constance: (leave.)
constance ([personal profile] constance) wrote2008-06-19 10:53 am

YOU GOTTA REMEMBER WHO FUCKIN LOVES YOU, MAN.

Well! After weeks of this debilitating panicky buzzing static overwhelming me whenever I tried to say something, anything, to anyone (it's taken me a while to realize that this phenomenon seems to be summer-related, which is it possible to have SAD in an inverse sort of style, and also, WAY TO GO SELF-AWARENESS), I woke up this morning, which was, probably not coincidentally, a nice cool morning, with the Urge to Spill. The words, they are fighting to get out, and so I am just going to let them and not make any promises and not question anything. Okay? Okay. Here goes.

  • I turned 39 last week, and after years of being sanguine about my approaching Middle Years, suddenly it's much harder to deal. Sure, I'm aging pretty well. Sure, I am active and healthy and inquisitive and don't much resemble the specimen I had in my brain of 40-year-old women when I was, like, seventeen, but God, come on, I am kissing my thirties goodbye and I am so very reluctant to stop! (Despite the fact that some of my thirties were truly lousy, I've liked being in my thirties quite a lot.) Anyway, this goodbye kiss. I feel it should be a really long sloppy open-mouthed slutty one, you know, the kind that when you see them between strangers in the streets you're hard-pressed not to gape and snicker but really who kisses like that in public if they don't want to be seen, right? That kind of kiss. I'm not sure how to go about it, I'm just not that sort of person, but for once in my life I want to be. I am thinking about how I want this year to go down. I don't want to spend it the way I might otherwise be tempted to spend it: lazily napping and reading in


  • my new hammock, which was a much-coveted birthday present this year. In spite of my nebulous wishes to do something spectacular (or maybe even more than one spectacular thing) in the next eleven months and twenty days, I've been spending a fair bit of time doing this very thing with the first few days of my fortieth year. But see, if I'm reading out on my porch, I can watch for falling limbs, which are still falling a month after the tornado, more damage in them there trees than anyone (and by anyone, I mean I) suspected, I guess; and also I can spy discreetly on my fascinating new neighbors, who are real-live rednecks, complete with indeterminate numbers of small diaper-clad children and lots of big loud trucks and terrible beer and that neo-redneck buzzcut which has long since replaced the mullet as the hairstyle of choice amongst the men of this demographic, and who last week during some sort of fight aired my new favorite Proclamation o'Love: YOU GOTTA REMEMBER WHO FUCKIN LOVES YOU, MAN. I am trotting this one out whenever I can, which is not, perhaps unsurprisingly, all that often. But I say it to you now. Because I can.

    The hammock, by the way, is configured in such a way that it makes my butt fall asleep if I linger too long. I love it anyway, though. I do love me an imperfect life, a lovely thing with just a stinging edge of discomfort to it.


  • In other lazinesses (and as part of an ongoing effort to avoid the beginning of the end of BSG), I am slowly revisiting Deadwood and loving it even better the second time around. And oh, my. I'd remembered so many of the things I loved about it: everything about my father's spiritual twin Al Swearingen; the weaselly, prolix nastiness of EB; my future wastrellous, fabulous first wife Calamity Jane; so much, much more. But I'd sort of forgotten how incredibly, mind-bogglingly hot Seth Bullock was, or maybe I never felt it the first time around (actually, I liked Sol much more the first time around, now that I think about it), but now whenever he's onscreen, I have a hard time concentrating on the actual scene, I just want to watch him smoulder for a while, and the noteworthy thing is that it's not Timothy Olyphant who's making me squirm, since I'm not really an Olyphantgirl; it is all about Seth Bullock. MMmmmMMmMmm.


  • Despite these sedentary non-adventurous activities, though, I am still losing weight. I've lost quite a lot now, in fact, enough that people have taken to boggling at the change, and while I know people mean to be flattering (and while obviously it is nice to have a waist and also to be able to wear all the nifty summer skirts that hung forlornly in my closet for years because I loved them too much to throw them out but couldn't actually get them buttoned or zipped or indeed over my hips), I find myself resenting this specific attention a little. I mean, yeah, thanks for telling me I'm looking good, healthy, fit, whatfuckingever, but no thanks for the implication that I was looking crappy before. I should probably deal with this resentment, right, before it gets the better of me, before some well-meaning guy tries to flirt mildly with me and instead of smiling and being nice and moving uncomfortably on I stick around long enough to haul off and punch him in the face. That'd be uncool, I know.


