August 23, 2007
Steeplechase
Eh. Meh. Feh.
Things are spectacularly unremarkable in the downtime between social flurries. We're still recovering from having visitors last weekend (handwashing glasses, cleaning up piles of rosebush prunings) and doing double-duty trying to prepare for both our next houseguest and our first houseparty, as the former will interfere with the organization of the latter, what with his way of making swilling whiskey sours while surfing YouTube much more appealing than going to Home Depot for stair treads and doing the tenth batch of laundry. Even if it weren't my BFF returning from a year in Philly (and England and Baltimore and Chicago and Atlanta and...Kansas?) to live with us while he finds his own apartment in the city, I'd still take just about anything distraction over chores. Not that I'm complaining now that I have the luxury to do what I've been dreaming of for years: shed my pants in front of the washing machine. I never felt entirely comfortable doing that in the laundromat.
Over the last several weeks, I've experienced a feeling that I don't know I've ever had in such a large context. It's a feeling of chasing myself. A feeling that asks "Will I ever get caught up?" At work I get overwhelmed in cycles, but there's always a deadline on the calendar--a date beaming forth rays of yellow highliter--that testify to the End of the Madness. With this whole house thing, though, the list of projects only ever grows. Like Medusa's hair snakes, for every one you sever, three more grow in its place, and even cutting the head clean off didn't solve the problem; from the monster's severd neck sprung forth two entire beings, although one of them was a pretty winged horsey, so maybe it's not so bad after all.
Wait. What was I talking about again? Horsies and chasing myself? Here are some photos from our day at the races to distract you from the fact that this post has no point.
It was the Hydra - the slaying of which being one of the Twelve Labors of Hercules - whose heads grew back. Medusa had snakes for hair but they could presumably be cut off in the normal fashion, if one could get close enough to do so without being turned to stone.
Sorry, I read Greek mythology rather obsessively when I was in junior high, and I just can't help myself.
As you know, I SO get this post. Sending love your way :)
Posted by: Angella at August 23, 2007 07:31 PM+1 Gold star for Doola.
Posted by: Tim at August 23, 2007 09:40 PMI SO get the point of your post, though.. it is an endless labour of love when you have a house! SCORE that you and Simon share the love (and the labour). I hope that your houseguests and houseparty are wonderful. (I just read through your other comments and I see that I copied Angella with the "SO", hmm.. we Canadians, eh?)
Posted by: Elizabeth at August 23, 2007 10:41 PMI miss you. That is all.
Posted by: Kristin at August 23, 2007 11:11 PMUgh, don't get me started on house projects. They NEVER END.
Posted by: Assertagirl at August 24, 2007 05:28 AMYes, yes, and yes. My problem is that I never stop taking on new projects, so even as I finally finish one the next is there, jumping up and down with it's hand in the air, going "me next! me next! me next!"
Posted by: chrissy at August 24, 2007 06:36 AMAl and I have spent many an afternoon at Bay Meadows. And before I met him (or anybody else in the Bay Area), I used to go to Golden Gate Fields by myself. It was a good way to fill the day when I was feeling stressed out and lonely. Nowadays I can relate more to the 'chasing myself' feeling. Too. Much. To. Do.
Posted by: Lori at August 24, 2007 07:18 AMWhen's your house party? If I'm there am I invited? Feel free to say no and prepare for me to cry. But that's cool I understand.
(also, email forthcoming)
Posted by: Heather B. at August 24, 2007 09:31 AMDoola!: That explains why I couldn't confirm the Medusa thing on the web. I just thought the internet got stupid for a day, but it turns out it was just me.
HeatherB: You ARE invited to the party, although I doubt you'll come since it's the week after you leave.
Posted by: Leah at August 24, 2007 12:17 PMYes yes yes on the "will I ever get caught up?" sensation. I cannot, for the life of me, keep a studio apartment clean. How lame is that? Any apartment I've lived in has gone to the dogs within 2 months (like serious level of messiness). On the weekends I look around, wash the dishes, get exhausted and give up.
I've finally given up and hired a maid. First cleaning is in 2 weeks. It's like I've been waiting for this moment my whole life. I was actually trembling with joy calling up the service and almost cried when I was talking to the person on the phone.
Posted by: monkey at August 24, 2007 01:06 PMThe house projects -- and messes -- are never-ending. At least now you can get dirty doing said projects and shed your pants in front of your washer so that they can be dirtied up all over again! I envy the weather down your way as my yard is currently a mess and our good growing season is quickly coming to an end. Ah well, onto the indoor projects, for there is always next summer to make the yard into our dream yard...
Posted by: Audrey at August 27, 2007 10:52 AM
