Because traditions are important. In which I cover the good stuff and the hard stuff in the week that was, trying for the non-preachy, non-annoying side of self-reflection.
And if you feel like it, join in!
This week: The “maybe don’t store vitamins in a container that — though the perfect size — has the words ‘urinary tract infection’ on it, because really, is that the most appetizing thing to have on the table when there are guests?” edition.
The hard stuff
I ordered my first adult raincoat this week.
No, let’s rephrase that. I paid $150 for a raincoat.
That’s oh, about ten times what I paid for my last raincoat ten years ago, and the more I try to wrap my head around that the more insane that seems.
It’s not really about the money. It’s more that I don’t even want a fancy-pants grown-up raincoat. What do I need to look like a grown-up for? Isn’t that the whole point of working from home?
Yes, I believe it is. In fact, I have a job that allows me to be barefoot pretty much whenever I want, which — as it happens — is all the time.
But I’m going to this seminar in September. In Vancouver. Where it will be raining. Obviously. And also, it’s really time to make peace with the fact that I live in Portland where it also rains. (Cough. Understatement).
Also, you may recall that one of the lessons I learned teaching at the Berlin Yoga Festival this summer was: have a raincoat that a grown-up would actually wear.
Anyway, I’m a grown-up now, and it’s kind of weird. Whatever, this raincoat had better have the ability to deflect dragon attacks. Or at least come with a personal assistant.
Sick of being sick
So I had to miss the awesome work on your business with crayons event that I was all excited about. Because I got sick.
I don’t get sick very often, and because I’ve got degrees in wackiness and a bunch of ninja techniques, I can usually clear illness really fast.
This time nothing’s working. Acupuncture, acupressure tricks, meditation tricks, evil chinese herbs … bubkes.
It’s just me and the gazillion-degree heat and snot all over my face. I’m enjoying the time off and not fighting it, but will be really REALLY glad when it clears.
The good stuff
Tea and inspiration
Remember my friend Jennifer Hofmann from Inspired Home Office? The one I raved about because of her genius home office spa day?
We met up for tea this week. I don’t have a lot to say about this aside from the fact that every once in a while you just click with someone really fast in a big way and it’s awesome. Both awesome-cool and awesome-fearful.
Came away from our meeting with a ton of great ideas and even more adoration/appreciation for the amazingness that is Jen.
Speaking of friends
Speaking of friends, Mark Silver popped by yesterday out of the blue. Yes, having a cold is no fun, but the upside to being sick is taking the day off.
Which means I had unscheduled guilt-free time to hang out with Mark and talk up a storm about blogging and business and all sorts of other things. Fun!
Also, Mark’s a good guy. The kind of guy who doesn’t give you a weird look when you serve him juice in a wine glass. A Harley Davidson wine glass. Classy.
Bonus lesson in perspective
I remarked to my gentleman friend last night how lucky it was that when Mark popped by unannounced, we were totally prepared for it.
My evidence?
a. I was mostly dressed (despite the crazy heat),
b. there were fresh flowers on the table, and
c. just the day before I had finally dusted the cobwebs off of the mailbox and the door!
Score! Right?
To which my gentleman friend sweetly pointed out:
a. those flowers were in a whiskey bottle,
b. the table was sticky, and
c. there were piles of paper all over the living room.
He has a point. I mean, since we clean on Fridays, Thursday afternoon is pretty much the least attractive time to visit us.
So I said “oh”.
Not because I was upset or anything. I mean, he was absolutely right about all of those things. It also didn’t bother me because I feel comfortable enough with Mark that it’s not a big deal.
Actually, it probably wouldn’t bother me no matter who it was (well, other than the in-laws).
It was just funny how we were both there, looking at the same scene, absorbing identical information — and seeing different things.
And a reminder that a. multiple versions of reality are completely possible and b. yours (well, mine) still will always feel right. And then we laughed and drank juice out of the Harley glasses.
Also, I just want to say that I haven’t had a friend drop by unannounced since I lived in Tel Aviv (where it would happen at least a few times a week). Very cool.
That’s it for me ….
And yes, you’re totally welcome to join in my Friday ritual if you feel like it and/or there’s something you just want to say out loud too.
Happy weekend. Happy week to come.
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Gene Kelly danced in his, Selma wears one non-stop, I bet you’re adorably un-adult in your new slicker — and the fact that your drop-in pal stays for juice in an HD wine glass at a sticky table despite your being under the weather (just your body getting rid of old stuff it doesn’t need) is a charming cap to the week; you’re feeling better soon.
Whee! Gene Kelly!
Okay, that completely cheered me up.
Also, right. Selma. I forgot about Selma. Of course I won’t look like a grown-up because I will be carrying a toy duck. And wearing fire-engine red rain boots. Not sure how I forgot that part.
Actually the coat was also supposed to be sock-knockingly-off red, but they had sold out, so it’s a blue-grey-ish affair. Will post pics when it arrives.
Thanks for making it all seem much less horrible than I was imagining it to be!
Gosh, I really need to buy a raincoat. though I hate going out in the rain but I think it would be good to have a grown up raincoat, just in case.
Great blog, btw!
Havi, Havi… I don’t think anyone ever gave you the Portland Operating Manual, which clearly includes this point on page 3:
“Under no circumstances should any resident of Portland own any rain gear whatsoever, with the sole exception of:
• You are on a bicycle, and it’s part of your cool bike gear.
The primary reason is that wearing rain gear impedes the rapid growth of mold, which slows down your acquisition of the water-shedding qualities of mushrooms.”
Seriously, I was shocked the first couple of years, when I realized that wearing rain coats was an anomaly.
However, I wonder if the Destuckification expert could create a new PDX trend…
Mark Silvers last blog post..Cafe Days, Space Defense, and Being Consistently Creative.
@Tina – Thanks!
@Mark – Ah, the Portland Operating Manual. That would be the place where they tell you about the conspiracy to pretend that Mt. Hood actually exists.
I might be able to get by here without a raincoat but I really need it for Berlin. Especially since I do carry a toy duck and look like I’m fifteen …
At the Berlin Yoga Festival this summer it was pouring rain. The woman took one look at me in my slicker with my duck and tried to sell me a ticket.
My programs coordinator was saying “No, she’s the presenter. She’s giving a lecture and then being interviewed on television and then leading a workshop”, and the woman kept trying to push tickets at me. It’s a problem.
I don’t really need to look like a grown-up in Portland. Or even to stay that dry for that matter. We’ll see.
Thanks for the heads-up on the mushroom thing … I was wondering …
“Came away from our meeting with a ton of great ideas and even more adoration/appreciation for the amazingness that is Jen.”
At the risk of repeating myself, the feeling is mutual. Including the cool and scary sides of awesomeness. Thanks for being you, it makes my heart feel open and warm.
Thanks also for the nudge toward blogging. It’s gonna happen.