On my morning walk (well, it was just past noon) around the Marina, I noticed a boat named "My First Kiss". This inspired an immediate Proust moment when I actually remembered my first kiss. (Oh that I could remember what I had for lunch yesterday, or even if we had lunch).
It was when I was in the first grade (teacher: Miss Bliven), and I had a rather large crush on Georgie. My so called girlfriends made it known to the boys' side of the playground, and I soon got the message that he too was somewhat smitten.
I do not remember the exact time frame - I think I'm doing pretty good as it is - but I most certainly do remember that soon after, when the school bell rang at 3 o'clock and I was going down the steps to leave, Georgie dashed up the stairs and planted a hard smooch - right on my lips!
Everyone around me went into fits of giggles, but I was struck down with shock, horror, and deep shame, certain I had just committed a grave sin. Remember, this was long before TV, and little kids didn't go to movies - no, my only reference to such things was listening with my grandmother to "Our Gal Sunday" on the radio.
On my long, lonely walk home, with each step my guilt increased, until when I finally got there I was desperate to confess. I ran into my mother's arms, tears flowing, babbling "A boy just kissed me - on the mouth!!!"
Dear mother tried to console me, pointing out that no, it definitely wasn't a sin, neither major nor minor, and actually, this is what most boys and girls do eventually, that is when they are older, of course. Really? Ugh!
It was difficult for me to go to school the next day, but I did. The Georgie crush was definitely stopped in its tracks, and with head bowed, I dedicated myself completely and with great fervor to my studies.
And now that I think of it, I probably owe Georgie a great debt. Because instead of spending my class time scribbling "G loves C", I tended diligently to my sums, and as you know once one gets a reputation as a diligent student, one is obligated, if not forced, to sustain this image.
All of which leads me at this very late date to wonder......would I have been quite so dedicated a student if Georgie hadn't kissed me in Miss Bliven's first grade class?
Cimadb
Friday, April 25, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
DUCKS UNLIMITED
If there is such a thing as reaching Solicitation Critical Mass, this must be it. We just received a large manila envelope marked "YOURS FREE" across a photo of some sort of jacket "DO NOT BEND FREE GIFT INSIDE."
Enclosed were not one, but two sheets of address labels, one featuring photos of both doggies and ducks, and the other, a line drawing of a duck head in profile. The heading: DUCKS UNLIMITED MISSION: PLEASE ACCEPT THESE PERSONALIZED ADDRESS STICKERS AS OUR WAY OF THANKING YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
Another full 8x10 sheet offered the "FREE GIFT" of a Ducks Unlimited Fleece Jacket. "Easy to wear styling makes this jacket great for transitional weather. This handsome beige microfiber jacket features an embroidered DU logo, and black trim accents at the collar and cuffs. There is a full hem-to-chin zipper with stand-up collar and two hand-warmer zip pockets. Comfortable elasticized cuffs and draw-string waist prevent drafts. Easy care and quick drying too. What a great way to show your support of the wetlands you love. Yours today for a contribution of $25 or more."
I couldn't help thinking, shame on me, what a great jacket this must be for duck hunters.
More: a sturdy DUCKS UNLIMITED Temporary Membership card, signed by vice-president of membership.
Along with: a dollar size DISCOUNT COURTESY CERTIFICATE for $10 off an Annual Membership to Ducks Unlimited.
Along with: a membership application, with addressed and postage paid envelope, and list of SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS, all kinds of things, "...access to "Members Only" DU's special members' section website, one-year subscription to DU magazine, Two window decals, and invitations to events held exclusively for people like you who share your passion for waterfowl."
OK, I like ducks - we even bought a couple of baby ducks for Trev when he was about six years old, thinking it was part of French country life to raise ducks. We kept them in a pretty good size cardboard box downstairs in the living room the first night, but they somehow managed to get out and wander at will, leaving their droppings here and there, and you have no idea how loudly tiny, excitable, ducks can quack.
