Carnal Zen

I heart John Cusack.  I heart lazy days weighing the options of sunbathing, yoga or canning a new corn relish recipe.  I miss the way movies of the late 80’s show mens insides.  I watch deadliest catch when I am missing Mate.  I got a dare-to-be-great new job that starts in two weeks.  True Blood and the Twilight series are ruining vampire legends….not even Tom Cruise was able to do that. 

It’s time to get centered, get rooted and not fear the dreams that are unfolding.

Ok so it was technically “a memorial service”.  I appreciate the sentiment of gathering friends at a bar, even at the beach to remember someone who has passed.  I just was a little overwhelmed as Mate, his friends and I were innocently perched on our blankets, drinking in the sun, chatting and sipping cold beers when the bag pipe players, a priest and 50+ mourners set up camp within arms reach.   They began with the sign of the cross.  I set down my can of bud light trying to plan an inconspicuous escape.  Not possible.  It’s too rude to talk through the service, but listening to eulogies of a stranger seemed even more inappropriate (though unavoidable as the priest had a mic).  Finally, we scampered our bathingsuit clad bodies to the tiki bar to wait out the wake.  Word to the planners - give the innocent bystanding beachgoers a lil heads up!

I’m not going to lie.  I have NO patience for html type stuff.  When comments stopped working here I tried to repair, for about 15 minutes, then I just abandoned ship.

A lot has been going on.  Mate has shoved off for another summer apart.  At least this time, we have a plan.  I’m headed out in a few days for my second visit in a few weeks.  I’ve discovered, that although I love my work, I’ve outgrown my current role.  It was part of the reason I began grad school last August.  After lots of thought and several interviews, I hope to be transitioning soon into a job that takes my career to a whole new and exciting level.  S-kitty has been sick, in fact he’s passed out in my lap as I type but he and my vet bills are on the mend.  KAT’s been sofa dwelling.  School’s been keeping things busy.  Life is full and I’m hoping to get you all caught up on the many details in between.  It’s a full life but it’s mine and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

PS I still haven’t fixed comments so if you have any clues - pass em along.

Best to my best! 

In honor of the ever fabulous Michell O’Neil…..

When I was a little girl, I lived in 2 houses.  The parents changed, the rules changed and at seven years old it could get a bit confusing.  Along for the ride was Brother Dearest, although back then I called him other, less flattering names.  Sometimes in the heat of a fight a four letter word would slip and regardless of who said it we would both freeze, skim the room with our eyes to figure out where we were and which parent or grandparent might have heard.

Mother would threaten soap in the mouth.  Mostly her threats were empty…but I still remember the pasty film across my tongue as saliva built up in the pockets of my cheeks.  FYI liquid hand soap is infinitely more brutal than sucking on the Dove bar a la A Christmas Story.  

Grandma still says “sugar” out of frustration and would look at you with hearbreaking dissapointment in her eyes.

If Grandpa heard, you better run.  Down the block, cross Garden Street and into the tree house across from the Andersons house was your best bet.  Don’t come back.

At Dad’s nobody would flinch.  Not a single raised eyebrow.  No soap.  No condiment references.  No olympic sprint to the treehouse.    He wasn’t the kind of father who failed to set boundaries he was the kind of father who chose his battles and taught lessons.  “Words” he said “are tools.  Use them sparingly to communicate exactly what you feel with the greatest impact.”

In the end, four letter words lost their shock value.  I couldn’t use them as a weapon in my whirlwind of teenage angst.  I learned how and when to incorporate them meaningfully all because my dad really knew his shit.  Choose your words wisely and use whatever gets the job done!

Running away to the left coast, for a breather, a break and a recharge. 

My plane leaves in 30 minutes…details will follow.

P.S. Not sure why comments aren’t working but will fix it when I get back,