Wednesday, May 20, 2009

As The Pendulum Swings

Well hello!
I'm up out of the cellar today, the black funk having passed tornado-like, leaving flotsam and destruction, but everything important is intact. The husband person has been very supportive and kind lately; I think I might have scared him. I know I scared myself.

I'm reading "Reflections on the Art of Living - A Joseph Campbell Companion" this week, while I wait for my super groovy history book, "Albion's Seed", to arrive. I figured I could use a little perspective refresher, and Joseph Campbell is my kind of guy, having arrived at his personal philosophy via a life-long study of world mythology, and just following his muse. This particular book has an emphasis on the Grail Quest, as it pertains to finding meaning in your individual life. I love the fact that he never talks like some high-falutin' guru, trying to sell you on his version of snake tonic/ spiritual perfection. That always raises my suspicion, along with my hackles. He says things like, "doing what someone else wants you to do, is slave morality", and "if you can see the path you're on, then it isn't your path, it's someone else's". A man who tells us that getting lost is the first step to finding your way - how could I NOT love him?

And speaking of following the crowd, I up and joined a gym today. I know - ME??? Join a gym? After that spiel of going "el solo lobo"? I woke up this morning, pushing maximum density, and thought about going to join a gym. My first reaction was claustrophobic - "I'll be trapped! I'll be joining the crowd, etc." Then my rational, used-to-be-a-slim-girl voice spoke up: "And sitting on your ass, in the house, all during the hot, humid summer, doing Ho-ho curls, is going to do what??"

So I went and joined, and in true Ms. Q fashion, I immediately wanted to go out to lunch for a cheeseburger, because as the Buddha of Juicy Rationalizations (Ms. Q) would say: "I joined the gym, I'm paying the money, won't the weight just come off now?" And I've always laughed at her, but now, now "I'm looking down, Shrek", and I can't see my feet, and it isn't quite as funny. (okay, it's still a little funny, especially when she says it, but then she is a comic genius, or is it just me who thinks that?)

So now I'm a gym-rat. Imagine that, and then let me know how big my ass looks in that work-out gear, or even more likely, how scared the others will be when I show up in bag-lady gear (ass still pushing the boundaries of our neighboring countries), because I'm too cheap to buy sparkly new, perky work-out clothes, replete with matching scrunchy?

Stay tuned...

15 comments:

bandick said...

Pickle on a treadmill! You're gonna rock it, but you absolutely must have leg warmers.

I'm sorry things were funky and I'm happy you're making a comeback. Now I'm just waiting for Bea to make hers and all will be right with the blogosphere once again...

Gypsy said...

Sounds like things are improving! I'm very impressed with the gym-joining. Very. I need to do the same. Or similar.

Anonymous said...

Looser is better anyway. All that chaffing is a bitch!

Way to go and pull yourself up by your gnarly bootstraps! Go slow, take some music, and enjoy yourself. YOURSELF! That's what it's about . . .

Strange, but your word verification is "flestic". Perhaps you could come up with a righteous ensemble for your gym treks and give it a cool name like flestic . . .

Observer: My, what a great outfit!
You: Thanks. It's so flestic . . .

Pyzahn said...

I'm coming back to night to read your post -- on the fly -- but I just wanted to respond to your Mr. Greenjeans lust. I have my picture with him. Ha. Eat your heart out.

See you later.

Perksofbeingme said...

You'll do great.

Also thanks for the comment on my blog. I wanted to email you, but I don't have your email, so can you email me at perksofbeingme AT gmail DOT com

Thanks!

Chanda (aka Bea) said...

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming. It's oh so graceful, no?
At least we can be uncoordinated together.

And hey! Why doesn't it work the way Ms Q says it should?? WTF?

hehe.. my word verification is "glyze". Nuff said.

Pyzahn said...

Very cool stuff. Out of the funk. Reading Campbell. And joining a gym. Good, good, good for you.

I put my gym membership on hiatus for three months because I've got these two part time jobs where I do lots of physical work. But I was thinking today that I miss.

I'm not an exercise nut, but I've got to admit, I feel much better when I put in the time. If you can hold steady for two months, it will become a valued part of your life.

Eh! Listen to me. I just ate half a coffee cake!

Vodka Mom said...

joined a gym and THEN went out for a cheeseburger? You are my idol.

IDOL!!!!!

xoxox

Karen Jensen said...

I'm glad you're finding your way out of the funk. I think I may read some Campbell, myself.

And I'm sure your ass looks great in your workout clothes.

CSquaredPlus3 said...

I'm glad you're feeling better! I'm an advocate of exercise/movement for people, regardless of eating habits. Even your long walks in the woods are wonderful. I hope the gym experience becomes something you look forward to. You don't need shiny anything! I wear the same men's black athletic shorts I got at Target, and a white t-shirt with yellow pit stains EVERY time I go to the gym. No shit. Go, you!

A Free Man said...

Good on you for not buying new gym togs!

Joseph Campbell - haven't thought about him in nearly 20 years. I read him when I was 19-20 and on a spiritual quest that turned out fruitless, but I'd love to revisit him. Good stuff.

William said...

This is the first time I have visited your blog and I really enjoy your phrasologies and wording. Joseph Campbell is awesome some of the philosophy he discusses and breaks down is amazing..

hele said...

I've been trying to get my pendulum to swing towards a gym but so far its preferring to stay seated :)

maggie, dammit said...

Gym rat. Heh. That's awesome. :)

I'm so glad you fought your way out of the fog.

crone51 said...

We must be on the same depression schedule....