After living through this past week, I decided that today would be the day to detach myself from all of my problems, listen to happy-bubble music all day, and pretend nothing but sunshine and lollipops exists in this world. It seems to have worked thus far. Even after sleeping in quite late, I’ve accomplished more in the past few hours than I have throughout the course of the entire week. See, whilst buried in the mountain of complicated unhappy stuff, I’ve been trying to work on a very, very exciting project. It was to the point where I had to write a short story – a very, very important, this-could-change-the-rest-of-my-life kind of important – and I had hit a huge block. I couldn’t get past it. Halfway through, and I was stuck. It just wasn’t working.
But today! Today! I conquered it, and I’m now halfway through with the short story, and I should be able to finish it up tonight and tomorrow, so long as my detachment remains in full force. It’s turning out quite nicely, if I do say so myself. I just hope the people I’m trying to impress will like it as well, but I’ve explained the basic plot to them so far, and they seem totally enthralled. So things are going well, I’d say.
Then, this evening, I went to a doggie adoption event in Fairfax with my friend Stephen. I got to play with a bunch of dogs, which was great in two respects – I find that the unconditional love a dog offers when you’re petting it to be a great source of emotional release, relaxation, and general therapy, and boy did I need that. Secondly, it was a chance to prove to myself that really, I don’t want a dog at all. Sure, dogs look great on TV, but guess what? When they’re on TV, you can’t smell them. And, with the way my body reacts to smells, there’s no way I’d be happy keeping a dog in my house. My skin, my hair, everything, I just soak up smells instantaneously. That can be a good thing, when I use pretty smelling hair products and facial cleansers – heck, most of the time I don’t even need perfume – but if I come in contact with animals, I start to smell like them, and that’s no good. Same thing happens when I go anywhere near someone who’s smoking, my hair soaks it up so quickly and then I end up allergic to my own hair. It’s really quite sad.
So anyway, yeah, the dogs were fun, but I don’t want one anymore. It’s sad, they’re so cute and cuddly and therapeutic, but the smell trumps everything. After the dogs, Stephen and I went to Red Robin because he hadn’t eaten dinner yet. Since I had eaten, I just got a milkshake. We talked, he ate, a fun time was had by all.
Another happy thing that happened on the way home was, while driving my Dad’s new 1998 BMW 323is, the radio blaring, a certain song came on. I hadn’t heard that song in well over a year. It used to be painful, for reasons we won’t discuss. But, I am very proud to say that I listened to Coldplay, and I realized I had forgotten the lyrics. Suddenly, I felt very free. Going 65mph, ‘Clocks’ pounding on the beautiful Harmon Kardon stereo system, I felt so liberated. Listening to those words that I had completely forgotten, laughing as I tried to sing along, feeling so proud of myself for feeling happy. The year from hell, culminating in the week from hell, and there I was, driving slightly too fast and laughing at everything that’s happened. I felt *great*. How long will this feeling last? The Coldplay Liberation, I’m happy to say, will last forever. This newfound happiness in spite of the year/week from hell? I don’t know, but we’ll see. As for right now, I’m pumped, I’m happy (or as Rupert would say, “Happy, happy, happy! Hahaha!!”), and I’m going to get back to writing now. Oh, and don’t forget the dancing and singing along to David Bowie, which has since usurped Coldplay. Sure, I may be liberated, but that doesn’t mean I have to like them anymore. 🙂 Baby, I’ve found a new soundtrack.
Woohoo! I’m so glad to hear things are looking up. I too am pretty happy, having finished exams and classwork forever. That’s right–forever! And the short story sounds fun; I used to write short stories all the time, although I’m sure yours will be much better.
It is *so* refreshing to read this from you! 🙂 Kudos on the joy in your day/life! I hope the story comes out well. What demographic are you aiming for?
Bowie? I’ll always love dancing to “Golden Years” and “Diamond Dogs.” –that’s likely just me, I’m sure…
Tim – Congrats on being entirely free from school work!! I know a little bit about that feeling – after taking my SATs, I realized that was the last math test I’d ever have to take in my life. I felt like dancing in the streets! As for the stories, I still think you’re the best story writer in the family. Your childrens’ stories and poems especially are fantastic. 🙂 In fact, while writing my current short story, I’ve been thinking, “What would Tim write?”
Veda – I can’t give too many details about what I’m writing because there’s a non-disclosure deal involved (big time stuff! Exciting, huh?), but I can tell you that the demographic I’m shooting for is 10 to 15 year old kids. It’s loads of fun, and contains a bit of magic. The whole thing has really made me grateful for that year and a half I spent writing a silly Harry Potter fan fiction for readers at the Daily Prophet. Before, I was slightly embarassed that I wrote it and devoted so much time to it, but now writing in this style is like old-hat and I’m so glad I have that experience behind me now.
As for Bowie, I have to say that my favorite dancing song of his is “Let’s Dance.” It’s just infectious (and so appropriately named.) Although, “Golden Years” is awfully good. I’m still a sap, though, for “As the World Falls Down.” It was that song that developed my crush on David Bowie back when I was three, and that song still gets me. Silly and girly, I know, but I’m allowed.
Heather: Glad to hear things are looking up for you. I love the feeling of listening to a good song on the stereo with the windows down. It’s a great way to relax.
“As the world…” yea. I was a *bit* older thought. (haha!) Bowie is so high on my list of faves, I wish he and I were neighbours! He uses some of those same intonations on some of his newer stuff, have you liked any of it?
Yes, it’s always great to’ve tackled the details on “smaller” stuff before needing them in a larger, more professional arena. This sounds like the highlight that could maybe wipe-out all the unfortunateness of late?