Papa was a rodeo …

Papa was a rodeo; Mama was a rock’n’roll band.

Phew. Some notes:

I killed my TV. After visiting fish’n’carla in Indiana, have decided to make some lifestyle changes.

1. Shall no longer consume any television, with the exception of the Simpsons, and only if I mute the commercials. Difficult b/c have developed dependency on “Friends.” Just had dream involving Ross Geller as result.
2. Shall no longer shop retail, esp. for clothes, esp. for clothes at the Gap. From now on, it’s recycled, thrift, and homemade. Very difficult to change, as am a label-whore and clotheshorse. But looking forward to challenge.
3. Shall read intelligent magazines, not Cosmo and InStyle. Shall also try to increase consumption of books other than british fluff romances.
4. Shall lead an “authentically MB” lifestyle. No longer slave to dyeing hair, applying mascara, feeling bad that i don’t look like someone else [specifically, JLH and Audrey Hepburn]. Haven’t decided on the leg-shaving thing, but it’s been several weeks. I may seek Iain’s input … because authentic MB still wants to be tigress to hubby. Shall cease “Be Like Kim” plan and implement “Be Like MB” plan.
5. Shall cut down on consumption of processed, boxed, bagged, and otherwise convenient foods and start cooking, dammit. Or helping Iain cook.
6. Shall resume hobbies i enjoy, i.e. sewing, painting, sketching.
7. Shall try very very hard to talk more, make some friends — “Authentic MB” enjoys having friends, so shall try to please her by getting some.
8. Shall take pride in the fact that I support my local community by working for a community newspaper.
9. Shall no longer shop Corporate Monster Retail chains, i.e. Walgreens, CVS, etc. Shall find local butcher, baker, and candlestick maker in order to support local, family-owned and small businesses.
10. Shall attack new web magazine project with a vengeance. Not very hard, since am “geeked out” about entire endeavor. Shall struggle to maintain faith that it will succeed.

I feel very good about this. It’s so much better than the “let’s exercise and look hot” mode of self-improvement AND the “let’s be like someone else” mode. Rock.

In other news:
Washington, D.C. is a rat’s-nest, untravelable by car. Street names change, roads end unexpectedly, cop cars block the streets you need to traverse. It’s ridiculous. I hate it. I have spent seven entire hours in the last two days wandering that damn place.

SARS and Smandy: My wonderful wuz Mandy came to town … well, she came to D.C., and I went to get her. We had a terrific two days of wombie bonding. I love that girl. I was convinced I had SARS, and she convinced me otherwise. So good of her. We went to woman-church, and watched “Kicking and Screaming” [she particularly enjoyed it, as a recent English Major/graduate]. We went downtown to the Inner Harbor, and to Towson, where we were overwhelmed by “Towson Best Restaurant” [Chinese/Japanese cuisine] and the best art-supply store either one of us has ever had the pleasure of patronizing. Purchased many smart magazines, and she very graciously tolerated my smoking and swearing. All in all, a very successful visit. Miss her already.

OK. Longest post in a while, so I’ll leave you all to ruminate. Much love.

April 26, 2003 | Filed Under auto-categorized