  • And finally, I have a delicate question for you that only you, gentle reader, can answer. I've been catching up, in the last couple of days, finding out what you've been up to in the last month (and realizing in the process how few of the journals I've got friended are still actually active), wanting to comment sometimes but feeling weird about commenting enthusiastically on a post made three weeks ago, because even if I am just coming to you, you have moved far past that moment, and so this is my question to you: what exactly is your statute of limitations for comments on past posts? Do you even have one?


  • There's one more thing, too. :* It's really, really good to see you again. Good to be hanging around. Good to be talking.

[identity profile] violetisblue.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 04:13 pm (UTC)(link)
I felt weird too, when I realized, "Shit, I really am almost forty!" I never felt that way about turning thirty, I don't think, but I keep telling myself it'll pass soon enough in favor of, "Shit, I really am almost fifty!" Eee.

As for the other, comment on as many older entries as you like, and good to see you again! :-D

[identity profile] tilney.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 04:20 pm (UTC)(link)
T, dude. It's so good to see you around. I get this lazy, summery vibe from your post that I really dig, and I'm glad that you are taking it easy.

39, huh. Well, to be honest with you, to me you'll always be a cool 27, for what it's worth. I think that seeing the thirties off with a bang is a swell idea (but then I've recently come to the realization that you, and by that I mean I, should see every day off with a bang. Sometimes maybe a small one, but something to make it memorable, you know.)

HAMMOCK! The sign that human race has good ideas! So lovely.

What's the neo-redneck haircut? I need to know to identify such individuals.

Congratulations on the weight loss! I am secretly jealous. Is it still WW, or are you now on your own?

Comments on past entires are A-OK.

HI. I like you. PLZ not to be punching me in the face.
thalia: photo of Chicago skyline (Default)

[personal profile] thalia 2008-06-19 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
It's good to see you post! Happy Birthday, even if it does bring you closer to the dreaded you-know-what! Also, yay hammock!

And congrats on the weight loss. I know exactly what you mean about the comments--I have to make a very determined effort to take them with a good attitude, but it tends to be worth it.

Personally, I just love chatting, so I'm happy to get comments on anything, anytime. (Also, I still think I have the boringest LJ ever, so any indication otherwise is fabulous.)

[identity profile] gmth.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Happy belated birthday! *hugs*

Congrats on the weight loss. I wish I could say the same. Heh.

And I have no statute of limitations on commenting. It's actually kind of a nice surpirse to find comments on old posts sometimes. :-)

[identity profile] aubrem.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 04:55 pm (UTC)(link)
And finally, I have a delicate question for you that only you, gentle reader, can answer. I've been catching up, in the last couple of days, finding out what you've been up to in the last month (and realizing in the process how few of the journals I've got friended are still actually active), wanting to comment sometimes but feeling weird about commenting enthusiastically on a post made three weeks ago, because even if I am just coming to you, you have moved far past that moment, and so this is my question to you: what exactly is your statute of limitations for comments on past posts? Do you even have one?

NO statute of limitations! And all comments gratefully received! I still suck at replies though. : / If I fail to reply please assume I enjoyed the comment but was too busy or feeling guilty about putting in time online to say anything.

[identity profile] pastles.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
<3 (There is no time limit for commenting. At least not in my posts / journal anyway)

[identity profile] luthien.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Belated happy birthday!

I wasn't crazy about being 39, didn't enjoy 40 much, but 41 is just fine. It's a big relief to be past that particular hump. So: there is light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't an oncoming train! *g*

Feel free to comment on any of my posts, anytime.
ext_2034: (Default)

[identity profile] ainsley.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm behind on birthday posts, so haven't wished you a happy one yet. I should get on that.

In my LJ, if you can read it you can comment on it. Anyone, anytime.

[identity profile] saekokato.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs* HIHI! It's good to see you again, too!

