Cornucopia

I've actually had a lot to blog about lately, but I've just gotten overwhelmed by the amount. I realize I have all the insane people around me to thank for (a)driving me to the point where I curse all humans and want to just live in the country with a shotgun and a barbed wire fence; or (b) making me love all humankind everywhere and start to believe in notions like world peace.

Option (a)is, of course, the norm. Option (b) usually occurs between the drink I have that makes me buzzed and the drink I have when someone brings up going to F&M's or the Kingpin. These days there's not really a drink in-between. It's a fleeting moment, but oh so precious.

For the six people who actually read this blog (I've been regretting getting site meter lately since my figures have been so scanty), you will be saddened to note that my neighbor is moving. This is actually a good thing, because I have really been starting to worry about her based on the information she volunteered in our last five minute conversation:

1. The Hispanic construction workers are still trying to get her.

2. So are the blcak construction workers who replaced the hispanics.

3. She is now on her third home security company because the others don't come right away when she calls when either the blacks or hispanics are climbing in her window.

4. She's mad at our landlord because he encouraged her to be nice to them.

5. Since he told her that, our landlord is obviously in on it too.

6. She's moving in with her granddad who is apparantly part of the New Orleans mafioso.

7. Maybe next year she'll go and work on Wall Street.

I'll miss her.

Creativity

I've had an interesting rebound from my law school career. I finally wrapped all of my clinic stuff up yesterday and now officially have no more reason to return to Weinmann High until graduation. And maybe not even then if my grades suck as badly as I am anticipating.

The interesting thing that I've noticed is how the sudden dirge of creativity and blogging madness has somewhat subsided now that I have absolutely nothing to do except housework, exercise, spending some much needed time with the girls, and doing really important things like planning out the perfect skin care routine so that I can continue to avoid the fact that I am turning 30 in 7 months.

Actually a comment on that (inspired by a friend's blog entry). I get told a lot that I don't look my age, which is really nice and I appreciate people pointing it out.

BUT.

Since when is 29 so old?? I think I'd accept these compliments so much more readily if they weren't put in such an incredulous tone. "Wow, you must have really great eye cream!", "I can't believe you're 29, I would've pegged you for 20!!", and my favorite, "I never realized you were so old!".

Okay peeps. Wake up. 30 is not even halfway through the life cycle, so I'd really appreciate it if people, even with the best of intentions, stopped acting as if some fairy godmother has waved a magic wand over me to keep me from turning into a shriveled up old prune.

Moving on. So, I'm back to avoiding white sugar again, mainly because I treat white sugar like a person who has OCD treats cocaine. Namely, I obsess about it and end up eating like five enormous scones in one sitting. Seriously. Also, I put on like 8 pounds during exam season and there's nothing like vanity to do that. And the fact that sugar makes me feel all panicky and emotional. After four days of avoiding it, I already feel much more centered. Of course that could be the "no more law school" thing too.

Who cares? The weather in New Orleans is so amazing right now. I've had all of my windows thrown open for a week and a half. I marvel at the fact that I once really wanted to marry a Canadian and live where I would probably have to sit in front of those freaky Seasonal Affective Disorder lamps.

And then there's my bar trip. Woo-hoo.

Life. Is. Good.

Adult

I've been reading Dr. Thomas Harris's "I'm OK - You're OK: A Practical Guide to Transactional Analysis." It's wickedly interesting and helpful particularly, if like me, you really dread having to interact with people. (Although interestingly enough this is something that has only happened since I started law school, which probably means something).

The premise is very simple. True healthy transactions occur mainly between two "adults". Problems arise when people transact through their "parent" or "child." So, you learn to change your reactions to people by understanding who you're interacting with, and how you choose to react in turn. It's kind of obvious, but after reading it, I can definitely see areas of my parent and my child peeking through, and it's nice to think a book might teach me how to behave.

My only big problem with the book is that it's really dated, ie really sexist. Consider the following passage about when mixed transactional responses are appropriate:

"The scene is a cocktail party. The transaction is initiated by a man who (Child) pinches a woman's bottom. She responds (Adult): "My mother always told me to turn the other cheek." Why is this reponse identified as Adult?

She could have responded Parent: "You dirty old man!" or even slapped him.

Had she responded Child, she may have cried, become embarrassed, angry, shaky or seductive.

Her response was Adult, however, in that she got a lot of information across in her one response.

1. I had a mother who always told me -- so you watch out!
2. Turn the other cheek -- I know the Bible, too, so you see I'm not that kind of girl.
3. The humor of the play on words told him, "My Child is getting a laugh, and you're OK, and I can take a joke."
4. Transaction completed!

Hm. I wonder how Doctor Harris would evalute my response of smiling seductively and then showing him my NRA membership card with a "sharpshooter" status.

Parent, Child, Adult?

How about Woman?

Denial

Okay, I am not allowed to watch any more of this until I finish exams on Saturday.

But, that doesn't mean that you can't.

Enjoy!

Trained

Er, I can't even get either of my dogs to sit at the same time.