Eating crow is a colloquial idiom, used in some English-speaking countries, that means humiliation by admitting having been proven wrong after taking a strong position.
My good friend Wren was in town, and we squeezed in a bunch of fun pre-Autumn activities. Turns out a viewing of Hocus Pocus was one of those activities. I realize I've been pretty outspoken about my lack of fondness for Bette Midler over the years. And I tried to figure out where it all went wrong. Where SHE went wrong. I never really saw her act in anything. Never saw her interviewed anywhere. Don't really know much about her personally.
Essentially (and I'm not proud of this), I'm pretty sure it has to do with that one song of hers. You know the one. Played at weddings and funerals (hopefully at my funeral): Wind Beneath My Wings. It is still my contention that this song's success is the result of a Faustian Bargain. One where the fine print mentions me personally and specifically as being excluded from the charm spell affecting the millions of people who enjoy this song. I, you see, hear the real song. As mentioned in the fine print.
So, this song led to certain opinions. About her acting. About Hocus Pocus. And it reminded me of an incident that occurred one Christmas season at work many years ago. An older guy that worked in our department was talking about his holiday plans and I mentioned egg nog. He commented that he hated egg nog. I asked when was the last time he sipped this heavenly elixir, mentioning that a person's tastes can change over the decades. He replied "Oh, I've never tried it." This resulted in a five-minute theatrical tirade from yours truly about the absurdity of such an opinion in the absence of actually trying egg nog. Luther did as he always did - he laughed at me. We understood each other.
Chapter 2: I Am Luther
Turns out Hocus Pocus (as most people reading this already know) is a fantastic movie. A Halloween movie. I went in thinking that I'd just like the set design or the fact that it was filmed during the Autumn season. But it's a solid movie all around. Great performances (especially from Bette Midler). An interesting and fun story. Very likeable characters. A super cute black cat. And true villains - the Witches were actually sinister heartless Witches. I found myself thinking that it reminded me of Halloween specials back in the early 80s.
The movie was made in 1993. Sometimes it takes me a while. And sometimes it helps to have a push.
Thanks, Wren, for that.
