I love summertime. I always have. I got married in the summertime, had my first baby in the summertime. We officially became homeowners in the summertime. My daughter's wedding was in the summer- the same year I directed my first show! Hell, I've been involved with summer theater (in some capacity) on and off since I was 16. I just love summer!! Working in a school, you really do love summer- you work all year to get to it! When I first became a school employee- a job I had no idea that I would still be in 20+ years later. I mean, it has nothing to do with my degree, other than maybe the public relations aspect and now and then I get to use the journalistic part (newsletters, but it's still writing).
I originally thought it was because it fit in so well with my children's schedules. But this is something I learned this summer- I did it for my Grandchildren's schedules!!! Hit palm to forehead...of course! This is why I stuck with this job, which at times can be both unfulfilling and underpaying! It is so I could be available for these to little amazing creatures. They are the only ones (so far)I would drag my ass out of bed for at 6AM two -three times a week on my vacation!!
So here starts the list- things I learned on my summer vacation- somethings I already knew-like:
-I hate bugs! Fucking little insects that crawl, fly, infest- ugh! I hate them! I know they are God's creatures and they serve a purpose- one of those purposes must be scaring the shit out of me. Yeah yeah yeah...spiders eat mosquitoes...well if I could put those little assholes on tiny little leashes and take them to the driver-in or sit around the fire with us..fine- Bon Appetit. Quit skulking around my living room walls, over my bed and the driver side rear view mirror, because I'll take this car up to 90 and watch you and your web fly off on to the 290, mother fuckers . And why are there so many kinds of bugs? Is that an ant, a spider, a beetle or some tiny prehistoric mutant that feels the need to always be in my peripheral vision. Once you see one anywhere in your house....it's all over- grab the nearest spray can of anything and attack. There are more insects in my house whose hair never looked better or smelled better for that matter. I don't know if you can market a product that holds your hair in place, with a lovely lavender fragrance and kills. bugs. dead! I know it's summer and maybe they are on vacation too- but stay the fuck out of my house. Enjoy the pool though- I have great pleasure in skimming out your little lifeless bodies. So beware dive bombing bees, wasp, hornets or whatever the shit you are- I got my skimmer and my extra hold mousse.
- I am okay with my appearance....for the most part. I guess I learned this at the beach. Man, if you ever want to feel like America's Top Model ...just go to the beach. Now, of course you do see these skinny little bitches in their skinny little bitch bikinis....but I'm talking about your regular over 30 crowd....yeeee-ikes. Put some clothes on ma'am and you too sir. No one needs to see that!!! Yes, it's the beach and it's hot and it's America....well actually it was Canada ...so put you back bacon in a decent bathing suit! Good for you for having no inhibitions....and it's even not a size issue, everyone has a right to wear what makes them comfortable. But holy hell...there is no way that stretched out piece of spandex blend is comfortable!!! It's just good taste and common sense people! But there I was in my modest beach attire and I have to admit for the first time...I really wasn't self conscious. Not really. I couldn't be, not with my two loves there. I was too busy -it was the baby's first time at the beach. So there was a lot of bending and running and playing. Once again, Crystal Beach saw way more of my breasts than intended (memories of that infamous water slide incident). I look at pictures and I guess they're okay, now that I've learned to position myself in a flattering matter (basically hiding). Plus if you take 100 shots one of them is bound to look good...if my eyes are open, that is. So what, none of the kids are looking and the baby is crying...but damn...my hair looks great in this one. Which isn't always the case...I've learned that dark hair does not photograph well....especially if it's short. It usually looks like some sort of stupid hat. So I decided this summer to embrace the curl and just go with. Straighteners be damned...but then the humidity. Oh the humidity! Five seconds in the pool and ladies and gentlemen...Diana Ross! Holy shit! But,what can you do? I will keep going to the gym (though I see no difference after spinning all summer) and have my wasp killing mousse on hand and just be happy with the fact that when my grandson sees a picture of Betty Boop...he says "Hey,there's Gaga". I would have preferred Jessica Rabbit, but at least it's not that Looney Toons witch (you all know her. Sing it with me....a cup of tea ...a cookie and you-hoo)
-I like fruit. I really do. It doesn't have to be chocolate coated or dipped in anything either. I actually was craving it. What the fuck? I would come home from summer school/babysitting /rehearsal and go straight for the watermelon....except for that one night that I fired up the grill and made ribs at 11:00. But other than that I have found that (and I hate to admit this) eating healthy makes you feel better....there I said it. Of course- I haven't been in my office with my co-workers all summer - My co-workers with whom I am proud to say I have done some of my best work...and by work I mean eating! I am also proud to say I am the co-creator of the 2:30 Friday Social where we make sure there is no cupcake left behind before the weekend. Working in a busy office ...sometimes the socials go from 2:55-3:00 with twenty phone calls in between, but we do it, damn it..for the kids! See, it's not always about the food...it's the people you share the food with..pfffft-who am I kidding- it's the fucking food and/or drinks ...mmmmm....grapefruit shandies....I told you I like fruit!!!
