January Blog Post: 2025 IN REVIEW (BOOZE INCLUDED)

As a diva of a certain age, I make it a point to keep a diary. After all, should any Hollywood studio decide to produce an autobiographical film about me, my journals will serve as historical reference. For your reading pleasure, I have shared an abridged version of my monthly account of the events of 2025.  Enjoy.

Chapter 1: A Diva Is Born

January 1976 Boomer JukeBox

This month's Boomer JukeBox is brought to you by TV Guide. Get your copy wherever magazines are sold. Let's check out some of the top hits of January, 1976. But first, here's few things that happened in pop culture that month:  Famous Cleveland football coach, Paul Brown, who inspired the teams' moniker, retired; Dorothy Hamill won the US Skating Championship;  The Donnie and Marie show and Laverne and Shirley debuted on ABC;  Frampton Comes Alive was released. We wish the above-mentioned success in the remainder of 1976. Now, onto the music.  

IT WAS ONLY A PAPER WORLD

As a diva of a certain age, I vividly remember the scene in "The Graduate" where McGuire takes Benjamin aside to give him one word of advice - "plastics." While it is true that plastic soon took over every aspect of our lives to the point that our brains are now found to contain about a spoonful of the substance, this was not always the case. There was a time when paper was king and the world was ruled by Big Parchment. In fact, paper was the basis of our entire economic system and was it ever a handful!

SOCIALITE

 

As a diva of a certain age, I find that social media has become more complicated over the last decade. It started out as a simple concept - you created a profile on a platform, then used it to stay in touch with family and friends. But, before we knew it, those spaces became places to argue about everything from politics to religion to the color of a certain dress. As time went on, we had cancel culture, billionaire battles, and algorithms gone wild. All this on-line activity began to interfere with my cocktail hour. That is why I decided to start my own social network for divas and divos who fall into a particular age demographic. It shall be called Boomer Space and will be a 60+ community open to everyone who agrees the dress is gold and white.

MAYBE IT'S MAYBELLINE

You have probably heard that the stunningly beautiful actress, Pamela Anderson, has decided to forego wearing makeup in public. In fact, you'd have to be buried under a rock to have missed this tiresome image-rehabilitation campaign. It did remind me, however, that as a diva of a certain age, I have a complicated relationship with Big Cosmetic. It began in my youth as a newly-minted teenager and continues, today, as a wisened elder. 

Spoiler alert: I do not look like this with or without makeup

DIVA DOES HOLLYWOOD

AMAZONIAN DIVA

Let’s shop! 

 As a diva of a certain age, it has become imperative that I stick to a budget. This is hardly my idea as I believe life should be lived and money spent! This directive came from my accountant who claims it is for my own good. "Diva, if you continue with this type of spending, you'll have to share an apartment with three other senior citizens and live on Ramen Noodles." How wonderful! Just like my college days. As long as kegs of beer are included, it will be a joy! "Sorry, Diva. If you do not stop purchasing thousands of dollars worth of items from Amazon each month, I'm afraid the only alcohol you'll be able to afford is the free wine at Communion." Oh, that would not do! I agreed to put a limit on my shopping, though I knew it would be challenging for so many reasons.

I just ordered a few last minute things before I cut back!