I’m a bunny girl, in a bunny world…
Oh fine, there I was wondering what I was going to write about tonight, and then along came this piece of news, solved the issue. Fine, there might be a few that wish I didnt have this to write about, but hey, he was 91, so…
As someone old enough (just about) to have lived through the whole of the 60’s, its fair to say that Hugh Hefner, and the whole Playboy thing left its mark on me over the years. I do wonder what it was like back then, wearing the whole bunny outfit while working in a club, but of course, I never got to know. Nor now, regardless, am I ever likely to find out, even if I did get a certain issue sorted out! Age counts me out now, if nothing else! No one would certainly want a bunny when she’s 60 lol!
But yes, if I ever got the chance, I would! Before anyone says that Hefner used women for his own purpose only, then fine, maybe to some degree, he did. But as far as I know, all those girls that worked as Bunnies, or Playboy models knew what they were doing, or were willing to take the money to do it, regardless. So yes, they might have been used to some degree, but they used the men who enabled them to be paid to do it in the first place!
However, lets have a look at a different side of Hefner that not many people know about. This is the Hefner that helped to preserve vintage movies, both silent, and those made soon after, so that generations like us would be able to see them. What he also did, was make documentaries covering the career, and lives of many of those early actors, and actresses that we would probably not know, or barely know today, but for him. So for that at least, many of us owe him a great deal of thanks for a matter entirely not related to the whole Playboy franchise.
So, rest in peace, Mr Hefner, and be proud of what you’ve done. Apart from the movie things, he probably played an indirect part in liberating women back in the 60’s, proving there was more to life than just getting married, and having babies, or a boring little job, or whatever. If you had the go, and the gumption, he gave girls the chance to become famous. Maybe the bunny outfit wasnt the greatest office wear, but in terms of allowing some women to express themselves…
Goes off to wiggle my cute bunny tail, I wish!
The video, well there’s a clue in the title at least, and I guess it wouldnt take too much effort to change the lyrics to fit, lol…
Your candle burnt out long before
I know, the blogs have got a bit of a mess day wise this week, due to sad events, but whether this just rights the ship, or whether you still get one tomorrow night, lets wait and see. But yes, with all the news sources mentioning this, and the fact that I do remember a few other events around it, lets mention what happened 20 years ago today, the death of Princess Diana.
Firstly, let me say I’m not a royalist, and leave it there. So if you’re expecting a gushing tribute to her, just move on. Not that I’m one of those great anti-monarchy types either, to be honest, I can just take, or leave them, but agreed, pretty much most of the time, its to leave them well alone.
Given that back in those days (gasp, shock horror, for some), betting shops werent open on Sundays, I got up about 9 am, switched on the TV, and it was wall to wall news about her death. Given that for me, and I suspect most others back then, this was in the days before internet, and mass swamping of satellite channels on your TV, your choice was limited, to Diana, or Diana! Mind, if they had existed, I suspect they would have been swamped by the news too.
This actually happened a week before me, and my partner at the time were due to go on holiday to the Baltic States. The irony of events for me was that, they cancelled all the racing for the day of the funeral, the following Saturday, so I actually finished work a day early. Now, they’d probably not shut the shops for anything, have wall to wall virtual racing, plus those ghastly machines going all day, but back then…nothing!
I saw bits of the funeral, though I took the chance to pack for the holiday in a slightly saner way than I would have done had I been working. There are 2 things that will always stick with me from that holiday, even when most of the details are faded by time. Firstly, just about everywhere out there, you heard this catchy tune, which I could tell was going to be a huge hit, if released in the UK. Yes, it was the second biggest selling single that year, aka Barbie Girl, by Aqua. You’ll be thrilled to hear that isnt the video! Second one, and more pertinent, was when we walked into a church/cathedral (please, its 20 years ago, I cant remember) in Tallinn, and saw a shrine to Diana there. Yes, her mark, and her fame had clearly spread that far.
