for our returning flight, I fought the familiar sensations of smog headache and queasiness that would always afflict me in our commutes home from school at 3:30 in the afternoon. I felt green in the face as we stopped and started and helped her fight her way over in the lanes. I sure as hell don’t miss the traffic or the ASSHOLES and BITCHES that ARE LA drivers; most of whom were ineligible for the carpool lane (although plenty still drive in it). So what I’m trying to say is, although the visit was lovely (more on that later) it sure is great to in the words of my beloved John Denver, “Be Back Home Again!”
I love you Oregon!!!! I love to be back in the natural rhythms of fall – hauling out my down comforters from storage which I had sunned and aired in late summer in preparation, and fluffing them atop the freshly changed flannel sheets. I’ve traded out my summertime smoothie making blender for my hearty soup making crockpot. I switched my summertime scented candles for ones associated with fall smells like pumpkin, vanilla, and apple. I shall make something from the last of my neighbors Japanese pear harvest like a crisp or compote perhaps with a coconut panna cotta. I’m motivated to cook, to sew (which is good because Halloween is just around the corner), to clean, and to nestle in for the winter. There is a shitload to do in the garden. Not just mine, but my neighbor’s and my friend’s whose I am helping care for while she recovers from brain surgery. I feel as busy as a chipmunk squirreling away its nuts for the winter, but it’s a good busy…the kind of busy I like. So if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go check on my plants, pick some Italian chard, throw the ball for Maude, and smell the crisp, clean air….in our town.
Lyrics to Our Town:
And you know the sun’s settin’ fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on now and kiss it goodbye,
But hold on to your lover,
‘Cause your heart’s bound to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to our town, to our town.
Can’t you see the sun’s settin’ down on our town, on our town,
Goodnight.
Up the street beside that red neon light,
That’s where I met my baby on one hot summer night.
He was the tender and I ordered a beer,
It’s been forty years and I’m still sitting here.
But you know the sun’s settin’ fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on now and kiss it goodbye,
But hold on to your lover,
‘Cause your heart’s bound to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to our town, to our town.
Can’t you see the sun’s settin’ down on our town, on our town,
Goodnight.
It’s here I had my babies and I had my first kiss.
I’ve walked down Main Street in the cold morning mist.
Over there is where I bought my first car.
It turned over once but then it never went far.
And I can see the sun’s settin’ fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on now and kiss it goodbye,
But hold on to your lover,
‘Cause your heart’s bound to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to our town, to our town.
Can’t you see the sun’s settin’ down on our town, on our town,
Goodnight.
I buried my Mama and I buried my Pa.
They sleep up the street beside that pretty brick wall.
I bring them flowers about every day,
but I just gotta cry when I think what they’d say.
If they could see how the sun’s settin’ fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on now and kiss it goodbye,
But hold on to your lover,
‘Cause your heart’s bound to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to our town, to our town.
Can’t you see the sun’s settin’ down on our town, on our town,
Goodnight.
Now I sit on the porch and watch the lightning-bugs fly.
But I can’t see too good, I got tears in my eyes.
I’m leaving tomorrow but I don’t wanna go.
I love you, my town, you’ll always live in my soul.
But I can see the sun’s settin’ fast,
And just like they say, nothing good ever lasts.
Well, go on, I gotta kiss you goodbye,
But I’ll hold to my lover,
‘Cause my heart’s ’bout to die.
Go on now and say goodbye to my town, to my town.
I can see the sun has gone down on my town, on my town,
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
I don’t feel that way about Toluca Lake, but I do feel that way about my “ancestral” home there. But each time I leave Corvallis, and return, I find that I feel more and more strongly a sense of home here…that possessive feeling of “Our Town”. Methinks I need a new bumper sticker…Perhaps, “I heart Corvallis”…
I am a bridesmaid, Kosette is a flower girl, and Kellen is a ring bearer. I’m also now co-hosting Kelli’s bachelorette party on Thursday. Be afraid, Kelli. Be very afraid. Her color theme is black and white with a little bit of red accents. For the bridesmaid’s dress she asked that we select a solid black cocktail length dress and black shoes. Simple enough right? No.