And on the point of commenting, I'm cool with comments whenever and wherever. ^^ Comments are fun.

[identity profile] imkalena.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Until I read the comments, I thought you were just randomly losing weight. I was all, "see a dr, NAO NAO NAO" -- But that's just life with a cancer patient.

My journal is unwritten in, but I am still actively reading. :) Feel free to comment any time.

Thirty nine! Happy birthday! I vaguely remember 39. I started writing then. That was a good thing. 30 was fine, 35 was tough (dunno why), 40 was fine, 45 was OMG SO CLOSE TO 50.

But yeah. We are not really in our parents' 30s, 40s and 50s. I know everybody my age thinks s/he is much younger than s/he is, but a generation or two ago I think things really were different. My mom and dad started out their lives circa 1930 with next to no medical care and my dad, especially, with poor nutrition. That makes a difference right there.

My dad, a chronic alcoholic and dead at 58, was considerably older than his natural age anyhow, so maybe I have a skewed view.

[identity profile] laurelwood.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 06:16 pm (UTC)(link)
OMG, belated birthday wishes galore! Maybe you can flip-flop between Making This Last Year of the 30's As Memorable As Possible and the napping/reading/hammocking stuff. As a friend's brother once said, "Carpe diem is good in theory, but it's pretty tiring to apply to real life. I can only really seize every third day."

Congratulations on the weight loss. There's nothing that compares to having joyous reunions with old friends from one's wardrobe. It IS hard to deal with those sort of congratulatory comments, but I always try my best to imagine that they aren't meaning, "Gosh, you really used to cast a mighty shadow!" when they're complimenting my (currently elusive) svelteness.

Just like everyone else who's commented, I can't imagine any sort of statute of limitations on comments. I'm greedy that way.

It's so nice to see you again! I've missed you tons.

[identity profile] jossish.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 06:19 pm (UTC)(link)
It is lovely to hear from you! I am glad all is well.

[identity profile] amelia-eve.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Happy belated! Always so good to see you.

And congratulations on the weight loss. I know exactly what you mean about the mixed feelings about compliments, but I long ago decided to take all compliments as offered, period. If you are going to WW meetings, though, it might be an interesting topic to bring up. I'd be interested to hear what other people have to say about it. I plateaued after about fifty pounds and I've just decided to feel good about maintaining this weight and enjoying my nice wardrobe for a while. I tried to get back on program back in February, but the meeting I'd liked was no longer available and I just wasn't feeling it. I decided not to torture myself about it, you know?

The freak-out birthday for me so far was 36. Part of the freak-out was that it seemed so random, but I was just quietly overcome with dread. Maybe because it put me on the wrong side of three score and ten for the first time, but man, what a weird surprise. I do think it's important to celebrate the big ones because they really are meaningful milestones. For my fortieth, I saved like a fiend and went on a fantastic solo trip to Spain and France, mostly touring cathedrals and eating great food. Travel always makes me feel like my best self. I don't know if it works that way for you, but I hope you find something you can plan for as a real celebration, whether it's a party or a trip or a purchase. You deserve to be celebrated.

And of course, comments are accepted whenever you wish to offer them. Since Leit arrived, I'm still figuring out my personal schedule, so my own LJ time and other personal internet habits are a bit in flux. It's so delightful having him here full time, but the practical integration with daily tasks has a bigger impact than I was willing to admit to myself. I think once he starts working it will be easier for us to sort out some kind of schedule, but for now, I beg everyone's indulgence of my own time management glitches.
venivincere: (Default)

[personal profile] venivincere 2008-06-19 08:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Welcome back! I've been a sporadic participant lately, too, so I'm just glad to jump back in in the middle and start swimming.

so this is my question to you: what exactly is your statute of limitations for comments on past posts? Do you even have one?

Nope, when it comes to getting comments. I'm happy to get them any time. That's the beauty of the internet -- we keep in touch on our own time terms, so if someone's "hearing" the news a few weeks or months (or years) late (that happened once) I'm glad they swung by to say something. Now, in terms of commenting on other's past events, I usually dive right in with an apology like "sorry, just seeing this now, but I wanted to say..." and hope they don't see me as hopelessly out of touch. :-D

[identity profile] woodyinvincible.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 08:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Personally I, as someone that has also recently shed some pounds, really like the compliments. In fact I was getting pretty pissed when people weren't noticing my hard work. In reality they were probably just being polite but in my own self-important little world inside my head they were just inconciderate. I mean really where do they get off not paying attention to every little thing I do?

