Who Hey PurrfectPear!

[Harriet]

I like your straight talking. A lot. Care to tell us about yourself?

 

[bee*]

I''d love to hear more PP! I love your posts.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Whatup PP?

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Yes I want to hear! You always make me laugh!

 

[purrfectpear]

Oh my goodness, I rarely find myself in this part of PS. I haven''t turned on my work email since the 19th since I''m on holiday break so I''m sure I missed the email.

My 25 year old son is visiting (he''s a Sgt. in the Air Force) so this will be brief to start.

I was born in Germany where my dad met my mom while in the Air Force. Dad was from a struggling farm family in a tiny town in Kansas and Mom was from a wealthy family fresh out of a finishing school in Switzerland. You can imagine how much they had in common, but they''re still hanging in there 56 years later.

I was 1 and 1/2 when we came to the US. I''m an only child which I thought was perfectly normal. I never really caught the "where are my siblings" phase. Consequently I grew to love reading. I read lots, and I mean LOTS. Like 9-11 books a week. I recently bought a Kindle and I can tell you that''s the devil''s crack for an avid reader. It''s way too easy to click "buy now" and have a book in my lap in 30 seconds.

I''m a senior contract admin/aerospace buyer for a major airframe manufacturer. In my job I travel quite a bit, and just completed a year long out of state assignment in Kansas. I''ll be heading back home to Long Beach in January.

Married three times, and currently on my fourth. In hindsight my motives for agreeing to marriage weren''t too good. First one was to get out of the house. Second was looking for a father figure (16 years older). The third was strictly out of guilt (I was pregnant), and the fourth was an attempt to give my son an on-site dad

.

Amazingly I''m actually still married to the fourth. We separated in 1999 and just never bothered to get divorced so technically I''m married now for 12 years. At long last I''ve discovered the way to make a marriage work...don''t live in the same state - don''t speak

I have no idea why he doesn''t file, but I suspect it may be that he''s Catholic?

In between all that marrying, there was a lot of dating some pretty interesting men, but that''s another story.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Very interesting Purr!

Favorite writers? Genres?

You''re just right down the 405 from me--hey neighbor!

 

[purrfectpear]

I read mostly non-fiction. I have a prurient interest in true crime. I often think that if I ever became a "person of interest" in a crime, I''d be a dead duck if they subpoenaed my library records. Talk about looking guilty

Recently I read great books about John Adams, Brooke Astor, the 1919 flu epidemic, the dust bowl, and I''m just finishing a book on Bernie Cornfeld and the IOS mutual fund fiasco from the early 70''s.

I loved Edgar Sawtelle, The Glass House, Duma Key, and The Hour I First Believed.

Books are so wonderful. In hindsight I should have been a reader for a publication house. Sigh.

 

[Dancing Fire]

PP
i know you hold the record for the most BFs on PS.

 

[Harriet]

Hi there,

What''s your secret for straight-talking? Incidentally, my law school classmate works for an airplane manufacturer in Kansas City.

I''m also an only child who grew up reading incessantly.

 

[bee*]

I''m addicted to reading true life crime as well PP-if it''s made up I''ve no interest. I have over 60 true life crime books at home. Tell us more!! I''m fascinated!

 

[WishfulThinking]

Hi PP,

I am enjoying hearing more about you! I find your no-nonsense voice to be quite refreshing, and I like reading your posts.

I would love to know your secret, haha.

Your reading list sounds mighty interesting to me, and I laughed out loud when you said your library records would make you look guilty; I suspect mine would as well, but for slightly different reasons.

What is one piece of advice that you wish you could give to everyone? Do you have any hobbies other than reading? What got you interested in pursuing the career path you are in? Your work sounds interesting, but I''ll admit I know nothing about it!

Have a good time with your son!

 

[LaurenThePartier]

I''m so glad to see a thread for you PP. I, like many others, love your no-nonsense approach to this forum, but have liked to hear about your other aspects of your life.

Once upon a time, you mentioned briefly what you do, and at the time we were engaged with a large airplane manufacturer in a massive software deal. I had to discuss with an contract administrator quite often, and I thought to myself, I wonder if I''m talking to PP, here.

I''m so glad to see you posting and look forward to seeing/reading more from you!

 

[purrfectpear]

Whew, my son and his GF have gone back home and I have one day to pack before I hit the road.

Hmmm, straight talk always came natural to me. Probably it's because as an only child I thought the world revolved around me

It was quite a rude awakening to discover that wasn't exactly how everyone else saw it

I can't tell you how many times I've read some poor poster who was having issues standing up for themselves with a store and I wished I was their neighbor. I think, darn I could resolve that for them

Self confidence was never an issue for me, learning some humility was. I'm the classic Type A overachiever type.

