Selfish jeans

Yesterday I bought my first pair of jeans for over $100.  This goes against much of what I believe in.  Or much of what I say I believe in.  There is this line in an essay by David Rakoff (very funny guy, incidentally) where he writes something about justice or equality being the central theme of his life and then corrects himself and says "no, actually, thinness is the central theme of my life."  That's how I feel.  I want the good of humanity and art and literature and hiking to be my central concerns, but really, I spend a lot of time thinking about my neck and my ass and whether or not people link me or think I'm pretty, or funny or smart.  So, I suppose the yuppie jeans are just the logical extension of my self absorption.  

In my defense, my twentieth high school reunion is tonight. 

Things I fantasize about doing with my life:

Moving to a rural area and become an organic farmer (complete with bee hives)

Moving to Kenya to work at that huge refugee camp for the displaced Sudanese

Moving to Alaska to be hermetic and literary

Moving to Madagascar to help prevent erosion

Moving to Telegraph Hill to be a rich bohemian 

Becoming a midwife and moving to an impoverished African country where they need midwives

Or I could just stay put and count my blessings, which I am trying to learn to be better at.

And speaking of blessings. . .a completely unrelated picture of Oliver in the tub.  Just to lighten the mood.

Sometimes the internet is used for good

People can be so amazing and interesting.  Here's one of them.  I don't know him but I love this project called Unphotographable.

A few hundred words are worth a picture.

So little time

Ack!  This blogging thing is harder than I thought.  One day it's Monday and then. . .it's Monday again and all you've done in between is hang out with old friends, host a BBQ, attend a book group to discuss the wonderful and moving Out Stealing Horses, take your two-year-old twins to to the Exploratorium (note to self: Exploratorium is truly cool but a total a nightmare with two-years-olds.  Stay clear for at least three more years), get your hair cut, and shop for a 20-year high school reunion outfit even though no garment exists that can make you look 18 again. And yes, I tried a girdle.

Mostly, though, I've just been stressing out about my storytelling performance coming up on Wednesday.  I had my "run through" in front of the class last Wednesday and despite my suspicions that I was going to be a natural, I was not.  There was sort of an eerie silence when I finished and I could feel the whole thing just sort of deflate. I also discovered an until-now dormant flailing thing I do with my hands when I'm nervous.  BUT I've been practicing, so here's hoping I step up and don't make a fool of myself in front of all the Porch Light hipsters!  And even if I do, at least I've done something I'm scared of.

I'll let you know how it goes.  And if you want to check it out or cheer me on, come at 6 on Wednesday to Intersection for the Arts.  Some of my classmates are really great and it's free!

PS.  If you want to donate to the Obama campaign, go here.  We are having a fundraiser at our house soon.  More to come about that. .  .