I'm smiling right now, but you can't see me, so it doesn't count.
o.k., another dog-based smile.
It's been freakin' pouring rain tonight. My dogs do not care for the rain. The little female dog in particular does not like to go out to take care of business in the rain. Soooooo she holllllllllllds it, and hollllllllllllllllds it, and hopes for a break in the weather.
There was no break tonight. So about 3 hours after I got home (when I was holding the door open for about the 10th time - just in case), she went to the back door, peered out, ran out under the picnic table, peeeeeeeed, peered at the house to make sure I had the door open, and ran back in.
I have to smile when she is such a smart dog.
Packing your wit in a case for the evening, ILZ?
Sleep well and dream of smiles.
I don't sleep.
I have five pages of political ramblings to write by tommorow morning.
You so did smile.
I was there.
I just called up my operations partner and he answered the phone with "good morning young man". Made me smile
Played 40 minutes of pickup soccer with my
Under-10 youth soccer team yesterday.
Amazingly, I can walk today!
I just read the chapters about Ann Coulter in Al Franken's book...that made me smile.
Something about the bang of the garbage trucks here -- and being home at mid-morning to hear it. Such a reassuring clanking and banging. "All's right in the world! We're here to take away your garbage!"
So far today and it is early yet I have met a new old Friend.
p-dog~
I like that! Never thought of garbage collection in quite that way before.
I think it just brings to mind a Brautigan pome that I'm too lazy to go hunting for right now. And no, not the one about the turd sewn to the trash can lid...
I cannot endorse the unneccessary level of smiling that goes on. I don't like it at all.
Again, I'll reference a public transit bus (where most of lifes important lessons are learned.)
I was riding the bus a while back when this gentleman with Down Syndrome gets on the bus. There was this instant--and I'd argue slightly patronizing--wave of kindness toward him by the passengers on the bus. Hello's, smiles, etc.
A woman asked him what he was listening to on his CD player, and he said, 'Tone Loc' and then started rapping a little before he sat down. People laughed and smiled, and so he kept rapping and bopping his head around.
If I started rapping and bopping my head around, people would not smile. I may be arrested, if for nothing else than my innate lack of rhythm.
But in any case, something about the whole scene bothered me. It felt vaguely like a minstrel show--someone who everyone viewed as different monkeying (poor choice of words) around to entertain everyone.
No smile at all is better than a fake smile or a patronizing smile.
I decided right then and there that when - not if - I become retarded, I'm going to be pissed off and cynical, and not sing along to anything. Be entertained by this, bitches. I'm a retard. Deal with it. I'm firm on this.
Ease up a bit, willya?
Not everybody is patronizing to retarded folks and some of those who seemed to be may have been handling the situation the best way they knew how.
But I agree with you on this - if I get to the point where I might be the object of pity or sympathy or patronage or whatever I don't intend to play the fool.
By the way, I don't know anyone who "became" retarded. They - and I know several - have been that way from birth.
In my case, it's probably going to be something like Altzheimer's. Which, frankly, scares the hell out of me.
Oh yeah, something did make me smile today. There was an older couple giving blood and filling out the questionnaire. Several questions deal with "sex for money". The woman laughed and asked the nurse whether being married counted. The nurse, of course, dutifully explained the confidential nature of the questionnaire, but couldn't help laughing as she did so.
As sometimes happens, this post comes with a backstory: <snickers as she reads the words "quick reply">
One of my employees and I have become very close friends over the course of several years because her youngest daughter and I are about the same age and very much alike. Her eldest daughter treats me like a kid sister and I adore the entire family. I spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with them last year because they would not accept any answer but yes. ("Mom" invited me, but it was the girls who insisted, upon penalty of death, that I be with them for the Holidays.) I finally had the pleasure of meeting Barbara, the youngest, for the first time last Christmas. As you can imagine, we both already knew everything about each other that "Mom" could possibly tell. After spending the one day together, we were like sisters. You'd think we had grown up together. Now the girls call ME the baby of the family.
Anyhow, I got an email from Barbara today. That made me smile.....never fails.
TerryDoo always made me smile at the other site with her never ending and clever name changes. I can see why people would not take no for an answer when they have an opportunity to be with you.
I haven't smiled today, but somebody sent me good joke. There's something strange going on in my grey matter, and I'm feeling rather uncomfortable for some reason. I think it's a chemical imbalance that's making me feel a little anxiety. Anybody else experience this?
c.i., Sometimes a glucose problem, thyroid problem, or spring fever can cause a feeling of anxiety.
It wouldn't hurt to see your doctor about it, just in case?
By the way, thanks so much for the great A2K hats you sent for our Florida gathering/reunion, that was so thoughtful of you.
JoanneDorel wrote:TerryDoo always made me smile at the other site with her never ending and clever name changes. I can see why people would not take no for an answer when they have an opportunity to be with you.
c.i. I've been feeling the same way lately as have many of my coworkers. We've all been restless and anxious and chalked it up to "spring fever" after such a long and difficult winter in the Northeast (not to mention the most stressful Holiday season, businesswise, that any of us has ever experienced). However, it never hurts to seek help especially if you think the problem may be a chemical imbalance. Our bodies tell us when they need more than we are giving them; we have to learn to listen.
