Feb 21 2011
Meet Her Pickiness: Molly Hacker
Greetings Everyone:
Thanks for stopping by to help me launch my new blog Too Picky?… (I think not!) My book, MOLLY HACKER IS TOO PICKY!, is scheduled for publication in the fall of 2011. But let’s face it: I’m far too restless, snarky, crazy, chatalicious, and, of course, picky to wait that long to share my woes, worries, and general all-around wacky (but on-the-money) opinions about life. I am Molly the Observer.
Let me get the essentials out of the way. I’m thirty-two years old, and I work as a reporter for The Swansea Herald. I was offered an additional gig as the society reporter, but I just couldn’t bear hearing about other people’s weddings until I have my own. I managed to pop some eyeballs when I tacked the title “Obituary Writer” onto my job description. But I did so because dead people don’t get on my nerves the way brides-to-be do. This new job title is fitting as I tend to obituate things that piss me off. I’m also overly analytic, but it’s part of my charm.
For the record, Swansea is a bedroom community of New York City. There are some radical and amazing people who live here, like my coworker BFF Randy Goodrich, who is the Herald’s arts and entertainment editor. I’d be lost without his guidance and wisdom, and he, of course, would be groping in the dark without my wise and magnanimous counsel. (Oh, Randy, you so know I’m right.)
Living in a small town, especially when one can escape easily to New York City, is wonderful. But it has its drawbacks. The first that springs to mind is named Naomi Hall-Benchley. She’s a conniving, matchmaking, effete socialite. Her expiration date is long past, but someone forgot to take her off the shelf. At every turn, she is aiming to be the one to set up “Picky Molly Hacker,” but I will never succumb to this she-devil’s trifling efforts. She spends her days manipulating everyone so that she can please her husband and hold on to his millions. You will hear her name again, and unfortunately, so will I.
Sometimes, this town is too small, like a favorite piece of clothing you’ve outgrown by a size — or two. (Who wants to think about that?) Swansea is like a glamorous BFE on some days, a quaint and charming hamlet on others. But I’m happy: as long as I can vent about that which perturbs, I’m just fine.
I’ll be venting every Monday on this blog and have lots of opinions to express. Hope you’ll come see me again.
I love it lisette.
I love the idea molly of your own blog great way for everyone to know you before the book comes out. Cant wait to hear more about what you do. mel in aus.
Hi Mel:
It’s Molly! Lisette isn’t around at the moment, but I will absolutely pass on your message. Thanks so much for being the first to comment on my new blog. Hope you’ll come visit me every Monday!
Hello there Molly!
You sound like my kind of girl! I can’t wait to get know you better through your blog. There’s nothing better than a girl who tells it like it is. Picky? I’ll bet it’s more like ‘discerning’ but we’ll find out won’t we?
I’ll put your vents on my Monday event schedule from now on! LOL!
Ann, you are so astute. Believe me, I think “discerning” is a much better description, but when a woman turns down multiple unsolicited attempts to set her up with blind dates, and said woman isn’t hitched before thirty, some people will just label her “picky” the way labels are stuck on fruit. I appreciate your perception.
I’m with you, Molly, it’s easy to outgrow a town, even if it is a great place. Great analogy, and hey, what’s wrong with being picky? Not enough women are… 🙂
As I told Ann, “Picky” was a label given to me. But as you can see, Jen, I now wear it proudly. People can call me “picky” all they want, but that is much better than the alternative — being saddled with Mr. Wrong. I am so not going there!
Hi Molly,
Love your first blog, and I am with you. It is better to find the – right – person, then to be stuck with somebody who in a moment of passion felt ideal. 🙂
How nice to meet you, Stuart. You sound like a man of experience who has found an amazing woman to share his life with. Why should anyone have to settle for less? I’m certainly not going to. Thank you for introducing yourself.
Oh Molly! Welcome to the world!
I can’t think of a better way of starting the week than with you. Small towns make great stories, and I can’t wait to hear yours. ~Ilie
p.s. Yay Lisette!!!!
Thank you so much, Ilie. I’m jazzed to be here. I may ruffle some feathers by telling it like it is, but so be it.
Lisette, this is a great idea to have a character blog. This sounds like another winner for you.
Hi Penny:
This Molly. Lisette has flown the coop and I’m in charge of this joint now. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. Your good wishes are much appreciated.
Hey Molly,
I just moved to New York City and I’ve already met a “Naomi Hall-Benchley” haha, maybe they can be friends? but don’t know how I feel about the joint forces of two evil haha. You are definitely my kind of girl! Tell it how it is girl! Love it! Can’t wait to vent/live vicariously through you every Monday!
