I meant to post this a few days ago, when I got back from vacation and I found myself smack in the middle of SuperHiatus 2012. "You know," Dan pointed out, "this is as off work as you're ever going to be."
It spooked me a little bit. It certainly reminded me that this -- the springtime of my extreme content -- will not last forever. It also inspired me to look back and think about what I've accomplished so far with my time off. Here are the highlights:
1) Dan and I attended an informational meeting at an adoption agency and learned quite a bit about the road ahead of us. We rented a car and drove out to this place one morning, not knowing what to expect. It wasn't a big agency, but we liked that. The woman who met with us said they have these information sessions monthly, but there are times when no one shows up. This time, a lot of people showed up. We spent the whole day getting a detailed rundown of what it takes to acquire a child through adoption or foster care. Dan wants to meet with at least one other agency before moving forward with anything, which I'm sure is smart, but I believe this is the one for us! We'll see what happens.
2) Speaking of my biological clock, since I've been home every day I've had plenty of opportunities to babysit the kids upstairs (ages 1 and 4). I will never forget the first afternoon I took care of baby Charlie all by myself. Like entirely by myself. If you don't have a child you may never have left home with an infant in a stroller by yourself (I had never thought of that before). It's really fucking intense. Charlie fell asleep as soon as we left the house, and when he woke up, we were all the way at the river and I was DEFINITELY not his mommy. Oh god. The crying. I hear there's a lot of that...
3) My normal exercise routine is this: do it 5 days a week, and take it easy on the weekends. Well now every day is a weekend so instead of accidentally taking it easy every day, I've pushed forward with a fitness regime I like to call "no days off." And "yeah, keep walking fool because you have nowhere else to be." That's how I've ended up ramping my daily mileage up from 4-6 to 9-12. I will find any excuse to walk downtown along the river. Or to New Jersey across the George Washington Bridge. I've even started running, which I NEVER (EVER, EVER) do!
4) Hallelujah and praise Nun-Clown, my dental rehabilitation is finally over! 3 months, 10 visits, and thousands of dollars later, I am the proud owner of a healthy mouth. I am a smug and proud daily flosser. I have to be. I'm so grossed out by my old habits that I can't help but overappreciate the simple act of chewing my food without pain. It's so great you guys. I didn't even know.
5) Our friends Brendan and Marybeth got married and we attended their wedding. Yay! Congratulations!
6) This is of no interest to anybody ever, but there are dusty corners of my computer's hard drive that desperately needed an aggressive round of spring cleaning. I am crazy and cannot just let stuff sit around on my computer, so I collect it all in one place and imagine a time when I actually have time to organize it (which involves deleting most of it and thinking, Why the fuck did I save that?). THAT TIME FOR DOING THOSE THING IS NOW. And in the process, I am constantly uncovering forgotten gems such as a document of memorable text messages, including one from 2006 Dan that says "Hi eric want 2 get married.? LOL." (Soon followed by "did you hurt yourself when you fell out of heaven LOL.")
7) It has been extremely therapeutic to watch this season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta finally finish airing.
8) I can't stop cooking.
9) I am really getting to know Tove on a personal level.
10) I am really going to miss being able to make weeknight plans.
Meanwhile, Dan has been working especially long hours, and instead of striking me in one of his envy rages, he has enjoyed letting me fully take over home/life/us-related matters for now. I am "encouraging" Dan to take this kind of time off for himself later this year, by which I mean I will open this can of whoop-ass on my husband if he doesn't take a break and experience this househusbandly bliss for himself.
So my mind keeps going to this place like my hiatus is over, but it's totally not. It's as if I got to rewind and do a normal-sized hiatus ALL OVER AGAIN! My approach will be different this time. I have big plans for the next month. Big sexy plans. Hiatus 2.0.
14 May 2012
11 April 2012
Seeing Wrath of the Titans
I met Joe at his place of work yesterday so we could see Wrath of the Titans, the latest installment in the apparently-now-existing "...of the Titans" franchise.
Since it just so happened that last Friday marked exactly two years since I moved to New York, it seems worth mentioning that Sam-Wo's Clash of the Titans was the first movie I saw in the theater right after doing so. Maybe this put me in a generous mood regarding the quality of this movie -- is it possible that I thought Wrath of the Titans wasn't that bad?
