Introducing Silverella
GRAY IN L.A.
Sabine Reichel (photo: Eva Napp)
Starting All Over...
When I moved to Los Angeles last year, alone, "oldish" (which is the New Young!) without a job and just 1 1/2 suitcases - but plenty of
confidence, some people said, increduously: "Really? LA? Wow! Good
Luck!" They didn't dare say "at your age" (I'm 65 plus) into my
face, of course, but from what I picked up from reliable sources, it was apparently
a bold act to be blatantly gray in LA. So they wondered how I would hold up. I'm
single, I’m a foreigner, I’m a woman, I’m not wealthy, I have NO CAR (by choice)
- and therefore are forced into public life by way of public transportation. An
adventure right there, to say the least.
And so how does a rambunctious, brazen feminist with
an attitude fare in this city where older age isn't exactly a crime but not a
good idea either - unless, you are a rich bitch, healthy, settled, part of a couple, taken
care of, established, famous, iconic etc. I'm only healthy - forget about the
rest. This city, being the eternal fountain of youth (and
dyed hair), has been a very interesting and surprising experience to walk around
in with long gray hair (right here in Hollywood where I live). There aren’t too
many Silver Sisters here, but I have to say that I’ve gotten a few compliments
about my hair and my style. Not all is lost. Invisibility may be held at bay for
a short while. Life is definitely not about compliments and validation by others but it's nice to hear either sometimes.
So here I am in
my Hollywood home the size of a shoebox; barely furnished (love it!) I live a
strange, independent bohemian life like a person with the restless heart of a
dreamer. Still on the road, I guess, not exactly looking for trouble, but maybe searching for some parts of my soul
that keep hiding from me in this tricky way only our souls can. I want to find more
of those parts, I'm still on a spiritual crusade. That also means that
Seniorville, normal nice, complacency, invisibility and the classic Beige-Brigade will not be joined by me. Ever!
Aren't there enough blogs on social
media for just about any topic, any lifestyle, any problem, any talent, any
passion, persuasion or age? NOPE. Age ist still a bit of a "bète
noir", it's OK if you are, but keep quite about it. Being a classic boomer, my focus has therefore
shifted to age-related topics. I can see that I'm turning into a chronicler not
only of live in a big city - but of the inner and outer beauty as well, how to
look great and cool, how to be authentic, remain rebellious, honest, humorous,
creative - how to turn gray with pride, how to date!! How to still dream! How to straighten out
dumb ideas about age, beauty and style. I love fashion!
I do believe there is a big market and
also interest in personal, funny, touching and even trying experiences and
observations in which an old, hip, chic feminist boomer roams the city of LA like
an adventuress on a VERY low budget. Now, that's an art form!
My Suitcases and me
I am a professional writer, (which never prevented me from
also having been - and still are - a hippie, a model, a hobby-photographer, a movie-fanatic, an animal lover, a New York clothes designer, a
stylist, a lifestyle-coach etc.). A formally trained hard-core reporter since I’m 19, I’m
extremely curious and totally un-shy, my hobby is to strike up a conversation
with just about everybody every day - in buses and the Metro, on the street, in
cafés, shops, at concerts, in doctors' offices, at the supermarket, in museums,
concerts, at openings, in malls. I love to talk to baristas and mailmen, the
homeless and the homeowners, tattooed young girls, skinny hipsters in wool caps,
naughty children, Mexican cooks, chirpy sales people, funny bus drivers and
good-looking seniors. So I have amazing
stories. Big-City-Stories. LA-Stories. My Stories. Maybe Your Stories, too. Of course, with a little dose of information about the big World that's out there - I'm European after all!
I think in the end this will probably not
really be a blog about a city, about age or for women only - but little journeys, trials and tribulations, composed by life - and right now underwritten
by a generous grant from this strange, beautiful, mysterious, irritating,
smart, superficial, trendy, multi-layered, grandiose, legendary, underrated,
very dark and very bright City of Angels. Of which I am one. Come join me! What do you think? I'm starting right now and will write at least every other day....with lots of pictures...
I think I"m going to love this blog!! Can't wait for more!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bea!
DeleteEnjoyed your first story. I too am 65, run dogs in AKC agility and try to have an adventure a day! Born and raised in Los Angeles. It has changed just like every other place we've lived. Keep writing, we will keep on reading.
DeleteDoesn't read half-bad at all. But I think it'll be funnier and more to the point soon...too many stories, too little time....
