V Day Rites of Spring

Happy V Day everyone.

I once took a correspondence course called Studies in Forgiveness. The hope was I would learn something about letting go of grudges and other old testament habits. This class redefined forgiveness as something completely internal and personal. It also called for forgiving oneself rather than others as a primary focus.

I was such an angry youth. I hadn’t realized how angry I was with myself. After fifteen years, I’m still not good at forgiveness. Mastering this skill has never been my goal. Even trying would be another thing on the list, but I always need practice. Self forgiveness is one of the hardest, most complex things we ever do. This regular struggle has been on my mind a lot the past few months. My love of V Day partially comes from practicing.

My two favorite V Day dates:

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
Macbeth starring Patrick Stewart

What I’m listening to this week:

When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight and He’ll Win the Whole Thing ‘fore He Enters the Ring There’s No Body to Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might so When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand and Remember That Depth Is the Greatest of Heights and If You Know Where You Stand, Then You Know Where to Land and If You Fall It Won’t Matter, Cuz You’ll Know That You’re Right.—Fiona Apple

10 Cabin Fever Remedies

1. Spring Cleaning. Rearranging gets your heart rate up and builds muscles; move anything that doesn’t bring you joy into a pile. When spring comes, drop it all off at a donation center the first day you open the windows. Think of it as a trust exercise. Nature will bring the spring thaw.
2. Utopian Science Fiction. Reading the blindingly, beautiful terror of a perfect world that never quite feels right will make all the dark feel better.
3. Deep Space Nine. If you’re not a reader, watching this is just as good. Message me for favorite episodes because I’m probably watching it too. Sip prune juice whenever you see Worf training.
4. Snow Sports. If you’re particularly feisty, drive to a ski resort with your snowboard, spend hours on the slope. When you drive home at 10 miles per hour in a new snowstorm, spin out. The snow will save you if you don’t try to speed up.
5. Snow Sports, Continued. If you can’t get out of the driveway, gather the neighborhood for a game of football or some other team sport. If you don’t play, be the cheerleader. Sip Wild Turkey with another cheerleader and make a friend for life. This will be how you remember meeting even if it wasn’t. If this sounds terrible, alternate options include hot cider. It’s important to hydrate in the cold.
6. Drinks with Friends. Call one of your besties and spend the evening sipping hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps. When you’ve laughed until your abs hurt, play with glitter because no evening is complete without glitter.
7. Indoor Exercise. Rearrange your living room for a dance party or kung fu forms. If you bounce or jump a lot invite your downstairs neighbors and make a video.
8. Knit or Crochet. Find the most complicated pattern you can and lose yourself in untangling the mess you’ve made. Alternately, gather all the plastic bags in the house, cut them up and make plastic yarn.
9. Explore. Find the neighborhood spot. Put on your snow pants and boots. When you walk outside, follow the densest collection of adult-sized footprints until you’re at the pub/diner/cafe where the rest of the neighborhood is getting to know one another. You’re always saying you need to meet the neighbors.
10. Message Visola. She’ll make you a weird list that doesn’t quite keep you laughing and post it on her blog. Anything to avoid writing the novel, right?