I admit I cry at way too many things, commercials get me choked up, sappy love stories. . .the list goes on and on. While reliving my past via Netflix I had the chance to watch Arthur, umm, a few times. . .
I wish I could pinpoint when my love affair with NYC began, I could say it was the first time I visited (and it was love at first sight) but I think certain movies started this little affair. Of course, the more I talk about the city and all the things that I love about it, the more my poor dad argues that it is a horrible place. Reminding him that he, himself, is technically a New Yorker makes his blood pressure rise.
But as his daughter, I have to say, that is a city that makes me feel alive, inspired and ready to take on the world. The movies that transported me to the city before and after visiting helped enforce that love.
I could name a million of them that I have found through the years that make me yearn to move there but the one that makes me cry every single time I watch it? Arthur. With that awe inspiring acting from the late, great Dudley Moore as well as that gentle, yet sarcastic Sir John Gielgud and that song, “Between the Moon & New York City” my heart leaps and then the tears start.
I was ever so lucky 11 years ago after moving back to Nashville (I really like to move back and forth, over the mountain) I heard an announcement for a taping of Classic Rock at The Wild Horse. For the record, the longer I lived in Nashville the desire to head downtown decreased. Once I hit the office I called Bubba and told him about the taping. Bubba is, how do I put this nicely? He is stuck in the 80s and until a couple of years ago he still had the sad looking 80s hair but thankfully no mullet.
We headed downtown for an evening with Christopher Cross, Stephen Bishop and Ambroisa. I being the type that wanted to make sure we got great seating pushed my way through the masses to make sure that we had a table, front and center. Throughout the taping, I can be seen singing along to the music and a nice little interview about my love for that song and putting on concerts in my bedroom. Bubba was a bit disappointed that the only airtime he got was when the camera got the side of his face, for two seconds.
But the movie moves me. Hobson was family to Arthur and gently prodded him to his true love. When Hobson passes in the movie the sobs become horrible and I am thankful that only the cat is here to watch this sad display of emotions.
There were times when I was in Nashville that I felt alone or that I had nary a friend. But as the years wore on I built up my own little family of friends who have prodded me from time to time when trying to make decisions. They have been there for me when I was dumped, when I lost my Popa or even when I had a panic attack.
I have a great family, yes they can drive me crazy but I have a feeling that they would say the same thing about me. But I garnered something from that movie and that your blood family is your family but those that you choose, your friends, are just as loyal, loving and at some points throughout life, capable of driving you mad (and yes, they can all say that about me as well).
While the backdrop for the movie was NYC (oh Tavern on the Green, how I miss you) it is the story that really hooked me. And as I jokingly tell my friends that their precious little ones will one day have to care for me in my old age, I also know that those little ones will also see a very large, crazy extended family in their parents friends.
I may have been raised as basically an only child but I got really lucky. I have some great sisters and brothers that I picked up along the way. And I never had to share my toys with them when I was little!
Now I must get back to Netflix, I am feeling a double feature tonight, Arthur 2: On the Rocks is calling my name.
Stumbling Through Life 