Do you ever notice that certain events or activities require a uniform? No matter how ridiculous or hideous it may look, it is required. Or so people think.
I like the bicyclists. Professional athletes aside, most people look ridiclous in bike shorts. Any given Saturday or Sunday morning, your local Starbucks is full of them in all their glory and snootyness. A few months ago, we were taking the ferry from Larkspur to SF and it was full of cyclists. One gentleman in particlar, who was quite portly, chose the outside deck right beside where we were standing to do his stretching exercises. It was a shocking sight on many different levels, the look on the faces of my husband and nine year old were priceless. If you are a woman with a large behind, bike shorts are not a good look, black or not.
We live in the "Wine Country", a joke to us locals, a snoot fest to those visiting. It is beautiful and I am thankful everyday that I am lucky enoguh to live here. Those touring for a long summer weekend are the "Linen Set". Lots and lots of white linen in every form of clothing you can imagine. Large brim hats finish off this look. These people are very important and should be treated as such. During the fall months, the Linen Set reverts to LL Bean or J Crew. Either will do.
Sporting events have their own uniforms. These change depending on where you are or what team you are a fan of. Jerseys, hat of all sorts, t-shirts and team jackets are a must. You can tell the uber fan who is dressed and painted head to toe in team colors. If you show up to a sporting event in only a team t-shirt or just a hat, your fan loyalty is immediately suspect and you may be subjected to ridicule or worse. If you can't bring yourself to wear something team oriented, it's best to stay home.
Workout clothing often doubles as errand clothing. Why not go to the grocery store, dry cleaners, Starbucks, etc right after you have worked out? No one will notice the sweat stains under your boobs, right? Wrong. These outfits are right up there with bike shorts. It's great that you work out or do yoga. If you must run errands, do it before you work out, please.
I guess you have to ask yourself, are you a sheeple or a cool unique individual who dresses to please themselves?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
My former Brother-in-Law
I got a call yesterday from my daughter informing me that her Uncle, my former brother-in-law, passed away on Saturday night. Very unexpectedley. He was only forty eight. Though I have not seen him in several years, my kids would mention things from time to time about what he was doing or where he was living.
My former husband was my high school sweetheart, so by default, we all went to school together. My sisters and his brothers. By the time I was a junior in high school, I had my drivers license and a car. My husband (not yet), was off in boot camp and then off to Chicago for school. I would pick up his brother, a freshman, every day for a ride to school. He would get in the back seat with his carnation instant breakfast and off we would go. Sometimes, we had my cousin or another girlfriend with us. He was very quiet and always grateful for the ride and I was happy to do it.
As a young married couple, my brother-in-law would come over, spend weekends, play with the kids, re-connect with this brother. Those were good times for all of us. We would also see him at family holiday dinners at the in-laws house. Those were not quite as fun, as my in-laws did not like me. I never really knew why, I suppose they thought I was beneath them in some way. Vodka helped those times!
The husband and I did not stay married, although I am happy to say, we are still friendly. Subsequently, I lost contact with my brother-in-law. Last time I saw him, he was friendly and we chatted a bit. He moved to a different state and was married to a woman I never met, but understand they were happy together. That's all you can hope for. I am sad to hear of his passing, because to me he will always be that fourteen year old kid drinking carnation instant breakfast in the back seat of my car.
Goodbye Jim, you will be missed.
My former husband was my high school sweetheart, so by default, we all went to school together. My sisters and his brothers. By the time I was a junior in high school, I had my drivers license and a car. My husband (not yet), was off in boot camp and then off to Chicago for school. I would pick up his brother, a freshman, every day for a ride to school. He would get in the back seat with his carnation instant breakfast and off we would go. Sometimes, we had my cousin or another girlfriend with us. He was very quiet and always grateful for the ride and I was happy to do it.
As a young married couple, my brother-in-law would come over, spend weekends, play with the kids, re-connect with this brother. Those were good times for all of us. We would also see him at family holiday dinners at the in-laws house. Those were not quite as fun, as my in-laws did not like me. I never really knew why, I suppose they thought I was beneath them in some way. Vodka helped those times!
The husband and I did not stay married, although I am happy to say, we are still friendly. Subsequently, I lost contact with my brother-in-law. Last time I saw him, he was friendly and we chatted a bit. He moved to a different state and was married to a woman I never met, but understand they were happy together. That's all you can hope for. I am sad to hear of his passing, because to me he will always be that fourteen year old kid drinking carnation instant breakfast in the back seat of my car.
