Why I Love the South

We have spells, get crookled and tump over.

We talk about Momma and Deddy and our relatives Uncle Beauford and Aunt Jeffie. 

We're not even from LA, but we have "people."  Of course those people are our kin, but still...

We say things like "riding a gravy train with biscuit wheels."

My feet are freezing, and I'm tired of sleeping with a heating pad to stay warm.  I think this is the week I shall buy an electric blanket. Warm and toasty = bliss.

Things That Are YAY About Today

1.  Eve of long weekend culminating in presents

2.  Numerous compliments on my new hair

3.  Remembering that the stylist told me she thought I was in college

4.  Fun new gigantic bottle cap ring

It's late-ish and I'm tired and I'm about to write something that I don't know if anyone but me will understand.  But here goes...

Have you ever been back to the school you went to when you were a kid?  Were you shocked to see how it had shrunk?  How it was no longer as big, scary and/or impressive as it used to be?  I guess we've probably all had that experience at one time or another.  And the older we get, the more that tends to happen.  Unfortunately, wonder seems to mostly be an experience for kids, which I think is pretty sad. Everyone needs some wonder, I say.

Anyway, not the point.  The point is, as I was leaving my friend's house tonight, I was struck with the realization that I have grown into this place, this city, my new home.  This friend's house was the first place I visited before I moved here and because of other events associated with this place, I remember clearly the first night I was there.  I remember driving up in the dark and the whole place seeming so big and exciting and new.  Everything all at once.  And I felt tiny, but not in a bad way.  There seemed to be so many things that could happen, so many ways to change and grow.  And, that was the reality - change came at an unreal pace that year, some really good, some really bad.  The growth part, well, the jury's still out on that one. 

If I'm being honest, I guess I felt tiny for a long time here.  But, not so much tonight.  I was life-size again when I drove out of her parking lot and while maybe not quite as exciting, it was a nice feeling.  It's a big world...I'm sure I'll be small again at some point.  I'm actually kind of looking forward to it.  I guess small means big things are on their way.  

So.  I don't think I really said what I wanted to say.  My realization was actually less about how I am today, than how I was then. I just remembered that night so clearly as I left.  It was like I was watching it on a screen, happening all over again.  Very strange and bittersweet.  Bah...I'm just rambling.  I can't say what I want to say; it's just not coming out right.  These are definitely thoughts too big for my head.    

Zoom Zoom

I've been trying to deny it, trying to ignore it, but the loud squeaking of the pieces of my dashboard as they rub together cannot be ignored much longer.  Every time I hear it, I cringe a little and wonder if this is going to be the time, because of all the cracks, my airbags deploy as I go over a bump.  I am going to need another car, sooner rather than later.  I thought I would drive this car until the wheels fell off, not until the dashboard fell through the engine and landed on the ground (and yes, that has already happened to one small section).  

Ah the sweet bliss of a cold, dreary Friday.  I wonder if it's possible to stay in pajamas the ENTIRE weekend?  

(More) Things You Never Needed to Know About Me

On Clothing, Shoes and Meg Ryan

Even though I am, perhaps, the very last person you'd think of if I said who reminds you of Meg Ryan, I kind of felt like her (circa "You've Got Mail") today.  I think it was the skirt, tights and shoes combination.

I shined my dull, scuffy black shoes today and each time I looked down, I felt a sense of accomplishment at my shiny shoes - which is better than the last time I wore them when I felt a sense of disappointment every time I looked down at my dull, scuffy shoes. I am tempted to go home and shine all of my shoes, but know I won't.

I wonder if it's my shoes that made me think about Meg Ryan or Meg Ryan that made me think about my shoes?  That's the universal question, in a way, I guess.  Chicken or the egg?  Meg Ryan or shoes? If you think pondering that question will help you figure out your place in the universe, then I give you my permission to ask it of yourself.  You're welcome.  

On Groceries

Clementines are my favorite fruit.  They are the sunshine of the beginning of my season of discontent each year.  They are also on sale at Publix for $3.99.

I think self checkout lines at groceries are stressful unless you're only buying two things.

I inadvertently spent $5 on three apples.  I forgot they're priced by weight.  No more big, fat Honeycrisp apples for me.  

On Illness, Kleenex (somewhere a trademark department cringes) and Purses

Since I have been sick, I have been very diligent in the kleenex department.  Today I realized that I have five pocket packs of kleenex in my purse, all in various stages of use (not use, use - that's gross. I mean a different number of tissues in each pack.  Just to clarify.) And at one point today, I also had two boxes of kleenex on my desk, but that was really out of my control.

Re:  kleenex.  I think my purse is too big.

The Red Cross is stalking me.  I may have to file a restraining order.

I feel like there was some other minutiae I was going to share with the world, but now I can't remember what it was.  So there you have it - some things about me today, Monday, December 10, 2007.  My computer, Nashville, Tennessee, United States, North America, Earth, Milky Way, Infinity.

Funniest Thing I Heard Today

"Zombies are stupid. They are baffled by concepts like doorknobs."

The Irreference Report podcast on Quirkbooks.com

I mean, come on, how true is that?!

I haven't had a cold in maybe 2 years.  Apparently now I'm making up for lost time.  And yes, it is 3 in the morning.  I can't sleep because I'm so congested.  I just took more medicine in hopes of unconsciousness.