Tuesday, February 24, 2009

stream of semi-consciousness

There is too much cancer in my family. That’s all I can say about that. I talk a lot and love to share personal information (too much), but really, mostly I can’t talk about my dad with anyone but my husband and my sister. It’s just too scary to talk about it with anyone else because then you have to contend with their reactions and I’m also all sorts of awkward when people try to give me sympathy. Basically, I am an emotional fuckwit when it comes to this particular situation. I’m on auto-pilot and I haven’t really let my guard down about it yet. I’m dreading the day the guard comes down. Perhaps this weekend, when we’re in Minnesota with my family. However, he’s an emotional fuckwit as well. Apple does not fall far from the tree. Also, he’s the one who taught me that crying is weak and one should not do it. Good lesson dad. Really, I’d rather cry than be all percolating with under-the-surface emotion that is sure to be released at a very inopportune time. I’m looking at rush hour or work-related meeting.

Ugly intro paragraph, that.

There’s a black squirrel in the tree outside my office window, and I’m wondering if it’s naturally black or just so dirty from living in the city that it’s colored black. I remember the pigeons in the Tube in London and how several of them were so dirty, and many were also missing feet from being run over by the subway. That always freaked me out. These poor little amputated British pigeons.

Who’s in an uplifting mood today? (rhetorical, don’t answer that)

I think I would be feeling more upbeat today if I had slept a sufficient amount last night. We didn’t go to be until later than usual because of the never ending bathroom remodel. Brett is remarkable in his abilities, because there is now a shower where there was not but a few days ago. He is a saint for doing the lion’s share of it. I bop in and throw down a little paint, or sweep up some dust on occasion, but mostly it’s his show. He’s a good man. Let that be shouted from the roof tops!

Also, let it be shouted that today is a grand day because it is an excuse to eat something deliciously Cajun, and also listen to our President eloquently tell Congress to stop fucking shit up and get with the program. I love him, he makes swoon a bit. Quite a change from that other guy.

And, have you noticed that the light is different now? It’s spring time light. It stays around longer and seems brighter. Probably because it is. Thanks for the never ending ride, rotation of the planet; you sure keep things interesting and desperate come February. Maybe you could just move a little faster for a while. I’m sure no bad would come of that.

Back to work. Hi ho, hi ho.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Couples Meme . . .

. . . stolen from Dooce.
What are your middle names? Mine is Marie. His is Alan.

How long have you been together? Three years. It seems like a lot longer though, because we’ve been through A LOT in these past three years.

How long did you know each other before you started dating? No.

Who asked whom out? Um, I’m not sure if I remember, but I think it was more of a “you’ll be in the same place I’ll be, so let’s meet up.” Not all that official really.

How old are each of you? We’re both 31.

Whose siblings do you see the most? Mine, I think. We live far away from his and mine, so really it’s kind of a crap shoot. We’ve actually spent more days with his brother than my sister in the past year, but have seen my sister more frequently. Does that make any sense?

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple? The usual suspects of money and communication with a soupcon of major life decisions.

Did you go to the same school? Nope. I went to some very Midwestern private schools, and he went to some very Western public schools.

Are you from the same home town? Nope - he’s from Montana, I’m from Minnesota
.
Who is smarter? Depends on the category or subject: In some areas, I am, and in others he is. We’re pretty smart on the whole though, in my not-so-humble opinion.

Who is the most sensitive? ME! For sure. I could win sensitivity battles without even trying. It’s ridiculous.

Where do you eat out most as a couple? We LOVE to eat out and do it more frequently than we should (though we cook at home frequently too, basically we just eat a lot). We typically eat anywhere that’s NOT a chain; the more hole-in-the-wall the better.

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? I suppose the Bahamas.

Who has the craziest exes? He does. No contest
.
Who has the worst temper? I’m going to say him, and hope he doesn’t get mad.

Who does the cooking? Both of us, and frequently together. Cooking and eating are pretty much our favorite activities.
Who is the neat-freak? Neither of us. I’m more the clean freak than he is, though, and I’m not all THAT clean, like at all.

Who is more stubborn? Him? Me? I don’t know if either of us are really all that stubborn.

Who hogs the bed? The dogs. Last night he said, “I hope that when we have a kid, the dogs sleep with it.” It’s true, that’s a good reason for us to have one.

Who wakes up earlier? Usually we wake up at the same time, except on the days I go into the office, and then I’m up earlier.

Where was your first date? A rodeo in Billings, Montana.

Who is more jealous? I don’t think either of us is particularly jealous, but if anyone had to be more, it would be me.

How long did it take to get serious? I’d say after our second date. It was pretty much a no-brainer.

Who eats more? He can eat more in one sitting than I can; I could probably put away more in a day.

Who does the laundry? It defaults to me because I wear more clothes.

Who’s better with the computer? He is.

Who drives when you are together? He does. I prefer it that way for a couple of reasons: (1) My commute to the office is long and treacherous, thus anytime not driving is okay with me; (2) He critiques my driving sometimes and that makes me nervous and annoyed.

Friday, February 06, 2009

Too lazy to post on FB and also still skeptical of FB

25 things about me:
1. In junior high and possibly beyond, I had a major crush on Peter Jennings.
2. I like the word “bailiwick” but am not terribly fond of “nadir.”
3. I have really good ideas when I’m driving.
4. I love recipes and magazines involving recipes and cooking.
5. My husband is a better cook than I am, but I’m a better baker.
6. We are loathe to admit that we are foodies and possibly winos.
7. I’ve had 4 speeding tickets in my life: Two in the same day, and one the first day of my job here in Chicago. Neither of these days do I want to remember in any detail.
8. I am a pretty good driver, really.
9. I used to be a pretty good piano player. I have since forgotten how to play, but I will learn again now that I’ve got a fancy new piano.
10. I can type really really fast.
11. I’m afraid of the dark and things that go bump in the night. Our children will have to check my closet at bedtime.
12. I am also very afraid of snakes and semi-trucks crushing me and/or forcing me off of a bridge. I have some fear issues, clearly.
13. I love dogs.
14. I am ridiculously and painfully sensitive.
15. If I could do it over again, I’d be a nurse.
16. I picked up my love of home-grown humor (i.e. Garrison Keillor) from my father, my appreciation of classical music from my mother, and my love and toleration of weird stuff from my sister. They are all great people.
17. I have never been a good sleeper. Too anxious about everything.
18. I average four cups of coffee a day.
19. We routinely hang out with people our parents’ age. Not on purpose.
20. I routinely talk to myself during the day, and I routinely refer to myself via my maiden name. E.G. “Get it together lastname!” or “left shoe on left foot, lastname!”
21. I’ve become a better person in the past few years.
22. In fact, I’ve become a better person in the past month.
23. I have very good taste in television, but for two digressions, one on MTV and one on TLC.
24. I wish I had thicker, fuller hair. Any product that claims to provide you with same is a liar.
25. I believe I have a charmed life.