confessions — A Familiar Path

Mad about Mad Men

May 16, 2012 by Melissa Filed Under: confessions

I’ll admit, I haven’t been this attached to a television show since Moonlighting was on. I taped every show of Moonlighting and watched them over and over again. I memorized the witty one-liners. I adored the characters.

I have even stronger feelings for the cast of Mad Men. Times have changed, but the habits are basically the same.

I DVR every show. I own seasons 1-4 on DVD. I type my favorite Don Draper one-liners in my notes on my IPhone.

This never happened. It will shock you how much it never happened.

You are the product. You, feeling something. That’s what sells.

Lots of people who haven’t taken LSD already know that, Roger.

I stumbled upon a show on Bravo one late night called Inside the Actor’s Studio and they were interviewing the cast of Mad Men. I have to say I felt like it was meant to be that I turned on my TV at that particular time and it was on that particular channel. I enjoyed the little extras that were revealed in that hour.

There are so many things I love about the show. I love the writing. With so few shows on television that I enjoy, a well-written drama is such a treat. I love the costumes, the realistic touches (all the smoking, no seat belts, tossing trash in the park), I love the bit of history that sparks my interest even further in that era. I love that Peggy has a picture of the president on her wall. How long has it been since anyone admired a president enough to hang a picture of him in their living room? I love that it makes me think.

Did you know there are Mad Men quizzes? I think it’s the only quiz I ever aced.

What do you love about Mad Men?

All photos from amctv.com.

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3 reasons the shoot shop was a smashing success

April 15, 2012 by Melissa Filed Under: confessions, photography

Ruthanne and I hosted a photography workshop this weekend called The Shoot Shop, for people who want to learn how to use their digital SLR cameras. We had been planning this since the first of the year and it was finally time to do it. I was nervous about teaching in front of a group of people, but after it was over I was ready to do it again. Our students were great and it was fun to be able to teach them how to get the most out of their cameras. Here are three reasons why I think it was a smashing success:

1. People showed up!

When we first came up with this idea we were all excited. We made plans and had big ideas and then we got ready to launch and it hit us, what if nobody wants to come? So let me tell you it was great fun when our class started filling up, and then finally seeing those real live bodies Saturday made it a real workshop and not just one where Ruthanne and I talked to stuffed animals and pretended real people showed up.

(We totally would have done that if we had to.)

2. I talked out loud and survived!

I actually didn’t get that nervous. I didn’t have to look at my notes as much as I thought I would either. I was talking about something I enjoyed doing so it felt, surprisingly, kind of easy.

3. We taught people how to use their cameras!

We really did. Because when they first got their some of them really didn’t know much at all, but by the end of the day they were changing ISO properly, adjusting aperture and shutter speed and they were genuinely excited to have this knowledge. I’ve even seen them posting their photos on Facebook so not only did they learn, they are practicing what they learned! Doing homework! It’s like a teacher’s dream.

I’m actually looking forward to doing it again– just one more reason it was successful.

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Which side of the bed?

March 25, 2012 by Melissa Filed Under: confessions

Well, it’s finally here. The longest wait ever for a new season and I am so excited. Where will they pick up the story? Will Don still be married? Will Joan have a baby? What in the world could be going on with Peggy?

Do any fellow Mad Men lovers out there read my blog?

Here’s the thing that I have really pondered: why does Betty have such a cavalier attitude about which side of the bed she sleeps on? With Don she’s on the right (if you are standing at the end of the bed facing it) (except for one episode when she mysteriously ends up on the left), but with her new husband she just switches to the other side. Can you switch bed sides willy nilly? Would you if you remarried and your new man preferred your usual side?

Here’s my opinion: the poor sleeper chooses his or her side first and the person who falls asleep like a rock doesn’t care and sleeps on whatever side is left. Because I have to have the left side of the bed so that my right hand has access to my glasses, Carmex and drink of water.

How did you choose sides when you were married?