ReplyDeleteHallo Sabine.
ReplyDeleteZweiter Versuch.
Hatte einen so schoene, langen, persoenlichen kommentar Zu deinem blog geschrieben ... War nicht connected ... Jetzt ist anscheinend alles weg ... See ... Another thing that comes along at least for some of us older (really?) people ... All these interactive media are cool and our reality these days and yet s o, s o hard to cope with at times.
Anyways ...
Ich habe Deine notizen gelesen und kann mich so gut damit identifizieren...bin selbst vor etwas ueber 10 jahren mit immerhin 2 koffern und auch ohne Geld und Ruhm hier in der Bay Area gelandet.. Mit Traeumen und Hoffnungen - insgeheimen, natuerlich - denn als anhaenger buddhistischer Ansichten und schamanischer uebungen sind Traeume, Hoffnungen und vor allem Erwartungen - etwas, was es unbedingt zu ueberwinden gilt, da sie der Ursprung all unserer Verblendung sind. Oder so aehnlich ...
Ich freue mich darauf, mehr von Deinen Abenteuern zu lesen und wuensche Dir alles, alles Gute, Du mutige Frau.
Go Sabine! Enjoyed reading your writing.
ReplyDeleteDas klingt sehr schön! Ich bin gespannt auf die Busfahrten und Begegnungen mit ungezogenen Kindern und sexy Rentnern...und noch viel mehr! Also: Demnächst in diesem Theater....
ReplyDeleteWas heißt hier "Unknown"??? Dein Blog will mich nicht kennen...
DeleteOh great. It was YOU. Um so besser. Danke, meine Liebe. It is VERY appreciated.
DeleteWonderful Idea. Will read with pleasure, dear Sabine.
ReplyDeleteRambling Rose Hartman, author of WOMEN OF STYLE, etc.
Good luck in LA, where I have a feeling it will find you. The more conversations we have about enlarging our notion of what is stylish and beautiful, the better, and the more comfortable we'll be about our own age and aging. It's why I dyed my hair white: http://www.thischairrocks.com/?q=post/so-i-dyed-my-hair-white
ReplyDeleteyou are amazing. and beautiful.. and joyous.. thank you
ReplyDeleteSigh...you are living my life except I am in England. To me you are so inspirational, us 'grey' folk need people like you. Love your blog, looking forward to further adventures. From one Virgo to another...lots of love.
ReplyDeleteHi Ms. Nameless , you are here as a unknown. Thanks just the same for your letter! Ho do you know I'm a Virgo - very true indeed. I love to be an inspiration! Best, Sabine
DeleteWill look forward to following you and reading your stories and learning about LA. Have never been there. Go, GREY GODDESS!! Ps you stole my phrase: die Beige-Brigade......have been using that here in Germany for years!!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteDo I look or write (in my inimitable style) like someone who needs to steal phrases from ANYBODY? People steal from me!! :-) - which is fine...
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me what sandals you have on in the bottom picture and on Advanced Style? I assume they are one in the same?
ReplyDeleteHi Shelley - I hope you like my blog? It's not really only about clothes...but I guess that's what got you! :-) 2 year old, inexpensive shoes from H&M who happen to sit there in the wind while I passed by. You're welcome.
DeleteHow do I subscribe to your blog? I want to know when you post because ZI don't want to miss a single post. We are separated at birth. You - City Mouse. Me - Country Mouse. I read your description of yourself and I'm sure I would be found talking to you in the line at the coffee shop. We would be relating our worldwide adventures and viewpoints. I LOVE YOUR HAIR! I, too, have long gray and I, too, get compliments. The latest while standing in line at Pilot. This nice looking old guy says "I wish more ladies had your courage not to dye their hair." I say courage? what courage. It seems so rational to me. Anyway I love your credo and the things you write. Can't wait to read more. Inpiration! - Renee at rlbenoit.com
ReplyDeleteHi Renee - thank you so much. You know what? Since I changed the layout I myself can't find the button or whatever to subscribe to the blog....did you read the funniest one? The last about Dating? The next is about men, too I think...maybe not but need to do it soon. Why don't you befriend me of FB (Sabine Reichel) I ALWAYS post new blogs several times... Have a new page old.bold.chic - the gray rebellion (on FB) as well. Hope you get THIS. Could you do me a favor and confirm? Thanks
ReplyDelete