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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

And none contented


Things I've learned/rediscovered during my pseudo vacation from the internet. And other things I'm just dying to tell you.

1. My "spare" time is easily filled up by the people I love. I've never been in such demand, not even when I had one hanging off my leg and another hanging off my breast.

2. What "spare" time isn't devoted to staring meaningfully at my children as gems drop from their lips is quickly eaten up by my need to keep things just so.

3. Upon attempting to not give a flying fig about the squalor that doubles as the children's bedrooms, I think I may have pulled something. Or lost something. They'd say my sense of humor is missing. I'd say (in descending order) you're on your own now so no more money, get a job, and how does military school sound?

4.  Nate is like me when it comes to emotional films. He, Sophie and I watched Of Mice and Men with Gary Sinise and John Malkovich, but then Nate refused to watch the end because he's read the book.

I get this. I once became furious with MathMan for renting Jack the Bear from Blockbuster. A kid so traumatized by the death of his mother that he goes mute! Fantastic! Areyououtofyoureverlovingmind? Whatwereyouthinking? !!!

If I'm alone, fine. I snivel. Sob. Wipe snot on my sleeve. Dab at the corner of my eyes with a tissue.

But when I'm with the family, none of whom seem moved by the same things that move me? They can't help themselves. They have to look at me to see if I'm getting misty-eyed. They know it embarrasses me and they make a joke of it to cover their own embarrassment.

Also - Sophie loves the movie Harold and Maude. When did you watch Harold and Maude? I wanted to know.

One night when I couldn't sleep. I watched it on Netflix.

Interesting. When I had seventh grade insomnia, I watched the numbers flip over on my sister's clock/radio while counting to sixty. The trick was to time it just right so I got to sixty as the number flipped.

How times have changed.




5. MathMan's sister sent him some information about the family's last name (Golden is the assimilated name).  Suddenly his family's history has a name. A place. Birthdays. Immigration dates. A million thanks to his cousin who tracked this information down.

I only wish we'd had this information sooner because I can guarantee you that one of Nate's middle names would be Leyzer.

6. People surf the internet more during the traditional working hours than at any other time of the day. Not that it's particularly significant. I'm just glad they do.

7. I've been online off and on, most especially looking at classic car websites. If I had the resources, I could become a gearhead pretty easily. More on that is coming. I know - you're thrilled.

7.a. The Chick Fil A mess was enough to drive me offline. What a disturbing clustertug. Some of my coworkers chipped in and had CFA for lunch last Wednesday. Not surprisingly, I didn't participate. I maintain personal, petty reasons for not eating that dreck (caveat - I'd climb over dead bodies to get at one of their chocolate milkshakes), predating this current fight. For the record, I no longer drink their milkshakes either. Great for my waistline and my conscience.

Knowing my coworkers went out of their way to support that company for any number of reasons made me feel a little less sparkly happy about my job. I'd gotten a bit too comfy pretending that this could be a tiny liberal haven because it's a labor union. I'm so tired of being an ideological minority. I've bitten my tongue so many times that it's mostly numb.

8.  I'm listening to the audiobook of In One Person by John Irving. I haven't read any of his work since Garp. I wasn't sure I'd like this novel, but I do. Very much. I've laughed out loud alone in my car several times. That's a bit awkward at stoplights, but I'd rather a stranger see me laugh than my family see me cry.

9.  The In-Betweeners. It's just another example of how I'm really a 12 year old boy trapped in a pair of Fanx (faux Spanx).

10. Your turn. Epiphanies, random bits of knowledge, book reviews, disappointments, pet peeves, potential hobbies and/or name changes?


30 comments:

  1. Let's see . . .

    Ten days in my hometown taught me I could let my parents live their lives, even if not the way I might prefer, because if nothing else, having reached the ages they have (87 and 90), they deserve it.

    I also learned my hometown is a very different place than when I grew up there. I couldn't live there now if I was dragged back under duress.

