Going down? To the dumps?
I’m trying to deal with myself.
When left to my own (tragically flawed, insufferably human) devices, I find it regrettably easy to get swept up in all sorts of drama. Pettiness, obscenely inappropriate reactions to trivial matters, and a roller coaster experience of day-to-day life are no strangers to me. Deep down, though, in my heart of hearts, I know that I feel the strongest, most stable, and most content when I’m sticking to a drama-free diet. Thus, I’ve been striving to devote my attention to silver linings, rose-tinted glasses, and a general Pollyanna philosophy in life lately.
How is this for rose-tinted?
My commitment to kicking Drama while she’s down is why I’ve decided not to write at length about the following incidents:
1. The 2012 Leaky Apartment/Mouldy Mattress/Super Expensive New Mattress Debacle
Nope. I’m not giving in to you, Drama! We bought a new bed. Because we had to. Because our old one rotted right through (nasty!!) That’s all I’m going to say about that.
A rude awakening, courtesy of the Electric Death Skeleton
2. The Return of My Youngest Sister’s Evil Blood Clot
What did I tell you, Drama? I’m not interested in hanging out with you anymore! So my sister’s leg puffed up again and she was put back on blood thinning meds and daily injections. She’s only 26. I could make more out of this issue. I could blow it out of proportion and start ranting about pharmaceutical companies or some other corporate scape goat (like I did the first time it happened). But I’m not going to. Instead, I’m going to thank the heavens that my sister is still alive and (mostly) thriving. She’s in good hands and this, too, shall pass.
Kaboom! A dazzling explosion of flower petals!
3. The Mayan Prophecy
Seriously, Drama? You should know better than this. I haven’t been swept up at all in the December 21st hype. I don’t know what to think of the Mayan calendar, but I certainly don’t believe that the world is going to blow up and end on a sudden and catastrophic note 2 weeks from now. That said, we’ll be spending the holidays in Calgary this year, and Marty’s parents are Huge Believers in the End of Time. We were asked to send them a list of non-perishable foods we can still eat on our newfangled elimination diet, so when we arrive to Calgary (just in time for the end of the world, natch), we’ll be fully stocked with vegan, gluten free, soy free, and garlic free canned goods. Yum!
It’s best to be prepared. Have you got your lead helmets and iron boots at the ready for the end of the world?
***********************************************
I’ve actually been doing great lately, in spite of mildewy mattresses, allergic reactions to mould spores indoors, blood clot fiascoes, and the impending End of the World. Go figure, I’ve been feeling like a million bucks on this elimination diet of ours, and I’ve even stumbled upon a new passion that might involve me going back to school some day (if only the planet doesn’t blow up before I can properly research schools and enroll). I’ll fill you in on the sordid details at some point. It is December, though– you know how that goes.
This is me feeling spunky! I would bring this coat to Calgary and die in apocalyptic style if only it weren’t so freezing cold there. This coat is for the Pacific Northwest only.
How about you, readers– are you a slave to the Drama Llama? Are you terrified about the End of the World? How is your collection of canned/dry goods looking these days? Any experiences you (don’t) want to share with me?
Waiting for the apocalypse to come. Apparently, I shall live off of herbal tea.
i like your phrasing with “kicking drama while she’s down’. I’m totally stealing that phrase the next time I feel a drama filled life become overwhelming! Also, I think that leaving out the details of the moldy mattress has made my imagination run wild. Ew!!!! I hope that drama has been kicked and things start looking up for you. Cheers! – Karen
Thanks for the comment, Karen. I think Drama deserves a good ass-kicking every now and then (and it doesn’t hurt to embellish the kicks and punches, either.) A dramatic smackdown of Drama, so to speak.
To prevent your imagination from running away with you, there was a leak in the walls and floor of our apartment building, exactly where our bed is. We didn’t realize it at the time, but the water slowly crawled up our wooden bed frame, soaked the wooden platform where our mattress rests, and subsequently soiled/moulded our mattress, too. I was changing the sheets and happened to notice an overwhelming musty smell. When we investigated, it became apparent very quickly that our mattress was sopping and full of mould. Disgusting. We’ve since purchased a new mattress and a new wooden platform for the bed and are monitoring the (still leaky) apartment situation daily. How’s that for not indulging in dramatic occurrences?
oh my, that’s awful.I hope that the source of the leak has been resolved. That sounds like a nightmare.
