On Friday, Jim and I got to see a rare movie. We saw the film "Little Children" about the supposed boring lives of mothers (and fathers) of suburbia. Strangely ironic, New York magazine had been interviewing people at our park earlier that afternoon. They didn't approach me because I'm too dirty looking - but they did make a bee-line for my best friend at the park - the very handsome, sexy, gay, 24 yr old neighhborhood babysitter. Afterwards, I asked him excitedly what they had asked. He told me, "Oh, they weren't interested in me. They wanted parents, and they wanted to know if any of the parents were having affairs." He told them - Hell if I know, I'm just the babsitter! Then, they asked him if any of the parents hit on him. "I said ....a no...."
I liked the film. But, what I'm curious about this mytholgy that parents have very boring lives and have to screw each other for entertainment. Obviously, this myth exists mainly in the suburbs and I live in the city - but, why would New York magazine be lurking for the scandel if they didn't believe some of this had envaded the streets of, well, Brooklyn.
From my experience, New York Magazine is off to the wrong start. I know A LOT of parents - ranging from stay-at-home to work 24 hrs. a day. Here is a list of their jobs:
Video artist/political blogger
Bar Owner
High paid Computer Mavin
Lawyer
Painter/ Professor
Senior person at Real Simple
PhD. Canidate in Poetry
Construction Woker/ Sci Fi Writer
Math Teacher/ Sci Fi Writer
Poet
Poet/ Professor
Admin. Assistant
Wood Carver for Museum Frames
Musician
Architect
Record Store owner
Junk Shop Owner
Assistant to Director of Admissions at a major private school
Owner of 2 Restuarants
Jewelry Designer for W
Journalist
P.S. All the parents seem really in love - what a concept!
2 comments:
You mean to tell me my life isn't a movie? After all these years? Damn, now I have to take responsibility for my actions.
Blogrolling you, Jennifer.
Alas, such surveys arouse little in me except a giant shrug and accompanying "So what?". Are most people still so insecure and navel-gazing that their world(s) revolve around wondering if their partner (or anyone else, including themselves, for that matter) is having an affair? Good Lord. I can think of at least 1,000 other things that are probably more important in the scheme of things -- at least in terms of what someone should be obsessed with. And are affairs of the heart really markers of one's goodness? Let's see...probably the most important American in the 20th century was FDR -- several affairs have been documented, but do this affect our consideration of his achievements? Nope. Same with a pretty fair chunk of writers, thinkers, painters, playwrights whom we cherish, admire and adore.
So let's get those reporters to ask the really hard questions. There are plenty of people who would love to have the ability to even contemplate something as basic as an affair -- but they're too busy figuring out how to eat, how to clothe themselves, how to treat that chronic diarrhea. Etc. Etc.
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