April 28, 2008

Tulip Template

Shush is a Bad Word in My House

Not because of the vowels and consonants, but because of the intention behind the word. Often times it occurs when I'm watching something on t.v. or listening to the radio. I will be engrossed in it and he'll try and talk to me - so I shush him. He's asked me time and time again not do to it and has explained that it's the way in which I do it that really upsets him.
He's right. I do it quickly and condescendingly. I let him know that it is a monumental inconvenience for me to have to tell him to be quiet so that I can continue doing something more important. You know, like watching t.v.

I 'shushed' him twice yesterday. It wasn't until after the second time that he made me aware of it. I've become so accustomed to being a bitch that I've lost sight of when I'm actually doing it anymore. He asked me not to apologize because he knows I'll do it again. And he's right. It's not like I want to 'shush' him. Of course he is more important than whatever else it is that I'm doing. But I've grown so impatient that I do it without even realizing it. When did this start happening? When did I decide that it was okay to make him feel insignificant?
After our talk and a long night of feeling like shit, I found myself doing it again this morning. I completely cut him off mid-sentence and rushed him out of the car just so I could make it through the traffic light that just turned green. I laughed afterward (maybe trying to relieve some of the guilt that was ballooning up inside of me) but funny or most definitely not, as soon as the words escaped my mouth I realized I had done it again. Just with different vowels and consonants. Catching that light was not more important than letting Logic finish his sentence. I really need to make a conscious effort to stop being such a bitch. He is so patient and loving and I reward him by cutting him off and making him feel unimportant? If the tables had been reversed I would have been crushed.
It's about time that I let him know he is valuable to me.
Logic, I am so sorry.

April 23, 2008

Douche Recipient #2

My co-worker has decided to schedule a vasectomy at the same time that his wife is about to go into labor. (I know this because he scheduled the appointment FROM HIS DESK!)
First of all, who does that at their desk? I mean, really?
But second, and more importantly, who schedules a surgery right as their spouse is about to deliver their 3rd child???
What a douche.

April 22, 2008

When Cats Attack

Last night I got into bed and started my routine of rolling around for about 5 minutes before I find "the perfect spot" (which changes daily). I was in the process of rolling onto my stomach when, out of nowhere, George jumped up on my back and bit the back of my head. Luckily, he got mostly hair but still... it was really strange. I yelled (mostly out of shock) and pushed him off the bed. He kept trying to cuddle with me afterward, but I wouldn't let him. In fact, I was a little scared to go to sleep.
This isn't the first time he's done something like this either. When Logic and I wrestle, George used to get protective of me and try to attack Logic's foot. This made sense because Logic plays with George in that way. But recently he started attacking me instead. We'll be on the floor; Logic will have me trapped underneath him and George will try to bite my feet.
I was actually okay with that because it made sense - we were playing and he wanted to play.. but last night was a little too weird.
Any idea what the hell that was about?

April 21, 2008

For My Daddy

Sometimes I wonder how I ever found a man that compares to my daddy.

April 18, 2008

Aaron

Eleven years ago today, a junior in high school got out of school and drove out to a campsite to hang out with his friends. He drank a lot, as did his friends. When it was time to drive back into town, he jumped in the passenger seat of the truck.
Soon into the drive the truck flew over a cliff. The driver was able to escape before the wheels left the pavement but the boy wasn't as lucky. When the truck landed tail-up in the riverbed, he was stuck. His friend ran back to the campground and called for help. As luck would have it, the ambulance got a flat tire en-route and arrived at the scene too late. All by himself, in the middle of nowhere, he waited for help. Help that didn't come in time.

The Bus Tunnel


I took the bus tunnel from work to the heart of downtown yesterday so I could quickly do some shopping before meeting up with Logic and Daniel. My office is where the tunnel starts so the bus was empty when I got on. At the next stop a man got on, dragging a bag full of his life's belongings. He looked like he hadn't showered in a very long time and may not have even known where he was at. He chose a seat in the middle of the bus that is elevated and facing inward. I had a clear view of him.
I tried to close my eyes because I didn't want to be rude but I kept finding myself peering through a squinted eye - just to see what he was doing. At one point, my eyes had been closed for a while and as I slowly opened them - almost forgetting he was there - I saw him licking his finger and then wiping the arm rest and then licking his finger again. It's as if he were testing it to see what it tasted like.
It was at that moment that I made a conscious decision to NEVER, under any circumstances, touch anything on a bus ever again.

