Madwoman's Attic: In The Attic

My mother has a crush on . . .

Shia LaBeouf. 

Yes, you read that right.  Shia LaBouef. 

We went to go see the new Indy movie last weekend and during one of the previews (for his upcoming film called "Eagle Eye") she leans over and asks, "What's his name?" 

Me:  "Shia LaBeouf". 

Mom: "Oh.  Where do I know him from?"

Me:  "Transformers. . . the kid with the yellow car that turns out to be a retro Transformer."

Mom: "Oh, right.  Okay."

Then the movie proper starts.  And, of course, young Shia turns up on screen again. 

She asks, "And who is this?" 

Me:  "Shia LaBeouf.  The same kid from the trailer earlier and from  Transformers."

Mom: "Ohhh, really?  The same one?. . . he looks different here."

Me:  "Yes.  Now, shush!"

And we watch the movie and mom loves it (she loves all action movies), and afterwards she keeps asking me about Shia LaBeouf.  "What have you seen him in?  Do you think he's going to be a very good actor?  I think he's going to be quite handsome.  He was really good.  How long has he been in movies. . . "  And it just keeps coming. 

Then for a few days it backs off.  But as we are in a Burger King drive through, she sees some of the Indiana Jones tie in displays in the windows and I am treated to this conversation:

Mom: "What's his name again?"

Me: "SHIA LABEOUF!"

Mom:  "Riiight.  It's kind of a funny name.  Sounds like a dish you'd see on Top Chef.  Like an appetizer.  'I'll have the Shia LaBeouf,'. . . . . . Yum Yum!

Me:  *blink.. .. . blink blink*  "Yeah. . . I am so blogging that."

Men

"Men accuse women of being guarded, catty, and insincere.  In fact, men are guarded, catty and insincere."
~James Lipton

Thoughts?

Carrie Bradshaw Moment

Tomorrow is, of course, Mother's Day.  So, firstly, let me wish HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to those in my acquaintance or readership who are mothers. 

So, my Carrie Bradshaw moment today has to do with Mother's Day.  Today at the grocery store, I'm buying stuff for our dinner and a few Mother's Day cards and the cashier asks, "Are  you a mother?"  And my standard response to this question (or "Do you have kids?") is a head-up, full voiced, very chipper, "No, I do not!"

No follow up explanations.  No "No, never been married"s.  No "No, it wasn't in the cards for me"s.  No "No, but I've always wanted to"s.  Nope.  No kids.  Period. Paragraph. Statement.

I've finally gotten to the point where I make no apologetics for my single state of affairs.  I've never been married because there's never been anyone I really wanted to be married to.  I've never had kids because I've been responsible with my reproductive capabilities.  I won't offer up excuses and bow-headed embarrassment for not having fallen victim to many of my peers' dubious mating habits. 

Don't get me wrong.  I adore my mother.  I adore my friends who are mothers.  But you know what?  THEY never -- even unknowingly-- make me feel like I'm living completely outside of the rules of society. 

And so when that cashier said to me, "Wow. . . you really say that with some pride," I responded with, "Well, yes. . . This county has one of the highest teenage and unwanted pregnancy rates in the U.S. The fact that I've reached the age of 35 as a capable and independent woman is something to be proud of.   I've never felt like I was missing anything by not having children.  It could change someday, and I'll embrace it, but right now I have a lot of things to be proud of.  Being a mother doesn't happen to be one of them."

And then I took my change and walked out. 

So, again. . . . Happy Mother's Day to the mom's out there.  And what's more, Happy Day those non-moms out there who still somehow manage to care for people, nurture relationships, and nurture themselves, without their own day to show for it.  :D

I spent the day out in the Park doing Woodward  Shakespeare Stuff.  It was fun and a little bit invigorating, considering it is breaking up my daily schedule.  But now I'm just tired. I've eaten a big bowl of Laurilyn's Feta, Red Onion, and Olive Oil Pasta (VERY GOOD-- Highly recommended and I added olives) and messed around on Facebook since I hadn't checked it in over 200 days, as it likes to inform me.  I should be writing my latest play review over at VTRs, but that's going to wait until tomorrow morning.  I think and write better in the mornings, anyway.  Really, the most pressing things on my docket right this moment are finishing this mojito and then finding something sweet for dessert. 

It's a full evening.