What is it about late-night insomnia that brings out the sentimental - if not maudlin - thoughts?
Tonight's insomnia, at least, is accounted for. I've been reading The Shining and, finally, was close enough to the end that I just could not put it down. For years I avoided reading Stephen King. Don't know why. I guess I just thought he was a hack terror-writer. WRONG. This story was so well crafted, so well written - the style was absolutely perfect for this novel. Of course, finishing a book like this at 1:30 a.m., well....
But I think, subconsciously, I planned it this way. I remember my mother telling me about how she read the book, downstairs in our family room, sitting sideways on "her" chair (dad had "his" chair, mom had "hers." Hers was a thread-bare, orange and white striped armchair that had little, if any give and was nestled in the right corner of the living room) and was so scared she couldn't even climb the stairs up to the bedroom.
In some strange way, tonight I'm a bit closer to her. I have one more thing - superficial as it may be - in common with her.
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
More Comedy
My family has a joke about Law & Order. We call it the Doink Doink show. As in the sound that comes on right after the theme song.
My parents have exhausting schedules. As does my brother. So when they come together at night to wind down, they like to watch some TV. And often, there's nothing any good on. Fifty-seven channels and nothing on...
But, at any given time, in any given place, there is an episode of Law & Order on.
And that's why I think these two following clips are so DERNED funny.
John Mulaney - Law & Order
D-Dub MySpace Video
My parents have exhausting schedules. As does my brother. So when they come together at night to wind down, they like to watch some TV. And often, there's nothing any good on. Fifty-seven channels and nothing on...
But, at any given time, in any given place, there is an episode of Law & Order on.
And that's why I think these two following clips are so DERNED funny.
John Mulaney - Law & Order
D-Dub MySpace Video
| Jokes.com | ||||
| John Mulaney - Law & Order | ||||
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Sunday, April 04, 2010
Surprises Around Every Corner
The best surprises are when people you love do something totally and completely unexpected. Do something that totally reinforces you and your personhood on every level.
I called my family tonight. We're talking again. It's tense, but we'll figure it out. Still I wanted to clear some of the air.
During the conversation, the fact came up that dad had called my therapist. Without asking or even notifying me. Of course she could not call him back without consulting me first. I in no way, shape or form gave her permission to talk to him. No way, no how. Not now, not never.
Tonight we talked about that. About why I felt that he had intruded on the one place that was safe and mine only. **FIRST NAME** is mine." Then I paused. "I should call her *** Dr. LAST NAME. It's disrespectful not to give her that status. I guess I'm too familiar."
And my dad responded. "Yes, **Dr. LAST NAME**. I didn't even know her name until I looked her up on the internet. She has quite the degrees. And some well-respected publishings."
"Yes, I know. She's a smart cookie. "
"And quite attractive too."
"She sure is. But don't get any ideas, dad. She's married." I laughed softly, trying to reduce the tension.
"Oh. I didn't think she was. I mean, um, she didn't look to me like, um, the kind of woman who, um, would get married."
"You thought she was a lesbian?"
"Yes, I guess I did."
"Jeez, I wish. But no, she's married."
"Wait. What? You wish?"
"Yeah, dad. You said it yourself. She's very smart and she's quite attractive. Duh."
"Oh." pause. "Okay then. Fair enough."
Okay, so it wasn't a ringing endorsement. I don't think dad is ready to know the ins and outs of my personal or intimate life. I sure shootin don't think he's gonna run out and march in a PFLAG parade. But he also didn't freak out. And that surprised me in a really, really good way.
I called my family tonight. We're talking again. It's tense, but we'll figure it out. Still I wanted to clear some of the air.
During the conversation, the fact came up that dad had called my therapist. Without asking or even notifying me. Of course she could not call him back without consulting me first. I in no way, shape or form gave her permission to talk to him. No way, no how. Not now, not never.
Tonight we talked about that. About why I felt that he had intruded on the one place that was safe and mine only. **FIRST NAME** is mine." Then I paused. "I should call her *** Dr. LAST NAME. It's disrespectful not to give her that status. I guess I'm too familiar."
And my dad responded. "Yes, **Dr. LAST NAME**. I didn't even know her name until I looked her up on the internet. She has quite the degrees. And some well-respected publishings."
"Yes, I know. She's a smart cookie. "
"And quite attractive too."
"She sure is. But don't get any ideas, dad. She's married." I laughed softly, trying to reduce the tension.
"Oh. I didn't think she was. I mean, um, she didn't look to me like, um, the kind of woman who, um, would get married."
"You thought she was a lesbian?"
"Yes, I guess I did."
"Jeez, I wish. But no, she's married."
"Wait. What? You wish?"
"Yeah, dad. You said it yourself. She's very smart and she's quite attractive. Duh."
"Oh." pause. "Okay then. Fair enough."
Okay, so it wasn't a ringing endorsement. I don't think dad is ready to know the ins and outs of my personal or intimate life. I sure shootin don't think he's gonna run out and march in a PFLAG parade. But he also didn't freak out. And that surprised me in a really, really good way.
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