Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

chitter chatter bring la megasaurus up to speed and chitter chatter, oh there's a door behind me? must be working late renovating the laundromat chitter chatter chitter chatter [some minutes later, realize the wooden door hasn't moved, and has a sign reading "Please Knock."] Oh! Megasaurus, hold on a sec [knock on door. 3 young'uns dressed up as old codgers pop out. An improvisational trick-or-treating door scene ensues.]

Joy.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Today?

Friendly Folk--who reach out, earnestly, for exchange. More Friendly Folk--who visit to catch up over the week and celebrate new jobs. Even more friendly folk--who share their loved ones, and food. And then an evening of friendly folk--who share food, laughter and startled yips.

It is good to have a day off.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Breathe, Smile



Breathe, Smile: As important as Sleep, Eat, Work

Friday, October 28, 2011

New Rhythm, Part I

--Alarm -- may or may not wake up
---pet Ichabad until I crawl out of bed
---catch the bus
---bow to passing cars
---short break
---play with old books
---evening sorties
REPEAT

I haven't decided yet how sustainable this new rhythm is. I feel (more than) a tadge overwhelmed. Still, I think the limited free time is helping me to prioritize needs. And, certainly, the money from nearly doubling my work week will take some of the pressure off re: financial goals.

Which, really, I suppose is an important point. This partic New Rhythm is not meant to be sustainable. It is meant to help me reach particular financial and personal goals. I don't mean to keep this up more than 3-6 months.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Rachel Brice & other Balancing Acts



In "other Balancing Acts,"  working these particular two jobs is going to have to mean getting to bed earlier and ****eating a lot more food,**** and eating at more regular intervals.  Otherwise, my energy and concentration are absolutely sapped by midday.  Fun exploration adventures learning learnin'

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Learning about Lawyering

This "playing Abe" gig could turn out to be more meaningful than I expected.

Lawyer Fella:  So, tell me more about this community development stuff.
Merinmel: *blah blah blah*
Lawyer Fella:  Merinmel, you've chosen a very interesting firm to wave signs for.

Lawyer Fella then goes on to explain what basically amounts to "Sueing for Social Justice."
I am hesitantly skeptical, but intrigued.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Gather

Seeking Charlie Chaplin and Harpo Marx movies---> roadside clown and mime inspiration

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Names Changed

Laying in the middle of the road, Landon's legs tremor.  He is unconscious, and his body is seizing.  The lenses on his shades--one has popped out, the other is scratched almost all the way through and badly cracked.  

I look down at Jennie as I rub her back soothingly.  Large droplets of blood collect along the strands of her brown hair.  Blood pools in the fold of her jeans.  

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Overwhelm

Eventually, I leave the house. My intended destination is Muse Cafe, where raconteurs are spinning their yarns tonight. Within a block, my own stories gather. I walk and walk. As friends call, I talk. I never reach Muse.  Meanwhile, stories wash over in waves.

"This Glorious Sadness" by Anne-Julie Aubry

A sad night. Searching Etsy, I found the above image. (Although, I fight myself, "My goodness, Woman!  Are you twelve?  A gothic emo adolescent, what are you?!"   I think that voice deserves stifling.  I identify with the image, today.  And, it is so.) Also while the imagery doesn't quite fit, I appreciate the words scrawled across, piece by Kate Westfall,"Cry out the armies in your eyes. This battle doesn't belong to you."

Friday, October 21, 2011

Call me Abe

I replied to this add today:
Sign Waver/Holder (Orem)

Date: 2011-10-21, 10:50AM MDT
Reply to: job-fwkj5-2661503040@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

We are looking for a temporary Sign Waver to attract new clients to our firm. We will provide the costume (NOT a monkey suit!) and sign.

Work hours are very flexible within 8am - 6pm. Ideally should work 5 days a week, 4 hours/day. Time and pay may be increased based on performance and results.

Can start work immediately. This position will be open as long as weather permits.

Our office is located on Center St in Orem.

The ideal candidate:
- Is energetic.
- Has the endurance to stand/dance for 4 hours.
- Is about 5'9" or taller; the sign is large (this is not required but may be helpful).
- Can work varied hours (8am - 12pm one week, 2pm 6pm another week).

No resume necessary! Simply email your contact information if you are interested.

Location: Orem
Compensation: $7.50 / hour
This is a part-time job.
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.


"You are the only one who's contacted us. So, we'd love to have you start his afternoon or Monday. If the sign's too big you can just prop it up and wave. ....Abraham Lincoln costume, really just a jacket."

