Sometimes a random scene from a random show sticks with me. Like the episode "Blood is Thicker Than Liquor," of the defunct Girlfriends.
Toni, the unlikable, self-centered real estate agent who fought her way up from her working-class upbringing, has it out with her sister Sherri. While Toni lives a glamorous life in L.A., Sherri lives at home, cares for their alcoholic mother, and works at the local Walmart knock-off.
Toni, in typical Toni fashion, disrespects Sherri for staying. She thinks Sherri is angry at her for "having the strength to leave." Sherri retorts that Toni didn't have the strength to stay.
But she admits that she resents Toni for leaving, but not how she thinks. Sherri reminds Toni that she was the one who raised her (as their mother was usually out of commission), and now Toni belittles her. Chastened, Toni thanks her, then offers her help to "get out."
Sherri looks at her in surprise. "Toni, I chose this life. I'm happy. I just want you to respect that."
People assume the oddest things about me. They don't realize that I live my life the way I want to.
While waiting for the Novocaine to kick in, my dentist and I chatted about traveling. She can't stay home, even on a day off—she has to get out of the house. Me? Pajamas are my default state.
She's miserable where I am happy, and vice versa. My idea of an accomplishing Sunday is concocting a fresh batch of sauerkraut and watching 60 Minutes. (Now you know why I blog anonymously. If I admitted such a thing in public, I'd be pilloried.)
Certain lifestyles come into fashion, and certain activities are considered a "must." Some people don't know themselves, so they are puzzled why they aren't happy on a spontaneous getaway with a bunch of friends. News flash: Maybe you are happy in your own bed, in your own home. It's not a crime.
For those "stuff-doers," I wish you well. I can even summon some tolerance for you folk.
As long as you leave me alone.
For those "stuff-doers," I wish you well. I can even summon some tolerance for you folk.
As long as you leave me alone.
I actually thought about this post this evening (I read it in the afternoon). I was out for dinner with my family and my sister's boyfriend. I had a good time, but in the middle of the evening I had a "wobbly" bit where my OCD got bad for a while and I was also feeling a bit overwhelmed from all the people and noise in the restaurant. I felt better after a few minutes, but it was a reminder that I couldn't do this too often. My sister and I are doing a pizza and DVD evening this coming Sunday, which is more my sort of thing!
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