Back in late August, early September I began my quest. First I hit the usual suspects and tried for the bargain hunting first at the local TJ Maxx, Ross, and Target. Then I tried Old Navy and Kohls. Based on that dismal failure, I decided to make an entire weekend day of it and see downtown Portland at the same time. This coincided with me wanting to get out of the house after being with grouchy kids who’d been sick all week so my escape was well-timed for my sanity. I hit the area that has the large mall within walking distance, but my main destination was Nordstrom’s Rack. This seemingly “easy” assignment of black cocktail dress ended up requiring a marathon expedition of shopping. It would be laughable in Los Angeles to have a difficulty finding one in a stone’s throw from any direction. I guess it was just the weird timing in the seasons’ fasions shipments. Plus they’re doing all these jewel toned emphasis this year. Black and white pattern or dual/bicolor stuff is in too but the whites varied from stark white to an almost eggshell and Kelli didn’t want a blend.
It turned into not even a question of pickiness or not being able to find my size, and merely a question of finding something within that most simplest of parameters. I found Calvin Kleins but they were made out of jersey and knits and simply weren’t formal enough; nice for a day in the office that you could add some accessories to hit a bar or dinner but not enough. I did find one that was strapless but given my topheavy status, that style does NOT work on me. The bridesmaid dresses for Kalani’s wedding was that way and I had to pin the wrap over my top to disguise the dress and bra falling down. And I had to walk very carefully and never lift an arm. 10am0-8pm I shopped. Normally, fun and something I haven’t done in FOREVER. But I became increasingly frustrated.
I left the Rack and quit trying to bargain hunt and simply began trying to find something, even if I had to pay full pricey prices. Herma wound up joining me midday and it was so helpful to have another hand. I’d forgotten how much faster it can go when someone else is fetching you other sizes, someone else’s eyes are scanning and thumbing through racks, someone else is helping you hang things up as you go, and someone else with your interests at heart can give you their honest opinions. I hit another Ross, Macy’s, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Saks, J. Jill, J.Crew, Cache, and a lot of others. Although my first time to the area, Herma had been there tons and she was shocked to see how many store fronts were closed down and boarded up. The mall did seem remarkably empty. Here’s what we found. It was the bridal gown a-ha moment of “you’ll know the dress when you see it” and have the “that’s the one” moment. At Ann Taylor on the sale rack no less, we found a sleeveless dress that has a black satin bottom and a little below empire waist top made out of a thick knit. It’s main attraction is a ruffly round neckline of the same knit material. It also has a long black satin ribbon sash. But there was only one and it was in size 4 and I’m size 8 or 10 thanks to my bust. So we had to order it off of one of their sales racks in another store and pay extra for shipping. But mission accomplished. I was relieved.
Ann Taylor Ruffle Ponte Black Dress
But the best thing about this dress is that there’s somewhat of a retro look to it; sorta Kennedy era/Madmen timeish. You may remember an earlier post in which I wrote about the vintage patterns I’d like to have made into my bridesmaid dress. I feel like I satisfied that yearning as best I could given the circumstances. I knew I wanted to keep to that retro vibe for the rest of my ensemble from shoes and accessories to hair and makeup. I would like to know where the good thrift stores and vintage stores are for future reference.
After we found “the one” I took Herma back to The Rack to show her my “finds”. There, I bought a Greccan inspired vneck floor length (on me that’s practically impossible to find) silk dress for the bachelorette party (or Rehearsal Dinner), and two pairs of shoes for the bridesmaids dress. One pair is fancy for the wedding ceremony and pics. They are peep toes and made of black satin and I think a 3″ heel. It’s neat because they match the bottom fabric type and sheen of my dress.
The other pair are flats with a black leather ruffle around the top perimeter (which matches my neckline) and it has a flexible scrunchy sole for comfort and for when we get down to the serious dancing. The reception is at a neighbor’s on their tennis court and heel scuffs on his newly resurfaced court was a concern to him.
Given the high neckline, I knew as far as accessories were concerned I would need earrings, watch and/or bracelet, a big ring for my right index finger, and something for my hair maybe. And, in wanting to highlight its starring feature of the high round embellished neckline, I know that I want to have my hair styled in an updo. (Normally, I like my hair down or partly up for formal occassions.) This meant dangly earrings, preferably chandelier. I found those at Kohls, and on sale too. Score. It’s that cool 1929 brand. And the red crystals coordinate with Kelli’s color scheme.
I found a cool big silver rose ring at TJ Maxx but thought about it for a couple weeks first. When I went back they were cleared out of those and a lot of their other big rings that would be cool. Oh well. But I wish I could stop thinking about it. I feel like I missed out on a very ME item that I would have worn a lot.
I need a new watch. I have a pretty cool Anne Klein one but the strap is so shot and I don’t think this is one that I can just replace the straps to because of the silver connector things. Guess I’ll go without one or stuff it in my bra. I hate being watchless though. I’m one of those clock hounds who eyeballs constantly, especially for important events where the timeline is strictly scheduled.