I suppose it has to be mentioned, was it an accident, or was it murder? The rumor conspiracies both ways are quite amazing. My answer, I really dont know. I’d like to think it was a genuine accident, but given all that came out afterwards, well, you do have to wonder, but anyway, no comment…!
Sadly, the funeral I’d rather be here for, out of that, or my friend, is the one I wont be here for, as its happening on the first Monday I’ll be in the US. And given it will be 4.30 in the morning where I will be, and everything else, I will just wait to hear how it goes, by email, or message service. I know, thats life, I guess?
OK, video time. No, I’ve not picked the ‘obvious’ version of the song. I’m more of a Monroe fan, than I will ever be of Diana, so…
Sliding Doors
Well, this will be my last post in my 59th year of this life. Yes, I know, I will be 59 tomorrow, but if you think of it, given that you’ve lived one year, before you become one…oh fine, you did! I also say this life, because as I know, I definitely have had one life before, almost certainly more, if the theory is right, but fine, now, the one before this one is a bit special to me.
Mind, you can start from there in this term I guess? If Clara Johnson hadnt smoked herself to an early death in the early 50’s, would I have been born? I assume I would have done, that someone else who had died by then, would have been my past life, but anyway? But would I then have that special connection to the Golden Age of Hollywood, who knows? Maybe not, or it might have been a more famous one, of course?
Tonight though, its that other sliding door that intrigues me, given the likelihood I was one of those born intersex at birth at around the time I was born. No, I cant be certain, ever, because the hospital I was born at, closed in 1967, and somehow I cyncically have my doubts whether the intersex babies were ‘officially’ recorded then anyway.
So, lets look at the possibility that the doctors decided (in their wisdom) that I was allowed to be a baby girl, where my life would have gone from there. Clearly its impossible for me to know what it would have been like, being a teenage girl, going on dates, and everything else. I’m also assuming that back then, those dates would have been boys, just because it was the norm, and expected thing back in the early 70’s. It might have led to marriage, it might have led to having children, and in time, grandchildren, or would I have been one of those ‘wicked women’ who lived with another woman back then?
Who would I have known, that I’ve never met in my life, because of that misplaced gender? Equally, how many people have I known (I can certainly name a few) who I would have missed out on knowing, if I had been a woman? Where in the world would I be today? I know its possible it would still be Huddersfield, and working in Bradford, but lets face it, the chances of that happening under those circumstances, miniscule. Equally, I might have, like Lillian Gish, gave up any interest in romance, to develop my talents, and lifestyle as an actress? In which case, like Clara, I could be in Hollywood, making movies? Well, you never can tell!
Sat here, writing blogs, if I’d been a woman since birth, again, who can tell? I doubt it, but just maybe…? One thing is for sure though, unless we can turn back time, to that day, 1 day short of 59 years ago, and take the other option, none of us will ever know for sure!
As to the obvious step I could still take, the answer is probably no, I’m not a fan of unnecessary pain, and I’ve already got a pair of knees that will need to be fixed sometime soon. So yes, I’ll probably end up as that crazy old spinster, assuming I live long enough for all that lol!
But yes, on that day in 1958, if the Doctors had told my parents that they had a baby girl…history would be very different, I suspect?
The video is from the film of the blog title, and is probably a song that Aqua should be better remembered for, than Barbie Girl!
