What do unattached people do on Valentine’s Day?
I was pondering that particular question the other day when I received an invite to go watch the movie “50 Shades of Grey” with my niece (single) and my daughter (the love of her life is in school for Navy training). Apparently, that movie has turned a day meant for couples into a girls night out.
While I haven’t read the book, I’ve heard what it’s about from those who have read it. Most everyone I’ve talked to had two strong reactions: They either hated the book, or they loved it. There didn’t seem to be any in between emotions. No one said, “It’s all right.”
I did watch the video for the Ellie Goulding song “Love Me Like You Do,” which is on the soundtrack for the movie. The word “wow” comes to mind. If you haven’t seen it, watch the violin cover by Robert Mendoza. He is one talented violinist.
Eliminating the scenes that some might find upsetting or offensive, the movie appears to be just another love story. Despite that, I’m always a sucker for movies that are controversial. I went to see “Brokeback Mountain,” “The Passion of the Christ,” and “Magic Mike.” Should I add “50 Shades of Grey” to the list?
I think I might be in danger of losing the “Just A Thought” heading on my Sunday column. Since I spearheaded the separation from my husband in early January, most of my columns, including this one, have hinted, or blatantly stated, that fact. Well, it’s a phase of my life I can’t ignore. I kept it out of my columns for six months. That was a good run. It’s over now.
Duane Sherrill lost the original name of his column. He started writing so many columns about his family that Southern Standard editor James Clark changed his column name to “Family Man.” The fun part was James didn’t tell him he was going to do it and Duane didn’t notice. Someone finally had to point it out to him. He didn’t believe it until he took a closer look.
I feel Duane’s fate could be my own. Since James is reading this column, maybe I should suggest one. How about “The Single Life”? Maybe that’s a little outside-the-box thinking because I am still legally married. I refer to myself as single, but some people have argued I'm not due to the legal technicality. I’m going to go ahead and say this: Until you’ve walked in my shoes, spare me your criticisms.
That brings me back to the invitation for watching “50 Shades of Grey” on Feb. 14. OK, I’m in. I won’t go into who’s to blame for it, but I’m not a big fan of Valentine’s Day or movies about falling in love. Throw in a nice dinner before or after the movie and this girls night out could potentially be the best Valentine’s Day I’ve had in years.
Standard reporter Lisa Hobbs can be reached at 473-2191.