Remember me? I’ve always heard that you’re supposed to limit the number of life changes happening at once… I give you exhibit A in the reasons not to: me!
I’ve definitely had a problem balancing between work and home needs over the past couple of months - wanting to be sure I’m doing right by my work, which more and more I’m realizing and doing my best to accept that I just can’t do all of it, and wanting to be sure I’m doing right by my missus and my baby boo, who just keeps growing and now kicks - yes, KICKS - on a regular basis. I hope that as I settle into the work it becomes easier.
The moments of the day when I’m able to sit and hold my hand to the missus’ belly while the baby kicks are the most precious of every day and I look forward to them more than I can begin to explain. They are sunshine on the most dreary of days. We’ve been reading to the belly and the baby seems to love all the books we’ve picked out so far and often kick kick kicks through the story. Last night it one of the tales from Yortuga, la Tortuga (Yertle the Turtle in Spanish). My little pride and joy - already an avid reader.
The roller coaster ride of life has been intense with ups and and a few downs these past couple of months and I’ve been mostly silent for various reasons, the biggest of which is that it just wasn’t time to share yet. But now it’s past time to share and I must stop being negligent of the 3 people who read .
I can’t help wondering how many other bloggers out there feel like they need to de-lurk on their own blogs. Sigh. I’m hopeful that maybe this will be the year that I can motivate myself to get more regular about posting. There’s been a lot going on this year, some work stuff, some personal stuff, some just trudging through the daily swamp that my emotions become when I’m not giving them due attention. 2008 was a rocky year - many many ups and downs and sideways that masqueraded as an up or down.
I’m a horrid commenter on other blogs - feeling intimidated by the communities that I perceive to exist, not wanting to step in for fear of looking idiotic, not bothering to click through from the reader feed - I know, I know, stupid excuses all. The one excuse that I’m not sure I’ll get over this year is the need to sign in to comment. While I understand it I just can’t ever remember my passwords. So if you’re one of those whose blogs requires my password, my apologies. I’ll try to remember and comment this year but if I don’t, please don’t hate me.
My question to you this week, if there is anyone out there, is what you want to know, what you’d like to see here but mostly, let me know you’re there.
Today is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I had a few thoughts to say but they say it so much better here.
Unfortunately, the United States doesn’t support these rights as much as I always hope they will. perhaps Obama will bring us more in line.
On a frivolous note, my favorite right to ponder has always been Article 24: Everyone hast the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
So many people have said already explained it far better than I can - the ebulliency of Obama becoming our first african american president elect clashing against the fact that in many states people voted based on their homophobia. Arizona, Florida and California have all either pass or look likely to pass bans of gay marriage and Arkansas has banned adoption by LGBT people. Florida’s ban is especially striking because they’ve ALREADY banned gay marriage numerous times.
Of all of these, California is the one getting the most press because it is the most influential since it strikes down existing legislation. And for many couples, this ban means that, for the second time, their marriage has been made invalid.
So yes, I’m thrilled, as are many about Obama but even as they were calling the election for him I was online tracking the votes for homophobia and hatred across the country… My heart is saddened.
Every year as October approaches I get excited. I get excited for the fall leaves, the crispness of the air, the bite of fresh apples, pumpkins, squash and other fall vegetables and for my birthday.
When I was little I remember birthday’s being an exciting event but I also remember rarely getting to have a party. (I won’t bore you with those reasons here.) And I always wanted to have a party.
I remember the couple of times we moved and my birthday seeming so early in the school year that I hadn’t yet made friends good enough to have a party with.
But most of all I remember the past few years when I’ve finally realized that even if most people my age and older seem insouciant about birthdays that does not mean that I need to gloss over that extra year added on. No, I celebrate the whole month of my birthday and the culmination is the day of my birthday – today!
Yes, it’s my birthday, and I’ll celebrate if I want to. I tell anyone and everyone that I’m, very proudly, 33. This year has been a crazy one but a good one in most respects and I’m hoping for nothing but the best for the year to come. Starting fresh again with all the wisdom of my 33 years… watch out world, here I come.
Fall is truly here. The crisp joy of cooler weather and warmer, cozier clothes but along with that is the melancholy of approaching winter. I want to curl up with a good book, a cup of tea and a cat and snooze the day away. I also want to cook delicious hearty soups, apple pies and meatloaf. Every year this feeling catches and grips on and I ache wanting something different but not knowing what that is. This year, the heaviness has taken on an additional exhausted quality.
For years now the missus and I have talked about it. Talked about how to fit it into our lives, how to fit it into our space (a one-bedroom apartment), how it would change so many things in terms of how we function both inside and outside the apartment. And finally, over the course of the past couple of days, a sequence of events led us here, now…
The past month I’ve thought about writing here many times but haven’t known what to say. It’s been a month that defies description, and a really busy month.
July ended with a bang - my work conference finally occurring and all of the craziness that that entailed (flight delays to and from our location mean that we’re still sorting out budget stuff). I took a few days off to rest and find my head again and then took off running again. Work has been slower but the missus and I have been catching up with friends - a weekend here, a day trip there, nights out on weeknights and weekends, and also trying to enjoy the beautiful summer weather that has been gracing us with sunshine and days meant to be spent outside.
Years ago I took the Meyers-Briggs test (may be spelling that wrong but I’m too lazy to look it up right now). I was shocked to find out I was right on the line between introvert and extrovert. Over time I’ve come to realize more and more how true it is. I thrive on time home - cooking, cleaning, reading but also thrive on seeing good friends to talk and laugh. This month has definitely fulfilled my extrovert needs but I need some time to sit, ponder and be within my own head.
I got some of that time today when the missus and I rented bikes to ride around Central Park. But it wasn’t quite enough, simply because it was the first time in years that either of us had been on a bike, we were on an unfamiliar path and it was PACKED with people. It was wonderful time outside but still I’m left longing.
If I could have anything right now in terms of my introvert needs, I would spend a week in a hut on a beach somewhere with daily yoga classes, healthy food always cooked and ready when I want it and the waves being the only sound I heard most of the day. Yes… that’s what I want.
What I’ll content myself with is a bit of time now before bed with a good book, my legs wrapped over my missus’ legs, and a cat snuggled at the foot of the bed.
