Friday, May 4, 2012

Friday Night Frolic – A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Shaving


We've reached a milestone here. And isn't he a sport to have permitted his mother to capture the whole ceremonious first slice of silver across the creamy, pale skin of his face? She won't, however, post the video.

This Friday's Frolic is going to be highly abridged as the Suburban Soliloquist has been strapped to her chair all week, working on a feature article (what is that anyway?) which she may or may not post on this blog, depending upon how it all unravels. (At the moment, it is way too long for a blog post.) For some reason, as apolitical as she is, she's been inexplicably drawn to a major controversy that has cast national attention on the city in which she grew up. And it's not the fact that the city is near bankrupt.

In any event, she hasn't been on the internet much, other than for research reasons, but hopes to return early next week for a proper posting and jaunt around the blogging community.

In the meantime, a little video sent by friend-of-the-shut-in:


For more information on the talented harpist Frédéric Yonnet visit his website, or listen to his interview over at NPR.

Have a beautiful weekend. Maybe the sun will come out tomorrow?

(Is that really her baby?)

Art by Max

36 comments:

  1. Ohhh noo...shaving? It was like an arrow through my heart when my good friend Jason taught my boys how to shave and a cruel twist of the shaft when I realized how necessary it was.
    I mean, they're just babies, you know....

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    1. I know, Nessa! Babies. It was really just a tuft of hair. But he'll be 15 next month, and he wants the razor burn to prove it. His dad was an excellent instructor. His mother, well, ah! watch out for the jugular! ;)

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  2. I liked that book, and the Dubliners too. Never got through Ulysses. Must admit I found the book boring.

    Cold As Heaven

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    1. Cold- Dubliners--great, great book. I didn't start reading Joyce, I mean really reading Joyce until recently, and I'm glad I finally got back to him. I've not fully tackled Ulysses though. Not sure I ever will. ;)

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  3. He sure is a sport! Lol! Hope to read your feature. You can always post in 2 parts. :)

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    1. Ah, two parts too much Elizabeth! Come to think of it though, I did that with a piece of fiction not long ago! But this isn't fiction, and well, who knows, maybe I'll get to posting it later this week... ;)

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  4. Nothing wrong with a long blog post. I'd love to see the article personally.
    Ah, shaving. Such a pain.

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    1. RJ - I thought the general public was not interested in reading anything more than 600-800 words. But I know, you're, and other readers here, are not the general public! I'm working up my nerve. I am. ;)

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  5. Jayne, what a great picture!

    I am probably speaking for all of your readers. We wouldn't consider anything that you have written as too long. Post away, we savor it.

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    1. Bill, I think what's keeping me from printing it is that it's a diversion from my usual writing. It's a long, non-fiction piece about a current concern. But your support, everyone's! means a lot to me. Thanks. :)

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  6. I join in with others in hoping you will at least post something about what you're working on. Wonderful grab-bag of a post, in the meantime!

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    1. Ok already! Hang in there, Susan. Later this week perhaps. Glad you enjoyed this post. :)

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  7. I don't care if it ravels or unravels, and I don't care how long it is. If you do not post the darned thing SOMEPLACE where I can read it, you're letting yourself in for a stern lecture from this quarter, young lady.

    Hurrah for Max on many levels. Some guys take to it very naturally and he seems among them. (And he also looks like somebody whose performance as one of the Dylan personas in I'm Not There ended up, tragically, on the cutting-room floor.) Personally, I haven't missed the feel of blade against skin since leaving it behind over 30 years ago. (Er, "it" = the feeling, not the blade and certainly not the skin.)

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    1. Ha! JES, the darned thing is 2192 words. But I guess that's better than 2,200? I'm still fiddling with it, though. I'd feel better if I could figure out how to make a page break (one of those "continue reading here" thingies). Blogger has a gadget for that but it doesn't seem to work well for me.

      So whose I'm not there performance got axed? I can't believe I haven't see the film yet. Another one of those "some day..." I'll get to its.

      Poor Max's face was so raw after that shave. I wouldn't at all be surprised if he settled on a bearded face. He's pretty low maintenance and it would suit his personality. But, but.... I can't see it! It's just too adult!! 30 years. Wow. Don't you ever get the itch? ;)

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    2. Somebody suggested a Part 1 and a Part 2 post -- maybe that's the way to go. Of course, then you'd have to make up your mind to disrupt the mellifluous flow of ideas and prose, which may be a completely unsatisfactory solution. ;)

      Oh, no one's performance got axed as far as I know. I meant a hypothetical cast member. YOU DO NEED TO SEE IT. *glaring sternly northeastwards*

      Nope. Never looked back and thought "Maybe I'll shave today..." Not once. It boggles my mind that anyone at all continues to shave, and yes, you will observe that I'm being carefully gender-neutral. I mean, learned fashion and aesthetics (re: clean-shaven skin) aside, it's just... just... cruel.

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    3. Glad for the recommendation for "I'm Not There." I'd wondered.

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    4. Yup, what Nance said. I'll get it soon! :)
      On the shaving, well, I think it just wouldn't be acceptable to not shave. At least in my case. I'm just not that comfortable enough in my own skin, er, hair. Hey, there's always waxing, which is even crueler. The things we do for vanity!

