Throwback to March 21, 2016

1. Non-stop talking to their companions. Sure, the music is loud, but I can still hear them, because they are shouting to each other. Can’t this discussion wait until after the concert? I doubt that they are trying to solve a world crisis, so they need to shut up.

2. Checking their Facebook and Twitter and email accounts. If they are bored with the performance, they just should just leave.

3. Recording large chunks of the concert with their phones. Put the hands down and dim those screens. You are impeding my enjoyment of the show.

4. Sitting perfectly still and ramrod straight. Yeah, so these guys are obviously here because they want to earn points with their hot-chick dates. But can they at least sway a little, or nod their heads to the beat? These guys must have some hidden attributes, because they are obviously no fun to be around.

5. Leaving their seats multiple times during the show. And it’s always in the middle of a great song. And of course, we all need to stand up to let them pass. If these people know they have teeny tiny bladders, then they should stop bringing beer back to their seats. Or at least buy tickets for aisle seats. Or put on a pair of Depends.

Throwback to March 19, 2014

1. I reminded him to take his “prom proposal” sign to school.

2. I volunteered to pick up a bouquet of flowers to accompany the prom proposal.

3. I replied to a text from Youngest Child asking me to be discreet in my delivery of the bouquet for the prom proposal.

4. I stood at the Whole Foods floral counter and agonized over which bouquet would be best for the prom proposal.

5. I purchased the bouquet for the prom proposal.

6. I discreetly delivered the prom proposal bouquet in a brown paper bag.

7. I anxiously waited for news about the success of the prom proposal.

8. I did not force him to tell me all the juicy details about the ultimate success of the prom proposal.

Friday, March 12, 2021

It’s been a year! A whole calendar year! On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared CoVid-19 a global pandemic, and on March 13, 2020, I started writing about my cocktails while never expecting that this pandemic would last for so long. I have created and consumed and blogged about my eighty-four different “quarantine cocktails” and forty-two “quasi-quarantine” cocktails (so named since some restrictions had eased). I also consumed numerous–not documented here–glasses of wine and bottles of beer. It’s obvious to all how I chose to cope with the stress of the pandemic. By WRITING, of course. (Did you think I meant DRINKING?) (Well, OK, maybe both.)

Am I done? Not exactly. The virus is still among us, victims are still dying, and most people have yet to be vaccinated. Yes, I have returned to work since schools are now partially open. I am still wearing a mask, and keeping myself physically-distanced from the handful of students in my classroom. I still haven’t hugged all those out-of-state family members, like my son, my mom, my sister, my sister-in-law, and my nieces. But we are planning some extended travel for late June, and I am having fewer anxiety-filled dreams.

Last night, we listened to President Biden’s address to the American people. His message was one of guarded optimism: we may be able to gather in small groups by July 4, and we may be able to get people vaccinated more quickly than expected, but we still need to be careful and alert. He signed the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill, which probably will turn out to be a historic piece of legislation in its scope and ambition. So many Americans need help. So many children need to be lifted out of poverty. I trust this is a step in the right direction for our country.

Today’s drink, therefore, is my version of the All-American Cocktail, my salute to American tenacity and achievement.

In a highball glass, combine 1 ounce bourbon with 1 ounce Southern Comfort. Slowly add about 6 ounces of cola, and stir gently. Fill glass to the top with crushed ice. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Throwback to March 16, 2014

1. Do those magenta running shoes have good arch support?

2. What kind of stud would you get if you got your nose pierced?

3. Are you using both of the cow skulls in your next sculpture?

4. Besides plywood and cement, what else do you need from Lowe’s?

5. Since you will be of legal drinking age in London this summer, you should get Guinness with your fish and chips.

6. Who are you snap chatting now?

7. Oh, I understand: all these penis-like representations on the New Guinea carvings were there to scare away the enemies.