April 08, 2008

My Brother, A Douche Award Recipient

I just got a call from Tom. "Fuck, I missed Dad's birthday, didn't I?"
By the time we hung up, I was furious. First of all, Mom buys this slacker a calendar every year and writes down everyone's birthdays. Apparently that isn't enough for this 37 year old douche. Second, if he forgot Dad's birthday, why the fuck is he calling me? Third, his excuse was that he was in the ER because he couldn't move his arm. (With Tom it's always something.) I'm pretty sure he could call Dad in the waiting room using his "good" arm. Or maybe call in the 2 days afterward.
I shouldn't be surprised. This is typical of Tom. I think he does this on purpose so that no one expects anything from him. And maybe on some sadistic level, he enjoys making our family feel like he's too busy to care.
When he does this, I usually play it off as no big deal. I don't want him to get a rise out of me - like I suspect he's wanting. But it's frustrating; especially when I feel like he's hurting someone's feelings.
Sometimes I get really upset with him because of the way he treats our parents. He's always had an issue with Mom, and I can only assume it has to do with the fact that she is outspoken about religion and he finds weakness in that. He repeatedly calls dad altruistic and seems to have a great deal of respect for him, but not enough to make a damn phone call on his birthday, apparently.
I've talked with Mom and Dad about this in the past. It pains me to see someone be so blatantly ungrateful to their loving family. They insist that they no longer expect anything from him and that they know that it's "just Tom". But I think that's bullshit. I mean, I'm glad they don't take it personally but that has to be really hard for parents to feel so under-appreciated by one of their own. I hurt for them. But that's where it gets tricky. You see, this is a pattern of mine. I like to worry about things I have no control over and that, honestly, don't affect me directly. There is nothing I can do to change the way that Tom acts and there's nothing I can do to protect our parents from it. But I have great sorrow in my heart for the effects of his actions and I want to protect my loved ones from the pain he causes.
I need to learn how to separate myself from things I cannot control. It is not my fault and there is nothing I can to do fix it. I just need to let go. Otherwise, I wind myself up so tight and I let it seep into the part of my brain that turns worry into anxiety.
This is where I've gotten into trouble before. I don't want to go back to THAT PLACE. So I breathe a sigh of relief and try to see the good. At least I know that Tom is still alive (which is sometimes a concern with him) and that he is at least making a last-ditch effort to recognize Dad's birthday. Plus, Dad (and Mom) has five other children who continue to reassure him everyday that he is loved and remembered and that is five more than some people have.

These Inspire Me - Flickr Friends

Giving Credit: Flickr Friends

1. another day in paradise, 2. Silly Wabbit.....Trix are for Kids, 3. Aerial view, 4. After the Fall, 5. A day off from the zoo, 6. A Storm Approaches the Pier, 7. Isaiah, 8. Needled, 9. Whispers, 10. Sunset on 2007, 11. 40 weeks, 12. Baxter Says Hi, 13. Opera House, 14. Bye Bye today... See ya again tomorrow!, 15. Blue Moment of Innocence, 16. Collage of Color!, 17. Waterlogged, 18. Happy New Year, 19. Heavenly, 20. Panther, 21. Day Ninety-Seven: Shhhhh, Mama, Don't Talk, 22. No Limits, 23. Purty Purple 'n Green, 24. Heels, 25. leftover drops, 26. Day Three Hundred Sixty-Five: Swan Song, 27. Day One Hundred Forty-Seven: Friday Night Zen, 28. Self Portrait, 29. How Babies are Born..., 30. Autumn Flame, 31. Dewy web with honeysuckle bokeh, 32. wide angle, 33. Buddy's Feather Boa (on Vimeo), 34. Day Two Hundred Sixty-One: Momma's Little Helper, 35. Nottingham Castle, 36. Cue, The Closeup

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