Not resolved yet. The roofers, window guys, and eavestrough guys have been by so far. They will be installing a camera into the drainage system on Monday to try to pinpoint where the leak is coming from. After that, the next step is to rip out the drywall inside our apartment, so fingers crossed it doesn’t come to that. Ugh all around.
Am I the only one to find it insanely funny and ok a bit twisted that your family wants to make sure you follow your diet if the end of the world is upon us?
Diva alert: It was my refusal to potentially eat cans of tuna, bottles of ketchup, and/or Chef Boyardee anything that prompted the in-laws to ask for a list of acceptable foods in the first place. Ahem. They have already stockpiled who knows how many cans of food, but now they will make a separate trip to purchase obscene quantities of GF pastas, organic canned tomatoes (no sugar or salt added), and tetrapaks of unsweetened vanilla almond milk. (Hey, just because the world is ending doesn’t mean I’m going to break the rules of elimination dieting. Let’s have an allergy-friendly apocalypse for everyone!)
Your coat is so cute. I’m not talking about the bad days either, so you look great and I love your cute coat
What bad days? Let’s never speak of them, okay?
Isn’t my coat the cutest? I feel like a piece of art whenever I’m wearing it. AND ALL THE BUTTONS ARE DIFFERENT!!
You made me giggle with, “I’m trying to deal with myself.”
I can so relate. And the coat is just fantastic.
I hope drama stays down for the 10-count. If she rises, give her the old one-two. And if you need to vent, I won’t judge.
Yes. Nothing says “zen” quite like clobbering Drama to a bloody pulp.
I’m lucky to have my heart focused on new and exciting pursuits right now. Looking bright-eyed towards the future has helped immeasurably when it comes to ignoring Drama… or at least not getting *as* swept up in it like I normally do.
So weird about your sister! A friend of OS1. -15 years old- just spent two weeks in the hospital for the same thing. In his case they determined it is genetic- I can’t remember the name of the disorder. Hang in there!
It’s scary, right? My sister was 19 or 20 years old when she first developed a clot. The docs at the time blamed it on the birth control pill she was taking, but it’s strange that it returned years later. I guess we all have different issues with our health throughout our lifetimes, but obviously, I just want my little sis to be well and safe. Thanks for your thoughts!
This is wonderful writing, and a truly heroic plan…let’s all eliminate the drama. I bet the course of events will remain pretty much the same, whether it’s mulled over at length with extreme angst, or left alone. I’m with you! Thanks!
I’m loving your comment, Cindy! I think that Drama has crept back into my consciousness like a serpent to test my new-found resolve to just be happy. (In fact, I think I had just declared something ridiculous to Marty, like “I’m so zen-like!” when I discovered that our mattress had moulded. Perfect timing Drama, but I’m not going to be sucked into that game this time around…)
Sometimes I can be a slave to that Drama YadayadaYada. I think that’s part of being human for so many of us. Those who decide they won’t be slaves often end up becoming slaves to the Control YadyadaYada, at that is perhaps just as stultifying. I keep aiming to the Overview of the witness and watching the drama queen at work and seeing how she operates. Then watching the control queen at work and seeing how she operates.
I think there is a real possibility of breakthrough into *what we truly are* beyond drama and control queens. I think that’s what the Mayan calendar is pointing to. The end of our personal world view perspective. A real breakthrough in possibility where we see what we *really* are.
Gosh, my Philosophical and Serious side is now being witnessed. (Bad as the Drama and Control queens at times.) I’m not sure that this will all happen before 2013 but, gosh darn, WHY NOT? WHY FRICKIN’ NOT? **sneaking quietly away but happy to see a Dana-post again**
Thanks for this comment, Kathy. I was going to launch into my beliefs about the Mayan Calendar being about a collective shift in consciousness; something to look forward to rather than dread… but then I realized that “not blogging” about certain things maybe meant I should just keep things short and sweet. Your comment allowed my inner musings to blossom through you like an exotic flower, though– thank you for that!
