Fiorella attended Daughter's wedding last night. Yes, the marriage actually took place two weeks ago in Colorado, but the celebration/reception was last night at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center, and it was wonderful. New Son-in-law had planned everything down to the nth degree--and planned well.
The most dramatic moment was when Daughter, escorted by her father, appeared out of the dark, walking slowly down a long hall to join her waiting husband. It was the traditional giving away of the bride, and however old-fashioned, it was the highlight of the evening.
But more was to come. There were friends to greet, people from various aspects of Fio's life, whose presence warmed her heart. There were relatives, ours and Son-in-law's. There were friends of the bride and groom. Fiorella loves a group hug.
And, to top off the evening, there was karaoke. Not that Fiorella sang--the selection of songs didn't include Christmas carols--but Daughter and Younger Son did. And they were GOOD! Fio's heart, which had already swelled to monstrous proportions, overflowed with pride and joy. In fact, she heard that after she and Husband left, Older Son, who is also musically talented, sang too.
Her Christmas stocking is full.
Showing posts with label My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. Show all posts
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
A Good Time Was Had by All
Fio attended Daughter's wedding shower yesterday morning. Friend Paula, who hosted it, provided breakfast tacos, mimosas, cupcakes, and her lovely home. Daughter's friends provided the fun. Twenty-some young, vivacious women dressed in colorful gypsy styles and knee-high boots, they tossed their shiny tresses and laughed and enjoyed. Fio adored them all.
But most of all, she adored Daughter, who handled her celebrity with ease and grace. But then, Daughter always has been a princess.
But most of all, she adored Daughter, who handled her celebrity with ease and grace. But then, Daughter always has been a princess.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Dark Eyes
Fio has been watching My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding for two reasons: the first is that as a teenager she was enthralled by the seemingly romantic lifestyle (violins, campfires, colorful caravans, etc.) and the second is that she suspects her "Egyptian" great-great-great grandfather was really a gypsy.
After watching the British reality show, one thing Fio can tell you for sure--any remaining vestige of her Hollywood view of Gypsy life is GONE. In reality, Gypsies are rough, tough, and venal, and their culture is based on sexual stereotyping. The children are sexualized from birth, the males settling disputes with their fists and working physical labor while the women dress in sexy outfits even as toddlers and marry in their teens.
A messages flashes on during each show soliciting contact with American Gypsies and Travellers. Hmmm-guess what we have in store for us on American television next season?
After watching the British reality show, one thing Fio can tell you for sure--any remaining vestige of her Hollywood view of Gypsy life is GONE. In reality, Gypsies are rough, tough, and venal, and their culture is based on sexual stereotyping. The children are sexualized from birth, the males settling disputes with their fists and working physical labor while the women dress in sexy outfits even as toddlers and marry in their teens.
A messages flashes on during each show soliciting contact with American Gypsies and Travellers. Hmmm-guess what we have in store for us on American television next season?
Saturday, June 4, 2011
The Gypsy Life
Fio turns off her laptop and her brain at eight every night in order to dumb herself down for when she goes to bed about ten. That gives her two hours to fill with non-stimulating material. Obviously, she turns on TV.
She seems to prefer shows about people out of the ordinary--dwarfs, tiara toddlers, and gypsies. Yes, British gypsies have wandered into the desolate landscape that was Friday night TV. The name of the show is My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, and it's bizarre.
The gypsy/traveler life is different from yours and mine. The men work physical labor in the great outdoors and the women are strictly homebodies. And by "home," Fio means a travel trailer--without a bathroom because their tradition makes it taboo to have a toilet inside the home. The program has yet to explore the alternative.
The children are brought up in their gender roles from birth, the females to be sexually alluring and the males to be super macho. The high point of a woman's life is, of course, her wedding, usually when she's a teenager. Bridal gowns are outrageous costumes and the bridesmaids look like showgirls. The groom pulls off his own drama by such things as arriving in a helicopter, a huge stretch limousine, or a giant SUV.
It's definitely a different life, aiming at drama, glamor and glitter. It's also usually a secret life, like that of any group at odds with the general run of things. Why are the gypsies/travelers cooperating with the filming of this reality show? Probably because they are increasingly under fire in Britain, being driven out of camping grounds, being driven to the wall. Authorities have good reason--those macho men often supplement their income with cons or "smash and grab" jobs.
After all, their daughters' monstrous weddings have to be paid for somehow.
She seems to prefer shows about people out of the ordinary--dwarfs, tiara toddlers, and gypsies. Yes, British gypsies have wandered into the desolate landscape that was Friday night TV. The name of the show is My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, and it's bizarre.
The gypsy/traveler life is different from yours and mine. The men work physical labor in the great outdoors and the women are strictly homebodies. And by "home," Fio means a travel trailer--without a bathroom because their tradition makes it taboo to have a toilet inside the home. The program has yet to explore the alternative.
The children are brought up in their gender roles from birth, the females to be sexually alluring and the males to be super macho. The high point of a woman's life is, of course, her wedding, usually when she's a teenager. Bridal gowns are outrageous costumes and the bridesmaids look like showgirls. The groom pulls off his own drama by such things as arriving in a helicopter, a huge stretch limousine, or a giant SUV.
It's definitely a different life, aiming at drama, glamor and glitter. It's also usually a secret life, like that of any group at odds with the general run of things. Why are the gypsies/travelers cooperating with the filming of this reality show? Probably because they are increasingly under fire in Britain, being driven out of camping grounds, being driven to the wall. Authorities have good reason--those macho men often supplement their income with cons or "smash and grab" jobs.
After all, their daughters' monstrous weddings have to be paid for somehow.
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