Last week was pretty typical for this time of year: some snow, some rain, a bit of sunshine, and temperatures that crept over 50 degrees one afternoon and descended to single digits a couple of nights later.
We had five full days of quality classes at school, fraught with discussions capable of inspiring life-changing epiphanies for some young people while simultaneously putting others to sleep.
I got together with friends one evening, but still found time to do the laundry, feed the young Youngs, and keep the house clean, or at least free of rats and the Ebola virus. Oh, and one other thing: last Tuesday afternoon a friend told me I should type twitter.com/SeaBrinkley?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor into a search engine on my computer and see what came up.
That’s how I learned the column I wrote for last Monday’s Journal Tribune had been posted on Christie Brinkley’s Twitter page.
That event triggered numerous questions from friends, acquaintances, and family members, some of whom apparently count themselves among Ms. Brinkley’s 40.2 K Twitter followers. While addressing every one of those queries in this space isn’t possible, here are my answers to the most frequently asked ones.
How long have you known Christie Brinkley? I’m honestly not sure I do. If we met, it must have been a long time ago. Like most high school teachers and single fathers of three, my social calendar has been booked solid for quite some time now. It’s hard to remember everyone I’ve dated over the past few decades.
How did you get Christie Brinkley to put your column on her Twitter page? I don’t know. I’ve never twittered, tweeted, or twaddled; in fact, I’ve never had a Twitter account. I think I still have a Facebook page, but I haven’t used it in several years.
Okay wise guy, then why did she post your column? I’m not sure about that, either. One possibility: the person tending Ms. Brinkley’s Twitter page saw her name in the essay, which cited her as one of the many distinguished people of accomplishment born in February, which is clearly the year’s most significant (though tragically and unjustly short) month. But I prefer to think Christie is a kind, gentle, thoughtful person of substance who possesses discerning taste in contemporary culture, and when she saw my insightful jottings generously decided to share them with her many friends and admirers.
What could you and Christie Brinkley possibly have in common? Quite a bit, actually. We each celebrated a birthday last week. We’re both well over 5 feet tall. We’ve both got three children, and each of us was born during Dwight Eisenhower’s presidency. I have to be honest, though: these days she looks a lot less like Ike than I do.
Yeah, real funny. What else? Well, she’s an author, a model, and an actress; I’m an author who tries to act like a role model. She used to pose for Sports Illustrated; I used to subscribe to Sports Illustrated. She graduated from Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles, a French-English bilingual school; I graduated from Joel Barlow High School, which was named for America’s minister to France in 1811 and 1812. And as far as I can tell neither of us voted for the current president.
Have you tried to contact her? I have, but when you visit her website and click on, “Contact us,” you’re given the choice of reaching her via Christie Brinkley Authentic Skin Care, Hair 2 Wear, Christie Brinkley Eyewear, or Total Gym. And while I’m sure each is a quality organization, I’m not optimistic I’d get through to her directly through any of those channels.
If you could reach her, what would you say? I’d start by sincerely thanking her for the unexpected positive exposure. I’d like to show her that same sort of kindness, so I’d ask her to call me the next time she flies into Maine. Since she’d probably be coming to vacation, why would she want to waste money on a cab? I’d be pleased and privileged to pick her up at Portland International Jetport and transport her (and her entourage, provided it was small enough) to her lodgings. And if she wanted someone to guide her on a hike up Bradbury Mountain, well, I’d gladly volunteer.
Daddy, who’s Christie Brinkley? What???? You rotten kids know who 21 Savage, Cardi B, and Lil Pump are, but you haven’t heard of the world’s foremost supermodel? Stop asking stupid questions, quit stalling, and finish the dusting, vacuuming, toilet-cleaning and bathtub-scouring. And remember: no gruel for dinner tonight until you finish your homework!
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