Becoming a Witness is truly where it’s at. Some days, this comes naturally; other days, I’m kicking and screaming and want to be nowhere near Witnessing my own issues.
I’m kicking and screaming this morning, too, Dana. Witnessing a lot of anger coming up lately. Wondering why. Maybe (duh, you think?) I repressed a lot for half a lifetime. Glad to be an exotic flower, though. I don’t think flowers get angry.
Oh, repression– I know all about that. Let’s both plant ourselves in the fertile soil of some exotic flower bed and witness our anger, fears, drama, and need to control wash away.
Amen, sister!
Here’s to woman who knows how to kick butt and take names – CHEERS!
Oh, taking names– LOVE the images that this phrase conjures, Laurie. (Now just picture me doing that “I’m watching you” thing by pointing to my own eyeballs and then to Drama. Yes, Drama– I’m watching you.)
I think next time drama rears her ugly head….you need only don your super coat and all problems will bounce straight off of its awesomeness! Congrats to kicking drama butt!
Good idea, Anita, and thanks for the comment! That coat is pretty heroic, so I’m sure it could inflict some serious hurt on Drama. Who needs a cape when I’ve got such a fierce coat?
Great new bed, sister getting the support she needs, good tea in the pantry and a rocking coat. Did you say drama? I think you’re doing very well in the “No Drama Zone”.
Ah, perspective! Can I call you whenever Drama knocks on my door, Lisa? You seem to have your head on right straight.
Thank you, but it’s just the voice of experience.
Still. Experience seems to have rendered you completely grounded and sensible. I’m in awe!
It’s funny, the apocalypse planning. I was under the impression that “THE WORLD IS ENDING” meant that none of us would have any need for canned foods because we would ALL BE GONE. How can you prepare for that? Hope you have a fun time hiding in your safe-room with your in-laws
In any case, I loved your choice of pictures. That fish is such a bad-ass.
Good point, Dominique! If we’re all blown to smithereens, I doubt there will be any need for canned foods, organic/salt-free/sugar-free or not. Maybe the apocalyptic planning is influenced by Hollywood, then. If we go by what we see in the movies alone, SOMEBODY will make it out of the End of the World alive and have to face zombies, anarchist thugs, radioactive spiders, or anarchist radioactive zombie thug spiders. What better way to confront an anarchist radioactive zombie thug spider than with a can of organic chickpeas? (Am I right or am I right?)
I guess I was imagining a Melancholia-type giant comet. But you’re SO right. About the chickpeas, and also about the zombies, probably!
Yes. I don’t think anybody– even zombies– would survive a Melancholia-type comet. What a waste of canned chickpeas…
LOL!! That last photo and caption cracked me. I took a photo of my pantry and came to the same conclusion about me and tea. Tea seems to be my answer to the apocalypse.
Love the rosy fish and love, love, LOVE your coat. You’re looking good. I might have to try an elimination diet. Or maybe I’ll just live on all that tea in my pantry for a while…
The pantry photo was taken in our last apartment, but I still have a sizable tea collection. What can I say– I enjoy a great cup of tea (at least 3-4 times a day during the off season).
Isn’t that fish the best? I took that photo at our local Ocean Discovery Center. Most of the photos of other fish turned out so blurry because the fish were fast and I was also shooting through glass. This particular fish was so casual, though, and lounged/posed for my camera until I got the perfect shot. (He was actually that pink, too– the only adjustments to the photo were resizing for the blog.)
I’m going to be doing a post on the elimination diet soon. I’m hesitant to call it a ‘diet’, but so far the experience has been pretty eye-opening. It’s really helping me to tune in to my body and recognize the foods and food combinations that work best for me. Pretty incredible!
I have recently purchased some Swiss cheese slices with an expiry date of 03/30/2013.
Take that Mayans !!!
You show that apocalypse who’s boss, Dean!
Oh boy. Good attitude not giving in to drama – maybe it’s like negativity, the more you give in to it, the more you invite it into your life. I’m going to be very curious what all these end-of-the-world-believers say on December 22nd.
I think that’s totally true, Jabba. As hokey as it sounds, I really do believe that a lot can be said for optimism and a positive attitude all around.
