Mama facebooks

In the past, Mama and I spent our days together pleasantly, watching Law & Order (the original is the best) or Maigret, Perry Mason or Inspector Morse DVDs, reading, walking outdoors, or just puttering around the house.

Ah, for the good old days.

In fact, my dear friend Lucy was the inadvertant cause of the demise of our long lovely days together. Lucy's Mama, Melinda, invited mine to be her facebook friend. Many had previously invited Mama; she steadfastly refused to reply. Until Melinda's invitation. And such is Mama's respect for Melinda, that she was unable to resist returning a resounding Yes.

Now Mama is facebook addicted. She turned facebook into a verb [i.e. facebooking, facebooked...]

She has spent hours creating her profile, joining groups, contacting long lost friends, opening photo albums. Granted, as far as the last is concerned, mine was the first album and has, as I recall, the greatest number of pictures. Her albums include those dedicated to: family, former graduate students, colleague-friends, other friends, my friends, Grady at Oxford 2004, Grady at Oxford 2005, etc. If the list isn't yet endless, there's every indication that her collection of albums will continue to grow at an alarming rate. She proceeds more gingerly with groups; but one established group had no wall entries (wall! what?) nor any pictures until Mama joined.

Furthermore, as a result of Mama's direct and indirect instigation, many more friends have accepted invitations and they in turn are connecting with their long lost friends. Even Papa has (reluctantly) succumbed. Even, Grandpere!

I seem to have been relegated to 2nd class status. I watch from my computer room bed (one of my 3 beds in our home) and wait, hoping for some slight recognition, even a mere glimmer of remembrance.

I find it ironic that Mama is reading an Agatha Christie novel just now that centers around a dead character: Rosemary, for remembrance.

Loyal fans and friends, please send your special messages across time & space in your hopes that Mama's sanity and my pleasurable days will return soon. [you may notice how plaintive I look in the photo above.

Compare, Invidious, Unfair

During the last few days my personality & behaviour have been subjected to comparisons to the Remarkable Lucy (shown at left with her Mama). As a consequence, I've experienced any amount of suffering.

The back story: Lucy flew, from the Idaho breeder with whom I lived previously, to Logan, Boston. There for the first time she met Melinda, long time friend (& accomplished scholar) of Mama (click appropriate link in labels field below). It seems that Lucy (formerly named Poppi!) was an instant hit with her Mama & took to city life in a most gratifying manner.

However, that does not negate the unenviable position in which I've been placed. For example,

Lucy is touted as a lap dog; I, a bruiser.

Lucy's manners are impecable; mine, to the contrary.

Lucy eats daintily; I'm accused of spreading crumbs.

Lucy is called "cute little Lucy;" I'm referred to as "funny little girl."

And on. And on.

Let's face it. Such comparisons are invidious and unfair. Lucy is an adult & I, a teen. Lucy is a relative newcomer in Melinda's flat--perhaps acting on her (suspiciously) best behavior. I'm already a seasoned member of the Roushanzamir household, clearly a lifer. In any case, aren't we each unique with characteristics that define our identities, that ephemeral yet essential Who-We-Are?

Let's add insult to injury. Lucy's Mama is that same Melinda Robins who, as I reported in February 03, '07 , brutally scorned Mama's pals-- before my time & true, pauvre Mama's so-called pals were pathetic stuffed animals (again, click appropriate link in labels field below for juicy tit bits).

In fairness, Lucy is gorgeous, a veritable glamour girl; like me she may be able to pursue a successful modeling career (click appropriate link in labels field below). Apparently she has cottened to Melinda most satisfactorily.

And in the interests of truth, let it be known that it was Melinda's encounter with Me that served as the significant first step towards uniting Lucy with her Mama. In the adoption of Lucy my influence was paramount.

So Cheers to you, lovely Lucy. Your namesakes may be many (Lucille Ball, B.B.King's guitar to name only two) but you're an exceptional doggie & a credit to us all.

Accomplished Robins

Melinda Robins is Mama's friend of long-standing. They met in the 1980s [the old days] in Madison, Wisconsin, shared exciting classes & [even more exciting] confidences.

All well & good. Now here comes the cautionary note. About Mama, Melinda, and small dogs. Before I moved into the Roushanzamir home, pauvre Mama shared her love with Stuffed Doggies.

For example, this shot shows Little Doggie and Little Baby Puppy Dog. Yes, pathetically, those are their given names.

Mama endowed them with high squeeky [highly annoying] voices & dismal personalities which she insisted on "sharing" with friends & family.

Melinda, to mention only one friend/family member, rebelled. I'll pass over her attempt to choke Little Doggie; after all, it was, on her part, a frenzy of sheer annoyance. Understandable.

But, Live & learn. Taking her predilection for, what seems on the surface to be the short fuse, I plan [should Melinda travel to Athens, GA from her current home in Boston] to entertain Melinda and divert her attention from my own status as a little dog [albeit not stuffed], immediately opening my toy box to her and sharing any toy she cares for.











Proceeding to Mama's intentions [see 12/01/06 entry] for the content of VIP entries:

Melinda Robins, Associate Professor, Emerson College, wrote a dissertation about Tanzanian professional women, special focus on journalists. An innovation: her use of methodology based in ethnography & the manner of presentation: 2 1-act plays. Mama & Melinda traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia together where they worked helped establish a journalism & communication program at a local university. [to read more about their experiences in Ethiopia go to: www.grady.uga.edu/coxcenter/ and search the site for Ethiopia]

As a long-time friend & Mama's very 1st advisee to earn a Ph.D., Melinda holds a special place in Mama's life & heart; Mama smiles when she sees Melinda's smiling face.