Pretty sure I would hate myself within a matter of hours if I just stood there and waved while looking into a black hole of "I am doing this 20 hours a week. I have sold my soul for money."

Instead, I am going to build some stilts, and learn to walk on them. That's project number 1, at least. I intend to think of this as getting paid for street performance without even having to put out a bowl. And I get to practice on the job. Awesome.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

ready for this partic spell to lift

I took tomorrow off work.
perturbed--so little done in a day. so much time lost to sleep or the inefficiencies of lost items and/or projects half finished
So, I take a day off. Will dedicate to the things undone. lost to sleep.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Unusual amongst Everyday, cont.

setting: University Mall

A beautiful woman, a li'l younger than me, is wearing a tag for the store I just entered. She speaks excellent, accented, English as she glances a double take, "You look so familiar to me."
Searching my memory, I come up blank, "I'm not quite sure why."
Searching her own memory she then hits on it and exclaims, "The bus!"
Yep, I ride the bus. Still, I can only muster a quizzical expression for a response. It's been a long day. The woman starts to flap her hands around in a folding motion, "You're the one with the bike!"
Now, I just laugh. "Ah, yeah. The folding bicycle."
"Yeah! You're the girl with the bicycle that," she starts folding her hands again, "It got so small! I'll never forget that day! Do you still have the bike?"
It's only been within the past few months that I've ridden the bus alongside Betsy, my folding bicycle. So I smile through laughter, "Yeah, yeah, I've still got it. She's an awfully useful li'l bike!"
At this point the woman returns to her work and I return to my browsing. She looks a little embarrassed at first, but she still smiles and waves as I leave the store.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Unusual amongst Everyday

setting: Orem gym women's locker room

"You have Heavenly Father's eyes."
"Say what?"
"After a bad car crash I was in a coma for 6 months. I spent time up there and was given the choice to stay or return here. I didn't feel like my work was done, so I returned. "
"Oh."
"Yeah. So, your eyes, they look like Heavenly Father's."
"Uhm, well, thank you. I've never had someone tell me that before."

Sunday, October 16, 2011

From one extreme to the other

I hosted a potluck tonight. I kept wanting to cancel it, but figured the impulse to cancel came from malaise, not logic. So, I went ahead, and am glad that I did. I am grateful for good people in my life. It was good to have folks over to laugh, smile, and share good food/music.

In other news, the subject line refers to the following:
And the pendulum goes on swinging--Rebecca Walker on feminism: How My Mother's Fanatical Views Tore Us Apart

Friday, October 14, 2011

I am 24 years old. I am.

1 wedding
2 wedding receptions
1 engagement
busy weekend

brave women of all sorts, all around

Thursday, October 13, 2011

we be Brave Woman-Sorts

building cardboard robots who offer safety in the night and smiles in the morning

leaving men alone, when authenticity demands such

dancing, despite a decade of disconnect between music and body

we be bravewomenfolk
we be brave

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Seeking Employment

Underemployed and looking for a.m. work.

There are job openings at Centro Hispano and United Way. But, I don't know that I actually want to seek a job in my field, right now. If I'm going to be working 50 or more hours a week, I want some of that to be head time.

I want to work as a dishwasher.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Fortune Cookie

Whatever is temporary must be temporary, don't let it last longer than a year.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Ichabad chases her tail.

Ichabad:
A beautiful, tortoiseshell, companion
At 4 years old an adult, full grown, cat

PLAY, already!


I have a cat, named Ichabad. Ichabad is a beautiful tortoiseshell, four years old. Four years old, in cat years, is a full grown adult.

Tonight, Ichabad was chasing her tail, walking around on her hind legs, dashing around the house and full on attacking the metal legs of our single kitchen table chair. Reminds me that I need to play.

(reattempt= stale, still. but a li'l more clear)

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Only a taste of the weekend

I volunteered my time at a protest against corporate greed
and then accepted a meal, paid for by Goldman Sachs.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Meditative Practice

Into a fire, I choose one ember.
Over an ocean, I allow a bird to carry me.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Saturday, October 1, 2011

"Friends With Entirely Insufficient Benefits"

I'm not sure FWEIB would ever catch on as an acronym. But, yeah, I suppose that pretty well covers it.

::sigh::
::grumblegrumble::

One of these days, I'll be entirely finished with dating. And the post-dating mop up.

Still, I wouldn't trade in these relationships, lessons or tricky negotiations. Not for anything.