(If the proper accent with which to deliver that title doesn’t come directly to mind, never fear. We can still be friends. It just means I’m … old.)
Is thirty-seven really that old? My Kids think so. They’re quick to reassure me – “You’re cool, Mom.” But it’s the following eye-roll that sort of negates the compliment, you know? My knowledge of obscure eighties music might win me points with some of the Kids’ friends, but it always comes back to “Wow. You’ve been around here a while, haven’t you?”
Yes. Yes I have.
I recently reported that I’m annoyed with my old-lady eyesight. Update on that: I was waiting for Husband to meet me for lunch last week. I went into a bookstore and browsed through a section of biographies and memoirs, which I don’t read enough of these days. I would read a back jacket copy, put the book down, and read another jacket cover. After seven or eight of them, I looked up toward the exit door. And I couldn’t find it. I knew it was roughly that-a-way (the shafts of sunlight were a pretty good clue) but I couldn’t see the door. At all. I stood staring at it for a while, and it gradually came into focus. Whew. I was simultaneously relieved and annoyed. Which is pretty much where I live these days.
And then there’s movies. I love movies, remember that? I love going to the movies. I love watching films at home. I love it. Really. But why is almost everything c-r-a-p now? I think it’s because I’m old. My Dad said once (or maybe a thousand times) that a PG-13 rating translates to “Guaranteed to offend your mother.” Oh, shoot. I’m that mother. But I have to say, as offended as I’m likely to get by a PG-13 rated film, I stay far away from anything R-rated. It’s one of those commitments I made a long, long time ago that has proved itself useful to me. And now that I have teenaged daughters, I am glad I’ve stayed true to my commitment. Glad, that is, until “The King’s Speech” came out. I pounded my fists and whined. I moaned. I may have even cried. I got on every one of those websites for parents that tell you precisely which material you might find objectionable and why. I shook my head at ratings people. I moaned some more. But when it came right down to it, I said, “Here is my choice. It’s a movie that is – by all reports – stunning and uplifting and spirit-building. Except for that one scene. And even then, it’s only language. But there’s the principle of the thing.”
Principles.
Sheesh.
And so I didn’t see it.
UNTIL… the film company re-released it with some comically non-creative dubbing in That One Scene, which brought the rating down to a solid PG-13. (Which, under the circumstances, totally did NOT offend this mother.)
I went. I saw. I cringed for poor Bertie. I shook my head in wonder and awe at Mr. Firth. And Mr. Rush (oh, my). And Ms. Bonham-Carter. I cheered (inside). I adored this story and this film and the acting and the historicity. (I think that is a real word. Even though I might have made it up if it’s not.) I wasn’t even tempted to reach up and pull the camera down to actors’ head-level (like maybe Husband was).
And I was glad I’d seen it. And I was more glad that I’d waited.
Is that a sign of being comfortable in my old skin?
Speaking of my old skin… Oh, must we? No. We needn’t. So let’s move on.
For most days in the past several months I’ve replaced 2 meals with green smoothies. Want to know how much weight I’ve lost?
None.
Not a bit.
It kind of makes a girl crave some caramel popcorn, if you want to know the truth.
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Question of the day? How can you tell he’s a King? (If you choose to answer, keep it PG-rated, will you?)
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Also it’s raining. Not snowing. And daffodils are coming. I see yellow parts. Yipee.
(12) Comments for this blog
Oh, Becca! Reading your posts are like sitting in the kitchen with you, ya little spring chicken… 🙂 OK, NOW, I must go and see the King’s Speech – I too was held back by principles. That, and no free time between then and now…
Oh, Becca! Reading your posts are like sitting in the kitchen with you, ya little spring chicken… 🙂 OK, NOW, I must go and see the King’s Speech – I too was held back by principles. That, and no free time between then and now…
I was thrilled when I heard about the re-release. We don’t watch R rated movies in our home either. I have been mostly disgusted by many of the movies that have come out recently so I have gone on a British romance kick with Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice and the like. 🙂
I was thrilled when I heard about the re-release. We don’t watch R rated movies in our home either. I have been mostly disgusted by many of the movies that have come out recently so I have gone on a British romance kick with Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice and the like. 🙂
That was one of only four rated-R exceptions I’ve made in the last five years (after careful research) and I was really glad I did. I was in all four cases, actually. However, I’m even more glad for my friends that it’s now PG-13.
And I haven’t lost any weight with the green smoothie sub either. But I still like them and I still make them because they’re yummy.
That was one of only four rated-R exceptions I’ve made in the last five years (after careful research) and I was really glad I did. I was in all four cases, actually. However, I’m even more glad for my friends that it’s now PG-13.
And I haven’t lost any weight with the green smoothie sub either. But I still like them and I still make them because they’re yummy.
“Man. I’m not a woman. And I’m not old. I’m thirty-seven.” Yay! Full points for the movie geek! (And I won’t mention the name in case someone else wants to play!)
And I AM a woman. And I’m 47 — well, in June. And I do have old-lady eyesight. And old-lady skin.
And I didn’t see the movie, but my guess is you can tell he’s king because it’s on his nametag.
“Man. I’m not a woman. And I’m not old. I’m thirty-seven.” Yay! Full points for the movie geek! (And I won’t mention the name in case someone else wants to play!)
And I AM a woman. And I’m 47 — well, in June. And I do have old-lady eyesight. And old-lady skin.
And I didn’t see the movie, but my guess is you can tell he’s king because it’s on his nametag.
I’m really hoping to see that soon! I’ve heard so many wonderful things about it.
I feel blessed and am cherishing my good eyesight while it lasts. No glasses. Yet.
I’m still cool to my kids. (Marc…maybe not as much. E has taken up calling him goofy when he says and quotes things out of her reference level. Heck so do I.)
I’m not feeling too old…just huge. Thank you Pregnancy. But as was mentioned on Sunday, by our dear BIL, “You’re still producing!” Yup. That’s me.
Oy.
I’m really hoping to see that soon! I’ve heard so many wonderful things about it.
I feel blessed and am cherishing my good eyesight while it lasts. No glasses. Yet.
I’m still cool to my kids. (Marc…maybe not as much. E has taken up calling him goofy when he says and quotes things out of her reference level. Heck so do I.)
I’m not feeling too old…just huge. Thank you Pregnancy. But as was mentioned on Sunday, by our dear BIL, “You’re still producing!” Yup. That’s me.
Oy.
I am an old-lady 47, and that eyesight thing is gonna be the death of me. Every stinking time I put my reading glasses on I say, “Wow, this really helps,” and my husband chuckles.
Still have not seen the movie, but I reeee-heeeely want to.
I am an old-lady 47, and that eyesight thing is gonna be the death of me. Every stinking time I put my reading glasses on I say, “Wow, this really helps,” and my husband chuckles.
Still have not seen the movie, but I reeee-heeeely want to.