Kiss Me, I’m Irish
Mar 17th 2007
Sabrina JeffriesMy Life As A Plebe
I really am. Well, only an eighth, but that counts, right?
But that’s not why I love St. Patrick’s Day. It’s because I lived in New Orleans for 17 years, and the parades there weren’t like any others. First, the parade krewes actually threw things, like Irish-themed beads and doubloons . . . and cabbages, potatoes, carrots—
I kid you not. They threw the traditional ingredients for Irish stew (well, not the beef, because that would be gross). We crazy New Orleanians even took the stuff home and cooked it. I can already hear some of you (Claudia?) screeching, “Yuck!” I guess you had to be there.
The best part for me, however, was the walking clubs. They strutted by carrying kissing canes—paper or silk flowers stuffed into Styrofoam-encased canes. The male club members offered flowers to women they found attractive, and in exchange, the women gave them kisses. On the mouth. In the street. When I was in grad school, I used to LOVE collecting those flowers. Kiss an anonymous stranger? Why not? What fun!
Then I got older (and got married). Suddenly, kissing a middle-aged guy with beer-laced breath lost its appeal. Even showing off all the flowers I’d accumulated (tokens to one’s attractiveness—or brazenness) didn’t make up for having to kiss the drunken fellows weaving down the street.
My point is, isn’t it amazing the things you won’t do now that you’re older and wiser? I wonder if that’s why we don’t write about older women much in our books. Because once a woman’s over thirty, she’s just as likely to tell the rakehell to go take a flying leap as to let him seduce her.
So, what won’t YOU do anymore? What things did you do as a young ‘un that you’d never do now? And does anybody know if Cillian Murphy or Liam Neeson ever march in a St. Patrick’s Day walking club?
25 Comments »
25 Responses to “Kiss Me, I’m Irish”
Karen Rose on 17 Mar 2007 at 7:34 am #
I kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland. I mean really kissed it - no air kisses like my colleagues did. I wouldn’t do that again. Unfortunately, I wasn’t so young - maybe 35 or so, so I have no excuse. Ew. It had gum on it as I recall. So I got home and told my then 10 year old daughter that I’d kissed the Stone and she said “Ew. Maybe a leper kissed it, too.” I laughed and said, “You mean leprechaun, honey.” Soberly she said, “No I didn’t.”
Then it hit me that by kissing the stone, I’d kissed all the stone’s partners.
Ew. Nuff said.
Claudia Dain on 17 Mar 2007 at 9:54 am #
Now, now, just because I wouldn’t want to eat food that had been laying on a street in New Orleans doesn’t mean I don’t have a sense of fun. Plus, they were throwing VEGETABLES and I can always find a million reasons not to eat a vegetable.
Kissing Strangers for Fun and Profit; there might be something to that. But where’s the profit in a tissue paper flower? Now, if an Italian gold bracelet was involved or a pair of diamond studs, well…keep talking, Stranger. LOL
Where IS my mind? Remember HUH? Well, I’m writing a book about a courtesan’s approach to courtship. Blame the Land of Huh.
Nicole Jordan on 17 Mar 2007 at 10:11 am #
I didn’t realize you had lived in NO for so long, Sabrina! My mom’s from Shreveport, and a good number of her older relatives lived in NO, and my grandfather is buried there. It used to be my fave city to visit (next to San Francisco, maybe) before the t-shirt stores took over all the wonderful rare and used books stores in the French Quarter.
But as to your question, I had to laugh cause there are so many things I don’t/won’t do now that I did when I was younger. Some I don’t even want to think about! But two that come quickly to mind that I won’t mind ‘fessing to in public:
- I no longer sun-bathe in a bikini. Don’t want all those nasty UV rays giving me skin cancer, and my figure hasn’t held up well enough to justify the exposure.
- I never stay late at parties. In fact I go to very few parties these days. Dinner with good friends is a lot more appealing to me these days than dancing till the wee hours of the morning… which is probably one reason my figure isn’t what it used to be *G*.
NicoleJ
Judy F on 17 Mar 2007 at 11:03 am #
Good topic. Happy St. Patty’s Day.
Lordy I was never the wild child but the things one does when one is younger boggles. I can’t see my self going out clubbing during the week and staying out till 3 am and then getting up and going to work. Ah youth.
I am right there with ya Nicole, I don’t lay out in the sun anymore at all.
We used to walk through a creek all the time to get to the dairy bar now are you kidding me>>>
One thing I have gotten back in the habit of doing when I am able is napping. Nothing makes me happier if I can grab a quick nap.
JackieToo on 17 Mar 2007 at 11:31 am #
>>And does anybody know if Cillian Murphy or Liam Neeson ever march in a St. Patrick’s Day walking club?
