Jane Winslett-Richardson: Well, don’t you think the public perception of your work has significantly altered in the last five years?
Steve Zissou: That’s your first question? I thought this was supposed to be a puff piece.
Jane Winslett-Richardson: …should we come back to it?
Steve Zissou: …yeah.
Jane Winslett-Richardson: Okay… Is it true that this is going to be your last voyage?
Steve Zissou: Wow… no comment. Who told you that? No, goddamnit, I’m… only 52. How-how ’bout we start out with some stock dialogue? Favorite color, blue? Favorite food, sardines?
I can’t be accused of always being sensible. So, yesterday when my book club canceled for a polar vortex, I immediately made plans to go watch the Downton Abbey season premiere at Ellen’s. After walking home from my brunch shift, I realized that wasn’t the best idea. Temperatures had already gone from 21 to 11. Predictions put the temp at 1 degree by the conclusion of the 2 hour season opener. New boots or not, I didn’t want to get stuck in a harrowing and avoidable situation. I canceled and hankered in for the two day cold spell. I felt the wisdom of adulthood.
I rented “The Aquatic Life with Steve Zissou” on YouTube. There are a handful of movies that I can watch repeatedly and still be thoroughly entertained. This Cousteau spoof is one of those movies. It’s a Wes Anderson flick meaning its quirky. Bill Murray is Steve Zissou. He leads this band of misfits on a quest to find a jaguar shark. It makes me continually giggle. And later, I always tear up as Murray says, “I wonder if it remembers me.” And everyone in this makeshift submarine lay hands on him. The scene gets me every time.
I stayed safe and warm at home with a little Zissou, a little wine and a few Windmill cookies. It was a sensible choice… mostly sensible.
Chicago is shutting down. Today, many businesses are closed… including the administrative offices at the National Runaway Safeline. The wonderfully tough and compassionate call center supervisors will still be working our 24-hour crisis services. As I enjoy a free day, I am extremely appreciative of all the people working to ensure this natural disaster doesn’t become tragic.