In
1966 my family lived about four blocks from the Whisky A Go-Go on the Sunset Strip. If you don’t
know about The Whisky that’s ok; all you need to know is that the house band
was The Doors. And, while at age six I had little idea of who The Doors were I
did know that my cousin Leslie was crazy about them. Thus I found myself one
evening in 1966 sitting on the washing machine, which for some reason was in
the bathroom, mesmerized as I watched her get ready to see them.
Now,
in 1966 getting ready to go out meant something. It involved Aqua-Net,
Maybelline, and Max Factor. Teasing and tweezing. It was like watching a magic
show as she pulled pots of color and brushes out of a splashy paisley printed
bag: Wild vibrant colors in violet, blue and emerald for her eyes; and the
palest glistening pinks for her lips. Every stroke of every brush precise and
perfect; making her more beautiful. I really thought it could not get better.
And, then she pulled out a small box which seemed to hold the tiniest pair of
butterfly wings. I craned my neck to see as she delicately lifted one of the
tiny wings up and then with utter accuracy placed it along her lashes and while
still looking down did the same with the other. And then it happened. She
looked up and I was captivated and fallen head over heels in love with false
eyelashes.
Of
course, I was an intelligent child and knew that it was going to be a long time
before I would be allowed to wear them, but I could wait. Oh sure, I got the
odd chance at ballet recitals but it wasn’t like wearing them out in “real
life”. As luck would have it by 1972 when I would have been allowed to wear
them no one was wearing any makeup that you could see. And, with my unruly hair
and chipped front tooth false eyelashes would not have been the first area of
concern.
It
took getting well into the 21st century for me to get my real
chance. It was a Saturday and I waited two hours for the eyelash specialist at
the MAC counter to help me. I waited around watching girls that could be my
daughters getting their lashes and with each one I found myself still enamored
with them. At last it was my turn. The lash expert fitted me with a set and put
them on. I was in heaven. I paid; got up and headed out of the mall to my car.
I’m not sure I looked different on the outside, but on the inside I was giddy.
I unlocked my Bug and got in. Flipped down the visor and took a long look in
the mirror as I popped the key into the ignition and started it. The engine
turned over and out of the radio Jim Morrison sings “And, I’m gonna love ya
till the heavens start to fall” and one circle closes and the next begins.
