First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

The “WE” Word

If there’s a dreaded moment in the linguistic life of a single person, it’s hearing your previously unattached friend who’s now in a committed relationship use “WE” for the first time – as in,         “We finally got around to seeing The Hurt Locker, and it better win Best Picture,” or, “We’re heading to the lake house for the month of August.” By comparison, “I” seems so lonely and narcissistic. But who’s to say what constitutes a WE? Why not appropriate the word: “We decided to get into bed early tonight” (me and the new translation of War and Peace) or, “We just got back from an exhausting hike in the canyon” (me and my dog Rose) or, “We whipped up a tasty Boeuf Bourguignon.” (Me & Julia, Mastering the Art of French Cuisine).

Update from 3/2: There’s still time for your voice to be heard. Polls call soon.

Fear of Falling

During the Olympic ski jump competition a few weeks ago, the announcer explained that the mechanics of the sport aren’t very complex. The biggest hurdle is calming the voice screaming in your head, THIS IS SUICIDE! Tell me about it. I hate taking physical risk, which I believe is genetic – we’re readers in my family – but I understand it’s important to go beyond one’s comfort zone. When my Pilates instructor suggested I try hanging upside down from a high bar, I heard a voice screaming in my head, WHAT ARE YOU CRAZY? We compromised. From a more reasonable height, I hung from the waist down, which felt like enough for one day. And then I went home and cracked open a book.

Don’t forget to vote!

(Image: The Equivocal Woman, 1923, by Max Ernst)

Can I Bear 6 More Months of Match.com?

I got pissed off today with “customer service” at Match.com where I found myself in the odd position of fighting for something I didn’t even want. After meeting my end of the agreement for their “6-month guarantee,” which meant contacting 5 different men every 30 days (NOT EASY), the least Match could’ve done was provide the 6-month bonus membership they promised, without making me pick up the phone and beg for it. Isn’t that just like dating?

Please go to the poll and help name a new gallery section on the site.

Image: Nick Dewar

You’re Calling That, What?

Help me NAME a new section of FPS. On March 8, I’m launching a dedicated spot, a sort of “Exhibition Room,” in which readers can look at the photography, illustrations and paintings I’ve been posting, all in one place, with links to artists’ names and contact info. Your VOTE counts!

3/8 Update: ART SEEN!
3/5 Update: Voting extended through Sunday.
3/4 Update: Poll includes the 6 entries that have received at least a couple of votes.

(Image: starting top row, left to right, artwork by Alex Katz, Clare Grill, Leonard Freed, Hayv Kahraman, Chris Jordan, Sophie Blackall, Jacob Dahlgren, Irving Penn, Richard Rutledge.)