Glutton For Life » The Grey

2.3.12 The Grey

photos by gluttonforlife

Yes, yes, the hair is mostly grey now. People congratulate me on having a "good" color of grey. But what if it weren't "good"? What if I had a weird, ashy, muddy color? Would I be forced to keep coloring it in order to look "good"? There is often some level of discomfort when I get into these conversations, because inevitably people (read: women) start to question their own commitment to artificial color. I do not judge. I religiously colored my hair for 15 years and, if the inconvenience of spending precious city time in the salon chair were not a factor, I might still be doing it. But the move upstate and all it has engendered do seem to have connected me to a more authentic expression of myself I find gratifying. That said, this post is about a different sort of grey altogether. Read on to find out more, and to check out my latest list of inspiring links.

grizzled comeback

I refer, of course, to The Grey, the new flick from Liam Neeson, the acclaimed actor who has been reincarnated as a fierce yet vulnerable action star. (If you haven't seen Seraphim Falls, Taken or Unknown, you've missed out on this new persona.) Essentially an outlandish chase, The Grey, directed by Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces, Narc) is the story of a motley crew of plane-crash survivors endeavoring to elude the pack of ravenous wolves stalking them through a frigid Arctic landscape.

huffing and puffing

The film works as a blunt and brutal thriller, but when it strays into more existential territory I thought it got a touch heavy-handed. This doesn't mean I can resist Mr. Neeson's wounded blue eyes and fierce leadership. I would follow him into the belly of the beast.Heading in a different direction? Here are a few distractions for the weekend...This fascinating TED talk about our relationship to technologySome more ideas about how to ditch the city for goodA new magablog (did I just write that?) from the natural foodists (and that?) at Pressed JuiceSomething excellent for your favorite kitchen compulsive (and the site has tons of other fun stuff)A compelling reason to get to Philly early in the morning (notice who makes the spices)Another fun alternative to the deli cupMy favorite things to sleep/lounge/loll about inA bottomless pit of inspired imageryA fabulous new oxymoron: locally-made copperAnother reason to dream of springThe long-awaited answer to What on earth do I do with this?The perfect Valentine's Day gift for yourselfHave a beautiful weekend! xo

Tagged — movie review, Liam Neeson, The Grey, links, entertainment

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14 Comments

Hello Laura, I am one of your *caramel* fans, an indecent indulgence, I may add! Just wanted to tell you that you are simply lovely, honestly! I turned 71 last October and I always wished to age gracefully (not easy in our present society). I have never colored my hair, naturally brown, and have been graying very slowly. I have been stopped in shops with compliments on my hair, and I always sense this little edge of envy that I am comfortable with it. Aging is not a particularly exhilarating experience, but if we "go with the flow" and accept it with grace and benevolence, it makes the process so much easier. You give me much pleasure each day, my dear. xxxxsusan

Susan Kallenbach on February 3, 2012 at 6:17 am —

Susan, thank you for your kind words. They mean so much to me! I feel lucky to have such wonderful readers. (Even though they rarely come out of the woodwork!) xo

laura on February 3, 2012 at 6:23 am —

who cares what color your hair is? you have a beautiful face--graceful and mischevious at the same time! xxoo

nikki on February 3, 2012 at 7:49 am —

I colored my hair for fashion reasons from age 14 on. When I got pregnant, I gave it up. I realized that when I thought about the standards of beauty I wanted to model to my children, it was important to me to not make it about concealing my age. My own mother quit dying her hair when I was a teenager (she's got "good" grey too) and I remember what a huge effect it had on my own perception of women and beauty and aging. All this is by way of saying you look wonderful, and I think it's cool that you don't dye your hair.

Liz on February 3, 2012 at 7:54 am —

Thank you so much, Nikki (you raven-haired beauty)!

laura on February 3, 2012 at 8:02 am —

Thanks, Liz, but it's really hard to resist that pressure, isn't it? Then again, it's easy once you have a good reason and make up your mind.

laura on February 3, 2012 at 8:04 am —

you look lovely- grey or no grey. x s

s on February 3, 2012 at 11:35 am —

Thanks, Shayma! (Another raven-haired beauty!)

laura on February 3, 2012 at 12:03 pm —

How is it possible you look so stunning as you did 20 years ago with luscious auburn hair. No fair!

Alice on February 3, 2012 at 3:18 pm —

down here in south philly we've always got an extra scobe(sp?). Next time you're picking up some donuts I'll fill up your cooler:)

Jim on February 3, 2012 at 6:18 pm —

Oh, you gorgeous beasty! What a lovely portrait of you, direct and natural to the bone. (Thanks, G!)The wolf's documenter was much less kind. Before we got rid of TV (just before Michael Jackson died, whew - missed that ruckus) I saw an Oprah with women discussing aging. Nora Ephron was the centerpiece speaker on the panel. Her book about her feelings about her neck had just been published. When asked what the most important thing a woman could do to stay looking young, the response was: Not to stay involved and engaged in life or a creative pursuit. Not to be regularly covered in dog kisses. Not to spend time in the woods, or eat with friends or write mash notes - NO- it was Dye Your Hair. Honestly! That may have been the moment I decided to part ways with television. Have been so much calmer ever since.......look forward to following your always wonderful arrows in this post later. For now, making fat lima bean soup!

anne on February 4, 2012 at 4:27 am —

Um, blushing. As if. But thanks. xo

laura on February 4, 2012 at 4:27 am —

I think it's scoby, Jim— for symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast—and it's pretty impressive that you put all those links together...!

laura on February 4, 2012 at 4:29 am —

Oh, the evils of society! Fortunately, one can banish TV and still enjoy Breaking Bad, Luck, Rules of the Game, Downton Abbey and tons of other worthwhile programming thanks to the miracle of Netflix and iTunes. Or there's always reading, spending time in the woods, eating with friends, kissing the dog...

laura on February 4, 2012 at 4:32 am —