Down Time

I have found myself oddly driven these past few days. This is ironic, because I have about one-quarter of the things to do that I did in December.

Or perhaps I overestimate the irony. In December, I was running around like the proverbial beheaded chicken. Caroling gigs sometimes twice a day, driving through rush-hour traffic to Christmas Carol shows in Salem, and the usual KidStage shifts on top of that. And then there was knitting, baking, shopping and the rest of the holiday craziness.

I had this past Sunday and Monday off. I can't remember the last time I had two days in a row off and was not also traveling at the time. I cleaned like a crazy person on Sunday, determined that the new year would not bring the residents of "Malden House" living in a pigsty. I also had nothing else pressing to do, and I am not good at sitting on my butt doing nothing.

Which is why I am sitting here blogging, as opposed to vegging on the couch. I have actually - gasp! - had my fill of vegging for a few days. This is not necessarily a bad thing, nor does it mean I will not appreciate the next day off when it comes around. But it does also make me appreciate the fact that I actually like my job. There's a lot to be said for leaving the house and not dreading arrival at one's destination. And it makes me enjoy my days off more, knowing that when they end I won't be totally miserable.

Which is not to say, mind you, that I am not driven to get to the next "level." I have several projects in the works that I can't wait to get moving on, and I would like what I'm currently doing to expand in the meantime. (I don't mean to be cryptic... but I'm not one to share details until a project is complete and I can actually put my hands on the finished product.)

I am now beginning to ramble. Mayhaps I am more tired than I thought. Perhaps a retreat to the couch wouldn't be an entirely bad thing after all...

Warning: Impending Corniness!

I went to the grocery store last week to pick up ingredients for Thanksgiving pies. Weaving in and out of the crowds, dodging carts and couples attempting to converse across entire aisles, I noticed the same things piled up in everyone's shopping carts. Loaves and loaves of stuffing bread, cans of pie filling, pre-made pie crusts, enough cans of green beans to feed a small army. And as I passed each one, I started to smile.

Kermit the Frog said, in "A Muppet Family Christmas," that "Life would just pass in a blur if it weren't for times like this." The fictional amphibian was right. Here was what looked like half the city, bustling through the store, collecting things that they would take home and turn into delicious things to share with their loved ones. It was enough to make me, who normally despises crowds, actually enjoy trying to navigate through the packed store.

And when I got to the front, every open register had a long line in front of it. So much so that people would approach the lines, look puzzled for a moment, and then start asking other people, "Which line are you in?" This would then lead to three to six people telling each other which register they were waiting for.

"I'm behind her. Waiting for number four."
"I'm in the line for number three."
"And this is the line for number five."

Doesn't sound too amazing, but check this out: They weren't yelling! They weren't grumbling or complaining or pushing. They were being so nice to each other! Even when someone in the self-checkout line had no idea how to use it and ended up stalling the whole line for about five minutes while she kept calling the clerk over. Sure, people were rolling their eyes and tapping their feet, but we were all smiling and joking with each other as we did it.

Perhaps a pod of Canadian body-snatchers had come in and taken over, but I really think it's more likely that they were just happy it was a holiday. Maybe they even realized that all the people around them were doing the same thing, and it made them feel like an actual community. It was actually really lovely to be a part of it.

I think with all that's been going on in the world, we really NEED the holidays this year. Of course, that's just my humble opinion and guess... but whatever the reason, I'll take it.

What Would Vera Ellen Do?

Last Friday, Jackie and I went to the Swing City dance. I've been going off and on since late spring, and this was my latest trip.

Any girl - sorry, "follower" - danged PC terms have even invaded swing dancing - can tell you that the key to a great dance is a great partner. So when the guy who taught the pre-dance lesson asked me, I jumped at the chance.

This man, Tony Tye of the "Hop to the Beat" studio, is a fantastic dancer and a great leader. And he really likes to MOVE. Before I knew it I was being tossed back and forth as he launched me into one new step after another. Before long I got to the point that I live for when I go dancing - my brain turned off and my feet led the way.

And the best part was, we had started to remind me quite a bit of Vera Ellen and Danny Kaye in "White Christmas" - "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing." I used to watch this movie as a teenager and dream myself into Vera's pale pink gown and the the easy grace of the perfectly choreographed dance. I was hardly perfect on Friday, of course, but I didn't care. It was close enough.

It was lovely.

I had plans to get stuff done this afternoon.

Actually, I did get stuff done. I baked chocolate chip cookies, then sat down to learn a new song. Then I looked at my computer - Alvin, from CMN, had sent me the pictures from the conference!!

There went productivity. There were literally hundreds of pictures, and I looked at them all. There were even half a dozen short video clips, and I watched those too. Why? Because as hard as I tried to convince myself otherwise, CMN is much more than a professional conference.

First of all, you try putting yourself in the midst of 90 of the most loving, supportive people on the planet and see if you don't find yourself softening because of it. Then try getting those doctor-recommended "Eight Hugs a Day" (as mentioned in the song) and seeing if gosh darn it, you don't feel just plain lighter for it.

Yeah. I'm a functional adult. And I work very hard at it, thank you very much. But 3 days of these folks is more than enough to break through that... which is why I keep going back. It's a risk, and re-adjusting to the world can be a challenge. But it's worth it.

Fall Fever

Yes, I know, most people get spring fever. I'm odd. We all know this.

The first day of fall was two days ago. Ever since, I have been seized with periodic incapacitating urges to knit, bake and clean. This afternoon I made a batch of apple crisp and then researched recipes for apple brown betty - which I've never made, but I think the name sounds cute. And it sounds tasty.

I am now sitting here with a cup of chai, trying to tell myself, "Take your time. It's only September. Pace yourself."

But to no avail. I cannot resist posting this YouTube link:



Squee.....

Bouncing and Food, in that order

You've seen my blog about my work. You love it. (If not, you humor me.) Now, from the genius that brought you Music, Munchkins and Mayhem, comes a blog about what I do when the kids go home and I put away the shaker eggs. It does happen...once in a while.

For example, yesterday. After work I drove up to Manchester, NH because my friend Kristen has a trampoline. It lives in her mom's backyard. It was the site of much fun and enjoyment, including a battle between Wicked Laura of the West (Laura M) and the Wicked Laura of the East (me). No victor was declared, and we challenged each other to a rematch in the future. After trampoline fun, we headed over to the Red Arrow Diner.

Yum. I had meatloaf... I wasn't in the mood for breakfast, and it seemed like a sufficiently dinerish alternative. It was yummy - as was the cream soda they make themselves. And check out the pictures - it's like the poster child for diner-hood. Awesome. Janice (my roommate) and I brought home an eclair and we had most of it right now.

Oh my goodness...yummm.

Stay tuned for more adventures...fun and wackiness ensues when I manage to escape the clutches of work!