Okay, well it is that bad, but it's definitely better than the first one. I knew as soon as I realized that Liam Neeson AND Ralph Fiennes came back that the artful, nuanced script must have tempted them into strapping on those godly wigs one more time. I'm sure it did not have anything to do with perhaps being contractually obligated to appear in as many "...of the Titans" movies the studio cares to make.
Future episodes the weirdest Schindler's List reunion imaginable may include:
Anyway, I found the movie to be perfectly exciting even if the epic visuals basically amount to nicely animated concept art. It also had a unifying theme of "bros and pops" ranging from Perseus and Ares battling for their father's attention (and appearing to make out at one point), Zeus and Hades making good on brotherly love (and appearing to make out at one point), and some sort of issue involving Poseidon and his son which, you know, whatever.
Then of course there is Sac Watch. This is an activity that will get you through any Sam-Wo "...of the Titans" film. I mean, he's leaping all around in a miniskirt and you just know those Australian testicles are going to make an appearance at some point. Whether he's rolling around in the dirt battling the Minotaur, or flying through the air onto the back of a Cyclops, there is no mythological struggle greater than that of Sam-Wo's little skirts to shield his junk from prying eyes. You know what I'm talking about -- remember those witches with the detachable eye? What you may not realize is that they are upskirt-chasing pervs.
Speaking of witches (and I can't believe you brought it up), Joe and I had an interesting encounter on our walk back from the cinema. We were just discussing the wonders of Big Ang when a random guy passing us hissed, "Faaaaaaggssssssssss!" at us. I didn't even hear it, but Joe informed me that he looked like Gollum and proclaimed the word "fags" at us as though he were casting a gypsy curse, much like in the 1996 film Thinner.
Who knows, by the time the "...of the Titans" franchise runs its course, maybe Sam-Wo and his buddies will have squared off against an ancient sorcerer who maliciously turns people queer by uttering the "Faaaaaaggssssssssss!" curse at them. Not that their demeanor or anything would change -- just that they would prefer relations with members of their own sex. This would really throw a wrench in that simmering romantic tension between Perseus and Andromeda, right? THINK ABOUT IT, Warner Bros.
Since it just so happened that last Friday marked exactly two years since I moved to New York, it seems worth mentioning that Sam-Wo's Clash of the Titans was the first movie I saw in the theater right after doing so. Maybe this put me in a generous mood regarding the quality of this movie -- is it possible that I thought Wrath of the Titans wasn't that bad?
Okay, well it is that bad, but it's definitely better than the first one. I knew as soon as I realized that Liam Neeson AND Ralph Fiennes came back that the artful, nuanced script must have tempted them into strapping on those godly wigs one more time. I'm sure it did not have anything to do with perhaps being contractually obligated to appear in as many "...of the Titans" movies the studio cares to make.
Future episodes the weirdest Schindler's List reunion imaginable may include:
- Ire of the Titans
- Vexation of the Titans
- Exasperation of the Titans
- Slow Burning Resentment of the Titans
- you can probably come up with a million of these on your own by now
Anyway, I found the movie to be perfectly exciting even if the epic visuals basically amount to nicely animated concept art. It also had a unifying theme of "bros and pops" ranging from Perseus and Ares battling for their father's attention (and appearing to make out at one point), Zeus and Hades making good on brotherly love (and appearing to make out at one point), and some sort of issue involving Poseidon and his son which, you know, whatever.
Then of course there is Sac Watch. This is an activity that will get you through any Sam-Wo "...of the Titans" film. I mean, he's leaping all around in a miniskirt and you just know those Australian testicles are going to make an appearance at some point. Whether he's rolling around in the dirt battling the Minotaur, or flying through the air onto the back of a Cyclops, there is no mythological struggle greater than that of Sam-Wo's little skirts to shield his junk from prying eyes. You know what I'm talking about -- remember those witches with the detachable eye? What you may not realize is that they are upskirt-chasing pervs.
Speaking of witches (and I can't believe you brought it up), Joe and I had an interesting encounter on our walk back from the cinema. We were just discussing the wonders of Big Ang when a random guy passing us hissed, "Faaaaaaggssssssssss!" at us. I didn't even hear it, but Joe informed me that he looked like Gollum and proclaimed the word "fags" at us as though he were casting a gypsy curse, much like in the 1996 film Thinner.
