Foggy world, foggy mind/Not Funny like an Ex-Parrot/Santa Anita/Movies: Old Acquaintance, The Wild Pear Tree, A Matter of Life & Death/No Reading This Week!
Why am I watching your Substack? I've been faithful subscriber since sometime last spring. I look forward to watching your SSS weekly. I appreciate your introspection and intelligence. I always find some some nugget that inspires my own self-reflection and growth. Your videos inspire me to write at least weekly in my journal, reflecting on my previous week as you do in your videos. I'm even thinking about starting my own Substack.
We are both at the same stage of life, in fact we share the same birthday. Happy birthday, by the way! I'll be celebrating my 65th on Tuesday. At this age, I'm figuring out what is important to me in the present and for the future stage of life. Your thoughtful comments about your life help me reflect on my own.
I'm not here because you're funny, so it's fine with me if you're not. Just be yourself. That's exactly why I'm here.
Thank you for the gift of lifetime subscriber at the end of 2023. I can't wait to watch Older and Wider on January 1st.
Thank you! I am glad, because it's exhausting to be funny all the time. I appreciate your comments, Laura. xoxo I hope you enjoy 65! I plan to enjoy 64. And you should start your own Substack! I feel it's fun just because it makes me do things and I'm learning better how to do them.
Yaaaaaaay! Lifetime subscription! It's like you just moved in next door and, while we may not share meals on special occasions, we'll continue having conversations over the fence forever! Looking forward to Older and Wider and thinking your commitment to writing the Cass Elliot book is what's behind your move away from needing to 'be funny'. Besides, it's your quick wit and keen insight into artists and the arts that make you fun to hang with here on the 'stack. The fact that you also run in several interesting celebrity circles is the icing on your birthday cake! Have a wonderful celebration and many happy returns!
I'm not here expecting a stand-up comedy routine. Riffing on Monty Python to describe your supposedly dead humor was, in fact, funny, but funny or not is fine. I'm here for the same reason I read memoirs and personal essays: I like that mental connection, that window onto other lives, the quiet observations about places and ideas and people that life offers up. I'm interested in books and walks and just life generally, and I find your takes very interesting. I have written down book recommendations, and gotten a look at the La Brea Tar Pits, and at pre-dawn Hollywood Blvd., and at the tiaras in Kathy Griffin's closet, and I've learned more about Japanese films than I ever expected.
So I'd say, don't feel pressured to be a certain way; be flexible ... a lot can happen in a year, and you may get a new impulse about what you want to post on Substack. You may want to do the summaries for longer than a year, or you may want to switch to a different kind of post, or cover a new subject that you're not even thinking of right now. Bottom line is, if you're posting about what excites and interests you, it will be engaging.
I did not even know you were famous for being funny even though we are roughly the same age and I watched Saturday night live in 70s and 80s. After I looked you up of course of recognized you. You can also blame your mother for why I watch your Substack! 😀 I am on a mailing list for Dr. Jeremy Faust and he included a link to your video about your mother's death. My father in law was on his death bed at the time and my husband was having a difficult time. He is very Catholic so I wasn't sure he would like it but I shared it with him. He did like it. I think he could relate to certain parts of. I don't know yet if I will subscribe. I do find your video both entertaining and educational. - Marcia
I hoped to see your artistic work at the end of this video with music and photos. What happened? Maybe a separate video? That was a fun beach walk with you. All your videos make me feel like I've just spent quality time with the funniest, most intelligent, and most charming person in the world. Looking forward to seeing your birthday report. Oh, I tried to subscribe, but PayPal wanted my fingerprint confirmation and I could not remember which finger I originally used for the set-up. I'll subscribe another way. Very inexpensive investment to keep you in my life every week.
From watching UnCabaZooms, I know when you say "not very funny," it's a cue that something really funny is coming next. I love slow cinema too, so added those Ceylan films to my Letterboxd watchlist (already saw and loved Anatolia). Happy Birthday!
I came upon your Substack by sheer accident... well, how accidental could it be if I was already on Substack? In any case, loved it, and really enjoy your sense of humor. Kind of funny your discovery, that you at least think you’re not funny anymore. I think time will tell but, I really enjoy your walks and talks and your stories. I actually don’t know what kind of subscription I have, but if it’s not a paid one, I will definitely join with coin the coin of the realm. Have a wonderful birthday. Looking forward to videos. Love from Marblehead Massachusetts.
You are a creative, and creatives have to tell stories, to let ideas out, and to just *try*. If you question your own funny, you may not see it, but we do! Don't mind "why" you do it. You are just a natural.
See all other comments: we love you for who you are, and I don't think anyone would change anything.
(I almost shouted at you for the water, but you beat me to it!)