JackieToo on 17 Mar 2007 at 11:34 am #
Where did the rest of my comment go? :Þ Let’s try that again.
Sabrina said, “And does anybody know if Cillian Murphy or Liam Neeson ever march in a St. Patrick’s Day walking club?”
And then I said, “Aha! It’s not that you’re old and wiser (and married), it’s that you’re pickier :D”
SuzyQ on 17 Mar 2007 at 11:39 am #
Judy, I hear you! I can remember closing up the clubs and then going to the diner for breakfast (or perhaps a turkey dinner). I would need a day to recover now.
Nicole, I’m with you on the sunbathing. Does anyone else remember using baby oil? Now we wouldn’t dream of it!!!
Happy St. Patty’s Day!!!
Judy F on 17 Mar 2007 at 1:16 pm #
Suzy Q. my sister and I would lay out on our back roof and lather up with the baby oil… God we were dumb esp me who is very fair skinned.
I remember going to bars in Clifton closing them up, going to Skyline Chili and then coming home. NOw if someone asks me do to something during the week. Its like I wanna be home early…LOL
Aimee on 17 Mar 2007 at 1:31 pm #
See I am horrible when it comes to this topic. There are quite a few things that I did when I was younger that I will never do again. I used to sun bathe topless (although I live on the outer banks of north caolina * a chain of islands*) now durring the winter time it was pretty much dead around here only problem with the laying out this way is I have 3 older brothers with way to many friends that showed up when ever they wanted. Then of course my dad and brothers who are carpenters built a house next to ours. I was famous for being wild when I was younger espicially since I was the baby and when I was growing up my parents were already used to just about everything I have 2 sisters besides my 3 brothers. which just ment I had to try harder to rebel lol
Suzanne Enoch on 17 Mar 2007 at 2:41 pm #
I used to go to Star Trek & Star Wars conventions. I’ve dressed up as Han Solo, and as Private Hudson of the Colonial Marines (from “Aliens”). I stood in line to get an autographed photo of Richard Hatch. This was when I was between 18 & 22 — and my friend & I used to kind of snicker at the stinky, overweight, T-shirt wearing gals with bad hairstyles who used to swoon at the sight of William Shatner. Now I’m one of them — except for the stinkiness & the bad hair. *g*
foreverdelayed on 17 Mar 2007 at 2:51 pm #
I will no longer wait in line for concert tickets.
Other than that, I will do just about anything I did in my youth. I will still go to science fiction conventions, I will still giggle over cute boys, I will still listen to my headphones much too loud! I will still wear my rock band t-shirts!
Karen, I kissed the Blarney Stone too. It wasn’t the stone itself that will prevent me from doing it again, it was the staircase going to the top of the castle!
Karen Rose on 17 Mar 2007 at 3:21 pm #
Judy - you must live in Cincinnati!! I have a close friend in Clifton and the first step off her back balcony is a lulu. Not for those afraid of heights… As for rolling out of the bars, I recall one in Mt. Adams called the Blind Lemon. I wonder if it’s still there. (Okay, gotta know, are you the Judy I know who gets my ARCs?)
See, I was a “good kid.” I never got into trouble and the worst thing I ever did was drink a coconut margarita a few weeks before my 21st birthday. I was sure a cop would catch me for sure. Actually coconut margaritas are something I don’t do anymore - way too sweet. I even said “fudge” for real and not euphemistically like Ralphie does in Christmas Story. So I don’t have any good stuff that I never do anymore
I feel left out.
Foreverdelayed - I love your name. Are you always late? I hated that staircase, too.
foreverdelayed on 17 Mar 2007 at 3:45 pm #
thanks! I am rarely late, but I used to feel like my life was on a delay.. never getting where I wanted to be. I stole it from an obscure Welsh rock band called the manic street preachers. I have been using it as my name online for eons.
Sabrina Jeffries on 17 Mar 2007 at 4:02 pm #
JackieToo, yes, definitely pickier. Good point.
And Claudia, I should have clarified that the vegetables weren’t really thrown into the street (if they landed there, they stayed there). Mostly, they were handed down off the trucks or floats, and since they came right out of mesh produce bags, it wasn’t much different than buying them from a farmer’s market. From what I understand, they throw all kinds of things these days–ramen noodles in green packages, bars of Irish Spring (how would you like to get hit in the head with one of those?), green candy. It’s a regular smorgasbord.
I just realized that this post seems to ignore all the younger folk who come here. But it doesn’t really. There were things I wouldn’t do at twenty that I did at eight. Like climb a tree. I was quite the fearless tree-climber until I was about eleven. Then one day I got stuck coming down because I was afraid to move, and that was the end of my climbing trees.
I was never TERRIBLY wild, but I did have a few wild moments and do some crazy things. Some of them I might do again. Most of them, probably not.
