The Ferrett made a post asking people to tell him uplifting, beautiful secrets, and people suggested he make another one asking people to post anonymously so they can be shared.
I think that’s a great idea! I’m not above stealing good ideas, nor above coercing my fine friends into writing.
Tell me, anonymously if you’d like, anything you’d like to share that you think is beautiful or uplifting.
Comments will be unscreened.
Workouts are proceeding on schedule – I did the usual on Sunday, this time at the Plymouth location… which I think I hate. It’s cramped, the people aren’t very friendly, and I have no idea where everything is – it’s a V-shaped gym, with a pool in the middle.
I’m now comfortable doing upper body work as well as cardio. I tried a little calf work, and my knees gently protested – could be because they have a lot of catching up to do, could be the cardio talking, OR it could be early onset arthritis – my mom has had lots of knee difficulty. If it’s the latter, I should pick up the Osteo-BiFlex vitamins she swears by. Guess I’ll see in time.
My lack-of-sleep caught up with me with a vengeance yesterday, and I slept for about 12 hours. I can’t really complain, clearly it was necessary.
The next few months are intensely busy – I can’t keep track of everything going on. Work has involved a bunch of gratifying kudos, so let’s hope that keeps up.
I finished Ghost Brigades a few days ago, and I remember thinking to myself, “Scalzi’s gonna pull a Whedon, isn’t he?” At least one has to presume the bad-ass “I’m no good at sneaking but I’m great for a distraction” dude survived.
I’m particularly hungry – even mongos hungry, maybe. But I’m also nearly falling asleep on my feet tired. Stupid vital body requirements!
Chillin’ with the Lucy, playing games, waiting for delivery to arrive. She got here at noon, is leaving around 8.
Best 8 hours all week. :)
Some of these seem very familiar. Most of them are pretty practical. Like, “know when to ignore the camera.” *ahem*
From 1001 Rules for my unborn son
395. Be mindful of what comes between you and the earth. Buy good tires, good sheets, and good shoes.
389. After writing an angry email, read it carefully. Then delete it.
380. When I tell you to stay in the car, stay in the car.
375. Don’t pose with booze.
366. Never push someone off a dock. (right, Terry?)
331. Be subtle. She sees you.
330. Give credit. Take the blame.
329. Don’t underestimate your fertility.
326. Your best chance of being a rockstar is learning the bass.
322. Sympathy is a crutch. Never fake a limp.
321. When it comes to opening presents, no one likes a good guesser.
318. Don’t gloat. A good friend will do it for you.
303. Offer your date the seat with the best view of the restaurant. (I need to work on that one)
291. Don’t stare. People-watch. (Hi grandma!)
287. Make your own costume.
280. Never respond to a critic in writing.
279. Take her picture.
276. Surround yourself with smart people.
269. If you’ve made your point, stop talking.
261. Admit when you are wrong. Be convincing.
A friend of mine posted about the sweet relationship she’s in now, and I thought it would be fun to keep the positive vibes going, so:
This weekend, my love worked 12 hour days, and when she called me she was concerned that I hadn’t eaten. She bought and cooked dinner (including my favorite drink), preferring to spend time alone at home with me than go out. She broke a huge container of wine and insisted on cleaning it up herself – all she’d let me do was move the fridge for her. We cuddled up on the couch and watched SGU together, just like we used to watch BSG.
She calls (unless I call her) every day. Yes, we live an hour away from each other, but we talk at least a little bit – even if it’s just “I just got home and all I have energy for is to crawl into bed.” She tells me when she misses me, and she tells me when she thinks I’m amazing.
My sweetheart tries very hard to appreciate my interests, even when she definitely does not share them. She encourages me to have fun my own way, even if it is not her way.
I can’t wait until we have time off together again. Once her boards are done and she can breathe again, we will have to do something together to celebrate!
I’m chilling at Lucy’s place, waiting as patiently as I can for her to get off work. :) Some people need recovery time alone after a good party. I need the hair of the dog. Company, in other words.
The internets aren’t doing it for me today.
People tell themselves, Don’t sweat the small stuff. If someone does something really bad, someone will call them out.
Except it doesn’t work that way. Take it from me: kids are raped, wives are beaten, sons are disowned, money is drunk from a screw-top bottle and nobody says a fucking thing. We are rendered mute and cowardly by the need for tribe.
So when I see a group of people getting along and setting aside differences, I feel seething resentful anger, because I know: people will pay any price for harmony. They will sacrifice anything. Anyone. I am repelled, in no small part because I feel the same seductive pull toward making nice.
Silence is not good will. Someday you will be wronged, and your legacy of silence will stand behind the one who wronged you like an ally, and there will be no one to speak for you, not even yourself. – John Kusch
I find this so fascinating. I’ve met many people who have such an intense need not to rock the boat of relationships (close or distant) that they will not address problems with a retail bill, speak up about abuse, or defend those they know deserve defending (I’m not implying myself there).
On the other hand, I have also known many people who are so outraged at the daily slights and arrogances of others that even being friends with them is a sort of trial. (Aside: I was telling KT why I’d rather shower in public than in a friend’s home – I have become a little paranoid about using other people’s shampoo, about leaving any stray hair in the tub, about using the wrong towel.) The very definition of “High Maintenance Friendship”, to me, is one where you have to be constantly vigilant because one false move and you’ve put that friendship in jeopardy.
It seems to me that, in the sort of complex relationships that happen in the real world, we must know when to put aside minor irritations (for our own sake as well as others) AND when to stand up and calmly (or not calmly) say “that is not acceptable.”
I really remember those people who can walk that line, because they seem to be so rare, but honestly, I am more relaxed around them than anyone else, even those who would forgive anything in order to maintain a relationship. As Matt’s blog title says, criticism is the only known antidote to error, and I like to spend my time with people who have rational but solid expectations.
(Aside 2: I anticipate at least two people asking me what spurred this post into being. I like to think and I like to talk, that is the answer.)