And I’m broken down (pun time!) into body parts. The metaphor ends here, I’m sorry to say, due to the fact that I know zilch about cars. The engine is to the carburetor as the windshield wipers are to the blank. See, I told ya. Zilch.

But it’s probably a poor analogy – car to human body. Can anyone guess the principle difference between these two modes of transportation? Let’s just put it this way. You don’t see your PCP for a broken leg; you go the orthopedist. Yet you see a single repair person for a malfunctioning car part. Should I be worried that the same person who fixes my car window mechanism also repairs or replaces the aforementioned carburetor? Last question on this subject: what is a carburetor?

Speaking of dumb questions, I came up with a great idea for a first date opening gambit, kinda like that quiz that can make you fall instantly in love. You ask your date: what is a popular topic that you know nothing about? You may wish you possessed at least a modicum of knowledge about this thing. Or you proclaim your complete lack of interest on the topic in question, or even your utter disdain. This makes you either a curmudgeon who eats irony for breakfast a la Fran Lebowitz or a pitiful ignoramus. For example, I would say “wine,” or maybe alcoholic beverages more broadly. I’m well past the age where it’s cute to toss back your head and giggle “I can’t tell the difference between a Pinot noir and a Merlot. Give me a glass of your least expensive red.” Yes, that’s me at 72, firmly in the bow-my head-in-shame category.

And I’ll confess I may occasionally attempt a soupçon of cuteness, deployed thusly, for I possess a weapon that you may not, and that’s the Parkinson’s card. “Oh god, I used to know all about wines. I even got a sommelier certificate at a weeklong class in Bordeaux ( Bordeaux? Napa wasn’t good enough?). But I have Parkinson’s and you know, it’s turned certain memory regions of the brain into fluff. Like, the wine- knowing region.”

Sympathetic looks, a hand placed ever-so- gently on mine.

And then there’s the converse move. The “oh it’s nothing, just a little Parky symptom,” convincingly wincing as evidence of my bravery in the face of the shitty hand I’ve been dealt. So very admirable.

Meanwhile, this Parky continues to endeavor away on her forthcoming podcast, due out in early 2024 and now titled Shakin’ It Up With Andi: Parky Conversations. Hope you’ll join me around the (metaphorical) water cooler.

Recommendations

Winter is upon us, bringing days when leaving the house is about as appealing a prospect as doing taxes. Grab yourself a mug of hot cider, hot chocolate, hot anything, and hunker down for some engrossing TV that has the can’t-stop-watching virtue of boasting lots and lots and even more lots of episodes. Hell, March 21 might roll around and you won’t be done.

Without further ado, I bring you a season’s worth of cozy-up-by-the-fire television.

Friday Night Lights Even if you hate football….

The West Wing If only real life were like this…

Veep But not like this. So funny

Velvet and Gran Hotel if you’re not allergic to subtitles, these Spanish beauties have it all – love, mystery, and lots of drama. Both are addictive. Make sure you watch the original Gran Hotel from Spain. Remakes from other countries are imposters.

A Place to Call Home Australian soap opera that led to a bit of marital discord in my sister’s household. He: couldn’t get enough. She: left the room whenever it came on. Me: looked forward to watching every day. Judge for yourself.

If you like the blog – and who doesn’t, lol – help me laugh at Parkinson’s with my forthcoming podcast, Shakin’ it up with Andi: Parky Conversations.