Friday, February 27, 2009

litany of distractions





Hi, thanks so much for all of your very kind emails, comments, and phone calls. I'm feeling a bit less panicked now. Sleeping a little better, which helps. My current occupation is Distraction from Worrying Thoughts.

The boys, of course, are a very good distraction. ("Oh, Mom, we hate juice boxes now.""Mom, is a tree a renewable resource?" "Mom, what does that guy think he's doing?" "Mom, an iPod cost like a million kajillion dollars, right?") Endless entertainment. In the photo above they are relaxing in the backyard on a Sunday afternoon. Super Q was every inch the hausfrau, puttering around, making sure the blanket was perfect. He wanted to get pillows and blankets and stuffed animals. Flash, meanwhile, was quite annoyed and wanted to get on with the relaxation. It was a pretty funny scene.

Rock Band has been a bit of a distraction. dh has to talk me into it each time, as I am the non-video-gamer in the house. I'm on drums, naturally. (The better to bang out stress, my dear. Also I suck at the guitar part.)

Taco Bell sells their mild sauce in a bottle at the grocery store. This has very much increased my lunchtime ritual of black bean nachos and Charlie Rose. My sister was, I think, appalled at the fact that I like Taco Bell during her last visit. We fancy ourselves the gourmets (or at least gourmands) of the family but she's learning that I have a trashy side. Taco Bell and King of Queens. I think she's drawing up legal documents as we speak to cut me out of the family. Amicably, of course. And my kids can stay in.

The Mt. Everest obsession has returned. I watched all of a Discovery Channel documentary about it in one sitting the other day. I am flummoxed as to why people do this to themselves. I can't stop thinking about it. A climber from Lebanon said it best (after he summited and witnessed a man dying by the side of the trail on the way down). "It's crazy how people come up here... to die." I promise this is the most depressing thing I've watched or read lately. It's been all old Barbra Streisand movies and Annie Dillard books around here. Our book club is reading The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and I'm having none of it.

3 comments:

Lindsay said...

how great is rock band?!?! I love the function where you can dress your rock star. I have gone from blonde with librarian glasses to red with british engineer cap.

We had Camilla's equipment at Tony's house for a while and wasted some serious hours getting more gigs.

We have got to find a way to get the game back at the house...

Chieko said...

I'm glad to hear that you are doing a bit better. You are in my prayers.

I love rock band! I have played only once at their brother's, but it's a good stress relief. I'm not a video game person either, but I LOVED it, especially base.

Kids are great. They make you smile and laugh even when you don't feel like, don't they? Luv ya!

Patty O. said...

For once in my life, I am actually coveting a game system. I don't even know if rock band is on wii or nintendo or what (I am so seriously out of the loop) but that is one game I think I would love.

I agree with you on the mount everest thing. I especially get upset when I hear about men who are fathers and husbands dying or getting hurt while trying to mountain climb. It just seems to me at some point you need to NOT risk your life whenever you get the chance.....

and i love that you have a less-than-gourmet side. I am the same way with food and books, though I often won't admit what chick lit novel I am devouring at the moment. Won't see those on my goodreads list....