...In Which I Bemoan the Dearth of Common Sense In Today's World

My driver's license unexpectedly expired on my birthday this year. I say unexpectedly because it has always been renewed, without fail, since I first acqquired it at the age of 17. The DMV is supposed to notify you when your license isn't automatically renewed, but apparently the clerk in charge of keeping me abreast of this development was furloughed and I was blissful unaware of my scofflaw status. Once it was helpfully brought to my attention (thank you, local parks and recreation attendant), I scooted over to the DMV to rectify the situation. Except that after 20-odd years, I have to take the written test again. Now, when I first took the written test all those years ago the DMV handbook was more like a pamphlet. A lot has happened vehicularly-speaking since then and the handbook is more akin to the tax code these days. So the nice folks at the DMV sent me off with a temporary license and a DMV handbook, and an admonishment to study and come back for the test in a week or so.

Here's where things get irritating (and face it, when it comes to me you knew we'd arrive at irritating pretty quickly): I went to BevMo today to pick up a bottle of wine and some champagne for New Year's Eve. The clerk asked me for my ID (thank you very much, nice young BevMo boy), and I produced my license.

Clerk: Um, this is expired.

Me: Yes, I know. But here's my temporary license too.

At this point, another clerk interupted our transaction.

Clerk #2: Is it paper? Because that's not a valid form of ID. We can't accept it.

People, I am 42. While I'm somewhat youthful in appearance, by no stretch of the imagination could I be taken for someone under 21 years of age. My driving privilege expired -- not my birthdate. For cryin' out loud. The nice young Trader Joe's guy had no problem a few weeks ago when I used my expired license to validate my pinot grigio purchase. I'm all for responsible sales of alcohol and whatnot but honestly! What has happened to common sense these days?

And you know what the BevMo clerk said to me next?

"Just have a friend come with you to buy your stuff."

Great.

I felt like I was 18 again. Could someone please pass me the Boones Farms?

The Cult of Youth

There is a clothing store called Forever 21. The name puts me right over the edge. It implies that 21 is the golden age, the pinnacle of life. It also somehow manages to convey the message that anyone who isn't 21 cannot possibly be fashionable.

To add insult to injury, there is a new mega-sized Forever 21 right next to my local bookstore, ensuring that the shopping complex will now be overrun by scantily-dressed and rude young people. Ironically, this same shopping complex has had problems with loittering teens and curfew enforcement.

How did we evolve (and I'm not really sure that's the right term to use here) into a society that values youth and inexperience over maturity and the corresponding wisdom that comes from a life lived past 35? More and more, I am growing to resent the disenfranchisement by advertisers and the media of anyone older than 40. We aren't supposed to look our age, dress our age, or even act our age. Honestly, I'm really getting tired of one specific segment of the population so heavily influencing what I watch on TV or listen to on the radio or what kind of car I drive. Um...hello out there? It's the over-40 crowd that has the most discretionary income. And we're more likely to remain loyal to a product or brand. Since the average age-expectancy is now past 80, that's something to think about.

My Past Life

Most people don't know this about me but I took cello lessons for almost 5 years. I had to give the cello up when my husband became terminally ill with kidney and liver failure. I still have my cello, although I haven't played it in over 7 years. But lately I've had a strong urge to get it out and start practicing again. I loved playing the cello and I love hearing music that features this beautiful instrument. It's so evocative and melancholy, and has such a rich timbre -- it's entirely different from any other string instrument and so much more expressive in my opinion. One of my favorite CDs is Yo-Yo Ma playing the Bach suites. Yo-Yo is a god -- an incredible artist. His mastery of the cello is humbling and also inspirational. If you have the chance, listen to his interpretation of the Bach suites. And then give his "Appalachian Waltz" a spin. Two entirely different genres of music, both impressively interpreted by an awesome musician. As for me, I think I might soon be dusting off my own instrument and tuning it up. Let's hope my bow still has its hair.

And Now For Something Completely Irreverent

So I'm probably the only person in the universe who wasn't aware of this website (we can't all be hipsters all the time):

http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/

My favorite quote so far?

P. Diddy on formal rival Snoop Dogg: "We ain't no gangsters. We are men first."

Plenty - A Cultural Cornicopia

Some people treat a visit to a museum the same way they read a magazine: they're skimmers. Others take a more "War and Peace" approach. While I'm not quite Tolstoyic, I do like to take my time and really appreciate the exhibit. And I usually purchase the guidebook or audio tour because I want to know more. I want the history, the backstory, the in-depth insight. But according to an article this week in the NY Times arts section, most museum visitors are more interested in taking photographs of the exhibits than actually seeing them.

Part of this is attributed to a "cornicopia of culture." We are a society rich in access to art, theater, design, literature and music. But all too often we adopt a "checklist" mentality when it comes to the appreciation of the arts: Been there, done that, and "1,000 Things to Do/See/Read/Visit/Experience Before You Die." Jeez, talk about a lot of pressure. No wonder we're so rushed -- we've got a lot to do before we permanently clock out.

So I'm curious...what do you think? Are you a skimmer or do you like to make a day of it? Leave a comment and let me know!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/03/arts/design/03abroad.html/

Anthropologie

The latest Anthropologie catalogue arrived today.

Honestly? I think their stuff is ridiculously priced, but I love their catalogues. They usually feature interesting fashion and jewelry and an eclectic collection of textiles for the home. Everything is beautifully photographed, and becomes fodder for my richly imagined fantasy life. I can *totally* see me living in the atelier pictured above!

This issue also has a sheath dress that's heavily textured with embroidered running stitches. I think detailing like this would look good on a cardigan, too -- maybe not the entire cardi but small areas like the hem and cuffs or the buttonband. Check out that chunky vintage-looking necklace -- very cool.

And this goldfish pillow ($118!) reminds me that I have a sashiko koi pattern in my craft to-do queue. I've been wondering what I could do with the finished piece, but now I've got an idea...

Anthropologie is online at http://www.anthropologie.com/.

You can also request your own catalogue -- because everyone likes to dream.

Eleanor Wood

I'm really interested in mixed-media artwork, collages and paper craft. I love the textural variety and the inventive use of materials. So when I read about Eleanor Wood on another website, I had to check her out. You should too:

http://gdi09.co.uk/eleanorwood.html