So a little more background;
My first marriage was in a family that owned three jewelry stores. Each son managed one. That started the interest in jewelry.
Next was a marriage to a studio musician that had traveled with Stan Kenton and Lionel Hampton. By the time we met he was the soloist with Henry Mancini. Unfortunately he was an undiagnosed manic depressive. We divorced, and 4 years later he took his own life. I read about it in Variety

I took a position as an Admin. Asst. with a personal manager who rep'd several movie and TV stars. That was my wild and crazy Hollywood period.
Later I managed two AV rated law firms, one in Bev Hills, and one in Century City.

At 30 I became pregnant and married the birth father, but when my son was almost two I moved back to the midwest in 1985 to raise him. That was the soccer mom period and I settled down becoming a buyer in aerospace. In 2000 I moved back to LA. I lead a very, very quiet life (must have burned out early!) that suits me fine. I have no interest in dating or the compromising required to maintain a relationship.

I've had a few hobbies over the years. I've raced motorcycles and miatas. I used to play 9-ball well enough to hustle a few $$. I windsurfed while in the midwest (plenty of wind in Kansas). For years my Hasselblad and I were inseparable. I loved photography and won a few awards in shows. I've done goldsmithing and some stained glass work. This is probably the first time in my life where I'm not active in a hobby.

 

[iluvcarats]

Hi PP!
I love reading your posts too!
and the sarcasm

!
Sounds like quite an interesting life so far!
I like reading non fiction too. I just finished The Avengers by Rich Cohen. It was amazing! Have you read it?

 

[Harriet]

Purr,
Your straight-talking must have been useful in dealing with cranky partners and arrogant junior associates. Any tips?

 

[WishfulThinking]

Wow- So many different hobbies and interests! Very neat. Your description of yourself is so funny, and I wish my Type A personality caused me to be witty, sarcastic, and straight-talking... instead it just makes me a neurotic over-achiever with secret deep-rooted self esteem issues.

I''ll be taking notes on your posts for sure!

Do you like living in LA? It''s one of the possible places Wifey and I may end up when we move to CA this coming summer and I''ve always wondered what it was like there.

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 1/1/2009 3:44:27 PM
Author: Harriet
Purr,
Your straight-talking must have been useful in dealing with cranky partners and arrogant junior associates. Any tips?

Dealing with attorneys in the mid 70''s was a nightmare. They thought god-hood was conferred when they passed the bar. I spent many an afternoon trying to dry tears from hysterical secretaries in the women''s room. I had one partner that averaged a new secretary every other month. Especially litigators. OMG. They got so wrapped up in their pitbull persona they forgot to check it at the courtroom door. Mostly we did a lot of blue sky work. They were a bunch of preppy WASPS who thought everything in a skirt was fair game. The only decent guy around was the estate guy. He was too nerdy to think he was a player

I saw a lot of decent wives thrown over after working their hubby through law school. I''m not sure who was the most neurotic, the paranoid (with good reason) first wife, or the insecure trophy airheads that followed.

Junior associates knew better than to be arrogant. They were killing themselves trying to bill 60 hours a week so they could make partner after 8 or 9 years.

The BH office was really something though. We had two floors of a building on the corner of Sunset and Doheny. The managing partner had the largest German Expressionist art collection in the world. We had two docents on staff just to manage the art. All the furniture was 18th century English antiques. The reception are had harlequin marble floors with blond wood paneling imported from some palace in Italy. Centered on a fabulous Chippendale table was a Tang dynasty horse. Fun times.

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 1/1/2009 3:07:42 PM
Author: iluvcarats
Hi PP!
I love reading your posts too!
and the sarcasm

!
Sounds like quite an interesting life so far!
I like reading non fiction too. I just finished The Avengers by Rich Cohen. It was amazing! Have you read it?

Not yet, but thanks for the tip. I''ll put it on the list

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 1/1/2009 4:14:15 PM
Author: WishfulThinking
Wow- So many different hobbies and interests! Very neat. Your description of yourself is so funny, and I wish my Type A personality caused me to be witty, sarcastic, and straight-talking... instead it just makes me a neurotic over-achiever with secret deep-rooted self esteem issues.

I''ll be taking notes on your posts for sure!

Do you like living in LA? It''s one of the possible places Wifey and I may end up when we move to CA this coming summer and I''ve always wondered what it was like there.

