my place

Currently I sit at a table, in my dining room, in our house, in a city, in the state of California, in the country of the United States, on the continent of North America, in the Northern and Western Hemispheres, on the planet Earth, in the galaxy of the Milky Way, all part of this vast space we call The Universe.  Depending how you look at it, I'm physically in 1 or a dozen places at once.

Mentally I am elsewhere.  Mentally I am in a dozen places at once.  My mind is a maze of wonderings.  Now that we're here, what's next?  What is my role as a supportive wife/friend/neighbor?   Where do I fit into this giant scheme of a thing we like to call life?  So much has changed in 6 weeks - where is my place?  How does a person cook a good meal with out messing something up?  Does anyone really find true joy in housework?  How can I make this easier?

Before I get too worked up, I think to myself - Stop.  I need a mental break.  Perhaps that's what I've been doing wrong these last few weeks.  I've been searching so hard to find a spot I fit in, I haven't taken the time I need with you.  I haven't taken time to enjoy something I love.  Something I'm good at.  Something which gives me a voice outside of what goes on in this little house.  I think it's something every human needs, young or old, working or not, man or woman, married or single - everyone likes to be good at something.  I am good at this.  I am good at putting thoughts onto screen.  I'm sorry I've been away so long.  I'm on my way back to you, Void, just be patient with me.

My place?  I'm not sure just yet...but for now, for this moment in time, my place is here, writing to you...and I like it.

don't blink

I used to think my life was going by in slow motion.  Every day seemed to last three days.  I had the same routine.  I talked to the same people.  I ate the same breakfast.  I wore the same outfits day in and day out.  But as of late it seems I've blinked and my whole life is different.  In a matter of a moment my boring hum-drum life changed into a completely different animal.  I'm on the adventure of a lifetime.  Three days in and I can hardly believe it's already been three days.  In some ways I'm waiting for life to slow down again, but I have a feeling life won't.  Life has a way of doing that to you. 

Some say your childhood is the best time of your life.  I wonder if it feels that way because childhood takes so long to get through.  Life has a way of snowballing on you.  Or at least it does me.  Childhood was great, don't get me wrong, but there were definite days when I longed to be grown up.  High school was a little more of a blur and college even more-so.  Then - BOOM - I fell in love and life started really happening - faster and faster and faster!  It makes me wonder how much faster can it really get? 

How 'bout you, void?  Is your life trucking along at a 100mph pace?  Or, are you waiting for your life to pick up the pace?  Be careful, Void, don't blink or you might miss the moments which you've been waiting for since childhood.  Don't blink, or you might miss the best parts...the quick parts...the exciting parts...the parts you'll want to remember until you die.

I guess that's why I'm thankful for you, Void.  Thanks for letting me write down the parts I might easily forget otherwise.

knobby hobby

What are your hobbies?  Seriously, I'm curious.  I don't know if I have one and I'd like to know what yours are so I can decide if I have one too.  When a person spends approxomately 93.445% of the little free time she has on the couch watching bad TV, it leaves very little room for a genuine hobby.  So, I'm asking you, Void...What are your hobbies?  How did they come about?  And...how do I get one?

Watching TV is not a hobby. Of that I am certain. And sleeping is probably not something we should consider "a hobby" either.  I wonder what a hobby is anyway?  Let's ask our great nerd friend, Webster.  Here's what he said: "hobby: noun - An activity or interest persued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation." Oh, well in that case...I guess maybe watching TV is a hobby...as long as you're not paid to do it.

Why this sudden interest in hobbies, you ask?  This afternoon, I was engaged in a rather interesting and humorous conversation on the very subject and that's when I realized...I don't have a hobby.  And I guess if everybody else has a hobby, I think I want one too.  Even the students in my class have hobbies.  I think making toys out of 2-dimentional pieces of paper could be considered a hobby.  Reading is definitely a hobby.  Perhaps losing one's pencil...is that a hobby?  (maybe not since it doesn't bring much relaxation or pleasure.)

Do you think people of today have any of the same hobbies as people of yesterday?  Have you ever met someone who enjoys bird-watching or stamp collecting?  Maybe not.  I would think with such a broad definition for the word hobby a person could invent a new hobby everyday.  Today my hobby was watching old re-runs of Seinfeld on YouTube.  Tomorrow I may make it a hobby to pull weeds in the front flower beds.

In the end, I guess it really doesn't matter what our hobbies are.  What probably matters most is that we're willing to try new things and get new hobbies once our old ones have run their course.  So, maybe I don't have hobby.  Maybe you do.  Maybe we both find time for relaxation and pleasure in this busy life we live.  Maybe that's what's really important and healthy - making time for your hobby.  I guess if your hobby ends up being napping on the couch...so be it, Void, so be it.