Sunday Ketchup* Post

*Because I don't like playing catch-up, but I like condiments.  Ha. 

As Cookie made me realize, I was a dope, and should have made Abigail and her friend Liz take the camera yesterday and do a guest post for today.  It was open sugarhouse weekend in our county, and they went to one of the really great ones.  I couldn't go, because I had to go to work after my yoga class, but they said it was wonderful.  Those lucky girls had a fab weekend -- they flew home (because flying via JetBlue was by far the cheapest mode of transportation they could find, including car rental!), they hung out, they went to Maple Sugar Open House, they had a hugely successful shopping trip and wardrobe enhancement at Abigail's favorite second-hand clothing store, they watched movies, they had a couple of great meals, they came to see Jon Stewart with an added bonus of seeing me work (ha again) and this morning they flew back.  Ahh, the life. 

Last night at the show, I saw a couple of lawyers I hadn't seen in a couple of years now.  It's a sweet thing.  In the freelance world you can literally go several months without seeing a particular lawyer, and then basically pick up where you left off -- at least that's the way it was with me.  Other reporters always told me they had a different experience -- i.e., people would forget their names or mix them up with other reporters.... but I'm apparently not forgettable.  Ha ha ha again.  But they were surprised to see me there, both said, "Ohmygod, I haven't seen you in forEVER!  Where have you been?!" and wondered why I was there.  One of them asked in his characteristic sarcastic manner, "What, do they need a TRANSCRIPT of this?!"  I explained to them that I do this pretty much full time now, and again, the misunderstanding:  "Transcribe comedians' shows?"  Then I explained further.  Again, ships somewhat passing in the night.  Whoa.  "You're going to MEDICAL SCHOOL?"  "Well, vicariously."  Abigail came over and I told them she's going to go to law school.  One queried her, "Didn't you learn ANYTHING in that expensive education of yours?!"  Both guys look at me and say, "You are always doing something interesting with your life," and I can see the almost sadness and ... not really envy, but something like it.  They're happy for me.  I ask one of them, "Is everything still the same?"  He answers, "Everything is still FUCKING THE SAME SHIT."  He meant "not in a good way."   Heh.

They give me hugs and kisses, and take their respective seats.  As they're leaving after the show, they both come by and again say things to the effect of: "This is a hell of a lot more fun than another deposition about a car accident!"

Right. 

If I were the least bit religious, I would say I'm blessed.  But that would be to say that I am not in charge of making my life interesting, which I am.  And so is everyone else.  I wonder why people don't.  A lot of it really does have to do with my childhood and young adulthood.  There was a lot of sadness and frankly a lot of horror and a near-death experience at the hands of violence.  And you know what?  That in itself is a blessing.  I wouldn't wish it on anyone else, but I am thankful for it.  It sounds weird, but it is a very freeing thing.  It makes me fear nothing and appreciate everything. 

Fuck.  Who knew I was going to get all deep and revealing today?  You'd better read this quick, before I have second thoughts and delete it...

Comments

[Joan]

Thanks for the reminder to choose one's life and get on with it.

[Jennifer]

Thank you for sharing, and for daring!

[Vicki]

Whew! I made it. I thank you, too. ; )

[Joansie]

Thanks for sharing, Norma. I'm glad you didn't delete anything (now, you didn't, did you?). We seldom know what difficulties or sadness others have experienced. Without dwelling on it too much, I often encourage others to be open about life changing experiences to show that they are a survivor and perhaps inspire someone else.

Glad you caught up with those attorneys. It's always nice to see what paths folks have taken since you last saw them.

[claudia]

Fear nothing and appreciate everything is exactly where its at.

[Lisa in Toronto]

It seems it is not always easy for people to remember they are in charge of making their lives interesting.
I wonder if it is especially hard for women, who often feel they have to take care of the kids or their parents or the house ahead of themselves.
People can be very self-limiting (or self-censoring).

Perhaps taking control of your knitting and making it interesting to yourself can be a small but important step, leading to bigger ones later on.

Thanks for the blog post!

[Sarah]

I'm right with you on the appreciation for what I have gained from experiences I would not wish on others.

[sueinithaca]

I'm so glad to see you take ownership of your interesting life. I HATE it when people say they're blessed. HATE. Friends (esp. facebook "friends") often comment on how I can possibly do so many interesting thing - there aren't enough hours in the day (which is slightly true, I'll admit) BUT then they post/talk about how they're going to watch 4 hours of tv that night. I'm not anti-tv, but I don't like to be bored, so I take steps to make sure I'm not.

It just seems strange that people don't get that, in order to be interesting - or more important - interested, you have to, you know, DO stuff.

[Judi]

I'm glad you didn't delete, there are far too few people in the world who own their own lives and it is good to hear that you value ALL your experiences, not just the good ones.

[Manise]

A good mantra to live by.

[annie]

Your experience and subsequent attitude sounds eerily similar to my mother's life experiences. Maybe that's why I feel an affinity towards you. :)

[Doris]

I understand how you could look at something bad as a blessing in hindsight. I had that experience with a horrible accident that my oldest was in...he was fine, no one was hurt and he learned a very valuable lesson (and thank goodness that he did), and we learned how horrible a knock on the door in the middle of the night truly is, without the horror that it could have been....therefore it was a blessing to us for the things it taught us and gave us in the long run. Thanks for sharing.