      I'm going to post the whole dang story soon, and will not be offended by the lack of traffic to it. It's a bit of a departure from my ordinary style here at SS, not the direction in which I shall continue, but it's subject is something that hit home (quite literally). Stay tuned.... :)

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    5. Oh, you tease -- it just showed up in Google Reader and immediately disappeared. A bit too quick on that Publish button, hmm? ;)

      SO HAPPY to see you lured Nance out into the online sunlight!

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    6. A much lighter preamble coming up. Well, not a preamble at all, really. I'm pretty sure you can still see it on GR, too. If you're so inclined. Careful. Very heavy. Not exactly where I want to take the blog, or the right place to preamble. I thought I'd let the story, when it decides to appear, speak for itself.

      Nance- our phantom elucidator. (is that a word? I'm making it a word) ;)

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  8. I love the last line, Jayne. This entire post was a bit of a happy skip-about on disparate things but you tied it up so expertly at the end. :)

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    1. Happy skip! Well that's how I like my Frolics, Suze! If only I were always so successful. :)

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  9. Just a little update all: the razor-wielding young artist has been stricken with the fever that's been infiltrating our neighborhood (heck, our whole town!), making it difficult for his mother to do anything but stir soup and frantically scrub everything that is, or has been, in any way shared. It's probably a bit too late for that, anyway, but it makes her feel better. Will be back to reply individually soon. ;)

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  10. aw, is this picture sweet or what? and jayne, don't be such a tease. i am intrigued by what you are up to—not the stirring of soup but the writing. you must post it all in 17 parts if need be. we will all happily read.

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    1. I know, I'm terrible m, aren't I? I didn't mean to tease! But then, well there it is--I guess I have to reveal it now, so I won't be only a tease. ;)

      17 parts, ha! That's an idea. I wouldn't have to worry about content for a while!! :)

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  11. Wow! Talk about bringing back memories, Jayne! We guys would brag about shaving and how often we shaved. Ha! First time I've even thought about this. Funny. Great that you are working on something substantive. But then, everything you write is great. So whatever you are working on, we're all looking forward to it! Hope your weekend was nice!

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    1. Michael- I can remember my brothers doing the same thing. I mean, this is real manhood, boys to men must boast!

      Had a great weekend, thanks. Until... my boy-man got sick. But it's kinda nice having him home, too. :)

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  12. You know it grows back thicker and bushier...yes, a pivotal point in a young mans life the first time titanium blades challenge folicular (?) persistence....
    oooh i do like yonnet..goood stuff...yes that was an extra 'o'
    Good luck with saving the world!

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    1. Oh, Dan, first shaving, then driving. How will I cope? Cases of wine...

      Saving the world. Ha! Nope, nope, not my mission! ;)

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  13. Dear Jayne,
    you are lucky that your son allows you to post a photo! He looks good! I am strictly (!) forbidden to post anything - though I look at beautiful wedding pics -- well, but I accept.
    Interesting what you write about your post! It happens so easily that one has good reasons to write a long post (I do that too), but I think most people want it short. Well: as there are so many interesting posts, in the web, I can understand that. I wish you a good week (Monday I am on my way to London).

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    1. Max is so low key, he usually doesn't mind. I videotaped some of the process, though, and posting that he would not permit. And I'll be posting that long story that nobody want to read soon enough. ;)

      Have a wonderful time in London, Brigitta! Will you have a chance to meet up with Susan and Friko?

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  14. The portrait of Max is delightful. Will he let you frame it in heavy gold and hang it over the fireplace? I think you could build a room's decor around it...and that's where I've been for the last weeks, decorating with found objects and unlikely combinations. AWOL from blogdom. Relieved to know I'm not the only one.

    I have stolen Fred Yonnet for Landscaping and thank you so much!

    When in doubt, write about writing, right?

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    1. Heavy gold framed fireplace mantlepiece... Ha! Hadn't thought about it, but maybe I'll add it to our upstairs hall of portraits--which are all framed in black. I figured that you'd been up to renovations. And I love found objects and odd combinations--you must share with us your progress. Or at least some pics when it's done. Before, during and after maybe?

      Yonnet's perfect for the yard! Careful with those shears! ;)

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  15. I haven't been as present in the cyber world lately either. Life is intervening. I read less, comment less, post less myself. but my dashboard proclaimed a new post from you but the blog tells me it doesn't exist.

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    1. Life intervening. I hear you, Ellen. Life and viruses around here! I deleted the post, which was a preamble of what's to come, because I felt that it didn't really serve its purpose well--that is, as a preamble to a particular story. It drew attention to just one matter, which is important, but not the true focus of the story to follow. So... I know it can still be seen on Google Reader, and that's fine, if you're interested. ;)

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  16. Jayne, I know what you've been up to. Evidence of it has leaked onto Facebook. I must admit; it's a good cause and I'm thrilled that you're writing about it. I hope your nearly through and can soon resume normal programming. Okay...that was selfish wasn't it? I'm putting my needs above the needs of your home town. Hmm...it's all your fault. I'm just sayin...
    ;)

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    1. Oh Leah- you sleuth... it has leaked yes. In fact the whole essay was published today by a local newspaper. I'll be posting it here later today, and then I will resume the normal programming. ;)

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