-I got this...I learned that "I got this" this summer. This year I directed our musical without any assistants. I had my awesome musical director/orchestra leader and my amazing daughter choreographer(some days with both kids in tow) and a huge supportive network of people....but no assistant which I have had the past 5 or so shows. It really was tough. I had to be "on" all the time. There was no one there I could tell..."work on this scene while I deal with costume questions...technical issues ...parent problems....rival theater group incidents (seriously?...think West Side Story...but a really ,really old, lame version)." But I did it and my little directorate of three (which other year's has been 6 or 7) put on a great little show...and this year we even had a spot on AMBuffalo to promote it! Plus we did it all basically in one month. When I looked at my schedule for the month of July...it was summer school, babysitting (some times overnighters), rehearsals...weekend rehearsals, car wash fundraisers...show show show and show!!!! How am I going to do this? I thought. Then again, after the winter/spring we went through....i said "yeah I got this" and I did. I don't think I could have without my little support system of friends and you know who you are. Sitting on my patio laughing about the most obscure, inappropriate scenarios or .giggling about old times or planning future adventures. I love you guys -now let's eat some ribs!!!
-I miss my mom! I unfortunately learned that this summer. Now, whenever we see a butterfly...(the only insect I like) we say it's her checking up on us. The same unusually colorful one keeps as showing up at my kids' houses. How cool , right? This past weekend, at my granddaughter's baptism party...there was a butterfly visiting at different times throughout the day. I know you're saying...it's an insect like the ones you were just bitching about. I say..Shut up...I like to believe it's her. A psychic friend (not Dionne Warwick) said people who have passed sometimes use nature for communication, so there They also use your dreams, I'm told. I dream about my mom a lot. The other night I had my monthly dream about tornadoes. I don't know why, but I have tornado dreams....I looked it up ...it said something about life in turmoil...whatever. Anyway this latest tornado dream featured my whole family on a vacation and suddenly the skies turned black and funnel clouds began to form. Fuck!!! We all ran for cover and there was my mom with a bunch of people watching the weather on a TV. She was working the crowd like she used to and I said to my sister "look at her...she's having a ball". It was so strange because I've been thinking of her missing her a lot this week. I must have shed a bucket of tears...but after that dream, I feel a little better knowing that maybe she is "having a ball" where she is. I like to think she is!
- Lastly I learned to look to the future with joy and not dread. First of all I'm Sicilian, so you know how hard this lesson is to learn. The "waiting for the other shoe to fall" has always been a part of my life - the "what fresh hell awaits me now". Of course, I don't want to go back to work. But, if you think about it, it's just a vehicle to get to another summer..plus if I don't go back...I'll be broke. So in between summers we have a first birthday... a couple concerts...sadly, some firsts without my mom...but a new kindergartener with all the adventures that goes with that and who knows what else! I'm hoping for "all good thing ...all good thing".
In a New York Times article posted on Facebook by my fellow summer loving Goomadi, it said:
"The end -of-summer melancholy is a common experience, even a cliche. Part of it, of course is just my dread and hatred of back to school time, unchanged since childhood. The whole world of work and productivity still seems to me like an unconscionable waste of time; the only parts of life that really matter are the summers, the in between times- the idle goofing off."
"The idle goofing off"?!?! How do I get that job...I'm perfect for it. So come on everyone, become official followers of my blog...click on the advertisements a bunch of times...share it with who ever you know (especially publishers) maybe I can make enough money to live like it's summer all the time. With that, I just used the advertising part of my degree...just sayin'
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