Tuesday, July 28, 2009

God's in Her Heaven

Today when I went for a mammogram, I ran into Velvet's kindergarten teacher. We recognized each other immediately because a couple of years ago we were in a class on Developmental Variations. She's pursuing her PhD now and looks wonderful. We both got all excited talking about educational reform there in the mammogram waiting lounge. Health Care was, of course, a topic since she had recently been without insurance for a year and my insurance runs out on Friday. The same question applies to both health care and education: Why are we even debating this stuff when the entire system is inherently flawed? It's flawed for for the people it's supposed to be serving, anyway. Clearly somebody somewhere is making a bundle or we wouldn't be stuck in this situation.

She's started a project for her PhD in which I have enthusiastically agreed to participate although all I know is that it has something to do with using comic books to increase literacy levels among children identified as reading deficient. Frequently, children with reading issues are simply being taught in a manner inconsistent with their learning style. Introducing different methods addresses this inconsistency. Sometimes there are neurologically based issues, such as dyslexia, that interfere with decoding, but with a curriculum dedicated to student success on high stakes standardized tests, alternative teaching methods can be neglected (as are a broad range of subjects necessary to develop critical thinking skills, but that's another topic). Problematically high student:teacher ratios also interfere with appropriate instruction. She's got tons of research to do, and I find this sort of activity invigorating.

The exciting thing to me, though, was reconnecting with her in the first place. It's like when Pineapple Head and I ran into each other at the New York premier of a documentary. My new job falls into the category of reconnection, too. Sometimes going backward is the best way to move forward.

This is a trailer for said documentary. Why We Wax by Kimberly M. Wetherell and Amy Axelson. Available to purchase from She Shoots to Conquer. I'm in it.

**Note ** I don't know why so many women reference their vaginas when discussing waxing since nobody waxes her actual vagina. You wax all around the pubic area, but never inside the vagina - there's no hair inside.

Even though last year was a lot like being stuck in molasses, much was accomplished on a personal level. I phased off all my psychotropic medications which was rough going sometimes, but ultimately I have remained stable. Most importantly, Velvet and I have navigated successfully through the teenage years into new territory.

I'm delighted to have had very little to detract from Velvet's last year at home full time. And I'm delighted that some great people I knew in the meantime are coming back into my world now that he's off to college. Things feel ideally placed for me as I embark on the next phase of my life.

Velvet will get home from Texas on Sunday. Some of his buddies came over yesterday evening because one of them owed Velvet money. Velvet wants the cash the minute he gets home from the airport to facilitate some major plan with Cupcake. During the hour and a half they hung out, it occurred to me that there has been so much testosterone in my living room this past year that there was no need to import any other man into this home. These kids are handsome, charming, and discuss philosophy and current events with good humor. None of the aggressive debating to establish dominance that many men seem to think passes for conversation. I was surrounded by strapping young men, and we all agreed the world would be a better place if more people got high.

The best part is that I am the boss of it. Velvet thinks he's the boss, and I can see where he got the idea since I gave it to him - but I'm finally the boss of my living room. There is all kinds of trouble in the world, but as long as I have a home that is comfortable, well provisioned and filled with loving acceptance, that's about as good as it gets.

Reviewing the situation, some months ago I was examining the differences in my life since I was without a boyfriend for the first time since I was Sixteen. Liberality said this is exactly how it would be when a man shows up and wreaks havoc. If her analysis was correct, I hope -- Dang, I'm going to start sounding like one of rotten Disney princesses if this keeps up.

12 Comments:

Blogger Utah Savage said...

Your life sounds lovely.

July 28, 2009 at 7:31 PM  
Blogger jadedj said...

PE, I am still hung up on the waxing part of this post. I even went away trying to digest the rest of it, but kept coming back to that. So here I am commenting on that minor part of your post.

Not being a big wax fan, I basically watched the trailer, my main motivation being, trying to figure out which person is you. Still not sure.

At any rate, I must say it all sounds like a lot of pain for minimum results. Really...I don't know ANY guy who actually likes this smooth pooter thing. But then, my friends are old hippies and dopers whose first girl friends had massive hairy legs and such. I suppose we have gone way beyond the "natural" us. It's all slipping away for me, and I am a soon to be doomed, hairy orifice, old man, methinks.

July 28, 2009 at 8:00 PM  
Blogger PENolan said...

I'm the one who accidentally got a brazilian and whose pussy hurt like a mutherfucker. It's a long story involving my arm being in a sling.

I suspect a lot of the attraction has to do with what went on between GI Joe and Barbie.

Yes, Utah, it's lovely today. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

July 28, 2009 at 8:31 PM  
Blogger jadedj said...

Har, har, har.

Ok, now I have to go back for the 5th time and re-watch it.

Incidentially, a factoidal for you...I am the guy who posed for the G.I. Joe Doll...originally...pre-wax days. However, they decided not to use my image, as I went AWOL sometime in 1969, I believe it was. Not good for Joe's and Barb's image.

You have my permission to impress your friends with this at your next wax in.

Onward and upward, and backward to the video.

July 28, 2009 at 8:41 PM  
Blogger jadedj said...

I feel like such a...douchebag. I totally missed the fact that your life is going your way. My stupid ass was concentrating on that, damned funny video. Sorry PE. It is always good news when someone I admire is doing good with themselves.

July 28, 2009 at 8:51 PM  
Blogger PENolan said...

Not to worry, J. I'm glad you found the video provocative and entertaining.

July 28, 2009 at 10:17 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm glad you could wean yourself off your medication. That is really awesome :). I agree that more people should get high. When I think about all the people i know who dont, it saddens me.

July 28, 2009 at 11:00 PM  
Blogger PENolan said...

No doubt about it, Crowscious. Imagine if all those politicians would simply mellow out and stfu for a change.
Rastaman Vibrations ;)

July 29, 2009 at 8:25 AM  
Blogger Gail said...

Hi Trish-

I love that you met up with Velvet's kindergarten teacher and she will have YOU in her study. I get the whole comic book idea.

ANd your transition in to the "empty nest" is going amazingly well - you are so ready to forge on. :-)

Now, the axing video!! Good Lord almihty!! And yo had the Brazilian while your arm was in a sling? Sounds like a title for a porn movie!! heehee.

You rock!!''
Love you girl-
Gail
peace.....

July 29, 2009 at 11:03 AM  
Blogger Kimberly M. Wetherell said...

note on the "Vag" vs "Vulva" - this came up a lot in our editing discussions, as well as the consequent movie reviews:

I think Eve Ensler really did some amazing things bringing "Vagina" into our vernacular - when it was so previously taboo - and since then, it's become the ubiquitous word for all things labial and otherwise.

I know it's wrong, (and even I say "Jabba the Hut-looking vagina" when I should have more properly said "Jabba the Hut-looking labia") but at least we're not all saying "hoo-hoo".

I'm so glad you were in our movie!!! :-)

July 29, 2009 at 11:21 AM  
Blogger PENolan said...

Kimberly, that's why I just say "pussy," and I'm still having fun with that movie. Now I just need a head shot for my imdb page ;)
Gail, I only had half a brazilian. I'd post the short story about it here, but I'd rather somebody give me $50 for it.

July 29, 2009 at 1:08 PM  
Blogger Life As I Know It Now said...

Vagina, labia, pussy, but don't forget clitoris!

I'm catching up from being absolutely behind. I am one of those hairy women and my hubby likes me that-a-way. He doesn't even want me to shave my underarms or legs even, although I do.

Life is good when you are in control, yes?

September 15, 2009 at 1:34 PM  

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