Amy’s Adventures

On Memorial Day, it’s important to remember the freedoms we have and those who have sacrificed to give us those freedoms.

It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.

It is the veteran, who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag, and whose coffin will be draped by the flag.” –Author Unknown

It was inevitable that the women of the  Bridget Jones and Ally McBeal generation would grow into “Cougardom.” As a girl/lady/ woman of a certain age, I am not beyond looking at the benefits of dating younger men. Despite the obvious sexual compatibility of a younger guy and older girl, the younger guys are just more pretty to look at. Just go to your 20 year class reunion and you’ll know what I’m talking about.  Of course, I generalize and yes, there may  be exceptions, but for cougar women it’s a numbers game and simply, there’s just more attractive, younger guys in the world than men my age or older. So as I look at the world around me, I find the cougar in me wants to come out and play. If you see any of these boys, please tell them I’m looking for them.

Mom and I at Hilton Head Island

It’s Mother’s Day 2010 and a good time to reflect on the things my mom taught me.

• Respect your elders and say “yes ma’m/yes sir, no ma’m/no sir”
• Take a hostess gift when invited to a party
• Send a thank you note for gifts and weekend stays
• Be on time
• Honor your commitments
• Tell the truth
• Reading builds your vocabulary and keeps your mind sharp
• Stay active in mind and body, it’ll keep you young

Renoir

The closing of the Georgia O’Keefe special exhibit this weekend finally pushed me to pay the $12 entrance fee to The Phillips Collection.  Since DC is full of free museums, I’m hesitant on forking over cash that could be well spent on two margaritas at Guapo’s. However, I made an exception because, well, who doesn’t want to see the sexual innuendos of this great 20th century artist up close and personal? I couldn’t resist.

Simply, the O’Keefe exhibit was amazing, and for  everyone that has ever had an O’Keefe poster in their house, they will immediately take it down as soon as they see the real thing. Those posters just don’t show the intricacies of the colors, the depth of the shapes and the brilliance of this great artist.

I respected the no photos policy of the special O”Keefe exhibit; however, I found the permanent collection of Picasso, Renoir, Degas, Monet and Kadinsky to be well worth my $12.

The Phillips Collection: Permanent Exhibits

Degas

Picasso

Disney is a cult! Yes, I said, it. Disney is a cult! Sorry, Sue and Tyler, I loved your Disney wedding, but after five days living on the grounds of the “happiest place on earth,” I felt I was being wooed into believing that nothing bad ever happens in the world,  and if I stayed there long enough,  I too could find Prince Charming while riding Space Mountain.

Call me a realist, but life is not a “happily ever after,” as Mr. Disney wants us all to believe.  Cinderella and Snow White are just fantasies: A ploy to  warp little girls minds into believing that Prince Charming will come and sweep them away.  My rant on Disney could go on for hours, but I found that photos do a much better job in dispelling the happily ever myth that Disney has forced upon little girls for over 50 years.

Possibly, Disney should consider using these photos as a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie. WARNING: The movie you are about to see WILL NOT  happen to you. Instead, you will be forced into a life of reality!  (A note of thanks to Eilis for the photos. )

Cinderella

Snow White

Belle (Beauty and the Beast)

The Little Mermaid