    Finally, my wife has a case of mono. Yes, that mono. Not only do I spend 10 days in my hometown, I return and find myself reliving high school.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Geez, Geoffrey. You've been busy. Sounds like some breakthroughs on the parent/child dynamic. It's not easy to see them get older and to let them live their lives, is it?

      Please tell Lisa that I hope she's feeling better soon.

      Delete
  2. I have fallen in love with books again. I've read more in the past month than I have almost all year long.

    I am one of the few Christians at work that did NOT eat CFA last week. I refuse to turn my poor food choices into a religious statement. I ate at Bojangles instead; the drive through employee told me that she loved me and called me 'darlin'. I drove away grinning.

    I am covered in hives...that I secretly fear may be shingles. I probably need to go to the doctor, but I refuse at the moment. I'm opting to live in a world of Benadryl and denial for now.

    My 50# Catahoula is laying on me and crying. She saw herself in the mirror again, and is convinced that that Big, Scary Dog is out to get her.

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    1. Renn - Isn't it great to fall in love again? On behalf of the non-believers here, thank you for not going to CFA. I also know for a fact and from personal experience that you aren't a Christian in name only. You walk the walk, my friend. You rock it.

      Your dog the headcase is a riot. But then I'm not sitting under 50lbs of pooch.

      Delete
  3. I'm supposed to save the epiphanies for the blog, you know.

    I have bought and eaten (sautéed, natch) kale. Not bad at all.

    I spend too much time at this computer and my neck has finally had enough. Ow. Ow.

    Clutter has recoalesced.

    I began a sewing project, but the sewing machine is not cooperating. Some things that my mind keeps dredging up were things sunk with cement overshoes.

    Assembling beads into earrings is fun, if probably not lucrative (didn't you used to do that?) at least at my level.

    I have decided that becoming a politician now requires lying asshattery.

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    Replies
    1. Dang,D! Without your blog worthy epiphanies, you still knock me back with your keen observation about politics. What a mess.

      Sophie wanted to learn to sew, but our machine was being a doofus, too. It couldn't possibly be the person (me) trying to operate it, right?

      Beading looks like fun. I haven't tried it, but I've been the beneficiary of some talented beading friends. I have some awesome earrings.

      Delete
  4. I learned that when I discover I can replace that %&$^# restaurant scene that isn't working no matter how many times I rewrite it (six and a half) with the sentence, "Why don't we get this to go?" sheer relief soon gives way to another round of beating myself up for wasting time like the idiot I am.

    I've also learned that you are a shrewd WWF opponent, lady. Sheesh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But, Sarah! You're writing and that's the thing. You will get it.

      And YOU are the shrewd WWF opponent. I'm down to three letters and none of them are a-e-i-o-or-u.

      Delete
  5. Have you had the CFA peach shake and if so is it as good as it sounds?

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    1. Michael, I haven't but I'll bet it's delicious. If someone gave me one, I'd drink it because I'm so very weak in the face of ice cream.

      Delete
  6. Sophie has fabulous taste in movies. Better that she watches "Harold & Maude" than, say, the HBO series "Oz." And sorry about your co-workers. That wouldn't happen where I am, but there is only one of those places in NYC. Maybe you can even the score by occasionally reminding your co-workers that there is no god.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, gmb! Sophie is quite the film fanatic. She's even thinking that film making could be an interesting field of study. Yay! Another mouth to feed forever and ever.

      You know me - I'm encouraging her to follow her dreams. I may be sorry, but at least I'll have my principles.

      Delete
  7. I get the follow your dream thing, I've done it but it comes with many many dangers ... unless you're the smartest, best looking, most skilled person since Leonardo.

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    1. I'm hedging my bets, Bill. I tell my kids to follow their dreams, have a back up plan AND marry or attach themselves up.

      Delete
  8. Who would win the Oshkosh air show, a flying fig, or a flying pig?

    Leyzer Tag would be a swank sobriquet.

    You ask too many questions.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oh, quit your carping, Graves, and answer the questions. What do you have to hide?

      I'm guessing the flying pig from the Simpsons would win any WI airshow.

      I was thinking Leyzer Wolff like in Fiddler on the Roof. I'm sure Nate would be a total chick magnet with a moniker like that.

