Blue Skies From Now On

My mom told me a couple of weeks ago that she heard on the radio that January 22nd is "the most depressing" day of the year. Some doctor based this finding on the weather, failed new year’s resolutions and consumer debt from holiday spending. The winter blues are not foreign to me. I’m feeling it. The inauguration was a bright spot, to be sure. But I was more tearful than normal—full of joy, but but my emotions were and continue to be right on the surface. So I’m trying to take care of myself…reading really good and funny books, journaling every day, trying to stay “in the moment” with Audrey.

Today, the sun was shining very brightly so around Audrey’s morning nap time, I threw her in the car and I took off for Lone Elk Park. I was reluctant because she is in the car so long on the three days that I work, but I had to get out of the house. She took a very decent nap and I got to drive through the park and look at a herd of bison, two deer, and one elk. Afterwards, I headed to Eureka where I remembered there to be a huge antique mall—great for walking. But it was no longer there. So instead, we checked out Ben Franklin and Dickey Bub Farm & Home—both amazing. I am a sucker for a Ben Franklin—so much crafty junk and weird candy. And I needed some brown thread anyway. Dickey Bub was incredible. It smelled like the MFA feed store I would go to sometimes with my mom or dad when I was little. Most impressive—the variety of bird feeders, the hot pink horse halters, and the cowboy boots.

Afterwards we got some lunch then headed home. Audrey napped most of the way with the sun shining on her cheeky little face. She has one little bottom chicklet tooth and a lateral incisor has popped out—which is not the normal order. She looks postively wacky at times. So flippin' cute I can't stand it. Once home I watched Mad Men (Netflix) and folded clothes and chased her around.

My new work schedule is Tuesdays/Thursdays/Fridays. It will take some getting used to—but I love working three ten hour days. I know it won’t last forever—but I love it.

Happy New Year?

We saw the Pollack/deKooning/Abstract Expressionist exhibit at the art museum today. There were some real winners and a couple of duds--pieces that I didn't think fit well with the theme, but then I didn't do the audio tour and maybe it explained the connections. I'm not a fan of the audio tour. I think it makes the experience obnoxious for everyone else because it seems like people are watching art, like watching television. People seem more impolite when they are wearing headphones. The giant Gorky was incredible, as was the Frankenthaler.

We had an unmemorable trip to the Galleria afterwards. We have a gift certificate to Macy's that expires soon, so felt compelled to spend it. First we went to Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters. Going into Macy's after those two stores is like listening to a Paul Anka CD after the Flaming Lips. I couldn't find crap in Macy's and all three of us were getting tired (and one of us crabby--I won't say who) so we left.

For NYE dinner I made roast chicken with 40 cloves of garlic. Audrey was hard to put to sleep, so our dinner was pretty late. We watched Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, which was frivolous fun. Then we tried to watch Night of the Iguana, but I konked out. It was not proving to be as good as I anticipated anyway. However there are these shirtless Mexican boys that follow Ava Gardner around playing maracas and smiling a lot for no reason. I want a shirtless entourage following me around all the time--only playing tambourines. If I win the lottery, this is on my list of obnoxious indulgences.

I watched Romance & Cigarettes today. I love that movie. It is nuts. Kate Winslet is awesome. I saw this last year two days before I went into the hospital for my c-section and laughed my huge pregnant ass off. There were like twelve people in the theater and I think Lindsey and I were the only ones really enjoying the movie. John Turturro wrote and directed.

I am desperate for some adult company and having a hard time arranging anything. I’m on that edge of the winter blues already—early this year. Crying comes easy. I feel like crap. Big surprise. I know I’ll make it through and I’m trying to line up activities and company. But blech. I just want to crawl in a closet some days.

Audrey had the most awesome bed head from her nap today. It was monumentally insane. See below.

Twank

I thought I invented the word "twank". I love saying it and use it frequently (ask Stefene). I blogged about it in 2005. A twank is a combo between a twit and a wanker. Someone who thinks they are all that a bag of chips, but in fact is an enormous...well twank. You know you know one. 


Now I find out there is a rapper named Twank. http://www.ourstage.com/fanclub/twankstar

"Standing 6’4”, weighing in at 350 pounds and wearing size 18 shoes, TWANK has been dubbed the new upcoming king of rap. This ingenious, innovative young rap star from Houston, Texas began his career at the early age of thirteen where he titled himself the “Big Twankie”."

Can't I have have anything?