I like LA in spite of it''s sprawl. There isn''t much of a sense of neighborhood though. You can live somewhere for years and not meet your neighbor. It''s a car driven society. Commute to work, commute back...wash, rinse, repeat. Up until recently real estate was ridiculous - like $500 a square foot on average. For the first time in years you can actually purchase a single family home under $600K. Mostly it''s about the weather. It''s hard to knock 78 and sunny day in, day out.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 1/1/2009 8:01:26 PM
Author: purrfectpear
Dealing with attorneys in the mid 70''s was a nightmare. They thought god-hood was conferred when they passed the bar. I spent many an afternoon trying to dry tears from hysterical secretaries in the women''s room. I had one partner that averaged a new secretary every other month. Especially litigators. OMG. They got so wrapped up in their pitbull persona they forgot to check it at the courtroom door. Mostly we did a lot of blue sky work. They were a bunch of preppy WASPS who thought everything in a skirt was fair game. The only decent guy around was the estate guy. He was too nerdy to think he was a player

I saw a lot of decent wives thrown over after working their hubby through law school. I''m not sure who was the most neurotic, the paranoid (with good reason) first wife, or the insecure trophy airheads that followed.

Junior associates knew better than to be arrogant. They were killing themselves trying to bill 60 hours a week so they could make partner after 8 or 9 years.

The BH office was really something though. We had two floors of a building on the corner of Sunset and Doheny. The managing partner had the largest German Expressionist art collection in the world. We had two docents on staff just to manage the art. All the furniture was 18th century English antiques. The reception are had harlequin marble floors with blond wood paneling imported from some palace in Italy. Centered on a fabulous Chippendale table was a Tang dynasty horse. Fun times.

And even before!
The BH office sounds like a certain firm whose sole equity partner is in trouble. A lot of trouble.

 

[Shoopy]

Hi PP glad to see you gave us some background on you. So interesting indeed

 

[tlh]

I like your straight talking too! You are a fascinating woman, and I enjoyed your who''s who. Thanks for sharing a part of your life!

You remind me of my girlfriend''s aunt. She always signs bday cards, xmas cards - Luv em and Leave em, Aunt ****

acutally she uses two words that rhyme with duck.. but you get the point. You know she''s gonna tell you what needs to be said, and not bother with the sugar coating...

 

[Harriet]

tlh,
You''re funny. I''m glad you''ve joined us.

 

[purrfectpear]

Well, I''m back home in LA. I''m pooped from driving on the interstate for 4 days. I drove through Greensburg Kansas where the big tornado wiped out the entire town in May of 2007. There are still a lot of FEMA trailers and it still looks like a nuclear site. Imagine a town with hundreds of trees all missing the top branches. It was weird to say the least. I also drove through the Pheasant Capitol of the US. The hotel had a sign posted saying "Hunters, no bird dogs or birds in your rooms". I pointed to my 8 lb. Silky Terrier and said "you realize he''s not a bird dog, right?"

I ate awful Mexican food in Albuqurque NM. Who knew? I discovered that Kingman AZ didn''t have a Marriot, a Hilton, or even an Applebee''s, and that all the restaurants closed by 8 p.m.

I missed this morning''s earthquake by being on the highway somewhere around Barstow.

All in all, I''m glad to be home. I''d sublet my condo and it was nice and clean for my arrival, so that was good

The dog is totally wiped out from the trip. He hit the bed and hasn''t moved in 6 hours. I think he has the right idea.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

You have had such an interesting life so far. Thanks for sharing. So now onto the real question...do you like your son''s GF?

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 2/4/2009 6:32:22 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
You have had such an interesting life so far. Thanks for sharing. So now onto the real question...do you like your son''s GF?

Yes, she seems nice. She''s exactly what he is looking for. Someone the opposite of me

He wants a girl that will be a homebody at heart. I suspect he''s had enough of living with a strong independent woman to last him for a lifetime

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 2/9/2009 5:05:37 PM
Author: purrfectpear

Date: 2/4/2009 6:32:22 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

You have had such an interesting life so far. Thanks for sharing. So now onto the real question...do you like your son''s GF?

Yes, she seems nice. She''s exactly what he is looking for. Someone the opposite of me

He wants a girl that will be a homebody at heart. I suspect he''s had enough of living with a strong independent woman to last him for a lifetime

There is NOTHING wrong with being a strong, independent woman! My little girl is ALREADY showing those traits. Glad it is going well.

 

[gwendolyn]

Harriet, GREAT idea making a thread for purrfectpear! One of my favourite posters making a thread for another favourite poster! Fantastic!

 

[bee*]

Date: 2/9/2009 5:05:37 PM
Author: purrfectpear

Date: 2/4/2009 6:32:22 PM

Author: Tacori E-ring

You have had such an interesting life so far. Thanks for sharing. So now onto the real question...do you like your son''s GF?

Yes, she seems nice. She''s exactly what he is looking for. Someone the opposite of me

He wants a girl that will be a homebody at heart. I suspect he''s had enough of living with a strong independent woman to last him for a lifetime

lol at your post

Reading any true life crime at the moment? Have you even read Not without my sister? Just finished that one now-worth reading!

 

[rainydaze]

PP - thank you for sharing about yourself, i enjoyed learning more about you! you have lived quite a life, fascinating! in fact, it sounds to me like you could write your own book - a nonfiction about YOU!