Anything goes these days, but if you comment on it, you’re the bad guy. It seems to me that outrageous behavior has become acceptable. If you say it’s gauche or in bad taste people look at you like your crazy. It seems to me that good manners is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
I don’t even want to imagine what it’s like in the schools these days. I’m wondering if they’re giving the teachers detentions instead of the students. From my past experience, I know a shift in power was taking place about 10 years ago.
Everyone is casual and comfortable
Go to the theater any day of the week. It doesn’t matter how much people pay for tickets, they are never dressed up at all. They are dressed up for the ballet the same way as they are for a comedian.
Some people do look nicer than others, but it doesn’t seem like they took a lot of time to get ready. There still are some cute, fancy heels that go along with the jeans. Dresses for women seem to be out of style. Maybe that’s just goes with equality, but I do miss them.
I guess they are all “comfortable”, but I do miss the days when people looked really special for special events.
Maybe in a couple of decades we’ll all run around naked, and get rid of clothes altogether. It will be easier on the bank account. We will all be more comfortable, except in the winter! Maybe then we’ll wear a big easy blanket that we put over our heads.
Spoken language is on the decline
Language sure has changed too. Just watch a movie from the 20’s, 30’s or even 40’s, 50’s, or even early 60’s. If this was reflective of society, people spoke in a more courteous way. I do know language has definitely been on the decline in the last few decades. When you’re hearing it in all the media, of course, you’re not going to speak in a thoughtful way.
I’m not saying that life was good for minorities or people who were different in the good old days. I’m glad people are more accepting of differences.
I think one of the casualties of all this acceptance and tolerance is good taste. Just look at afternoon TV. Dr. Phil features the most immoral weird people, and how about the shows that center on finding “the real fathers” of children.
If you express your opinion about much of anything that is against the present norms, you’re looked at like you’re intolerant.
It seems like things have totally gotten backwards. Isn’t there a good balance somewhere?
I’ve been attending the Columbus Jewish Film Festival for the past few weeks. I’ve really enjoyed all the films. I think independent movies are the best movies being made today.
Today I saw a short little film that really spoke to me. It is called “Esther and Me.” It was directed by Lisa Geduldig. She made a little film about a very charismatic woman that she met in a Jewish nursing home in New York.
Geduldig meets Esther, a resident of the nursing home, when she runs an activity at the nursing home. . She strikes up a friendship with Esther, who is in her late 80’s. She used to be a gorgeous fashion model, and then had a career as a stand-up comic. The pictures of her in her youth are particularly striking. Even in her old age, Esther still looks pretty good.
Her marriage, if she had one, is entirely left out of the film. There is a mention of her daughter, but we don’t meet her. We do know that she has grandchildren because they make an appearance.
Why I liked this film
Although Esther has been sick, and has a shaky hand, she is still vital. She cares enough about herself to still put on makeup everyday. She still makes jokes, and is the life of the party. She enjoys going to the theater and staying up until 11:00 talking to Geduldig.
It reminds us that just because you’re getting old, you’re still a human being who wants and needs recognition, and has something to contribute. Esther seems like she’d be fun to be around. She still has style, and likes to go out. She hasn’t given up on life, and is a fighter, not a complainer!
The most exciting part of the film was when Geduldig gives Esther a chance to do her stand-up act in front of a crowd, and she gets a standing ovation.
Esther gives me some hope
The one message I got out of the movie is you’re not out of the picture until you take yourself out. Although I’m not close to being 89, I am getting close to 65. It is a little daunting. I always do have the security of knowing I’m not alone. (The Baby-Boomers are quite a presence.)
It also served as a reminder to really talk to the people you admire while they’re still on this earth. Better yet, use your expensive gadgets to document them
Are there older people in your life who inspire you?
After reading a post by another blogger (motherhoodisanart.wordpress.com) about
games she’s thought up while brushing her child’s hair it got me thinking about my past life as a mom.
Where was her post when I needed it? I should have thought of games to play. When my kids would see me with styling implements they would run as fast as they could! I was not good with hair.
Luckily, my oldest daughter took over this responsibility at an early age, 8 or 9. She did it because her brother and sister needed her. She’s a good person.
My hair
I’ve always had easy hair. It’s the wash and wear type. I never worried about it. It was easy. (Maybe there is a God?) Now it’s getting tricky. Namely, because the color follicle things died, and now it’s just white. So, I have to pay a fortune to cover it up. I don’t really think I’m fooling anyone, but myself, but I don’t have the nerve to let it go yet.( Maybe I’ll get more sympathy from others if they realize how old I really am.)
I first realized I had no talent with hair when I attempted to cut my bangs in the 8th grade. . I couldn’t get them straight. By the time I gave up, I was already down to the scalp. I actually had to wear part of the back of my hair in the front. (Exactly like those bald guys who won’t admit their bald.) Luckily my hair grows fast, so I only had to do this for sixth months.
Daughter #1’s hair
As a young mother, I received three very different heads of hair to work with. My oldest daughter had straight blonde hair which was easy, but i didn’t want to mess around with it. I took her to Lazarus, the defunct department store Columbus, Ohio, and had the nice lady beautician cut it. She put her on a plastic pony and cut away. To this day, she is still mad at me about it. This painful memory comes back to her when she looks at old pictures.