Goodbye Jim, you will be missed.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Totally Random
Haven't blogged for awhile, been busy with life and, well, life....Got a reminder to do so, so here goes. No rhyme or reason to this one, just as the title says, totally random.
Relationships are hard for sure. Husband, kids, parents, siblings, you get the drift. Just got back from a family visit with all the aforementioned except the husband. He chose to go fishing. Good choice! It's hard to see the parents aging, one more so than the other. It turns the other one into a hoverer (is that a word?) and a worrier. I wonder if that will be me someday. Maybe that's what I'm worried about. Do you ever wonder it you and your siblings grew up in the same household?
I've been reading a great blog lately called Channeling Erik. It's made me think a bit more about what we are doing here and why. I've always been interested in the spiritual and I believe we have all been around before. Have you ever met someone and it hits you instantly that you know this person? Is life really about the progression of our souls? Lot's of questions in my head lately. I have some reading to do.
For the past three months, my friends and I have been going to drag bingo, The Sisters of Pepetual Indulgence, all drag queens, put on a monthly bingo game for charity. It is a gas! The bingo hall is packed and some cute young man gets chosen to be the dauber boy. A dollar gets you a chance to put a dauber mark on his naked chest. A few months ago, it was a young man I know. For all of us 40-50ish gals, this is a highlight. The Sisters do a tremendous amount for the community food bank, children, seniors and schools. I am going again next Saturday night. Can't wait.
I love to shop at thrift stores. Finding a cashmere sweater for three bucks is such a thrill. Paying a hundred dollars or more is not. I used to do it out of neccesity, now I do it for the treasure hunt. It also allows me to have a raincoat in every color. At five bucks a pop, why not? And, if you only wear something once, no big deal. Kids clothes are a good bargain too. My son is at an age where jeans are all ripped in the knees, but t-shirts, sweatshirts and jackets are plentiful. I draw the line at underwear.
I am dying to buy a Le Cruset large covered skillet. I have a couple of the covered dutch ovens and I LOVE them and use them all the time. I've been waffling back and forth for several months. Sur La Table always has a great display with the newest colors when you walk in the door. Turquoise, Aubergine, Apple Green, etc. I look at cookwear as a tool and good tools give good results. I guess if I don't spend money on clothes, I can justify spending a hundred bucks or so on a piece of cookwear. Stay tuned.
Relationships are hard for sure. Husband, kids, parents, siblings, you get the drift. Just got back from a family visit with all the aforementioned except the husband. He chose to go fishing. Good choice! It's hard to see the parents aging, one more so than the other. It turns the other one into a hoverer (is that a word?) and a worrier. I wonder if that will be me someday. Maybe that's what I'm worried about. Do you ever wonder it you and your siblings grew up in the same household?
I've been reading a great blog lately called Channeling Erik. It's made me think a bit more about what we are doing here and why. I've always been interested in the spiritual and I believe we have all been around before. Have you ever met someone and it hits you instantly that you know this person? Is life really about the progression of our souls? Lot's of questions in my head lately. I have some reading to do.
For the past three months, my friends and I have been going to drag bingo, The Sisters of Pepetual Indulgence, all drag queens, put on a monthly bingo game for charity. It is a gas! The bingo hall is packed and some cute young man gets chosen to be the dauber boy. A dollar gets you a chance to put a dauber mark on his naked chest. A few months ago, it was a young man I know. For all of us 40-50ish gals, this is a highlight. The Sisters do a tremendous amount for the community food bank, children, seniors and schools. I am going again next Saturday night. Can't wait.
I love to shop at thrift stores. Finding a cashmere sweater for three bucks is such a thrill. Paying a hundred dollars or more is not. I used to do it out of neccesity, now I do it for the treasure hunt. It also allows me to have a raincoat in every color. At five bucks a pop, why not? And, if you only wear something once, no big deal. Kids clothes are a good bargain too. My son is at an age where jeans are all ripped in the knees, but t-shirts, sweatshirts and jackets are plentiful. I draw the line at underwear.
I am dying to buy a Le Cruset large covered skillet. I have a couple of the covered dutch ovens and I LOVE them and use them all the time. I've been waffling back and forth for several months. Sur La Table always has a great display with the newest colors when you walk in the door. Turquoise, Aubergine, Apple Green, etc. I look at cookwear as a tool and good tools give good results. I guess if I don't spend money on clothes, I can justify spending a hundred bucks or so on a piece of cookwear. Stay tuned.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)