The rain has returned to Northern California and I spent the better part of the weekend resting. Often, when Brian goes to stay with his dad, I turn attention to myself and realize I need to sleep. Friday night, I light a fire, dawn my pajamas and curl up under a blanket to watch Men in Trees. I adore Brian but there is something about not hearing the constant, "Mom... MOM.... mom ...mum ...MoM... awwwm...Mom" which brings peace. Children sure know how to wear out a word.
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Of course it stands to reason that I love a TV show about a woman writer who gets to fly all over while getting paid, hang out with sexy, kind men and write about the experience. Where was I when they were handing out such a life? I suppose I am relegated to watching it on TV and wishing it was I. Maybe if I take up writing porn as it has been suggested, I could live such a life…? HA!
The COO of the company I interviewed on Halloween has emailed me an application and now wants to start a background check. Have I seen an offer? The balls of this man must be titanium, as I do not seem to view the idea of working for him as worthwhile as he believes it is. Again, why do I have to lay my life open for a job that does not require life-saving skills? And, why on earth would I do it before we agree I even want the job? By now so many people I value have all said, “NO!” to taking this job the minute I describe what has happened in the interview process. Now I get the pleasure of saying “No thank you”. As desperate as I might seem to move my life along I AM NOT THAT DESPERATE! I am looking forward to writing a “thank you but NO thank you” letter. Dale keeps reminding me, “There is no one like you Catherine and any company would be lucky to have you – remember this!”
Even though I am the redhead…?
I sleep all day Saturday on into Sunday and feel my adrenals finally coming back to life. I have learned not to beat myself up for resting, instead, I tell myself it is “self care” and allow my body to tell me what it needs. By Sunday morning I feel like my old self and am ready to go play. Luckily for me the writer’s club is meeting is Sunday afternoon. There is also a speaker I enjoy at an evening meditation service. I can get out of the house and mingle.
Late Sunday afternoon I make my way through empty Santa Rosa streets downtown to the Arts Council of Sonoma County Gallery for this month’s writer’s club meeting. The President begins each meeting with everyone telling the writing we have accomplished in the past month. I always feel like a kindergartner attempting Yale at this moment as writer after writer says something like, “I have finished my second novel and have submitted it to the publisher, I have started a short story on Gandhi who I lived with when I was a child, and I solved global warming when I was bored…oh and Bill Gates wants me to write a ….” Then it is my turn. “Ummmm … I am a redhead … ?” Can I get kudos for being a single parent?
The walls that surround us in this mini art museum are sketched nudes of women. There are naked penciled women everywhere. They encircle us like butterflies about a thistle field. The chosen speaker this month is an attorney to discuss copyright law. Only a copyright attorney can stay focused on such dry material while surrounded by groups of smiling naked, penciled women. He manages to focus on the clock. I am pleased to see artists who sketch women as they really look. There is sensuality in the imperfection and therealness of their round shapes.
I wish the attorney were discussing art...
I love this little funky group of talent in this club. They achieve goals I can only imagine at this point in my life. None are uncomfortable with the naked art, as we feel right at home with fellow artists revealing their craft. I am thrilled there are other naked women who look like me. It takes many of us women back to that scene in Titanic where Jack sketches Rose. We all secretly want to be Rose. Of course, the men in my life would have drawn a stick figure or one dot and then want sex. I can hear the "Hey babe, but I drew a freckle!" line now...
So now I know everything I never wanted to know about copyright, although I did learn what lawyer I would want to call the minute a contract gets pushed under my nose. I meet a new member … a tall guy who has had his own thyroid issues. He looks great which gives me hope. I hope he isn’t wierded out by me tackling him to the floor and sitting on him to tell me every last morsel of information on why he is doing so well…
Of course with 30,000 different naked penciled women all around he may have thought he died and went to heaven.
I leave naked women on the wall and an attorney who finds copyright law more tantalizing than erotica to drive to the evening meditation service. I could say it is a culture shock, except the meditation hall is filled with candles and muted lighting. Soft music plays in the background as everyone shuts their eyes. IS THIS MY SIGN?
It helps when I get out in the world doesn't it?
Until next time-
C
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