favorite conversation of the day

Was chatting online with an old and grood friend this morning, and mentioned my new bangs.  The conversation below is what happened.

(09:13) Me: i guess i meant that my bangs are straighter.
(09:14) Me: across.  rather than being swoopy to the side
(09:14) Friend: oh, kind of like mine?
(09:15) Me: sort of, yes.  not actually as long as yours since my forehead is about as tall as a tiny troll doll.
(09:15) Friend: and mine is as tall as a large troll doll
(09:15) Friend: i like this new form of measurement
(09:15) Friend: i hope they adopt it as the international standard
(09:16) Me: me too!  i was just thinking that this conversation has a good chance of being my favorite of the day.

And so, to commemorate it as such, I've published it online.

on a related note...

I saw this quote online and it reminded me of my last post.

"Meanings are not determined by situations.
We determine ourselves by the meanings we ascribe to situations."
--Alfred Adler

There is truth to that.  Nothing that feels very vindicating, though, unfortunately.

significance

It's interesting to me that multiple people can view the same event and assign it different amounts of significance.  This is normal, but can also result in disagreements and/or hurt feelings.

I've learned about myself that sometimes, I can assign too much significance to something or someone.  This is probably a human condition, now that I say that.

I've also learned that during certain times in life, almost everything can feel more significant.  Grocery shopping, driving down certain streets, signs I read along the road.  It can be overwhelming.  But I also am saddened to picture the day when these things no longer feel significant to me.

A message for the leering man

Hey, Man in the Cub Foods parking lot:
I had a difficult afternoon.
I saw you, after I got out of my parked car.
Looking at my phone, I saw you
double-take
and hesitate
before entering your truck.
I saw
your smile,
the smile I was meant to see
as you eyed me
with That Look.
That Leer.
Looking at my phone,
not returning your gaze
my tear-streaked cheeks
hidden behind my sunglasses.
I've learned in the past ten years
what That Look is
and
I can see
that while you want me
to see you
you don't want me to feel good
or whole
or valuable.
What would your face have looked like
if I removed my sunglasses
stared back at you
showed you my pain
and my fears?
Showed you my vulnerability
differently
not as a woman
but as
a human?
How would you look at me then?

no spring chicken

Today, I was at my parents' house in Anytown, WI for Easter.  Early in the afternoon, my mom said, "Well, I see the Easter Bunny has arrived."  My older sister looked out the dining room window and proceeded to caw with loud, hearty laughter.  Her enthusiastic reaction made my mom and brother laugh harder, so I moved to the front door to see for myself. 
Across the street, turning away around the corner, was a slim woman dressed head to toe in pastel pink, wearing large bunny ears and carrying a basket.  I can't remember now if she had a cottony tail, but I like to think that she did.  She must have been in her 70s.  While sis thought it was an old man, Mom confirmed that this Easter Bunny was, indeed, female.  She then felt bad about our fits of laughter and informed us that this was Helen*, who walks every day of the year, no matter the weather, all around town, which is no small feat for anyone, much less someone who is already "no spring chicken."
"Or: no spring rabbit," chimed in my Bro-in-law.

The truth is, I hope to be like Helen when I'm an old lady.  Maybe not dressing up around town as seasonal characters, but ever since high school I've envisioned being a septuagenarian who goes to the grocery store wearing sweatpants, pumps, and a feather boa.  Just for fun.  Although I don't feel terribly encumbered today by worry about others' views or opinions of me, I am human and it does sometimes creep into my thoughts.  Don't get me wrong; I love who I am, my various styles of dress, and my personality.  And I love Helen's choice today, which I have to imagine was planned, in part, deliberately to make people smile.  Good for her!  Thanks for the chuckle, Helen.  I appreciated it, and the glimpse into your spirit and personality.  Here's to funny, quirky old ladies.  I hate to imagine the world without them, and I look forward to being one in a few decades.

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of beloved holiday characters.

Welcome to my Happy Blog Time

Does everyone write an introductory entry? Like, I've decided to start blogging. Hopefully you'll enjoy my take on life. Or, Hi! I'm a pseudo-hip woman living in the city, and I just want to share some things, so thanks for reading! I suppose most people do some kind of basic starter-post.
It feels pretentious or corny to me, though obviously something has to be the first post. I had a blog a few years ago and probably did it then.

Date Movie is on tv. It's terrible. Absolutely awful.

There. First is done.