Who knows, by the time the "...of the Titans" franchise runs its course, maybe Sam-Wo and his buddies will have squared off against an ancient sorcerer who maliciously turns people queer by uttering the "Faaaaaaggssssssssss!" curse at them. Not that their demeanor or anything would change -- just that they would prefer relations with members of their own sex. This would really throw a wrench in that simmering romantic tension between Perseus and Andromeda, right? THINK ABOUT IT, Warner Bros.
07 April 2012
A spring break
Yesterday was my very last day on on RHOA 4. Coincidentally, this wonderful day fell squarely on the two year anniversary of my very first day on season 3 -- which is also the first day I lived in New York.
I don't really have any insights to offer about this fact, except that it's strangely perfect. And the next time I go to work, it will be the first time I'll have been hired as an editor from the start.
Until then, if you're looking for me, I will be power-walking laps around the island of Manhattan ruminating on whether or not Kim would hold a black baby. No wait, NOT DOING THAT. NO MORE DOING THAT.
Tonight I am going to my first seder. I don't know what's going to happen but if I have to sing in Hebrew I am going to make Dan eat a whole durian next time he celebrates a holiday with my family.
I don't really have any insights to offer about this fact, except that it's strangely perfect. And the next time I go to work, it will be the first time I'll have been hired as an editor from the start.
Until then, if you're looking for me, I will be power-walking laps around the island of Manhattan ruminating on whether or not Kim would hold a black baby. No wait, NOT DOING THAT. NO MORE DOING THAT.
Tonight I am going to my first seder. I don't know what's going to happen but if I have to sing in Hebrew I am going to make Dan eat a whole durian next time he celebrates a holiday with my family.
23 March 2012
2 weeks on, 2 months off
After this week I have just two more weeks of work before I officially wrap on this season of Housewives. Holy damn shit this was a long job. One week shy of a calendar year. Even longer than last season. A lot has changed since then, but not the fact that I haven't really taken time off since October of 2009. (That's not counting three weeks in Iceland, though.)
The last time I took a good chunk of time off, I went on a cruise to Mexico and got laser eye surgery. Who knows what fabulous travels and elective medical procedures await me this time? Actually, I don't plan on doing ANYTHING. The weather is just turning nice, the apartment is done as of like five seconds ago, and I've saved a nice amount of money to bridge the financial gap between this job and the next (that being season 5 of the same show).
It's important to stay busy. But it's just as important to relax. I'm way overdue to take a deep breath that lasts about 9 weeks. I can't wait!
The last time I took a good chunk of time off, I went on a cruise to Mexico and got laser eye surgery. Who knows what fabulous travels and elective medical procedures await me this time? Actually, I don't plan on doing ANYTHING. The weather is just turning nice, the apartment is done as of like five seconds ago, and I've saved a nice amount of money to bridge the financial gap between this job and the next (that being season 5 of the same show).
It's important to stay busy. But it's just as important to relax. I'm way overdue to take a deep breath that lasts about 9 weeks. I can't wait!
22 March 2012
19 March 2012
18 March 2012
I know I've been changed
I really (really, really, REALLY) hate to name a blog post after a Tyler Perry play, but today was a very special day. We had a family-oriented housewarming party. Dan's sister's family came over, his parents came over, and Bill and Nadia and their kids came over to celebrate a recent development called "our house is really fucking finished." Yesterday our handyman came over and hung all our photos and artwork on the walls, signifying definitively that our apartment is finished, finished, FINISHED.
The walls in our sweet apartment are now adorned with photos, paintings, felt deer heads, and random grandma art. Today was our victory celebration where our family came over and snacked on Fairway treats all day while marveling over our new abode, which is bringing us more happiness than ever now that the walls are covered in meaningful things such as Dan's grandma's fabulous cockatoo painting and framed tarot cards.
At this very moment, Dan and Nadia are playing the piano and singing. They are playing every Aimee Mann and Fiona Apple song we can think of. Bill and Nadia's kids are sleeping while we gather around the piano and remember these fantastic songs that make us want to cry just from thinking of. And now I am experiencing the most fabulous Sunday of all time, as we sing along to "Red Vines," "Frankenstein," "I Know," "Paper Bag," "Fast As You Can," and other songs that take all of us way back.