Undaunted, the next morning after a less than peaceful night, after we did a major clean-up, we reconstructed much higher and more fortified housing outside, realizing that ducks were not normally household pets, inside the house. Then we drove to a distant village where we heard we could buy special duckie food.
By the time we got back, a couple of hours later, Harry and Marty - yes we had named them - had disappeared - escaped from the slammer, just like that.
Trev was in tears, as we ran wildly around the garden, and then finally down the street to ask the neighbors if they had seen any wandering ducklets. Yes, one had seen them "walking down the road more than an hour ago, (what, they were taking a stroll?)" and wondered who they belonged to. We got back in the car and chased around the village, but neither Harry or Marty were to be found.
We tried to convince Trev that they probably found their way to the river and were happily swimming downstream to happier pastures, but it was days before he was more or less convinced. We disposed of the 30 day supply of purchased duck food when he wasn't looking.
But we were appreciative of the quiet nights again.
So, do I qualify as a "passionate lover of waterfowl"? Other than Duck a L'Orange, that is.
Do I really want a special Duck embroidered Fleece Jacket?
And all the other benefits membership entails?
Even if I did want to support their no doubt worthy cause, and send them a contribution, I shudder to think what would fill our mail box in the coming days, weeks, and years, since I am convinced my support for the Ocean Conservancy, the Wildlife Fund, the Nature Conservancy, the National Audubon Society, and a few others I seem to have forgotten, (from whom I have several umbrellas, T-shirts, and assorted other merchandise) is somehow responsible for what I find is now, as I said, reached Solicitation Critical Mass.
No, I think I'll return the entire package with my best wishes for their continued success and try to consume less duck this summer.
Cdb.
Enclosed were not one, but two sheets of address labels, one featuring photos of both doggies and ducks, and the other, a line drawing of a duck head in profile. The heading: DUCKS UNLIMITED MISSION: PLEASE ACCEPT THESE PERSONALIZED ADDRESS STICKERS AS OUR WAY OF THANKING YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
Another full 8x10 sheet offered the "FREE GIFT" of a Ducks Unlimited Fleece Jacket. "Easy to wear styling makes this jacket great for transitional weather. This handsome beige microfiber jacket features an embroidered DU logo, and black trim accents at the collar and cuffs. There is a full hem-to-chin zipper with stand-up collar and two hand-warmer zip pockets. Comfortable elasticized cuffs and draw-string waist prevent drafts. Easy care and quick drying too. What a great way to show your support of the wetlands you love. Yours today for a contribution of $25 or more."
I couldn't help thinking, shame on me, what a great jacket this must be for duck hunters.
More: a sturdy DUCKS UNLIMITED Temporary Membership card, signed by vice-president of membership.
Along with: a dollar size DISCOUNT COURTESY CERTIFICATE for $10 off an Annual Membership to Ducks Unlimited.
Along with: a membership application, with addressed and postage paid envelope, and list of SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS, all kinds of things, "...access to "Members Only" DU's special members' section website, one-year subscription to DU magazine, Two window decals, and invitations to events held exclusively for people like you who share your passion for waterfowl."
OK, I like ducks - we even bought a couple of baby ducks for Trev when he was about six years old, thinking it was part of French country life to raise ducks. We kept them in a pretty good size cardboard box downstairs in the living room the first night, but they somehow managed to get out and wander at will, leaving their droppings here and there, and you have no idea how loudly tiny, excitable, ducks can quack.
Undaunted, the next morning after a less than peaceful night, after we did a major clean-up, we reconstructed much higher and more fortified housing outside, realizing that ducks were not normally household pets, inside the house. Then we drove to a distant village where we heard we could buy special duckie food.
By the time we got back, a couple of hours later, Harry and Marty - yes we had named them - had disappeared - escaped from the slammer, just like that.
Trev was in tears, as we ran wildly around the garden, and then finally down the street to ask the neighbors if they had seen any wandering ducklets. Yes, one had seen them "walking down the road more than an hour ago, (what, they were taking a stroll?)" and wondered who they belonged to. We got back in the car and chased around the village, but neither Harry or Marty were to be found.