Going back in time, for a day
The one thing I’ve barely done since getting back from Hollywood, is just having a day out, anywhere. In fact, in truth, after the first month or so of post redundancy life, I havent actually done a lot of things, just fun, for myself, apart from the 2 US breaks. Yes, they were quite something, believe me, but other than that, Harlean has been a pretty dull girl, in all honesty. To be fair, my own choice, I’ve been trying to (apart from those delights) to keep costs to a minimum, apart from the lottery of late, though that so far at least, has proved to be wishful thinking. At least Saturday, it has to be paid out, so I wont have to buy one again for a while at least. Mind, 1 of the £20,000 prizes would be enough to preserve my sanity, not part of £57 million, but I’m not likely to get either, I’m sure. Still, compared to the Powerball lottery in the US, which has now reached $600 million, its chicken feed, but anyway…
So yes, I’m beginning to feel a bit of jail fever, of sorts, especially as of course there were no interviews over the Christmas Period. I should have had a registration trip on Tuesday, but I havent got ID until that passport actually arrives, so its been put back until it does. Anyway, I’m planning a prison break tomorrow! No, not seriously an escape, I can still walk out of here in freedom, but a day away from here might just do me good. Yes, its an expense, a rail fare to Nottingham, and actually having to pay cash for bus fares around here, but apart from that…
A couple of years ago, or so, I actually went to a Vintage fair, in Leeds. While there, I had my hair, and make up done, by a couple of lovely ladies, using their mobile studio. Yes, you’ve guessed it, their main place is in Nottingham. An example of their work?
Digital Camera
Earlier this week, they were looking for a volunteer to help out, with training a new person in the ways of vintage make up styles. And I offered, if they got no one more local, and I guess they didnt? So tomorrow, I’m off down there. Strictly, no fee, though I will leave with my make up done, and my hair styled, 30’s style, so not altogether a bad deal?
But yes, it gets me out of here for a day, and even if I wont be going anywhere, I’ll look nice for a day or two!
Right, the video. What my look will do for me tomorrow. Might not be a true Jean Harlow, but I’ll have the 30’s look!
Playing catch up again!
Yes, I know, this is a bit overdue, but the last couple of days have been a little crazy, and a little depressing. But anyway, must push on, and besides an interview this morning went better, so…
I know, shock horror, I actually cinched one of those competency test things this morning, now move on to a proper interview on Tuesday morning, so fingers crossed for that. But yes, I must admit, the last couple of days, prior to today, I had began to feel the lack of a new job getting to me, but hopefully I’m over that hump now. Otherwise, I might have been suggesting that modern technology, and a brain/computer interface, and an interview competency download into my mind might be a wise move! Might still be, and I’d certainly enjoy it, so if anyone is offering lol…? 😉
I suppose the most amusing thing that has happened over the last couple of days, was being asked to do a survey by a recruitment agency re a job I applied for with them, the snag being they never even contacted me about it. Or indeed a previous one I applied for with them, so unsurprisingly, their marks were less than stellar! Seriously, dont they check these things before sending them out, or do they just send it to the __th candidate who applies to them blindly? Who knows?
And on top of everything else, it seems like summer might have arrived, though probably not for long. Was out earlier in a top, and skirt, to put something in the post. Well, actually the top is a very short dress (as in above the knee), but I’m too old to wear it as that, I feel. Maybe I should, but given the surgically battered state of my knees, probably not? Oh, thats the other thing, while I’m getting that download. A new, young looking, Harlow lookalike body would be handy, do the download into that, along with the rest of me! Yes, I know, I wish!
Oh, and talking of Jean, I promise you a blog on Sunday, if nothing else, as that is a very sad anniversary, that I certainly want to cover.
So fine, I want a cute, plastic (or metal) body, as a good looking blonde, so lets see. No, not Aqua, I’m not that cruel. So instead, here is the excellent Postmodern Jukebox version of that song.
Come on Jeannie, lets go party!
Go West, part 2!
For several reasons, you get two for the price of one tonight, mainly because I’m a ‘blonde, bimbo girl’ which might give a hint to the video here lol!
The real reason though, is that when I went to Tallinn, I got advance warning of this highly infectious song that was just about to dominate the UK charts for many weeks, when released a few weeks after I got back.
Walking the streets at the time, you could hear this song everywhere, and it screamed hit, even if it really shouldnt have done. It isnt great music, the video is definitely verging on naughty, pure Euro pop in other words. But highly catchy, and bound to be a major hit wherever released, and I was proved right.
I would love to say the one thing about Tallinn I’d love to forget, but it wouldnt be true, because I got caught up in Aqua fever too.
stevielounicks 
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