[Emma]

Don't delete ! I can't imagine you being, or choosing to do, anything other than interesting.

x

[Cheryl S.]

I'm glad you didn't delete the post, and it's good that you've been able to "make lemonade", as they say.

Which reminds me about the "Gutsy Women" Travel packages I was telling you about on the cruise. My tour guide in Italy designed the Amalfi Coast package, which sounds spectacular.

[AnnaMarie]

I wish I'd learned as much as you did from something similar. Instead I lived in fear for a decade and I can't get that back. However.... I can live well now and you know what? It's all good!!!

[Kristen]

Oh gad. I'm sorry that "interesting" had to come into your life in such a way, but I'm very happy that you've turned it around so well. You are, indeed, very interesting and I feel blessed (in the same sense as you used it) to have stumbled across your blog all those years ago. Keep on keepin' on!

[Diane]

Wow - Today is one of those days where many things relate, leaving you with moments of awe.
The sermon at church today was "Awareness, Acceptance, Action. The point being, don't jump from awareness to action without going through acceptance.
You gain big when acceptance arrives first....if that makes any sense in this circumstance...it did for me.

[gayle]

Singing harmony - I wouldn't be the person I am today without going through the horror I lived through. These days, I can only be scared by professionals... 8)
Life is so good.

[LaurieM]

Everyone has a story that shapes their life. Even the people with boring lives.

[Collette]

Thank you for sharing. I love that you've made that choice to live a full and interesting life. I think a lot of people forget that not making a choice is really making a choice. (Listen to me, all phil-o-mi-sophical!) We don't always get to choose what happens to us--some things are beyond our control--but we do get to choose how we react. (Okay, stopping now. I obviously need either a drink or lots of sleep. Maybe both. Probably both.)

Oh, and that blessed thing--I feel the same way about people saying how "lucky" I am with my life. Well, there may be a little of that I suppose but I worked hard to be this lucky. So there.

Really stopping now. Hugs.

[marianne]

Yep. I'm glad you made it through and decided to be in fine fettle... as opposed to something else. (I get it, not weird at all.)XOX

[amy]

I've been busy and not reading, but just stayed up until 1 a.m. to Ketchup on your blog since January :) when I get busy, I ignore my favorite bloggers, since I enjoy them the most. I save them like the green M&Ms and have them last.

Back on point, I think that the people in your two technology stories don't want to understand you because they're too close-minded. They can't understand that you're doing something you love and it has value other than what they believe is their top priority. That's awesome that "your" lawyers are slogging along in the same shit, while you've stood up and managed your life into a shape that you love. I really admire you for that, and I wanna be you when I grow up :) I'll start by returning to my yen to follow in your workout footsteps.

Thanks for being so much fun to read. Everyone has good and tough spots in their backgrounds, and they're all different. The world would be awfully boring if we were all the same! ;-)

[Cookie]

That girl owes you fodder.

You came through the fire and not only survived but blossomed. You should be proud of that and of every day you've had since because those days make you a blessing to the ones who know and love you.

And, no, I do not have emotional girlie PMS. :p

[Alison]

Perspective, and a point of reference. An answer to the question, "Well, how bad could it be?" A shadow to balance the sun. And an attitude that acts on the above. Love it! My Dad would also say, "Shit makes the best fertiliser".

[Nora]

Yeah, baby!! And that's exactly why I got out of the 2000-hour per year cycle of "new day, same deposition" hell to do work that I enjoy while Having a Life at the same time!

Still, most people don't get that they are actually in charge. It's sad.

I feel my own post coming on...

[marie in florida]

it's odd that people who aren't satisfied with thier own life, seem to be unsatisfied with yours. i have an Xboyfriend who is always in the we could do better/ i'm/ you're not good enough mode. thus the X

[Kelly]

I'm glad you didn't delete this post. I'm one of the "had a rough childhood/adolescence/young adulthood" types and I also appreciate everything. I wish I could say I live fearlessly, and I think I act like I do but I'm always terrified. I've lost people. A lot of them. I'm terrified of losing those that I have now (hubby and kids). I keep searching for a way to not feel that but haven't figured it out yet. Maybe one day...

[elizabeth a airhart]

the rain falls upon my pillow
my tears fall wettly
my small world
a world without me

after nine years i read this was the past
now is now i am here not there i am now here

[elizabeth]

I'm glad you didn't delete it.

[Chris]

So that knife some pervert stranger waved in my face when I was 16 is a big part of what makes me choose an interesting life? And here I thought it was my ADD nature. Either way, you're right. And that's as philosophical as I'm gonna get right now cause it's time to go kick ass. Just for interest, you know.

[naomi]

Thanks for sharing. (Speaking of sharing, did Abigail get any pictures of the Maple Sugar Open House thing? I'll post a few later.)

There are times when I wish my life were more interesting, and less-focused paths seem like a better alternative, but then I remember that I really don't like adventure all the time. Even if many aspects of my life don't make for exciting stories, they're similarly enjoyable and less stressful. Whether practicing law can be unstressful, I don't know, but I hope that "your" lawyers aren't really doing things they hate...

[sandy]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Our experiences, good and bad lead us to the people we are today. And we wouldn't change that for anything!
Hugs and more hugs.

[Tracy J.]

I realize this is horribly late, but all the same... Good for you.