Funny story. Years ago, when Andy and I had first started dating we happened to run into each other at a dance. A slow song came on, signaling the opportunity to pair up. With my studded belt and Buddy Holly glasses, I was his obvious choice. There was a lull in our somewhat awkward conversation which Andy broke with, “So, do you like Chicago?” Unaware that the Napoleon Dynamite-esque song we were dancing to was by the very band, Chicago, unaware in fact that there was such a band, I responded politely that I had never been there. And I wasn’t going to judge him for it, but I did think it an odd inquiry.
So how did we end up together when my idea of a romantic song included heavy drums and death- imagery and Andy’s romantic notions fall under the genre I laughingly refer to as “Butt Rock?” When my day-dreams include reading the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy together, and his include shouting wildly at televised basket-ball players? TomAto-tomato. We both like England, art, playing Chess, and watching Will Ferrell movies, and really what more could you ask for?
I’ve never been a fan of “romantic” songs, books, or movies. It isn’t that I’m completely unromantic- I just have different ideas about romance than some women. The most difficult moment for me in any friendship with another woman is the moment she says, “Hey let’s have a girl’s night and go see (insert she-film here)” First I have to muffle my cringe, then diplomatically explain how I’d rather see the awesomely nerdy epic movie playing in theater 5 because I read the book multiple times- simultaneously making it clear I’m not being judgmental, that it’s not her- its me, that I’m a cold-hearted-wench that doesn’t want to see a movie about bridesmaid dresses and women who overlook their gorgeous guy-pal until he finds happiness with someone else, all the while keeping my fingers crossed she still wants to be my friend. So I usually just see the friggin’ movie and vent to Andy later.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m plenty girlie. My favorite book is Jane Eyre, I love the A&E Pride and Prejudice mini-series, I break down in tears bi-monthly, I love newborn baby smell, and I’m constantly asking Andy his honest opinion of whether I look fat in these jeans. And to set the record straight I’m always up for a girl’s night out as long as we skip the Julia Stiles movie and head straight for dessert.
Hilarious! My Precious, You really MUST write a book! And you are! But when do you have time? Meanwhile, this blog will do nicely.
Just for all to note Brookie’s perfectly pointed toe in her ballet! YES! She is a Prima Ballerina in the making!
Why didn’t you say something earlier. . .like 7 years earlier? Do you know how many times I’ve invited you out for a chick flick? Probably 5 times and apparently 5 times too many! Next time we’ll skip the movie and head straight for leatherbys! And never be afraid to say “Angie . . .I hate freakin chick flicks . . . let’s go shopping for will ferrell t-shirts” And I will say “Di . . .you are too blastin awesome, no wonder I love ya!”
Di, we are soul mates, you and I. Wayne and I never disagree on going to the movies, because everything we are willing to pay $8 to see involves a lot of pyrotechnics and surround sound galore! I DO like seeing chick flicks with Kelly (she is the only person that can bring me to a giddy state over a sloppy kissing scene in a chick flick…think Tad Hamilton woodchopping scene (remember Wayne, he looks like you)), but I am definately a “beer and wildflowers” chick as opposed to the “wine and roses” variety. (…so to speak)
LOL!!!I love who you are SO MUCH!!! I knew you were this way from the get go…that’s why I asked to see the Simpson Movie. I didn’t want to humiliate myself later….I LOVE YOU!!!
Hey, someone else has my name. I just wanted to say in an Al Gore accent: “Agree.”
Oh and I’d tell you how awesome you are, but I’m sick of it already.
LOL! Yes I have two Angie blogger buddies now. One just wasn’t enough. I’ve got a fever and the only perscription is more Angies.
Shana, you have been around more than half my life- somehow it seems I have become the nerdier, unmotivated, albeit taller version of you.
BTW Angie B, if you recall I’m the one who made you see “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. So consider us even. Let’s go get that icecream. Jamie- you in?
It took me years to finally appreciate my own little cold-hearted wench (ouch!!! Shana was reading over my shoulder, and I wasn’t aware of it).
So anyways, it’s not that I didn’t totally dig the anti-romanticism in Shana.
It’s just that it’s not what I expected. Mom and Gina were my examples of what women were like: very feminine, and very…
So anyways,keep being who you are. If Andy doesn’t appreciate it yet, he will. I guaran-dang-tee it.
It is a rare and pretty awesome thing to have a wife who never insists on going to see a chick flick, or who detests the likes of Julia Roberts and Celine Dion as much as I do.
I personally think more women are like you and Shana than are willing to admit it, because of some social stereotype they’ve been trying to model since early childhood.
To them, I implore to “grow some.”… not REALLY, of course…
Grow some WHAT, Wayne? Cajones? Huevos?
Personally, I like that there is such a wide variety of women. Some of my best friends are blubbery saps. I’m just not one of them. Somehow it all meshes.
Let me clarify…
I’m only asking those who are of the personality types of a Shana or Diana by nature, who deny it and pretend to be something they’re not, to get real.
Sure, there are plenty of women who are naturally very “feminine”, and that’s great. There’s nothing wrong with that. It takes all types. It’s just not MY type. I dated one in high school and couldn’t stand it.
I’m just saying that if a woman is overcompensating for her self-perceived lack of femininity, it’s a bit overbearing.
She’s much more attractive if she is just herself, otherwise she’ll end up with a man who thought he was getting something he wanted, an “ultra-feminine” woman, only to discover later, that she isn’t who he thought she was at all. Then what?
It will come out eventually.
Can I tag along on your ice cream outings? I am loving me some ice cream (and brownies, cookies, cake, pie, and for some reason, cashews) at this point in my life. And just to make you feel better, the last movie I saw in the theater was the latest Harry Potter. And the one before that was “Blades of Glory” – never laughed so hard. The one before that…Harry Potter. So you see, not much of a movie goer at all. But that ice cream….
Heck yes you can Erika.
I cried (several times!) at P.S. I Love You, but yelled and clapped at Ironman. What catergory do I fall into?
I think you should try out for “Time Out For Women” you’d be a best seller and favorite speaker too…there are few of the no fluff types, I’d rather watch an action movie than a chick flick anyday. And why buy flowers when you could get me a new shirt or jeans or junior mints.
Kel, lets just say you have a lot of the “Taylor” blood in you. And that ain’t a bad thing.
… Oh and one more thing: Women who really are “feminine” should be happy with that too. It’s REALLY annoying when they try to be all “masculine”. So, you see, it goes both ways.
Bottom line… be yourself. If somebody doesn’t like you as you are, someone else will.
A&E’s pride and prejudice is my #1 romantic movie of all time! When Darcy comes walking up after swiming.. yep, that’s a good one. 🙂 …
What was I saying? Sorry.. had to take a moment to appreciate that thought. Oh ya, just don’t put on that Keira Knightley version. You should try Wives & Daughters & North & South. I think you would enjoy them. Both are BBC mini series of Elizabeth Gaskell’s books. I also like strange romance films like Buffalo 66 and Bread and Tulips.. but don’t tell anyone. They may think I’m weird.
“I like grapes…”
JK. I love chick-flicks!!!! Give me a great happy ending like in “Enchanted” and I am satisfied. On the other hand… I love some action like “Highlander” or LOTR and I am also happy. I like “black-humor too… “Son, be a den-tist!, You’ll be a success…” Like Shana!!!
I forgive you, Wayne. I make no apologies, just changes …
in my Will! 🙂