We tried to convince Trev that they probably found their way to the river and were happily swimming downstream to happier pastures, but it was days before he was more or less convinced. We disposed of the 30 day supply of purchased duck food when he wasn't looking.
But we were appreciative of the quiet nights again.
So, do I qualify as a "passionate lover of waterfowl"? Other than Duck a L'Orange, that is.
Do I really want a special Duck embroidered Fleece Jacket?
And all the other benefits membership entails?
Even if I did want to support their no doubt worthy cause, and send them a contribution, I shudder to think what would fill our mail box in the coming days, weeks, and years, since I am convinced my support for the Ocean Conservancy, the Wildlife Fund, the Nature Conservancy, the National Audubon Society, and a few others I seem to have forgotten, (from whom I have several umbrellas, T-shirts, and assorted other merchandise) is somehow responsible for what I find is now, as I said, reached Solicitation Critical Mass.
No, I think I'll return the entire package with my best wishes for their continued success and try to consume less duck this summer.
Cdb.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Street Art For Sale
Have any of you New Yorkers seen Alejandro Diaz ("Born in San Antonio, 1963 - Lives and works in New York") on the street in Manhattan, sometimes in front of Tiffanys, with a stack of scrawled "messages" on rough pieces of cardboard - all for sale?
We were at a new LACMA exhibition of Chicano Art, which was certainly interesting, but for us what stood out was a wall covered with these cardboard "messages," along with a photo of a very nattily dressed Alejandro Diaz, next to a pile of his art for sale.
"GET OFF YOUR TRUST FUND AND DO SOMETHING"
"PLEASE DON'T FEED THE SUPERMODELS"
"UNKNOWN ARTISTS AT UNHEARD OF PRICES"
"EMOTIONALLY MOVING SALE"
"FOOD TO GOGH"
"MEXICANS WITHOUT BORDERS"
"NO SHOES, NO SHIRT, YOU'RE PROBABLY RICH"
"BY DISAPPOINTMENT ONLY"
"WET BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND"
THE FILET MIGNON OF AFFORDABLE CONCEPTUAL ART"
"AVAILABLE FOR SPEAKING ROLE IN MAJOR MOTION PICTURE"
"LOOKING FOR NICE UPPER EAST SIDE LADY WITH CLEAN, ELEGANT APARTMENT. MUST HAVE CABLE"
"MEXICAN WALLPAPER"
"THIS PRODUCT IS MADE WITH INNER-CHILD LABOR"
If any of you run into him, let us know. We may be in the market and it's always good to support local art, especially if it lifts "The Inner Heart."
cimadb
We were at a new LACMA exhibition of Chicano Art, which was certainly interesting, but for us what stood out was a wall covered with these cardboard "messages," along with a photo of a very nattily dressed Alejandro Diaz, next to a pile of his art for sale.
"GET OFF YOUR TRUST FUND AND DO SOMETHING"
"PLEASE DON'T FEED THE SUPERMODELS"
"UNKNOWN ARTISTS AT UNHEARD OF PRICES"
"EMOTIONALLY MOVING SALE"
"FOOD TO GOGH"
"MEXICANS WITHOUT BORDERS"
"NO SHOES, NO SHIRT, YOU'RE PROBABLY RICH"
"BY DISAPPOINTMENT ONLY"
"WET BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND"
THE FILET MIGNON OF AFFORDABLE CONCEPTUAL ART"
"AVAILABLE FOR SPEAKING ROLE IN MAJOR MOTION PICTURE"
"LOOKING FOR NICE UPPER EAST SIDE LADY WITH CLEAN, ELEGANT APARTMENT. MUST HAVE CABLE"
"MEXICAN WALLPAPER"
"THIS PRODUCT IS MADE WITH INNER-CHILD LABOR"
If any of you run into him, let us know. We may be in the market and it's always good to support local art, especially if it lifts "The Inner Heart."
cimadb
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