[identity profile] lindyhoppr.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
It's so nice to read your writing again. I didn't know how much I had missed it until you posted. I hope you're doing well, and are now safe from all looting and pillaging around Macon.
I know I am not one to talk, since most of my posting is sporadic at best, and mostly warbling about the different men that I'm dating and thus incredibly boring. But if you DO want to comment on anything I've said, even if it stretches the calendar back to one of my first posts on livejournal (although they haven't saved THAT far back) I love it. I love it that anything I've written has been read, and made such an impact on someone.
Guess I'm crying out for attention, here.

[identity profile] xanthophyllippa.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
what exactly is your statute of limitations for comments on past posts? Do you even have one?

*snort* I wish I were so popular that I could tell people, "No thanks; I've had enough comments for now." Nothing I ever do is that interesting - which is why I almost never post - but by all means, if something I said last month is just screaming for a comment, knock yourself out.

Glad you're back, by the way. And that sort of "Wow, you look good; did you lose weight?" kind of comment has pissed me off forever. I've always kind of wanted to adopt an expression of innocence and wonder and reply, "Why, no, I have not lost weight; does that mean I am still fat and ugly?"

[identity profile] xanthophyllippa.livejournal.com 2008-06-19 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
This:

I can only really seize every third day.

made me laugh out loud. I might have to adopt that as my slogan.

[identity profile] tofty.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 01:41 am (UTC)(link)
I keep telling myself it'll pass soon enough in favor of, "Shit, I really am almost fifty!"

No kidding. And in the intervening decade, I'll just busy myself with keeping my lithe trophy brunette and my classic Olds convertible in prime condition.

Good to see you too! :D

I only punch you in the face from LOVE, baby.

[identity profile] tofty.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
*hugs you tight* Hello, my little quasi-mobster! lazy and summery, that's me; it's much too hot around here to do anything very taxing. Which is just an excuse to lie around, really, but hey, I'll seize that excuse shamelessly.

to me you'll always be a cool 27

That's about how old I feel, really, I mean, leaving out the cool part, which I am shockingly dorky. I can't imagine how I could have got here without realizing it. Very careless of me.

What's the neo-redneck haircut?

Here (http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2005/gallery/springbodies/cmurray3.jpg) is a picture of Chad Michael Murray in the buzzcut of which I speak. I chose this picture because honestly, if you didn't know who he was and slapped a trucker hat on his head, he could totally hang out with my neighbors without citing undue suspicion.

Yeah, I'm still in Weight Watchers. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but it's really, really working for me, and I wouldn't want to mess with a good thing, you know?

[identity profile] tofty.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, you, you have such a nice, friendly lj. I'm always happy to see your Delirium icon on my friendspage, even when I'm too shy (or in the case of the TW stuff, ignorant) to comment.

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one feeling the pain of those unintentionally backhanded compliments, but I'm with you in trying to take them in stride. They mean well, damn it, I keep saying to myself.

[identity profile] tofty.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks for the good wishes! I thought I'd missed yours too, since I know our birthdays are close-ish, but I see I have a few days left to be late, which undoubtedly I will because I suck at birthdays.

I still have a ways to go with the weight loss, but I am feeling very smug and proud of myself these days. I thought you had lost quite a bit of weight too, though! I know a lot of stress makes me gain, and I'm sorry to think that the past few months might've been that way for you. :/ *hugs*

[identity profile] tofty.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
I am sucking at the replies lately as well, so I'd never hold a non-reply against someone! It's good to know you're around and reading, though.

[identity profile] tofty.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
<3! That's very good to know!

[identity profile] tofty.livejournal.com 2008-06-20 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, man, it's comforting to hear that this dread will dissipate in time. I'm not sure I could sustain it for the rest of my life! It's pretty exhausting, this beginning to feel old. :D

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