Here are the answers
Here are the things on that list I’ve done, and those I have yet to get around to:
”“bought a new car
A lot of people thought I’d surely done this. But no. Probably never will, either, although about four years ago I bought my dark green Fusion used. Still looking mighty spiffy, if I do say so myself. I like to buy slightly used cars because they tend to be a really good deal.
”“painted my toenails
Yes, indeed. I do it myself, though. Never had a pedicure. I don’t like people messing with my feet.
”“been fired, or fired anyone
This one still holds.
”“had my horoscope done
Nope. Don’t believe in it, although it would be sort of fun.
”“eaten anything bigger than my head
That would be hard, wouldn’t it? But this Christmas holiday I ate enough lebkuchen to sink a ship. And the last piece tasted as good as the first.
”“lied about my age
Alas, to my great shame, I uncharacteristically succumbed to the temptation under a special set of circumstances. But not again.
”“worn a T-shirt that said anything
Yes, a borrowed one.
”“kissed a man with a beard
Yep.
”“seen any of the “Godfather” movies
One evening I figured enough was enough and decided it was time to get with the program and fulfill my cultural obligations as a red-blooded American. So I watched the first two in quick succession, a regular Godfather marathon (didn’t watch the third because I’d heard it was dreck). They were intermittently interesting, and I love Al Pacino, although much less so Marlon Brando. But did I feel the movies are among the all-time greats, as so many seem to think? No, no, a thousand times no. Violent and cold, why should I care about this gangster family? I realize that 90% of Americans may disagree with me, in many cases quite vehemently.
”“owned a cat, or wanted to
No, and no, and probably never. I am a dog person through and through.
As for your guesses: no one got all five right, but many people were pretty darn close. The big stumbling block seemed to be the new car. Doom and LB both got four right, but Doom guessed the car instead of the toenails and LB guessed the car instead of the bearded man. Both NeoConScum and southpaw got four but guessed the car instead of the T-shirt. Parker got four, too, but guessed the cat instead of the age.
Somehow, after all these years of writing this blog, I bet you sense a lot about me.
Hey, no fair. I was just about to play.
My problem with The Godfather is that it insists upon itself.
However, I would like to recommend The Money Pit.
There is something about The Godfather that I don’t like yet can’t quite find the right word for: is it sterile? mannered? affected?
I don’t know, but as far as Mafia entertainment goes it doesn’t have the realism of The Sopranos or Goodfellas.
After all these years of reading your words, I certainly do have a sense of you. I feel I know you, and affectionately. But, alas, it’s a one-way street.
“Somehow, after all these years of writing this blog, I bet you sense a lot about me.”
Yes; we are in many ways kindred souls, politically. As for other ways, sometimes yes, sometimes not. I know that in your *non*-sociopolitical blog posts, you and I are occasionally but more often than not, *not* on the same page. So be it.
This guessing game was a fun diversion. I’m glad you felt free to play the game with us. We (plural) are by now more than mere acquaintances, albeit not quite bosom buddies. E-friends of a sort. God bless!
I have read your blog nearly every day for about 5 years, and to me you remain the lady behind the apple… very astute, extremely literate, a person of resilient mettle, and probably an intriguing mystery if I knew you on a face to face basis. So high 5 for painting your toe nails and kissing a bearded man. Btw, kissing a bearded man is not pc, while kissing a bearded woman would result in a gushing editorial in the NYT. Think about it.
There’s an aristocracy about The Godfather. I saw it before I saw Goodfellas; in many ways, Goodfellas is the underside of The Godfather. The Godfather is a far better movie.
I’ve done 8 of the things on this list (a good, authentic calzone rises to about a head and a half).
Nick:
I’ve had many calzones in my life, very authentic. The kind you get at an Italian street fair that are made on the spot. Zeppole too, the original fried dough.
None of them were as big as my head.
Something very sexy about a list including t-shirt, toenails, and kissing (even if it is a bearded man).
Violent and cold, why should I care about this gangster family?
Those movies were Disney films compared to Goodfellas and some of the more recent gangster films. In case you were wondering…
Go trade that Fusion in for a new F-150.
The familial loyalty depicted in the Godfather rings true for me. I am one generation from Appalachia and family is the first ring of loyalty. Trusted friends are the 2nd ring, and there is no 3rd ring. Government against all, every man woman child for themslves and their kin.
I Callahan:
I saw “Goodfellas” too. Disliked it intensely; didn’t finish it.
But did I feel the [Godfather] movies are among the all-time greats, as so many seem to think? No, no, a thousand times no.
I’m completely with you on this, Neo. I don’t get the fascination with Mafia movies in general and The Godfather trilogy in particular. IMHO, Godfather I and II are wildly overrated.
This might be asking too much. Would it be possible to hear some detail about the beard-kiss?
Was it with a stranger, a relative, a relative stranger?
Was it as expected it might be?
Was it worth it?
Would you do it again?
I have so many more questions but do not want to pry too much…
I have extended family members who seem to not be able to get enough of the Mafioso entertainment. No coincidence, they are Italian.
I used to question this fascination.
Even went so far as to criticize them for their contributions in supporting it. And its proliferation.
IMHO, it’s only one degree removed from, Gangsta Rap Music. And the characters involved.
I did see the Godfather I and II movies during their original releases. Never saw III. Appreciated the acting. Have followed many of Al Pacino movies. Except Scarface. Will not watch it.
Did enjoy, “Heat”; great cat-and-mouse theme.
Please pardon my curiosity about that, beard-kiss. I do hope it went well.
I ate cotton candy once at a carnival. That was larger than my head. So was the disappointment.
Oh wait, maybe that was a result of eating it in combination with the corndog, Funnel cake, snow cone, can’t recall. Never repeated that.
I sure do miss that mirror maze though. And the Round-Up. However, the Bearded woman, Mule faced woman and the Lobster Family scared the bejeezus outta me.
I will never, ever kiss a bearded woman…guaranteed.
Clarityseeker:
The beard-kiss was of someone I’d already kissed before but who then grew a beard.
It was not a platonic kiss. I had platonically kissed bearded men before.
Is that enough clarity for you 🙂 ?
Woot! Happy to have guessed four out of five, and I do love reading your blog and feel as I know you. 🙂
I’ll sleep like a baby tonight.
Mucho Gracias…
;-D
Goodfellas could sort of be thought of as a deconstruction of the aristocratic mob movie. The characters are all bums who think they’re on the cusp of lavish Mafioso status.
It’s interesting that you didn’t finish it; the movie goes badly downhill. I’ve heard that it represents the lead character’s slide, but to me it seemed more like they didn’t have an interesting ending for it.
Scarface is like looking at Michelle Pheiffer naked while being pelted with raw ground beef and Al Pacino yells at you. Two out of three, I guess.