Sunny Sanguinity

September 29, 2007 – Saturday

Things I like to do that I get to do often: work out, read, eat breakfast, drink beer, watch baseball, drink coffee, listen to music and sing along, wear sandals and skirts, talk, dance like a fool, wear sunglasses, write, laugh, cook, stay up late, happy hour, and many other things…

Things I like to do that I don’t get to do often: travel, see my family, relax, maybe a few other things…

I’m glad the second list is shorter than the first. Life is good.

It’s so funny how one thing can change your mood:

“Why do you care about Snowflake? Do you know him? Does he call you at home? DO YOU HAVE A DORSAL FIN?!?”

My freshman cousin (and by freshman, I mean in high school) emailed me for advice on how to be a journalist writing for The New York Times. Did I have a few things to write? Oh yeah. I wrote her a book. But that’s what good journalists do.

This unsolicited email for advice tripped me out. Do I know enough to tell her what I think might help her? I guess. But wow. I’m no kid anymore huh?

The older part doesn’t bug me. It’s the idea that I have lived enough for anyone to assume I might know what I’m doing. It makes me shake my head and laugh at the same time. It’s the sort of thing you sometimes need to make things make sense.

September 25, 2007 – Tuesday

Life isn’t fair is it cats? Don’t we all deserve to win the lottery, be famous and have hot bodies? I think so! Well, maybe not all of us, but the vast majority. But then, what fun would that be? Being poor, unknown and frumpy would be the newest trend, like babies are in Hollywood right now.

Tragedy is all relative. I think going through part of a day without electricity and gas is awful, but others spend part of a season like that. There were times when I thought people brought things upon themselves, God punished people or it was all a series of poor decision-making, but I’m not so convinced of that as time goes by. Sometimes they might factor into the equation, but ultimately it comes down to odds.

The idea of cosmic karma appeals to me. I just wonder if the world order is more aligned with what I was told as a kid: Nobody said life was fair.

September 24, 2007 – Monday

What is it about the dry cleaners that I can never get there? I will drop off my stuff, and about three weeks later I think, hmmm I wonder where my sweater is. Oh yeah…damn it!

Are there certain tasks we do that just are so mundane we block them out? I like to think that I’m doing that with the dry cleaning. It makes me wretch a little actually that I say the phrase, “I have to pick up my dry cleaning.”

Aren’t there so many substantial things out there to say? To do? I’m not suggesting we all have to change the world with our everyday errands, but sometimes I get the feeling that many of us were meant for something more meaningful than waiting for our number to be called at the DMV.

Some might think it’s cheesy to talk about random acts of kindness, but I truly believe pushing someone’s car out of the snow will make the world a better place. At the very least, you’ll get some exercise and another person will be on their way to lunch with a friend.

Don’t get me wrong: I know there are things like wearing sandwich boards, spray-painting fur coats and writing dissenting literature that can make a statement. And many times they might succeed in changing minds and times. I’m not discounting any of that. I’m just more for the guerrilla-style warfare, you know? There are few things more disarming than a smile.

September 23, 2007 – Sunday

I got a little misty-eyed this afternoon. You know: a beautiful 80-degree day in September, the last home game of the season, Twins beat up on the Sox, and most likely Torii’s last game in the Dome. *sob* I was surprised I got so emotional. Then again, I did tear up while reading an interview with him waxing sentimental earlier in the season. I’m not too happy with his last at-bat, but that’s neither here nor there. Can’t get too hung up on petty little details right? (Though, for the record, Ozzy Guillen can kiss my ass.)

The funny thing is that I have been so keen on setting on my sights on certain things that I have had my blinders on to so many other things. There is still a week left in the season to watch my Twins. (I’ve been so obsessed with the last home game and October.) This is true on a larger scale as well. Amazing how often you miss the things you walk past. I ask, where is the balance? Where is the line between distracted and diversified? Is it OK to have something going on all the time? Idle hands, right?

