Thursday, November 17, 2005

Greasy Meatball

I've been making a concerted effort to spend more time at home in a state of boredom. In my aresenal of things I contemplate and regularly discuss is the "we need to be bored" speech. Without this time without input I don't think the creative self can thrive and yet I find myself going to and from work with headphones on doing the crossword, at home with a drink and talking on the phone, staying up all night to play with the computer.

Then I read this poem.

The Art of Disappearing by Naomi Shihab Nye.

When they say Don't I know you? say no.
When they invite you to the party
remember what parties are like
before answering.
Someone telling you in a loud voice
they once wrote a poem.
Greasy sausage balls on a paper plate.
Then reply.
If they say we should get together.
say why? It's not that you don't love them any more.
You're trying to remember something
too important to forget.
Trees.
The monastery bell at twilight.
Tell them you have a new project.
It will never be finished. When someone recognizes you in a grocery store
nod briefly and become a cabbage.
When someone you haven't seen in ten years
appears at the door,
don't start singing him all your new songs.
You will never catch up.
Walk around feeling like a leaf. Know you could tumble any second. Then decide what to do with your time.

It may be tacky to post it. I found it in a book on someone else's bookshelf. "10 poems on how to live your life" or somesuch nonsense which I would normally have dismissed rather quickly in a bookstore, though never would I have picked up the collected works of above author in someone's house. No judgement of the poetry itself from this corner. I just think I needed it.

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Fighting the Good Fight

Pipets in the trash bin. I think I won. Trash can equidistant. Me with the unfamiliar small volume low weight unpredictable tips. He with the 200 microliter "sure things". My ejector worn out from years of use. He with the ergonomically correct Rainin. Silence. Both of us calmly loading gels without acknowledging the other and simultaneously shooting the tips in without a sideways glance. I won. Some days I love my job.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

my commute

Something has changed in the mormon breeding program. They used to be models of wholesome midwestern whiteness, but now they seem to have a tendency to dress more street and don't always follow the tall one plus short one M.O. This morning on the bus they weren't even wearing suits. Perhaps in San Francisco they use a different approach. They are still incredibly sweet and eager though. I tossed a few items onto the floor of the bus and they anxiously reached down and handed them back to me. What darlings.

a penthouse would be too windy

You walk up to the roof of your 3 story apartment building in the middle of the night on what was a rainy foggy day and find a patch of uncloudy sky directly above you. Chilly, crisp air that lights all your senses on fire. The half moon shining bright above you for 10 minutes before the wind blows the circle of clouds away from you.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

I'm , Er, Going Camping (wink wink)

1. I lost $28 in a poker game with some new "friends"
2. Due to some unambiguously irresponsible behavior on my part I no longer have tires on my bicycle.
3. My boss is making me work 40 hours a week (NOT INCLUDING LUNCH).
4. I got a bad haircut.

I plan to spend the weekend in bed smothering rogaine on my poor head and marinating the scalp skin chemical concoction underneath a plastic bag. Wish me the best.

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

How Embarrassing

At the doctor's office today I was forced to engage in a battle for the August 2005 Vogue (Jessica Simpson looking smokey on the cover). THis consisted of a slightly ungraceful pick-up in pace after leaving the receptionists desk to a full blown swoop "oh I thought you were just sitting down" hand to mouth move after snatching magazine. While perusing my hard won gains, a cute boy walked into the office and I found myself regretting not having opted for the untouched Nation sitting on the table in from of me. He was wearing glasses and I'm pretty sure he might have been smart.

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Rock and a Hard Place

Apparently the key to blogging is finding your niche.