It's been 6 1/2 months since we moved into this apartment with Bill and Nadia, but the happiness and pride that we feel about all we've acomplished will never leave us. Dan and Nadia playing the piano and singing while all of us sing along... that's simply going down in my memory as one of my favorite times ever. Nadia's 4-year-old Jack is sleeping on the couch, while Charlie sleeps upstairs, and the rest of us gather around the piano and sing our hearts out with pure, unadulterated emotions.
I never thought this would be me, but it is. Even besides tonight, Dan and I agree that moving in with Bill and Nadia was the best decision we ever made in our life together. And as we dip our toes in the pool of parenthood by babysitting Jack and Charlie, preparing to dive into whatever adventure is held for us as we seek to adopt a baby of our own this year, I can say that Daniel and I are stronger than ever.
Every gay kid in the world should know that it's possible to live your life, find the love that you need, and have your family love and support you. I can't imagine where I would be if my family -- and Dan's family -- didn't unconditionally love and support us.
As I listen to my husband and his best friend play the piano and sing song after song that I listened to the whole time I was coming of age and figuring out who I was, I don't think there's any way to express exactly the kind of love and gratitude I feel for the life I'm allowed to have. Despite the Rick Santorums of the world. Despite people who don't get that marriage equality is a simple matter of respect and compassion. I lead a happy married life and I realize how fortunate I am every single day.
I know I used to be the kind of person that didn't like music or live performances of any kind, but I have been changed. Dan has changed me. I have changed Dan is all sorts of ways, but one way that Dan has changed me that I'll always be grateful for is the appreciation of singing and music. Dan brought something into my life that I was missing.
That's all. I'm really happy. Deal with it.
The walls in our sweet apartment are now adorned with photos, paintings, felt deer heads, and random grandma art. Today was our victory celebration where our family came over and snacked on Fairway treats all day while marveling over our new abode, which is bringing us more happiness than ever now that the walls are covered in meaningful things such as Dan's grandma's fabulous cockatoo painting and framed tarot cards.
At this very moment, Dan and Nadia are playing the piano and singing. They are playing every Aimee Mann and Fiona Apple song we can think of. Bill and Nadia's kids are sleeping while we gather around the piano and remember these fantastic songs that make us want to cry just from thinking of. And now I am experiencing the most fabulous Sunday of all time, as we sing along to "Red Vines," "Frankenstein," "I Know," "Paper Bag," "Fast As You Can," and other songs that take all of us way back.
It's been 6 1/2 months since we moved into this apartment with Bill and Nadia, but the happiness and pride that we feel about all we've acomplished will never leave us. Dan and Nadia playing the piano and singing while all of us sing along... that's simply going down in my memory as one of my favorite times ever. Nadia's 4-year-old Jack is sleeping on the couch, while Charlie sleeps upstairs, and the rest of us gather around the piano and sing our hearts out with pure, unadulterated emotions.
I never thought this would be me, but it is. Even besides tonight, Dan and I agree that moving in with Bill and Nadia was the best decision we ever made in our life together. And as we dip our toes in the pool of parenthood by babysitting Jack and Charlie, preparing to dive into whatever adventure is held for us as we seek to adopt a baby of our own this year, I can say that Daniel and I are stronger than ever.
Every gay kid in the world should know that it's possible to live your life, find the love that you need, and have your family love and support you. I can't imagine where I would be if my family -- and Dan's family -- didn't unconditionally love and support us.
As I listen to my husband and his best friend play the piano and sing song after song that I listened to the whole time I was coming of age and figuring out who I was, I don't think there's any way to express exactly the kind of love and gratitude I feel for the life I'm allowed to have. Despite the Rick Santorums of the world. Despite people who don't get that marriage equality is a simple matter of respect and compassion. I lead a happy married life and I realize how fortunate I am every single day.
I know I used to be the kind of person that didn't like music or live performances of any kind, but I have been changed. Dan has changed me. I have changed Dan is all sorts of ways, but one way that Dan has changed me that I'll always be grateful for is the appreciation of singing and music. Dan brought something into my life that I was missing.
That's all. I'm really happy. Deal with it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
