(no subject)
I haven't written in here in so long. I find myself entirely lacking any inspiration. It's not that I don't have inspiring thoughts, it's more the fact that life to me has taken on a more utilitarian configuration and I don't have time to record inspiring thoughts as they're happening. So, by the time I get to the computer, my focus drifted really far from any material that is good to put in the journal to much more undecorative preoccupations. I'm referring to the daily job check, the hourly email check, and the constant (and newly added!) reality check.
There are some exciting things going on with regards to my career and where I might be heading; some new opportunities that have recently materialized. But that is the substance of my every thought right now, so I'm going to use this entry to talk about something else.
On Saturday I met Andi and her friend at Plaza Frontenac to see this movie called Le Scaphandre et Le Papillon, or in anglais The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. I'm not sure what the reviews were, but I was definitely entranced by this film...and by Plaza Frontenac popcorn.....holy hell...so good! Oh man I kind of want some right now. When I emerged from my popcorn/movie-induced entrancement I realized how extremely lucky I am to be able to walk, talk, run, dance, laugh, hug, drive, shower, and do all the other things that Jean-Do Bauby couldn't do. He had a stroke and became a quadriplegic, and his only form of communication was blinking. Now this isn't the kind of movie where you can give away the ending because, really, the entire thing was about how this guy got from day to day. So you can keep reading. When Jean-Do initially learns his new blinking communication system his first utterance is, "Je veux mourir"-- "I want to die." I have to admit: as shameful as it is, that would probably be my first utterance, too. But with a sound reproach and a caring word from his speech therapist, he finds the courage to gaze into the future. What came next was a continual lesson in forming sentences through blinks. When the correct letter was reached during a recitation of the alphabet, Jean-Do blinks once to indicate the next letter in the word or sentence. (Can you believe that!) After some time, JD indicates to his speech therapist-turned friend, Claude, that he wants to write a book. Ultimately, he writes an entire book via blinks. This is a true story. And there is a real book. I plan on reading it in French, both to refresh my language abilities and to get a daily dose of perspective.
On Sunday, Steph and her dad took me to Body Worlds at the Science Center. It was so hard to remember that these cadavers were people! They are fascinating sculptures. Steph's dad is a doctor so he gave us a private tour of every muscle group, nerve, and artery of every display. Now I know a crapload about basic human anatomy!
Tonight my girls had their first game and they were great...meanwhile Coachy was a mess! I was SO nervous for them and in my spasmodic anxiety I accidentally broke the CD player. They stood there for like a full minute just waiting. I felt so bad because I've been there and I know how awkward that is. But even in my most brainless moment I had the good sense to go and get my trusty iPod player, which saved the day. I'm glad the first performance is over...hopefully Friday will be better!
And I'm spent. Out of material. Til next time!
There are some exciting things going on with regards to my career and where I might be heading; some new opportunities that have recently materialized. But that is the substance of my every thought right now, so I'm going to use this entry to talk about something else.
On Saturday I met Andi and her friend at Plaza Frontenac to see this movie called Le Scaphandre et Le Papillon, or in anglais The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. I'm not sure what the reviews were, but I was definitely entranced by this film...and by Plaza Frontenac popcorn.....holy hell...so good! Oh man I kind of want some right now. When I emerged from my popcorn/movie-induced entrancement I realized how extremely lucky I am to be able to walk, talk, run, dance, laugh, hug, drive, shower, and do all the other things that Jean-Do Bauby couldn't do. He had a stroke and became a quadriplegic, and his only form of communication was blinking. Now this isn't the kind of movie where you can give away the ending because, really, the entire thing was about how this guy got from day to day. So you can keep reading. When Jean-Do initially learns his new blinking communication system his first utterance is, "Je veux mourir"-- "I want to die." I have to admit: as shameful as it is, that would probably be my first utterance, too. But with a sound reproach and a caring word from his speech therapist, he finds the courage to gaze into the future. What came next was a continual lesson in forming sentences through blinks. When the correct letter was reached during a recitation of the alphabet, Jean-Do blinks once to indicate the next letter in the word or sentence. (Can you believe that!) After some time, JD indicates to his speech therapist-turned friend, Claude, that he wants to write a book. Ultimately, he writes an entire book via blinks. This is a true story. And there is a real book. I plan on reading it in French, both to refresh my language abilities and to get a daily dose of perspective.
On Sunday, Steph and her dad took me to Body Worlds at the Science Center. It was so hard to remember that these cadavers were people! They are fascinating sculptures. Steph's dad is a doctor so he gave us a private tour of every muscle group, nerve, and artery of every display. Now I know a crapload about basic human anatomy!
Tonight my girls had their first game and they were great...meanwhile Coachy was a mess! I was SO nervous for them and in my spasmodic anxiety I accidentally broke the CD player. They stood there for like a full minute just waiting. I felt so bad because I've been there and I know how awkward that is. But even in my most brainless moment I had the good sense to go and get my trusty iPod player, which saved the day. I'm glad the first performance is over...hopefully Friday will be better!
And I'm spent. Out of material. Til next time!