I didn’t find a good bracelet. I don’t know why, but somehow I have very few bracelets, especially fancy ones. I have one thin gold metal that’s it. So I bought a length of thin black satin ribbon to just tie in a bow around my right wrist like when they used to have dance cards. Something like this would’ve been nice though:
Just the bottom one.
As for hair, I looked an looked online through modern vintage-inspired dos and classical vintage updos. Whatever I do, I know it needs to work with my hair’s natural tendency to curl, especially if I sweat in the slightest. Here’s what I think I’m going to do a low back ponytail with a bouffant and a side sweep of bangs with a black satin ribbon bow tied around the ponytail.
I dyed my hair a few days ago, making my own blend from two colors bought at Sally’s beauty supply (Clairol Professional line Demi Permanent, 1N Neutral Black with a 3R Medium Red Brown). I have been getting a ton of gray and I figured I’d actually bother to cover it for something as special and highly photographed as a wedding. I have to use a demi-permanent no ammonia formula because my scalp is super-sensitive to the dyes. It makes me itch like crazy. So I wouldn’t expect me to be one of those never go grey until your 80 ladies. I was going for a more rich version of my natural auburn color. Actually, if I had gone into a salon I would’ve brought these pictures in with me of Megan Mulally (Will and Grace and Broadway fame) as she has her coloured for her tv sitcom role in In The Motherhood.
But alas, that’s not quite how it came from. The distracted sale’s woman advised a ratio that I think she meant the reverse of. So mine is more dark black than I’d hoped. However, I dyed it in advance so that it would have time to rinse and mellow out a bit and maybe the red tones will reveal more but I don’t think so. I’m considering dying it again (a luxury of the demi-perm. that you can dye so soon after) with more of the red. Don’t get me wrong, what I have looks good, and I’ve already received a lot of compliments but it just wasn’t exactly what I was going for. It’s more of the dark Dita von Teese color which was, ultimately what I wanted to do, but don’t knew I’d get an earful from my mom who doesn’t like that pale skin dark hair retro look. I love it though. I feel like it’s even better for the style I’m going after.
Speaking of Dita von Teese…If you don’t know who she is, you should. She’s the type of sexy, ultra-fem, sirens that could make one switch teams if you catch my drift. I’ll probably do another post on her down the road but the quick facts are that she’s famous the world over for her classic burlesque shows, the Fredericks of Hollywood spokeswoman for a line of lingerie, and used to be married to Marilyn Manson. But she is GORGEOUS and is never sighted looking less than a million bucks. Her look is always retro all the way down to her unmentionables apparently. I just love her 50s styles. Anyhow, that’s the makeup look I’m going for – the cateye liner, false eyelashes, pale face, rosy apple cheeks, red lips and nails…
My god she’s a looker. Anyhow, I think the dress is more 60s than 50s but I really love that 50s look.
And here’s a great tutorial video I found for applying falsies. Thought I’d throw it up if anyone else needs the advice. Halloween is just around the corner after all.
Oh, and I almost forgot the purse! I don’t have a black purse. I’ve been looking for a long while but no luck. And it’s not THAT essential an item for this. I mean, it’s not in the photos. But, it would be nice. Well, Kham’s grandma paseds away in early August and her offspring have been finding appropriate homes for Lena’s items. One such item that Janet just happened to offer me recently was one of her old clutches. It’s awesome! A large rectange of real black patten leather with thick white stitching on the perimeters. It’s a little on the Mod side but it works. Thanks Lena.
The dress arrived with the sash missing and the invisible zipper broken. It is very expensive (like $70) to fix a broken invisible zipper in a fully lined dress. Thanks to us living in a small town and all the people here in Corvallis being super nice and helpful, the lady fixed it for me quickly and only asked $5 for her labors. So you locals, go support The Rain Shed fabric store. They are very sweet and talented women there. They’ll have my continued business that’s for sure. There are no more of these dresses in my size to exchange for so I paid to fix it and I’m going to wear it without the sash. That might be best for my body type anyway as I think the sash may draw more attention to where the break is and show that I’m more top heavy and disproportionate. I still need to whipstitch around the zipper repair. I’ll have to go online to learn because I don’t know how to do that. I’m pretty sure, but I’m not certain.
