Too many chick flicks

I blame the media. Chick flicks have ruined me. I expect poignant songs to play in order punctuate my life.  Not sappy songs mind you.  "Unchained Melody" will never be heard.  "Wind Beneath My Wings"? Not these wings. Songs that are clever and having special meanings are the soundtrack to my life. The tracks are not mainstream. "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies describes my view of life. It's about not being able to say I'm sorry; my anthem. "Trucker Hat" by Bowling for Soup- the lyrics speak to my soul.  Train is actually writing their songs with me in mind.  OK, not exactly.  The parts about being star crossed, just missing the opportunity to find their lover don't apply to me. But "If It's Love"- the only thing missing is the inclusion of my first name.

Sarcastic and witty girls are embraced in chick flicks. My sarcasm and wit are only embraced by the group I eat lunch with. I can identify who I am in many a chick flick. There are the obvious ones.  I'm always Meg Ryan. Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail. When I'm not Meg Ryan, I'm Renee Zellwegger. Think Jerry Maguire.  Think Bridget Jones minus the jail time in Thailand but include the part where Colin Firth saves me. At times, I channel Diane Lane.  Under the Tuscan Sun made me want to buy a villa in Italy. I would totally jump in the water after John Cusack in Must Love Dogs.  Seriously, except for the dating your dad part, that movie is the stuff of my life. And speaking of Italy, after reading Eat, Love, Pray (the book was way better than the movie) I was convinced I was destined to visit Italy, India and Indonesia.  I could picture myself meditating, using Eastern medicine and mostly, eating my way around Rome. In Steel Magnolias, I am Ouiser. I'd like to be Truvy, but I don't think I could pull it off. And remember, Ouiser ends up with Owen, so I'm ok with that.

And in Love Actually, the end-all, be-all of chick flicks in my book- I am everyone. I want to be Aurelia who learns English as Jamie (Colin Firth again) learns Portuguese. I want to be Emma Thompson as she works through the difficult parts of relationships. I want to be Juliet (Keira Knightley) who gets a touching serenade of sorts by Mark, who admits 'enough already' as he walks down the street.  I want to be Natalie who professes her love and finds that feeling returned. Even when Billy Mack leaves Elton John's party to spend the evening with his manager, I get choked up. He tells him, "it turns out, you are the love of my life."  I would be remiss if I didn't mention the first and last minutes of the movie.  The airport scenes. The airport scenes get me every time. This is what has ruined me.