Hmmm...

This blog thing is wierd! But fun... so far....

So, I don't know if there are laws against being serious in your blog, but I'm feelin' a little serious today. You know that thing that happens when something becomes relevant in your life, then you keep hearing about it in random situations? Well, given recent events in my life, my ears are open to the words "brain tumor."

Scott Hamilton was on the Today show this morning talking about his recent brain tumor diagnosis. It happens to be benign, but it while they were talking it was mentioned that he had testicular cancer a few years ago. They said that particular kind of cancer had a very high survival rate, whereas brain cancer has a very low survival rate.

I know brain cancer is tricky, and there's a lot we don't know about the brain, but damn! Brain cancer has below a 30% survival rate. That's just not okay. There's a lot of support and funding out there for breast cancer, prostate cancer, etc. and that's great! That's important! But what about the other cancers? What about brain cancer?

I feel a little guilty writing that last bit, because my best childhood friend is facing some very scary breast cancer right now, but I don't mean to take anything away from her or others with breast cancer. I just wish there was a bigger support system/fundraising society for brain cancer. It doesn't have to be hopeless.

Okay that's enough of that for today. Anybody know any good jokes?
~Jenn

Blog is a funny word

I think "blog" is the sound a muppet makes when it blows its nose.

My friend the Reverend La Petite Choupique has an amazingly funny blog. It's very much like an online performance- you can almost see the spotlight. I highly recommend it.

I just think out loud on my blog. Here's a thought- I might have to get a root canal. Just what I needed.

~J

Snowy Day

My feet are cold. It's a lazy, snowy day- my second day off in a row, so I can really enjoy the quiet nothingness. I can ponder on the frigidity of my feet for as long as I want until I finally decide to either put socks on or wait until they turn the same shade of blue as my jeans so that it will look as though I did it on purpose.

I spent all of yesterday overcome with a general feeling of "Huh?" as I seem to do lately on my rare days off. Someone told me after my last day off that it generally helps to have two days off in a row, so that you can be confused by the free time on the first day, then come to terms with it enough to enjoy it on the second. It seems to be true.

I'd love to say that I've been a model of acomplishment considering there are a lot of important things I haven't had time to do lately. Instead I'm listening to Norah Jones, enjoying a cup of tea, watching the snow fall, and putting my thoughts into the ether. A cuddle with my cat is sure to follow. Good thing I trimmed his claws yesterday!

Thoughts, thoughts... they've been swimming around in my head a lot lately and need to be sorted into neat little files in my head. Mostly they're confused thoughts about "shoulds". Should I be down in Florida helping to make sure that everything is being done the best it can be for my father? Should I be spending more time at work fixing and organizing? Seems impossible lately, since I can't seem to fix or organize anything for myself. Should I be dedicating myself to singing? And what happened there? Will I ever get back on track?

All of these thoughts (and there are more) seem to require a full dedication to one thing at the expense of all the others. I float, not really commited to doing anything. I love passion; I miss passion. I have no passion of any kind. It has, however, been replaced with some other wonderful emotions.

There is rapturous wonder when I step outside and find that it snowed all night and the trees are bowing towards me, heavy with snow. There is calm. There is a quiet but ever-present and sometimes overwhelming love for my family, which includes Kirsten, of course. She's probably the most passionate person I know.

Well, that's more than enough for today. I *should* do some laundry. That's it; one small should-y step at a time. Before you know it, I'll be should-ing all over the place.

;),
Jenn

Diana's Baths (September '04)

Diana's Baths
Originally uploaded by fernijer.