We just received word from Marty’s brother that the in-laws’ house is PACKED full of supplies to survive the impending end of the world. I’m totally looking forward to taking a photo.
LOVE the coat!! It would be PERFECT for the very mild “winter” we’re having in Georgia just now. The Drama Llama doesn’t visit me very often (no, that’s not an invitation, you rascally Llama), but I do find that I am utilizing my inner censor a little more often in most company (read: when I’m among my co-workers). I won’t prattle on about how disgruntled I am that my 8-year-old keeps hiding my phone then lying about it since I can’t seem to get to the bottom of the root cause of the behavior. I won’t discuss how much I want to chuck the nine-to-five (which is really more like 7-to-3:30 most days) in favor of an artisticallycentric life (it is TO a word). I won’t bemoan the fact that I’m not eating the way I like to eat because I’m allowing excuses to derail me but I really need to buckle down because I want to use the money I can save by not eating out to put toward a trip to Colorado next September to attend a workshop given by none other than curandeiro Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, whose seminal work Women Who Run with the Wolves is one of those life-changing tomes you can’t forget once you’ve druken from it.
Most of all, I won’t flagellate myself for being overly long absent from my blog. Life happens and I’m here living it and that’s not a bad thing.
Hugs!!!
I *totally* understand how life gets in the way of online living, Michelle. There have been so many things I’ve wanted to blog about lately, but there’s just not enough time to do everything and when I finally get around to it, the moment has passed. Oh, well!
The trip to Colorado sounds like a fabulous time! Whatever you’re doing (or not doing– ahem, restaurant eating ) to make it a reality for you is WORTH IT.
Life really does have its share of ups and downs. I am glad to keep drama at bay!
Nice to see you around these parts, Christy! I hope you have been keeping well and succeeding (for the most part) at keeping drama way back where it belongs.
Yes Dana, I’m doing my best. So nice to return here and was happy to see your blog is doing well. Take care
The comments after, are making me giggle as much as the post. Brilliant! Thanks everyone… And I love the idea of kicking drama out the way
It’s the best when that happens, right? I can always trust my readers to offer me some priceless comments.
PS: Are you the same Nic who was trying out raw kraut? If yes, HOLD YOUR HORSES! I have been making the best kraut known to mankind lately. I call it “Royal Kraut” and it involves red cabbage and beets. I am eating *truckloads* of the stuff. It’s to die for.
There is no shortage of drama here. I swear it makes me ill. I seem to get sick once said crisis is dealt with. I try to keep my reaction to it to a minimum but I fall short. That being said I finely figured out it does affect me in bad ways so that a good thing to know. Glad you are trying to keep it light; it’s the best way to go. Love the coat by the way and glad you are writing again. Cheers
You’re so right, Lesley– even knowing how you’re affected by circumstances is a step in the right direction. Better to be ‘armed’ with that knowledge than be totally oblivious to how certain things affect your energy and temperament.
Still not back to full time blogging yet, but I’m getting there slowly.
Good for you for kicking the drama! I hope your sister is better soon and that you are enjoying the new, mold-free mattress. I love your coat – so cute! And I’m not going for that end-of-the-world nonsense at all. If I’m wrong about it – who’s going to be around to say I told you so?
Such a good point, Peg. There’s a lot of people on Vancouver Island who worry that the whole landmass is going to sink or get swallowed up into the ocean some day. Why bother worrying about something like that? If the entire island is going under, so be it.
Oh, Dana! I’m so sorry to hear about all of this, particularly regarding your sister
, but it’s great to hear that the elimination diet is leaving your physical self feeling good. Also, you have a good perspective on life and the drama that it routinely brings so, no doubt, you will get through this tough stuff. Like you said, “this too shall pass.” Big virtual (((HUGS))) to you.
Thanks, Christina! My sister is still dealing with a lot of pain and follow-up tests to see what’s up with her leg, but everything else (mouldy bed, Mayan prophecy, etc.) has already passed.
So good to hear, Dana. And hopefully you’re sister is okay at this point too. I actually had commented on your Blogger post about her first incident because I, too, had a very negative reaction to hormonal birth control (11 years ago) and am a huge advocate against it. But I just checked and didn’t see my comment so I’m thinking that it probably didn’t post.