8. Of course we should order dessert!

9. There are some hot men walking around Manhattan!

10. Let’s take some selfies in Times Square!

Throwback to March 8, 2015

1. Watching Duke basketball.

2. Taking care of summer internship details.

3. Sleeping.

4. Driving to the beach with the lovely girlfriend.

5. Showing British Boyfriend all the landmarks in Manhattan.

6. Touring the art museums of Manhattan.

7. Standing in Times Square.

8. Driving to the beach with British Boyfriend.

9. Sleeping some more.

10. Pondering that perhaps a visit home could mean free meals for several days.

11. Rolling their eyeballs at their mother’s attempts to induce profound guilty feelings and longing for her loving arms.

Throwback to March 25, 2014

1. It was on the way home from my dental appointment, so I felt I deserved a treat.

2. The shopping center parking lot was remarkably empty, probably due to the falling snow.

3. The falling snow. Enough said. Another reason I deserve a treat.

4. Easter is only 3 1/2 weeks away, and I needed chocolate eggs for the family members’ baskets.

5. I wanted to see if they were playing Christmas carols in the store, because after all, it is snowing out there. (They weren’t.)

6. Chocolate is a cure for the depression brought on by late March snow.

7. Chocolate is a cure for the depression brought on by the realization that my baby will be 17 tomorrow.

8. Why the hell not?

Friday, March 5, 2021

Hooray! Vaccine dose number 2 went into my arm on Monday, and other than a wee headache and a sore arm, I felt no pain and no real side effects. (Oh my goodness, could this mean it didn’t take? I won’t dwell on that–should I?) I am counting my blessings, and really feeling hope-filled for myself, at least. I step into the high school building this coming Monday to prepare my workspace, after being gone for almost exactly a full calendar year. I meet the freshmen on Wednesday and Thursday. And the next Monday, “hybrid school” begins, which means that the 40-plus percent of our students who want face-to-face education will be able to come in two days a week. And yes, I like calling it “face-to-face” versus “in-person,” because I miss seeing faces–or at least partial faces, since we are wearing masks.

A new normal is coming for me, one that will a bit more closely resemble the normal of pre-pandemic education. Whew!

Today’s drink is my version of the Corpse Reviver No. 2 Cocktail. It’s easy to remember the recipe, since you need equal parts of (almost) each component.

Chill a small martini glass. In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine 1 ounce dry gin, 1 ounce Lillet Blanc, 1 ounce Triple Sec, and 1 ounce lemon juice. Rinse the inside of the chilled glass with Absinthe and drain the extra. Shake the cocktail well, and strain into the glass. Careful–this one is potent!

Throwback to February 29, 2016

1. The Supreme Leader/Snoke looking less like a cross between The Wizard of Oz and Voldemort, and a little more “normal.” Maybe with a bad, Trump-like comb-over.

2. A subtle wink-wink to Disney, which now owns the franchise. Like Buzz Lightyear as a Resistance pilot. Or Mickey Mouse sitting with the “aliens” at the bar. Or even Princess Jasmine shackled to a slug-like crime lord.

3. Kylo Ren acknowledging that he should have thought his actions through a bit better, because his momma is never ever ever going to let him forget what he did. The guilt she will inflict on him, both actively and in a passive-aggressive manner, may be more powerful than The Force.

4. Some lip-lock action between Leia and Han. They may be older, but a woman still has needs. And he’s freaking HAN SOLO, for heaven’s sake.

Throwback to March 9, 2013

1. Dude! You pulled out quickly and without looking and missed us by inches!

2. When my son honked at you, it was to warn you to stop before you hit us. This action does not justify your vulgar gesture back toward us.

3. Both men in the front seat–Son and Husband–were wearing their uniforms. Isn’t there something profoundly wrong about flipping the bird to a Boy Scout? So un-American, shame on you.

Throwback to March 11, 2013

1. He walks with a lot of energy.

2. If he can manage the NYC diocese, he must be a good businessman.

3. Since he’s an American, he knows all about world affairs.

4. Dolan? Nope, the family changed the name. He’s probably Dolanski, and therefore Polish!