Dear Ex-Parrot, I've been re-reading my erstwhile pal Mary Schmich, and somewhere in 2008 she wrote a FEUILLETON YES YOU HEARD ME FEUILLETON about you walking and talking and your marvelous preoccupation with family, faith (or lack thereof), and mortality. I think I love you most for sharing the same preoccupations, and NOT BEING CUT OUT for the BIZ. Love the videos, love you. What if we did a slow movie festival #tasteofcherry
I don't feel that urge about being upset about how other people act, which I learned at my mother's knee.
And it actually feels good!
You were able to put into words exactly EXACTLY what I struggle with in my relationship with my narcissistic mother who still walks this earth and is determined to torture me for decades more, or so I am convinced. I have been trying so goddamn hard to break free from the chains of what she's hung around my neck my entire life, and for the most part have been successful of late. But this, those few simple words strung together blew it all up for me.
I'd say, tell me more, so I can understand where that came from, but at the same time I am thinking ENOUGH! Enough time wasted over trying to extricate myself from dysfunction. It seems you may have just given me the key to unlock the attic door and release myself. I wrote those words down yesterday and keep going back to them.
AND I loved the foggy walk on the beach, those types of beach walks are way superior to the sunny ones in my opinion, so thank you for doing that!
echoing the others who've commented here - it's fun hanging out with you because you're interesting, thoughtful, introspective, interested. it's kinda like with any friend: funny is just a bonus! it's not what sustains the connection.
i turn 65 this coming november. can't retire for a few more years; still have unlaunched kids at home. life is better though than it was all those busy crazy just barely staying afloat years. having the basic life questions answered - who's your family & friends? what's your work? where's your home? - means there's time now to focus on appreciating where we're at in the present & to indulge in avocations we didn't have time for before. it's like being in our 20s again, but better, because now we have friendships nurtured over decades.
I watch your SSS for the sheer enjoyment and imprint of a woman living well. I may not lol at every video (nor do I expect I should) but I often find myself grinning as I watch. And when you were telling us where your funny had gone (e.g. joining the "Choir Invisible") I DID lol.
I imagine that your funny is simply changing, maturing, becoming like a reduction sauce that only needs a small amount to accompany the delightful main course. :-)
Very best birthday wishes to you Julia. Make the day as you wish absolutely. I admire that you explore a variety of methods for self expression- and that you generously share such with us! I was a great fan of your blog of "yesteryear"- and lived vicariously through your afternoons in the home theatre and the many books you devoured during Illinois winters. Whatever vehicle you may use after Substack (or in addition to), sign me up.
Why am I watching your Substack? I've been faithful subscriber since sometime last spring. I look forward to watching your SSS weekly. I appreciate your introspection and intelligence. I always find some some nugget that inspires my own self-reflection and growth. Your videos inspire me to write at least weekly in my journal, reflecting on my previous week as you do in your videos. I'm even thinking about starting my own Substack.
We are both at the same stage of life, in fact we share the same birthday. Happy birthday, by the way! I'll be celebrating my 65th on Tuesday. At this age, I'm figuring out what is important to me in the present and for the future stage of life. Your thoughtful comments about your life help me reflect on my own.
I'm not here because you're funny, so it's fine with me if you're not. Just be yourself. That's exactly why I'm here.
Thank you for the gift of lifetime subscriber at the end of 2023. I can't wait to watch Older and Wider on January 1st.
Thank you! I am glad, because it's exhausting to be funny all the time. I appreciate your comments, Laura. xoxo I hope you enjoy 65! I plan to enjoy 64. And you should start your own Substack! I feel it's fun just because it makes me do things and I'm learning better how to do them.
The way you described not being funny any more was actually pretty funny.
xoxo
Yaaaaaaay! Lifetime subscription! It's like you just moved in next door and, while we may not share meals on special occasions, we'll continue having conversations over the fence forever! Looking forward to Older and Wider and thinking your commitment to writing the Cass Elliot book is what's behind your move away from needing to 'be funny'. Besides, it's your quick wit and keen insight into artists and the arts that make you fun to hang with here on the 'stack. The fact that you also run in several interesting celebrity circles is the icing on your birthday cake! Have a wonderful celebration and many happy returns!
Lorian! Thank you so much.
I'm not here expecting a stand-up comedy routine. Riffing on Monty Python to describe your supposedly dead humor was, in fact, funny, but funny or not is fine. I'm here for the same reason I read memoirs and personal essays: I like that mental connection, that window onto other lives, the quiet observations about places and ideas and people that life offers up. I'm interested in books and walks and just life generally, and I find your takes very interesting. I have written down book recommendations, and gotten a look at the La Brea Tar Pits, and at pre-dawn Hollywood Blvd., and at the tiaras in Kathy Griffin's closet, and I've learned more about Japanese films than I ever expected.
So I'd say, don't feel pressured to be a certain way; be flexible ... a lot can happen in a year, and you may get a new impulse about what you want to post on Substack. You may want to do the summaries for longer than a year, or you may want to switch to a different kind of post, or cover a new subject that you're not even thinking of right now. Bottom line is, if you're posting about what excites and interests you, it will be engaging.
