THE BEST THING

"This is the best thing to wear for today, you understand. Because I don't like women in skirts and the best thing is to wear pantyhose or some pants under a short skirt, I think. Then you have the pants under the skirt and then you can pull the stockings up over the pants underneath the skirt. And you can always take off the skirt and use it as a cape. So I think this is the best costume for today."

Tho, one may not agree with her fashion sense --- one can't deny that she had one!

Last night Ing and I took in a viewing of the incredible documentary by the Mayles Bros, GREY GARDENS. It was screened at The Castro and we were all treated to a live interview with Jerry. Yes, The Marble Fawn. It was cute and touching to see and hear this interesting self-deprecating man discuss the two women, Big and Little Edie and his relationship to them and the way his time at Grey Gardens has impacted his life. Ing had not seen the film so it was much fun to see it with her! After the screening and interview -- we got the sneak preview showing of the Mayles Bros new video film which is made up of un-used footage from their time filming the two Edies. It was much fun, but I think I would have enjoyed the second film on a different day. 3 hours of Grey Gardens is a bit over-powering. I wish I had the money to get to NYC to see the new musical version on Broadway. I might not like it, but I'd love to see it. If you have been lucky enough -- share your thoughts! It worries me that it was composed by the same man who gave us the score to ANNIE. ...at least, that is what I had read. True?

If you've never seen it -- it is high time you did! It is on Criterion DVD and you can easily rent it. Be warned -- it is oddly hypnotic and manages to touch some interesting buttons in us all: lost dreams, the struggle of parent-to-child relationships, the on-going struggle against a society which insists we all conformity, insanity and sanity thru the tough times. I think, also, the film holds special merits as film which touches on some tough issues unique to women. I can see it. I can feel it. But, I think it has a very different impact for women than men. It also holds a great deal of fun for those of us who love our camp with a dose of real humanity tossed in. This is life, kids.

Last night, as I watched the film it made me reflect on my choices in life and the choices I find myself needing to make. It kept me up all night. Thinking. Hard. I think Ing is a little worried about me, but I'm OK. It's all cool and good. Grey Gardens is a great place to visit, but you would not want to live there.

And, in honor of the film, Little Edie and Thanksgiving --- here are some of my fave quotes from the movie!

"Horrors! Somebody's removing the books from my room! Where'd this little book come from?"

"But you see in dealing with me, the relatives didn't know that they were dealing with a staunch character and I tell you if there's anything worse than dealing with a staunch woman... S-T-A-U-N-C-H. There's nothing worse, I'm telling you. They don't weaken, no matter what."

"I'm gonna get naked in just a minute, so you better watch out!"

"He always compliments me on the way I do my corn."

'Little Edie': You can't have your cake and eat it, too in life.
'Big Edie': Oh, yes, I did. I did, I had my cake, loved it, masticated it, chewed it and had everything I wanted.

Amen.