apropos of anything

I hadn’t even reached the parking deck on my way home today before I called Aisha to tell her I’d just had a horrible day. It’s shattering to realize somebody you thought knew you well and respected your abilities and professionalism doesn’t actually at all.

And then I got home and read this. And so far tonight’s episode of Ugly Betty is not amusing me so much as annoying me… so you know what that means. It’s time to find three beautiful things.

Sunflowers. I’ve been doing a lot of research on sunflowers, and the more I look at them, the more I love them. They’re so bright and big and beautiful, and they light up a room. They are the epitome of cheer, so much that it’s hard to be grumpy in their presence. A whole field full of them… why, that’s exactly the antidote when Gloomy Gus drops by for an unexpected, extended visit.

Discovering new authors. The authors you know are comfortable. You’re guaranteed good writing, or good characterization, or good brainless soapiness. The authors you don’t know are kind of like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates, so it’s always lovely and amazing to find one who is so good you can’t wait to read all of their other work. Amy Ephron got me hooked last week, and Ian McEwan is certainly doing his best as well, even if it’s only as a study in the art of good writing.

Laughing at silliness. Possibly when you are ending a conversation, you say, “Cool.” And possibly I, who am inadvertently listening (I won’t say eavesdropping because that seems so foul and nefarious, and also deliberate), hear you say, “Toodles.” And possibly you are indignant at the very idea of toodles because it offends your sensibilities, delicate, fragile things that they are. And possibly you offer to call your recent conversation partner back to prove that you didn’t say toodles, that toodling never entered your mind. Possibly all or none of these things happened but still they make me laugh, and today especially, that is beautiful.

Post a comment

Name: (required)

Email Address: (will not be published) (required)

URL:

Comments: