Blue Jays – Of Bears and Boating

I learned this week…

…that it’s turning out to be a rough year for music. This week we lost another great – Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees. As I said last week, the Bee Gees were a staple in my house growing up. Many of their songs rank among my favorites, many of them from the disco era, but the tune that I love to listen to over and over is this one:

No surprise that it was released in the sixties – the greatest musical decade in the history of rock & roll. RIP Robin Gibb.

…that I smell clean, or so a woman at my local mall informed me this week. I’m going to take her unsettling observation as a compliment, because to do otherwise would cause my overactive imagination to kick into overdrive and I will begin to believe that I am destined to die at the hands of a deranged serial killer whose taste for blood is triggered by the April fresh scent of my fabric softener.

…that the loss of my tooth crown virginity is a momentous occasion – at least to the staff at my new dentist’s office. I have to say, I’m confused by their level of excitement. This is how the conversations went:

Hygienist #1: How many crowns to do you have?

Me: None.

Hygienist #1: None? This is your first?

Me: Yes.

Hygienist #1 (with a giant grin on her face): Awww.

One week later at final fitting and placement:

Hygienist #2 (as she studies my panoramic x-rays on a computer monitor): You don’t have any other crowns?

Me: Nope.

Hygienist #2: Really?

Me: Really.

Hygienist #2: Oh wow! Your very first. Awww. (she then gives me a motherly pat on the shoulder)

I think someone should inventory this office’s supply of nitrous oxide.

…that a bit of positive feedback goes a long way in boosting my creative confidence. I unveiled the opening scene for my work in progress rewrite this week to my writing group. I’ve agonized and obsessed over this particular scene for weeks. I was apprehensive about their reaction. They can be a tough crowd, but the scene was well received. I made it through an entire read without any snickering or side jokes regarding some unintended sexual innuendo or inadvertent Yoda-speak.

…that I have a new theme song. Sara Bareilles is on of my favorite singer/songwriter/performers at the moment. She just finished a grueling tour schedule and is now going to enjoy a little time off before she heads back into the studio. As a parting gift she gave her devoted fans a five track EP. It’s musical perfection, as usual, and I have a new favorite.

***Warning: This is not a song you want to crank up at work or in the presence of your children. There is quite a bit of crude language so considered yourself warned. Enjoy.

…that last, but not least, this week’s awww moment is brought to you by the elusive Blue Jay who feeds in my backyard. I’ve tried for weeks to sneak up on the wily little bastard to snap a picture or two. My patience finally paid off.

I learned this week..

…that I’ve successfully conquered another semester – with all A’s, thank you very much. It’s a great feeling, like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders and the road to a carefree summer is now within my grasp. As I drove away from campus yesterday, I was feeling good. I had the windows down, the wind in my hair, and my new Sting compilation cranked up for the whole world to hear. I’m not a believer in a lot of intangible things, but sometimes, ever so subtly, the universe speaks to me. As if on cue, a song with a distinct island vibe began to play. The hustle of midday traffic faded away and I found myself standing on a beach with velvety sand between my toes, a warm sea breeze caressing my skin, and a frozen rum-filled concoction in my hand. Swaying in time to the intoxicating rhythm, I danced in slow drunken circles across the sand, feeling blissfully numb, and raised my glass in one final salutation to the sun as it descended into the abyss…

HONK!

Sigh.

Reality bites.

Yes, I realize that this imagery is probably not what Sting intended when he wrote Love is the Seventh Wave. More likely his intention was to protest Cold War proliferation and all of the evil that went along with it. I’m going to choose to overlook that (and the ridiculous 80’s video) and focus on the drunken beach vacation aspect of it instead.

…that yoga for a grade is over. Of course, as one final insult to the emotional injuries we’ve sustained over the course of the semester, my instructor decided it would be fun to have a party on the day designated for our final exam. If you will remember from last week, we had our final early. We were instructed to bring food – preferably something healthy, in order to keep with the spirit of the class. We all brought store-bought cookies. It was our little bit of revenge. Of course, revenge is one of those things in life that tends to come back and bite you in the ass. In response to our cookie rebellion, she made us watch the video she made of our final. Oh, the agony of defeat.

…that in all the years I’ve watched the summer Olympics, I have never bothered to sit through any of the Equestrian events. It’s not that I don’t like horses, I do. It’s just that I’d much rather watch paint dry than watch a horse and rider navigate through a mindless obstacle course. This year it will be different. I don’t usually watch real-time television. I rely heavily on my DVR. But the other night I happened to catch Rock Center when I was supposed to be studying for my Sociology exam. Harry Smith (who I really sort of despise) did a story about a horse and rider who have both been through serious hell and have barely lived to tell about it. Needless to say, I bawled like a baby and have now committed myself to watching every Equestrian event these two will compete in. I feel that, as an American, it is my patriot duty. Check out Harry Smith’s story Horse Power, but grab a box of tissues first.

…that the Blue Jay who visits the feeder in my backyard teases and taunts me. For weeks, I’ve seen him feeding – nearly every day. For weeks, I’ve tried to sneak a few photographs of him. For weeks, he’s alluded me. No worries, though. I will prevail…if its’ the last thing I do.

…and last, but not least, this week’s awww moment is brought to you by my fat cat, Rollo. Aptly named, he is enjoying a little nap in the warm afternoon sun. What a rough life he leads.