RERUN 3/13/09

It was a dark and stormy Friday the 13th night, but inside Howayda's beautiful home everything was all cozy and bright. Howayda expanded our cultural experience by treating us to some divine desserts and the chicken dip brought by Sandy was a big hit. Howayda's retired friend, Martha, joined in along with Karla, who recently returned from Austria, Kim, Marcy and I. Near the end of the evening, we allowed Howayda's husband, Jihad, to come in. After all it was their wedding anniversary.

We viewed, CHILDREN OF HEAVEN, an award winning movie filmed in Iran that touched upon fundamental values. It was a simple and beautifully presented story of a young brother and sister, their devotion to each other and how in understanding of their parents' situation, on their own worked together to solve a problem. The film gave us insight into the contrasting lives of the poor and the rich in another culture. What was shown as the Tehran 'slums' appeared poor, but clean and orderly, not at all what Americans vision when we hear the word applied in our country. The pacing of the movie was a bit slower than American flicks and the ending not exactly in line with the old Disney movies, which in my opinion made it even more interesting. Thanks to Howayda for making this experience available. Good friends, good food, and a good movie - no surprise here that a good time was had by all.
-Peggy Wolf

RERUN 2/13/09

I'm not sure what I expected, especially since SEX is right there in bold letters on the DVD cover of SEX AND THE CITY. No one would ever call me a prude, but for someone who's seen only boy-and-dog and car-chase movies for the past 20 years, I was surprised by how little, if anything, was left to the imagination in this popular film. It was a truly enjoyable flick that featured fashion, fun, and relationships, interwoven with truths, humor, and fantasy.

“But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.” I don't remember this quote from the movie, so it may have come from one of the TV episodes, but I'm posting it here because of it's pertinence.

Dawn, who endured my cats' dander, and her friend Mary Frances who drove in from Durham, along with Cheryl, Marcy, Kim, Lee, Sandy C., and I supped on soup before we hunkered down for the movie. We took a pause midway so Cheryl could share her chocolate martini kit, a Christmas gift, with us. What's not to like about a chilled martini glass double dipped, first in chocolate syrup, then in cinnamon and filled with a yummy chocolate concoction and topped with whipped cream and a sprinkling of chocolate shavings? Deliciously decadent!

Unbeknownst to Lee, or anyone else, the day before we gathered I finished writing a chapter in my novel, SOLO FLIGHT, that mentions nonpareils and a mouse. So what does Lee bring? Nonpareils! I remained on the outlook for a mouse the rest of the evening.

Due to some miscommunication with Cheryl, I was the only one wearing "outrageous fashion." But it wasn't only the fashion that was outrageous, Sandy introduced us to a local organiztion called SWOOP (Strong Women Organizing Outrageous Projects). SWOOP fills three purposes. 1) To help persons in need: elderly, low-income, disabled, or simply overwhelmed. 2) To better ourselves in body, mind, and spirit, by bettering the lot of others. 3) To build community among women by providing opportunities for networking and fun. Check it out at http://www.swoop4u.org/public and sign-up online if you care to volunteer on the second Saturday of a month a few times a year. In addition to helping persons in need, you may also learn a new skill and make more friends to love the you that you love and maybe even the you that you don't love so much.
-Peggy Wolf

FEBRUARY GATHERING

On Friday, February 13, come to my home in the country to see SEX IN THE CITY. We'll gather for chatting and cocktails (cosmopolitans of course), between 6:30 and 7:00 pm, followed by a souper supper of crab bisque and corn chowder. I hope to get the show underway by 7:30 as it runs 2 1/2 hours. Dessert will be cream drinks served toward the end of the movie.

This film is a follow-up to the TV show that aired from 1998-2004 and continues to permeate popular culture. Even though I haven't seen even a single episode, Kim assures me that I'm going to love it. From what I've heard of it, I think I lived it in a previous lifetime, like during the 1970's.

What can you bring? You, and a friend if you like, a big appetite for fun and food, and pony up five bucks to help cover the cost. Let me know if you own a copy of the film that you can bring otherwise I'll rent it.

Please RSVP by commenting on this blog or by emailing me directly.

LOOKING AHEAD - March 13: undecided - any ideas? April 10: NC Museum of Art from the Winter Film Series, A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN. 1945 film based on Betty Smith's fictionalized memoir. The author of her biography will discuss the film adaptation. We'll need to buy tickets in advance as they sell out quickly. More details later. Thanks to Louise for making me aware of this museum program.
-Peggy Wolf

photo by maggiejumps

GAL PAL KICK-OFF

January 21, 2009

Our first Gal Pal Gathering will be at 7:00 PM on Friday, January 23, at my house. We'll do a salad bar and watch the 2006 movie AWAY FROM HER starring Julie Christie.

If you can't make this one, plan to come to the next gathering on Friday, February 13.
-Peggy Wolf

photo by mikebaird

GAL PAL INAUGURAL

January 20, 2009 - - from Peggy Wolf

Some of us gals from the Triangle Area talked for too long about getting together on a regular basis to see chick-flicks and do other fun stuff. I'm taking the initiative and doing something about it right here and now.

How about gathering for movies-in (my home or yours with dinner or simply popcorn and drinks or cookies and cocoa) and movies-out (Raleighwood with a pitcher of beer and a boatload of popcorn, the cheap seats at the Blue Ridge 14, outdoor movies on the lawn of the art museum, or maybe an opening night of a first-run flick)? It's up to you.

With the exception of this month, let’s claim the second Friday of each month as our Gal Pal night, with flexibility of course. While I'd like to keep the focus on chick-flicks, I can also see us networking and making new friends while seeing a play, going to an art gallery opening, visiting the big cats in Pittsboro, taking a cruise, having speakers share their wisdom, doing a beach weekend, having a board game or card game night, hiking Pilot Mountain, climbing the Alps, okay so the sky's the limit, but maybe not that high.

We could adopt a cause or do a benefit (my favorite is Wake Teen Medical Services annual shoe auction and benefit luncheon in September), and just to stir things up a bit, we could have an annual Testosterone Night by bringing husbands, male friends, or blind dates to the SPCA fur ball in the fall.

I have big plans for us, but most of all it's all about us girls just wanting to have fun. If doing something like this interests you and you think you can fit it into your busy schedule from time to time, we'd love to have you join us.

Our inaugural roster is below. This list is open and ongoing so feel free to bring any friend that registers high on the estrogen scale (present or past). I know we won't all be able to participate all the time, but come when you can to what moves you. If you don't feel these gatherings will fit into your life at this time, let me know so I can remove you from our roster, but do know that you'll be missed.

PRESENT GAL PALS: Barbara, Cheryl, Cyndy, Dawn, Howayda, Karla, Kim, Lee, Lois, Louise, Lynn, Marcy, Peggy, Perri, Sandy A, Sandy C, Sharon, Susan, Suzanne

photo by freeparking