SuzyQ on 17 Mar 2007 at 4:15 pm #
Suzanne - I remember those Star Trek conventions! Haven’t been to one in years, but they were a lot of fun! I waited in line for what seemed like forever to have my picture taken with Scotty. Now, I just don’t seem to have the time to wait in line for anything (well, almost anything).
TerriO on 17 Mar 2007 at 4:44 pm #
Happy St. Pat’s Day to everyone. It’s not so much there are things I won’t do now but rather things I CAN’T do anymore. I used to go out and drink quite a bit of beer - usually the last one still awake hugging the cooler - and then get up and go to work the next morning. Or a few hours after the drinking stopped.
Last Friday night I went to a Nickelback concert, drank one bottle of WATER and screamed and danced my head off. I felt like I had drank an entire keg the next morning and didn’t get my voice back until Thursday. When did I get this old?
And I too will still wear my rock t-shirts and play my music way too loud. I could never grow out of that…LOL!
Judy F on 17 Mar 2007 at 5:07 pm #
A few weeks ago I went out with my boss after working at the bookstore. Had ONE beer I swear I was so tired the whole next day. I can remember the day when I could drink more then that and function the next day.
Yup Karen I live in Cincinnati. I was the one that took the picture of you and Susan Crandall and stuck my friend Melissa in the middle. I have gotten an arc from you before. I just LOVE your books. Hope you can make it back up here sometime.
I think the Blind Lemon is still there.
Suzanne Enoch on 17 Mar 2007 at 7:00 pm #
I suppose I should clarify my “what I did then that I wouldn’t do now” statement. I probably WOULD go to another SciFi convention, but it would have to be close by — I hate driving into LA any more. And it would have to have a REALLy good line-up of guests: maybe Jamie Bamber, Edward James Olmos, Ben Browder (okay, yes, I still swoon over young, talented, good-looking guys), Hugh “stay away hawkins he’s mine” Jackman, Patrick Stewart & Bruce Campbell. Then I’d go again. *g* I mean heck, I skipped my college grad ceremony to go to the Trek 25th anniversary con.
lisapbailey on 17 Mar 2007 at 9:11 pm #
I will no longer drink a beverage described in this manner: “It’s really good, you can’t even taste the liquor.”
(Because I won’t do that) I will no longer answer to the name “dirtface.”
I have also kissed the Blarney stone and would happily, joyfully climb the steps and do it again. Ireland is absolutely gorgeous.
Brandy on 17 Mar 2007 at 9:37 pm #
I was old before my time. I’ve never done anything in my youth I wouldn’t do now. Well, except skip school. (I still graduated!)
Sabrina Jeffries on 17 Mar 2007 at 9:54 pm #
Some things I’m just too busy to do anymore. Like pour lemon juice on my head and lay out to lighten my hair. Aside from the fact that I don’t lay out (for the same reason you other ladies stopped doing it–ah, the joys of skin cancer), I just don’t have the time to work in the lemon juice and lay out and then wash it all out. I have things to do, drat it! Plus, it’s a lot more effective to go to a hairdresser.
That’s why I no longer crochet–no time, plus I lost interest. I DO make jewelry, but that’s getting more and more seldom. Sigh. I need to get a life.
Kelly Ann on 17 Mar 2007 at 10:22 pm #
Tequila!!!!!! I will never, ever, ever, NEVER drink tequila again. It was a work night, about 3 years ago. My stupid friends/co-workers and I were feeling pretty frisky, so we had shots. Many, many shots!! The next day I layed under my desk, clutching my trash can, wet napkins laying anywhere that skin was exposed, praying for death! (Fortunately, my last job was awesome and I’d still be there if I hadn’t moved to a different state!) I shudder every time I even see Tequila!
DebMarlowe on 18 Mar 2007 at 6:25 am #
I will never drink anything with the word “brains” in it. Do you guys remember those nasty shots with the curdling thing going on in the middle? My only excuse was that it was my 21st birthday celebration and I was getting ribbed for drinking my favorite–S*x on the Beach–which Sabrina and Claudia will tell you–still my favorite.
Deb
big fan of the girlie drink
Karen Hawkins on 18 Mar 2007 at 9:37 pm #
Not sleep. When I was young (er) I thought NOTHING of going to work with only two hours of sleep. Now, if I don’t get my Royal Seven, I’m not only worthless, but I’m GRUMPY and worthless — not a pretty combination.
And SuzieE, if you can find Hugh Jackman at a Sci Fi conference, I’ll dress up like that three breasted green woman on one of the alien movies AND pay the registration fee for us both.
Sonja Foust on 19 Mar 2007 at 8:41 am #
Loved the post, loved Claudia’s response.
Great fun. I guess I should have gone to the St. Patty’s day in Raleigh to get me some flowers and kisses. Ah well. Maybe next year.