      Delete
  9. I'm sticking to pics of dragonflies and butterflies.

    For now.
    ~

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    Replies
    1. I'll see your dragonflies and butterflies, Thunder, and raise you a cat and a boss in a cute dress.

      Delete
  10. I don't eat out so I am personally not involved with the entire brouhaha. I have to bite my tongue at work a lot too. I have to remind staff that the library is a place for everyone of every viewpoint so they need to knock their christian ranting off period. I really don't want to hear about it. I have no epiphanies to share so I bid you farewell.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Lib, you are not missing a thing re: dining out.

      I think sticking to the no politics, no religion principle is the safest route for any of us. I keep myself to myself. I wish others would do the same.

      Delete
  11. Funny that an issue that was once homophobia is now political. Not so funny, politicians playing on peoples' deepest fears. That's nothing new, but it's what annoys me today.

    John Irving is the only author who I adore, and whose books I've thrown against the wall. (And gone over and picked them up again.) Probably should not get him on my Kindle.

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  12. Jennifer - The Chick Fil A mess is just one more reason for me to think we'd have better governance if we had publicly funded elections.

    If you get a chance, definitely get this newest Irving on your Kindle.

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  13. It seems to me there was an unwritten rule of etiquette in the workplace that left unstated the mutual apprehension that one never discussed politics or religion. Or was that a rule at the dinner table?

    I got trapped in the house for three days waiting for a Sears delivery. With that level of inefficiency anybody would be forgiven for thinking it was a Canadian company. Meanwhile, I actually did begin and finish a sewing project.

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  14. As for my own daily dose of randomness, yesterday my company sponsored an outing to an Indians baseball game. I got sunburned, got loopy from daiquiris, and got my picture taken with the mascot. I was sort of drunk when I pushed ahead of a five-year-old to get that photo taken, and probably way too excited to get photographed with a fluffy pink whatever-the-hell-it is, but damn if that mascot didn't make loud kissing noises into my ear. Sleezball.

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  15. Love, love John Irving. Read/listen to Until I Find You.

    My mom has gotten heavy into research our various family trees - interesting stuff to be found.

    I remember those flip clocks!

    No random stuff this week - just trying really hard to find the bright side again.

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  16. I remember those flip clocks too.

    Hi, Lisa.

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  17. Looking at the USA from Europe, the Chick Fil A thing makes me frightened and sad - exemplary for the whole gay-hating issue. There's something very revealing about the amount of anger and hatred coming from people who claim to have been "saved" through their faith in a figure whose basic message is generally agreed to be one of love and peace ...

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    1. Beautifully said, Francis.

      I don't think we're in the ideological minority. I think we're a silent majority who are shouted down so often that we often stop talking. The next generation or two will surely move beyond this kind of bigotry; already I see signs of puzzlement from the teens when they hear about clustertugs like what is happening with Chik Fil A. Their confusion gives me hope.

      Delete
  18. I love John Irving's work. Two of his less popular books than A Prayer for Owen Meany and The World According to Garp, are The Hotel New Hampshire (the movie version is horrible) and A Widow for One Year. A chuck of the latter novel was written as a screenplay by Irving and made as the film The Hole in the Floor, starring Jeff Bridges and Kim Bassinger. High recommended.

    Regarding the Chick Fil A fiasco, I'd like to remind non-Americans that these things don't happen in the Northeast; at least not in Massachusetts. The corporations may have the upper hand in just about everything else, but when it comes to social issues, we are generally not at war with each other, preferring civility toward our fellow citizens.

    I wouldn't live in the southern U.S. if you paid me.

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  19. I'm NOT getting involved with the whole Chick-Fil-A debacle, either. Because Meleah + Politics/Religion = No. And, I totally support gay marriage. And I also support people being allowed to believe, say, and think whatever they want - cuz I'm all about, whatever makes you happy, man! The end.

    But, I do have ONE question.

    - Is it still *okay* to get food from Taco Bell?

    ReplyDelete

And then you say....

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