It's snowing, I have a nasty cold, I ate pizza, dreamt of Ken Coomer and John Stirrat of Wilco, and woke up freezing - I must be in Chicago.
I'm here chasing some mythical French visa. Conveniently, my daughter Hazel lives in Chicago so I get to spend time with her. I try to leave her life out of my writing these days but she was laid off from her job a few weeks ago with no warning, and she's having a hell of a time finding anything else. What a terrible time to be looking for a job! If anyone knows of anything for a smart, responsible young woman, email me and I'll pass it on to her.
Being on the move in Europe the past few weeks, it was possible to fall out of touch with the economic situation. Here in the US it is inescapable - I'm wondering if therapists are seeing an increase in business because my feelings of stress, dread and hopelessness have increased dramatically since I got off the plane. (note to Hazel: look into becoming a therapist?) No wonder I finally gave in and got sick.
But there seems to be an increase in cheap and free things to do, or at least everybody is focusing on how to cope with no money. We took advantage of free admission to the Art Institute here the other day, and also went to see a double feature at the Siskel Center that was part of Hazel's roommate Libby's film class.
Just before we went in, Hazel told me that Lux Interior had died last week. Again, I felt like I'd been living in a little bubble, because I hadn't heard anything about it. The Cramps were one of my favorite groups in New York, back in the late 70's. I can't even count the number of times I saw them play.
The films playing were "I Walked With A Zombie" and "The Seventh Victim", 40's horror films big on atmosphere and impossible to follow. I know it was cheap to get in but I kept wishing that with my limited time here we'd gone to see something new, even if it meant shelling out a few more dollars.
But I kept thinking about Lux, and imagining him and Ivy getting a kick out of films just like this in their swinging pad, and that got me through.
6 comments:
ohhh, no wonder you knew about the Art Institute being free! Sorry to hear about Hazel's job....and your feelings of stress, etc. Times ARE scary right now... I just look at my boys' faces and then drink some wine while looking at youtube to deal with it all....
good luck with the visa situation...
there is a cold wind blowing everywhere. I am frightened for my children's future...and for my own.
Oh well...eat drink and be merry
Yes, eating, drinking, reading, singing & playing, watching movies, listenin to music and being healthy together, what else really matters?!
The Carte de Sejour, do you still have to get chest x ray to prove your lungs are suitably healthy for residence in France? Good luck!
hi Jim! Yes, I think that,like for just about everything official in France, even buying foie gras, some kind of physical is involved.
amy:
you are right on when you speak of the increase in stress translating into higher client/patient loads for therapists. however, that doesn't necessarily lead one to being "moneyed up." still, the life of a therapist is a good life as it gives one the opportunity to focus on hope and strengths and possibilities; unless, of course, your theoretical approach is based on freudian principles. if your daughter is an apple who did not fall far from the tree, her sense of humor would be a great asset in her future, potential therapist profession.
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