Keep up the great work!
OMG, Janet. You’ve already met a Naomi Hall-Benchley? Stick her with a pitchfork – she’s done! Thanks for coming by to meet me. I promise to serve up my very best rants to all who come visit. 🙂
Hi Molly — I’m very intrigued by your first post! I’m especially interested to hear more about this Naomi-shrew-person! Hmm . . . I’m sure there are plenty of great stories about her forthcoming!
Girlfriend, I’ve got a plethora of Naomi stories. Not a day goes by when she doesn’t try to control someone in this town. Trust me, her time is coming! Thanks so much for coming by to meet me, Leigh Ann.
Hi Molly! I love your blog I like a girl who tells it how it is. You can write my obituaty when the time comes 🙂
Holy Freakin’ Obit, Steven! Not only do I wish you a very long life, if I’m still writing obituaries in a year, I might have to write my own!
Hello Molly,
I was surfing the web, and just about ready to perform my preprandrial ablutions when I came upon your blog. I look forward to reading your opinions about life and maybe also learning a little bit about Swansea. Cheers Hal
OMG! A man who washes before his meals. That is always a plus. Clean is good. For sure. Nice to meet you, “Hal I Fornia,” I do hope you will return next week. I’ll be “stepping on the gas.”
Hey Molly! Can’t wait to read your Monday observations from here on out. I tend to over-analyze, too. At the end of the day, looking at everything from every angle tends to broaden one’s viewpoint, don’t you think? 😉 – tamara
Tamara:
You sound like a true kindred spirit — a neighboring heart. There is just so much out there TO analyze. So many pesky details everywhere. Someone has to make sense out of them. I certainly try. A pleasure to meet you, Tamara.
Hi Molly,
I love your blog.
It’s nice to meet someone who tells it like it is.
I have been told often enough, that I tell it like it is. Hummm wonder if we have a connection. hehe
Looking forward to Mondays blog.
Cheryl,
Nice to meet you. You sound like true BFF material. Connected for sure! I will be shouting loud next Monday on a subject that I think will be dear to all my fellow gal pal’s hearts. YIP! (Yours in Pickiness!)
Hi Molly,
You sound like the kind of girl I’ve been “accused” of being….what’s wrong with picky? We know what we want, and more importantly, we know what we DON’T want!!
As for men, it’s good to be picky – trust me. Too often when you’ve settled for someone, you wish you’d been pickier. Take it from me, being picky can bring you the man who is the right match for you. My pickiness has brought me the man I always knew was out there, but only dreamed about. He was definitely worth the wait!
You go girl!!
Cynthia
Cynthia:
I love all the sisters in pickiness that are coming forth to stand tall and proud with me. You are so on the money — better to be labeled picky than to wish you had been! My point exactly. So glad to hear you have found true happiness; that’s all I’ve ever wanted. YIP, Molly
This is going to be good. I just saw you here Molly, and I love you already. You better tell it like it is. I can hear it already in your voice, nothing like a woman who tells it like it is. I can’t wait to connect up with you. How you feel today Molly?
I feel GREAT, Talatha. Every time I meet a like-minded sister I am empowered. You sound like a woman with many opinions.Thanks for stopping by to meet me. Look forward to seeing you again. YIP, Molly
Hey Girlfriend,
I know I’m a bit slow at getting here …I know!! I know!!
I got locked in the woman’s restroom and didn’t have any money to tip the attendant to get me out 😀 Can you believe that !!!
Anyway, it was lovely to meet you , though I feel like I’ve known you like FOR…EVER.
Can’t wait until next Monday Yippeeeeee
Holy Bathroom Attendant, Batman! I’m glad you got out. We all have days when we’re not flush (absolutely no pun intended) or just don’t have proper cashola on us. One time, I was trying to escape from a horrid blind date and had to tip the attendant big time to help me escape from the back door of the restaurant. So many restrooms, so many stories. Glad to meet you, g/f. You rock! Yours in pickiness, Molly
Hey Molly,
Nice call on the multiple curb-kicks…a good man comes along once every third blue moon. Better not to be involved with a settle when he does. They say all the good ones are already taken. Don’t believe a word of it. 😉
Hey Al:
So jazzed to meet you. Believe me, I know there are some fine men out there. Your words are wise and apply to both men and women: not good to be involved with a settle — for sure. Thanks so much for taking the time to drop me a line and visit today. Yours in pickiness, Molly