A Saturday Meme

Willow was tagged with a meme last week that I snagged, thinking it would be an easy Saturday write. From what I gather, all I have to do is write something about myself in regard to certain subjects. Because tagging you guys has become a tricky thing, feel free to snag this yourself, if you feel so inclined...


Clothes Shop
I'm not a clothes person. I don't like shopping, and now that I've gotten older, I couldn't care less about fashion. If I have to buy something for myself, I like going to Ross or consignment stores, where I can find "hippy dippy" things. If I had my way, I'd have a closet full of kurta sets from India. I also like Levi 501s and rugby shirts. When I have to dress for a concert, or the opera, or a nice dinner, I like basic concert black: black slacks, blouse, and jacket.

Furniture Shop
Yeah, I could spend some money on furniture if I had it. I don't like showroom suites though, I prefer miss-matched reproductions, usually in the late 18th century/Empire style. I like classy funk, and Shabby Chic just makes me want to get out the paint cans. In our powder room is a lovely little Hooker sink vanity that pretty much sums up my style. Just throw in an antique lamp with a fringed shade and some antique chotchkies and that's me.

Sweet
Food-wise, I've never been into sweets, so I'll apply the word elsewhere. I love sweet-natured people for their gentleness and compassion. Unfortunately, these are the very people who so often get trampled, used and abused. When I meet a truly sweet person (not obsequious or superficially cloying), my protective instincts flare and my usual easy-going nature changes.

City
One half of me envisions living the city life in some metropolitan center like Vienna, Toronto, London, or Boston, and the other half craves a few acres in the country, a cabin in the mountains, or a seaside cottage. One life is not enough, nor is it long enough. If I were faced with having to make a snap decision, however, I'd choose an apartment in Vienna.

Drink
I used to love recreational drinking. Actually, I still do, but I can't do it like I used to due to my health. Sitting in a room drinking wine with friends is one of life's great joys, but I fear my days of that are over. Once in a while I can let go a little, but I pay for it later. Still, I can make two or three glasses stretch like nobody's business.

Music
I could write all day about music because I'm a musician. I can't say that I like all styles of music, but I can appreciate the best of any of them. I tend to like artists more than styles though, and I have no patience for people who issue broad statements like, "I hate Country music". One time back in the 80s, someone said to me, "I hate opera!" to which I replied, "Really? How many operas have you seen?" Their reply was, as I predicted, none. When I took them them to see Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, they absolutely loved it. I detest musical bigotry; like with food, I'm open to try anything so that I can develop my tastes. I have to add though, that music isn't only something I listen to, enjoy, or create. It is at the foundation of my being and that without it, as the saying goes, life would be a mistake.

TV
I never used to watch television (I didn't even have one for years), but then my health took a turn and I wasn't able to be busy doing things all day. Since then, I've grown to accept the machine a little better and I have certain stations I enjoy, like PBS, the Travel Channel, the Food Network, and HGTV (although I like the last one a lot less since it has become more like the Real Estate and Slip-Shod, Cheesy Decorating Channel). I'd love the History Channel, but there's very little history on it in favor of trucks, machines, and Hitler. I listen to music when I work sometimes, but it distracts me (I'm a composer and my brain starts working when music is on), so TV is better background noise for me.

Film
I've never really been into movies; I only see those that really grab my attention, and those are mostly period films. Theaters are too expensive, so I enjoy watching movies at home. I like indy and foreign films, and those that are artsy-fartsy or off-the-wall. But, as in music, I don't like weird for the sake of weird. Don't try to impress me with your "genius", impress me with your subject matter.

Coffee
I love coffee, but I'm not into all the flavors and trendy crap. Give me Folgers, medium strong, with one healthy sugar in it. Don't bother me with the yuppie routine.