If you're not sure what the title of this blog post is referring to, I'd ask kindly that you Google it quickly, read up, and then return here. The title's relevance to this post exists in its own right, but I still believe that everyone should have background knowledge on that hilarious nugget of 90's pop culture. That being said-- I'm sorry to have been gone so long! My last post was right before I moved from my friend's house into my own apartment, and needless to say, my life has been one gigantic whirlwhind since.
Instead of getting into the details (which I'm so sure that everyone reading this would love to hear about) I'm instead going to give you a few pieces of advice based on my new, ever exciting, and exceptionally unique life the last month:
A: Always, always, remember to put gas in your car before you drive into DC.
R: Road rage to an excessive degree.
L: Love can find you in the strangest of places, if you let it.
I: It never gets old when a 3-year-old tells you that he/she loves you. Never.
N: Normal people go to Target about three times a month. Awesome people go to Target three times a day.
G: Give a smile to people that are especially miserable. Karmic retribution will find them, and luck in some form will find you.
T: Take time to read, write, journal, and think every day. It pays off in more ways than one.
O: Once a day, tell yourself how fantastic you are.
N: New friends and acquaintances can really plug you into the social pipeline, if you're up for it.
Sure, there's a lot I've left out, but I hope these nuggets of wisdom quenched at least the mildest of curiosities. If not, leave a comment, or just pine over it as you sleep tonight.
Today I testified in court on behalf of a little boy that I teach who is currently going through a custody battle. I received a subpoena two weeks ago, not knowing what in fuck that even meant, until someone explained it to me. I've never been in a situation that involved any swearing to tell the truth when it mattered, unless you count interactions with my parents and ex-boyfriends (when I most certainly told lies--for good reason).
It's still hard for me to synthesize how I was feeling, how I am feeling, and what I should be feeling about the whole situation. I'm trying to write this entry with a reflective, thoughful way of verbiage and I'm telling you what-- it's just not coming to me. My boyfriend eased a bit of my worry before I went in to the courtroom, but as soon as I sat down and started to process what I was involved in, it didn't much matter.
Is this case going to be on the national news? No. Will it be on the local news? No. Will anyone else besides the people involved in the case give a shit what went on between the hours of 10-5 today? No. I find myself thinking back to my childhood, trying to remember the little intricacies that may have shaped who I am today. I can't remember any of them. They are all so viscerally ingrained in me as a human being that there is no way to separate my nature from nurture. How can we possibly explain to others who we are as people, our actions, thoughts, nuances-- when we don't even know ourselves?
The sad part is, the monumental affect that this case will have on the two families involved is emotionally trying enough to stand up to any turmoil that the entire state of Virginia might feel in a lifetime. Hugs, Christmas presents, and bedtimes will be affected. When and where his hair is cut. How many servings of spaghetti he is allowed. When and if he is allowed soda, candy, or a lollipop. Where he goes to middle school. What his bedtime and curfew will be as a freshman. When he can bring a girl home. Whether he likes wheat or white, over-easy or scrambled, and his choice between skim milk and 2%.
And the rest of the world hasn't a damn clue about it.
