geekyfrog

Hi all,

To anyone who noticed my absence, I'm so sorry I have been out of touch for so long. My summer cold turned into bronchitis-almost-pneumonia and absolutely wiped me out... ugh. And then just when I felt a little bit better, we left for a week of vacation with no internet access.

But, for those of you wondering about Binary Stars, I do have Chapter 7 almost ready to post... just needs a little tiny bit of polishing... so look for it very soon.

Thanks for your concern, dreams_of_him and my anonymous poster...

I am feeling better. dreams_of_him just posted a nice rec for my latest chapter over at YTDaW... and my outlook has brightened considerably. My head still feels awful, but it got me out of my sulky mood. I'm so pleased to know that people are enjoying Binary Stars...

Warning: whine ahead.

Summer colds make me so cranky. I can't breathe through my nose at all and my body feels like a truck hit it. I haven't been to the gym since Tuesday so it isn't from over-lifting. Waah.

So, I spent the ENTIRE day cleaning out my pantry/office. I threw out 2 1/2 garbage bags full of junk (including emptying the shredder twice), pulled everything off the shelves and cleaned them, then labeled them when I put everything back so I know where it goes. Receipts are entered and filed, menus are planned, and my desk is neat.

Ah, bringing order to chaos... delicious. I'm beat, but I will sleep oh-so-well tonight.

Okay, for those of you who are experienced Lewis readers (or in the throes, Nomadic Soul) - I need some help here. I'm trying to read Surprised by Joy, but running across this in the first chapter:

You may add that in the hive and the anthill we see fully realized the two things that some of us most dread for our own species - the dominance of the female and the dominance of the collective. (emphasis mine)

...has me just unhinged. Someone who is farther down the road with Lewis, please cast a light for me. Am I reading too much into this sentence, or will my feminist soul continue to cringe as I read more?

My son and I spent the day yesterday with my college roommate and her boys, plus another college friend and her (older) daughter. What an incredible day. We played at the playground, ate homemade pizza, spilled lemonade on the porch. Went for ice cream and splashed in the lake. Simple pleasures, and yet the very fibers from which the fabric of our lives is woven.

I felt as if a part of me was enjoying the day, and a part of me was standing to the side watching. The observer part of me saw three women in the requisite mommy-black swimsuits, doling out hugs and discipline in equal measure. Unphased by spills and falls and meltdowns, and appreciative of toddler art. And somehow, managing to have quality conversation in the midst of the joyous chaos.

And I keep thinking - when did those three wild girls become so grown-up? I've known one of these women since high school and the other since move-in day of my first year of college... and believe me, all three of us have had way more than our share of irresponsibility. And yet look at us know.

It must have happened when I was distracted - maturity slipping in by spoonfuls while I was busy doing other things.

It was a beautiful day. It is a beautiful thing.

Funny how things work out. I started this journal 6 weeks ago, when I took a deep breath and decided to take the plunge into writing fanfic. At that point I was feeling tired, trapped, and generally unhappy with my life - even though I have so many incredible blessings. Ahh, the human capacity for dissatisfaction and whininess.

Six weeks later (unbelievable! merely six weeks) I have found that this tentative foray into writing has brought me access to the missing pieces. I've found a creative outlet, a renewed interest in reading, burgeoning discussions on topics spiritual and profane, and one incredible friendship. In short, I've discovered the life of the mind for which I've been pining. And all of this has become a lens through which I'm viewing the rich blessings of my life with new appreciation.

Nomadic Soul, if you read this - the hallway is accessible again, though the doors may not always open...

I am grateful and humbled to be able to say this, truthfully and appreciatively:
Life is good. So, so good.

Okay, 40 minutes left in my lunch hour. I need food!

Some years ago, I was obsessed with the question of whether or not there is a difference between happiness and joy - and I asked that question of pretty much everyone I met. What fascinated me is that, almost to a person, people described a fleeting and temporal emotion vs. a deep-seated orientation to life which could co-exist with other feelings... but they were pretty well equally divided in which word went with which concept.

So - if anyone stumbles over this post - please comment and weigh in. Is the dichotomy right? And which word goes with which?

Just because I'm such a langauge geek...

Soo excited to be heading back to work today. I've missed my job, my co-workers, the simple rhythm of everyday life - even though vacation was amazing.

I'm aware, every day, of how incredibly fortunate I am to have a job I love this much. I am blessed beyond words.