Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Just read a journal entry from 10 years ago, where I complain about being the size I am right now. Of course, at that point I was on my way up and now I'm on my way down, which feels better.

It's funny how your perspective changes.

For example, if it were the middle of January and was the temperature it had been this morning, I would have thought it was a warm day.

It's also possible to get up at 9 a.m. and consider it sleeping in, if your normal hour to awake is 8 a.m.

The wind just blew up the lid of a Dumpster and through the force of the wind on the lid, forced it across a parking lot into a wire fence. If it hadn't been for the fence, the Dumpster would have slammed straight into me and my dog, Una. I have trouble picturing a scenario where that incident would not be both startling and amusing. I seriously should have checked today's weather report.

It's in our nature to complain, to be dissatisfied. Several NBC television shows have structured their seasons around the "grass is greener" concept, or what I would nickname the "Golden Girl Premise."

The main character, a "nice guy," is in love with a sweet, smart, unobtainable blonde. Either she's dating someone else, as in "Good Morning Miami," or has been playing the typical TV cat-and-mouse romance game, as in "Ed," or is working on the opposite side of the courtroom, as in "A.U.S.A.," where an assistant U.S. attorney falls for a defense counselor.

But then there's always the brunette, who is feisty, sharp-witted, straightforward and essentially perfect for the clueless "nice guy," who doesn't realize his good fortune. So he hatches scheme after scheme, chasing after the "Golden Girl," while his friendship with the brunette inevitably reaches nebulous romantic territory.

Then, the cliffhanger, where the "nice guy" has to chose between the two women.

Now, being a blonde, I know we possess a mysterious, otherworldly charm, but come on! It's hard to be sympathetic with these guys when they are too afraid to pursue what they want, when they settle for what comes along, and then put two hearts on the line. Life isn't about playing the odds. Unless you're Donald Trump.

What's worse, the "Golden Girl" is an idealized figure, whereas the brunettes are real, with all their flaws. Wouldn't it be better to pair up with someone who has not only sex appeal but has also proven true friendship? Not if you're on a sitcom, apparently.

The viewer is supposed to root for these "nice guys" to get their "Golden Girls." These "nice guys" aren't players, you understand; they're not intentionally trying to play both sides. They just seem to be incapable of walking down the street without beautiful women falling for their considerable charm and personality.

If it were this easy for "nice guys" to find someone, all the "nice guys" I know would have different lives. They'd be sitting around complaining about whether they should choose the blonde or the brunette, rather than complaining they'd set their VCR wrong and missed the last 10 minutes of "Law and Order."

So what's a "Golden Girl" to do? Are we blondes supposed to ratchet down our appeal so we don't blind those foolish "nice guys" into years of pathetic courting attempts? Unfortunately, it doesn't exactly work that way for women, either. I have a lot of attractive, blonde female friends who, for once reason or another, are single. Or maybe their "nice guys" opted for the brunette. I don't know.

What I do know is that if this weather doesn't warm up soon, my dog and I are moving to someplace warmer, like inside a firepit. Ahhh!

Copyright 2003 by Alyce Wilson

Musings Index

What do you think? Share your thoughts
at Alyce's message board (left button):