For last measure, here’s a pic I found online of the dress for the bachelorette party. It feels divine against the skin – I feel naked when I wear it. It is really nice silk. They say Taurus’ really care about the texture of things to touch and I’ve found that to be very true for me, especially in my garb and bed linens. I also loathe writing with chalk and matte/satin paint on walls. Guess I was a raccoon or raven in a previous life because I’m attracted to the shiny things like high gloss paint and sparkly jewels. Please note that I did not pay the full cost for this as it was priced at over $270 but this was absolutely not even near what I paid for it because I got it at The Rack.
So true, so true. Good question. This is a lyric from a song “Who Were the Witches?” by ? on a children’s album I have and it gets stuck in your head like “It’s A Small World”. Good thing I like it. (I’ll have to look it iup and try to put a link to it on itunes for you to download). The youtube ones are not the right version. The lyrics are awesome!! Fantastic messages to girls and very self-affirming to me. Such as positive portrayal of women’s role in history – pointing out the loss of respect due to ignorance and such for women who helped others, especially other women. I like thinking that my love for herbs and gardening and fascination with doulas and midwifery comes from an ancient celtic ancestor of mine, a druid, a witch of sorts….strong and knowledgeable in the healing benefits of plant tinctures and poultices. This song is a true treasure that I’m proud to share with you. I want to write so much more about this, really do it justice but I’ve got stuff I must attend to.
WITCHES
Chorus:Who are the witches, where did they come from
Maybe your great, great grandmother was one
Witches were wise, wise women they say
And there’s a little witch in every woman today
There’s a little witch in every woman today
Witches knew all about flowers and trees
How to use all the bark and the roots and the leaves
When people grew weary from hard working days
Witches made them feel better in so many ways
Chorus
Women had babies and witches were there
To help and to feed them and give them some care
And witches knew stories of how life began
Don’t you wish you could be one?
Well maybe you can
Chorus
Some people thought that the witches were bad
Some people were scared of the power they had
The power to heal and to give and to cure
It’s not something to fear it’s a treasure to share
In the words of Austin Powers, “Do I make you randy baby?” This song, “Old Devil Moon” from Finian’s Rainbow really does it for me. I mean, not that way…well, yeah that way, but I mean, it makes me want to slow dance with my man. It makes me want to slow swing with his hand on my hip, rock back and forth to the rhythm of the song, stare deeply into his eyes, tipsy with love, rosy with wine, playing with the hair at the nape of his neck… This is just one of those songs. It’s a nuzzling song…a song I have to stop doing the dishes, gloves still on, and get Kham up from the table, to slow dance in the kitchen. And it has some great lyrics. I absolutely adore the razzle dazzle line in the lyrics below – and the melody of that phrase makes me smile and gives me the chills. Can anybody say JAZZ HANDS.? What songs make you simply HAVE TO slow dance to? It’s so 60s I flippin’ love it. If you think you recognize the woman or her voice, you probably do. It’s Petula Clark of the “Downtown” song fame. And for those who’ve known me and my family forever, the dude reminds me of Dan or Adam Boyd looks wise. His voice sooo doesn’t match his looks. It’s a little weird. Oh well, still love it. Better to listen to than watch me thinks. I can’t wait for Kham to get home so we can practice dancing for my sister’s wedding next week. I have always loved the word “bewitching” and I love the Irish exclamation of “Glory Be!”
Old Devil Moon
I look at you and suddenly,
Something in your eyes I see;
Soon begins bewitching me.
Its that old devil moon;
That you stole from the skies.
Its that old devil moon in your eyes.
You and you glance;
Make this romance;
Too hot to handle. Stars in the night;
Blazing their light;
Cant hold a candle;
To your razzle-dazzle.
Youve got me flyin high and wide;
On a magic carpet ride;
Full of butterflies inside.
Wanna cry, wanna croon,
Wanna laugh like a loon.
Its that old devil moon in your eyes.
Just when I think, im;
Free as a dove.
Old devil moon,
Deep in your eyes,
Blinds me with love.
Good question. This is a lyric from a song “Who Were the Witches?” by ? on a children’s album I have and it gets stuck in your head like “It’s A Small World”. Good thing I like it. (I’ll have to look it iup and try to put a link to it on itunes for you to download). The youtube ones are not the right version. The lyrics are awesome!! Fantastic messages to girls and very self-affirming to me. Such as positive portrayal of women’s role in history – pointing out the loss of respect due to ignorance and such for women who helped others, especially other women. I like thinking that my love for herbs and gardening and fascination with doulas and midwifery comes from an ancient celtic ancestor of mine, a druid, a witch of sorts….strong and knowledgeable in the healing benefits of plant tinctures and poultices. This song is a true treasure that I’m proud to share with you. I want to write so much more about this, really do it justice but I’ve got stuff I must attend to.