I have decided it is a skill to be able to relax. There are definitely people who over-do it; there are always those with natural talents who never practice and take it for granted. It takes a lot to get me in front of a TV without about four other things going on: blogging, cleaning, reading, sorting through my lists, whatever it might be.

There are other people out there like me, I know it! Your brain won’t slow down, sleep is almost impossible, Red Bull is always a bad idea (good lord, is it ever!) and you’re never satisfied. Well, almost never. But then, not for very long.

A woman told my sister that if you have this type of personality, “You’re screwed.” I beg to differ, but I do need to practice relaxing. Not sure if that’ll happen this week, but I’ll give it a try.

September 22, 2007 – Saturday

It seems like my blogs are a little baseball heavy around the first part of spring and the end of summer. It’s probably because the beginning and end of my boys’ season is right around those times, which gives me time to ponder the wonders and joys that are baseball.

Going to the last game of the season tomorrow gives me time to think about how awesome (and different) last season was. Now, I’m not one to live in the past — makes your neck sore to look back too long — but the Twin’s last regular-season game in 2006 was way too cool for words. As dorky as it sounds, it was one of the most exciting things to witness in my adult life. (I do have a picture of my freaking out somewhere in my photos on here.)

Last year, we won the division with the entire Metrodome watching the Detroit game on the Jumbotron. This year, we will try not to get swept by one of the worst teams in baseball. Ack! I just want to hear U2 sing “Beautiful Day” one more time this year in that Dome. Is that too much to ask? I hope not.

September 20, 2007 – Thursday

You ever have one of those days where it seems to go on forever, but not because it was bad or anything? More like you had a million different things happen and your thoughts, emotions and body was moving in so many different directions? That was me today: work, crazy podiatrist digging glass out of my foot, a little more work, insane storm, loss of electricity, pizza at RB, bar freak talking to me about his childhood, time for bed! Holy shit, I am exhausted.

Usually, this is when everything comes together in life and you see how amazing everyday is. How can I put into words? You’re in line at the grocery store with a pack of gum, frozen pizza and pop and all of sudden you think, “Wow, everything is right with the world.” (Thanks Marcy) I love days like this!

September 18, 2007 – Tuesday

It amazes me the perceptions people have about me. I know this sounds really self-centered, and perhaps it is, but it only begs the question: What kinda vibe am I giving off?
There are two schools of thought I get: I am super-innocent –or– I am a hippie.

Shall we dispel these rumors?

The innocent part is all in the eye of the beholder. Who am I to change anyone’s opinion of me when it comes to that? It’s far too much fun to just be myself and watch their reaction.

As far as being a hippie, I guess there are so many parts to that equation. I would like to think my attire doesn’t indicate it nor do my extra-curricular activities…however, I do worship the sun and enjoy listening to Led Zepplin. What does that even mean?!

And then I have friends who ask, “Why is it an insult to be called a hippy?” Of course all of said friends are indeed hippies. And then I have to ask myself, Why? Is it the years of brainwashing all of my punk-rock friends and boyfriends have done? I think this is the easiest area to place the blame. Why is it that punks hate hippies? And then I am lead back into the gross-ness that is high school.

So how about this? Who cares what we all are? How about: I am me? I guess it leads back to the idea that there is no way to classify one person into a certain category. Sort of that whole “The Breakfast Club” mentality, right?

September 17, 2007 – Monday

I threw a penny in a wishing well on Sunday. That made me feel kinda like a kid again. Should it though? I actually hang out by that fountain a few times a week. Maybe I should wish in it more often.

It got my friend and me talking about where the origin of wishing wells comes from. I said I would look it up when I got home…Something about deities living in water because all life comes from water and it can be a commodity because of it’s scarcity. I like the answer; it suits my spiritual personality.

What really struck me about all this is how awesome the Internet is. Wikipedia may not be trustworthy, but it certainly is interesting. While I contemplate that, I can’t help but feel like I’m getting old. Should I really be that amazed? I grew up with it (for the most part). Maybe I’m just struck by the little things lately. Be amazed by the mysteries, right?