Also, happy birthday!
I did not even know you were famous for being funny even though we are roughly the same age and I watched Saturday night live in 70s and 80s. After I looked you up of course of recognized you. You can also blame your mother for why I watch your Substack! 😀 I am on a mailing list for Dr. Jeremy Faust and he included a link to your video about your mother's death. My father in law was on his death bed at the time and my husband was having a difficult time. He is very Catholic so I wasn't sure he would like it but I shared it with him. He did like it. I think he could relate to certain parts of. I don't know yet if I will subscribe. I do find your video both entertaining and educational. - Marcia
I hoped to see your artistic work at the end of this video with music and photos. What happened? Maybe a separate video? That was a fun beach walk with you. All your videos make me feel like I've just spent quality time with the funniest, most intelligent, and most charming person in the world. Looking forward to seeing your birthday report. Oh, I tried to subscribe, but PayPal wanted my fingerprint confirmation and I could not remember which finger I originally used for the set-up. I'll subscribe another way. Very inexpensive investment to keep you in my life every week.
From watching UnCabaZooms, I know when you say "not very funny," it's a cue that something really funny is coming next. I love slow cinema too, so added those Ceylan films to my Letterboxd watchlist (already saw and loved Anatolia). Happy Birthday!
I came upon your Substack by sheer accident... well, how accidental could it be if I was already on Substack? In any case, loved it, and really enjoy your sense of humor. Kind of funny your discovery, that you at least think you’re not funny anymore. I think time will tell but, I really enjoy your walks and talks and your stories. I actually don’t know what kind of subscription I have, but if it’s not a paid one, I will definitely join with coin the coin of the realm. Have a wonderful birthday. Looking forward to videos. Love from Marblehead Massachusetts.
You are a creative, and creatives have to tell stories, to let ideas out, and to just *try*. If you question your own funny, you may not see it, but we do! Don't mind "why" you do it. You are just a natural.
See all other comments: we love you for who you are, and I don't think anyone would change anything.
(I almost shouted at you for the water, but you beat me to it!)
Dear Ex-Parrot, I've been re-reading my erstwhile pal Mary Schmich, and somewhere in 2008 she wrote a FEUILLETON YES YOU HEARD ME FEUILLETON about you walking and talking and your marvelous preoccupation with family, faith (or lack thereof), and mortality. I think I love you most for sharing the same preoccupations, and NOT BEING CUT OUT for the BIZ. Love the videos, love you. What if we did a slow movie festival #tasteofcherry
Would like to recommend the movie "The Letter." Betty Davis and all the actors in it did a fantastic job. I think you would like it, Julia.
Sorry, but you ARE still funny! Checked my subscription, and yes I have a yearly subscription. Yay, I am a lifelong subscriber!
OH. MY. GAWD. This:
I don't feel that urge about being upset about how other people act, which I learned at my mother's knee.
And it actually feels good!
You were able to put into words exactly EXACTLY what I struggle with in my relationship with my narcissistic mother who still walks this earth and is determined to torture me for decades more, or so I am convinced. I have been trying so goddamn hard to break free from the chains of what she's hung around my neck my entire life, and for the most part have been successful of late. But this, those few simple words strung together blew it all up for me.
I'd say, tell me more, so I can understand where that came from, but at the same time I am thinking ENOUGH! Enough time wasted over trying to extricate myself from dysfunction. It seems you may have just given me the key to unlock the attic door and release myself. I wrote those words down yesterday and keep going back to them.
AND I loved the foggy walk on the beach, those types of beach walks are way superior to the sunny ones in my opinion, so thank you for doing that!
echoing the others who've commented here - it's fun hanging out with you because you're interesting, thoughtful, introspective, interested. it's kinda like with any friend: funny is just a bonus! it's not what sustains the connection.
i turn 65 this coming november. can't retire for a few more years; still have unlaunched kids at home. life is better though than it was all those busy crazy just barely staying afloat years. having the basic life questions answered - who's your family & friends? what's your work? where's your home? - means there's time now to focus on appreciating where we're at in the present & to indulge in avocations we didn't have time for before. it's like being in our 20s again, but better, because now we have friendships nurtured over decades.
I watch your SSS for the sheer enjoyment and imprint of a woman living well. I may not lol at every video (nor do I expect I should) but I often find myself grinning as I watch. And when you were telling us where your funny had gone (e.g. joining the "Choir Invisible") I DID lol.
I imagine that your funny is simply changing, maturing, becoming like a reduction sauce that only needs a small amount to accompany the delightful main course. :-)
Very best birthday wishes to you Julia. Make the day as you wish absolutely. I admire that you explore a variety of methods for self expression- and that you generously share such with us! I was a great fan of your blog of "yesteryear"- and lived vicariously through your afternoons in the home theatre and the many books you devoured during Illinois winters. Whatever vehicle you may use after Substack (or in addition to), sign me up.