I attempted to French braid her hair when she was around 10. She got so tired of my feeble attempts, she learned to do it herself. She became so skillful that she braided her friends’ hair for special events. She really could’ve opened up a paying business.
Daughter #2
Her sister had completely different hair. She had blonde curls. Everyone would stop me and comment on it. She looked exactly like Shirley Temple. After her first haircut, it came in a little differently. It was still gorgeous but complicated. It wasn’t in my realm of expertise. She’d run away when she saw me coming toward her with the hairbrush.
Daughter #2 tried out her own hair cutting skills by doing a smart thing. Instead of experimenting on herself, she cut her brother’s hair. It wasn’t so great, but what can you expect from a 5- year old. If he was unhappy, he kept it to himself.
Son
My son was a cross between the two, but his hair was dark brown and a little curly. It was no problem because it was short. He preferred to wear a hat most of the time anyway. It used to make me laugh when I took him to get it cut. He was very particular about what he wanted it to look like.
My conclusions
Don’t take your hair stylists for granted! It takes talent to style and cut hair! If you’re lucky one of your kids will take over the job!
P.S, motherhoodisanart.wordpress.com, please link your article to mine!
Smithsonian American History Museum (Photo credit: ttarasiuk)
Kermit (Photo credit: Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer)
President Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama dancing at the “Obama Home States Inaugural Gala.” The event took place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Vietnam War is the one I remember best.
The discolored top hat Abraham Lincoln was wearing when he was asassinated.
A early first lady’s dress
Republican’s sure do like red!
Mamie Eisenhower’s little red shoes
Michelle’s Inaugural accessories. Your never fully dressed without them!
Love Michelle Obama’s shoes!
Laura Bush’s Inaugural dress.
Barbara Bush’s Inaugural dress. She must be broad shouldered.
Nancy Reagan’s Inaugural dress. Very pretty!
Michelle Obama’s great Inaugural dress
The Walt Disney Movie “Dumbo” is brought to a nice size in the American History museum.
I remember the “Good Humor Man” coming to my neighborhood!
Remember when Bill Clinton played the sax on the Arsenio Hall Show?
The first lady has terrific style!
Last week, I went to the Smithsonian American History Museum in Washington, DC. Every time I go there, I like to see The Star Spangled Banner display. It’s the actual flag that flew over Fort McHenry. They changed it around because the flag is starting to get really tattered. You can’t even take flash pictures of it anymore.
Being a child of the 50’s I like to be reminded of all the popular culture stuff from my childhood. Everyone does like Kermit! And Dorothy’s red shoes. Gene Autry and Dale Evans? Mouseketeers? Did you have a pair of those ears?
Being an old girly-girl, I enjoy the display of the First Lady’s dresses. I wasn’t the only female looking at them. While many men looked at all the War stuff, the ladies were looking at the dresses. I had to wait in line. Michelle Obama’s gown was my favorite! Whether you like her or not, she has got style! (i do like her.)
I did look at some of the war stuff too, although I like to honor veterans, I always feel it so unfortunate that innocent people have to die. Like we used to say, “put all the politicians and leaders into battle, and see how long it lasts.”
Here are some of my favorite pictures from my visit today!
What are your favorite things from the olden days.
If you’re a fan of “Project Runway,” you’re probably loving Project Runway All Stars.
In case you’re not familiar with Project Runway, it’s the television show where people are forced to create fashion with limited budgets and time. Sometimes they are required to create fashions out of odd materials.
There are a panel of judges who decide which contestant goes home. It gets down to three contestants who make fashion collections. The one deemed the best by the judges wins the competition.
The producers of Project Runway All Stars started out by featuring 13 of their most talented designers from Project Runway, and pitting them against each other.
As of March 15, the remaining contestants were: Mondo, Michael, and Austin. All of them are talented and it’s fascinating to watch them create clothes under pressure. If they win, they will claim a pile of money plus some other goodies.
In the last challenge they only had four days to create 5 looks. At the last-minute a 6th look was added. Fortunately, they received help from some contestants that were already eliminated. They were forced to use fabric from past creations.
My favorite designer is Mondo. He has an uncanny ability to match up prints and think of great ideas. During the last show, he used a therapy theme because he was feeling depressed over the challenge. I loved the design featuring the Rorschach test . He has a quirky style and an endearing personality.
Austin makes glamorous clothes that would be fun to wear. He seems like a kind guy, but at the same time he plays the diva. He also takes over and leads when necessary.
The last competitor is Michael. He makes chic clothes, but unfortunately, he doesn’t leave room for a bra. (This omission is upsetting the judges.) Michael’s smile lights up the TV screen and he plays the peacemaker when people get upset.
Why I like this show
I admire people who can think outside the box, and demonstrate their creativity. I enjoy watching them create, and the end product is usually fabulous. The show also mirrors life. We may not all be creative, but we’ve all had to overcome obstacles.
Why this show makes me squirm
The judges can be cruel when they critique people and send them home. Who hasn’t been hurt by being rejected at one time or another? Unfortunately, that’s part of life too.
Who do you want to win? Why do you think reality shows are so popular? Do they serve a purpose?
A collective of bibliophiles talking about books. Book Fox (vulpes libris): small bibliovorous mammal of overactive imagination and uncommonly large bookshop expenses. Habitat: anywhere the rustle of pages can be heard.
