Season of Bundling

Today was the first day this fall season that I wore my winter coat. I was holding out for after November 1st, but gave in. Last year I was able to hold out until November 11th.

Front-Page News

Folks, I've already expressed my love for the Warsaw area, but reading the Times-Union this week has given me the feeling that I live in Hicksville. Take yesterday's front-page...

This picture was shown only because it supposedly (or supposably, whichever you prefer) looks like a dog. This was deemed worthy of the front-page. And right next to it was the account of a guy who got into an altercation with his son-in-law and began to shoot at the tires on his son-in-law's vehicle. This was also found on the front-page of the paper.

And if you go back a few more days, you'll find the news that a man was found sitting naked in some pine trees. I think this was included on a later page, though.

So what have we learned this week? If you want to get on the front-page of the newspaper, find oddly shaped produce or shoot at a car. But if you expose yourself indecently while hanging around some foliage, you won't make the cut.

Note to Self No. 32

When a friend gives you advice, listen to it. (And that means all of it, not just part of it.)

This weekend I tried something new... tanning. This wasn't for vanity's sake, at least that's what I'd like to think. This was for the sake of my bridesmaid dress. I had developed a slight farmer's tan over the summer and thought a little tanning bed action might help me out. Upon hearing of my plans, a friend or two cautioned me to only go a few minutes. I agreed with them, but when it came down to it, I added a few more minutes.

The ten on Friday were okay; part of me only became slightly pink. After a couple days, I decided to up my time to 15 minutes on Sunday. I followed this with my usual Sunday afternoon nap, after which, I awoke to slight stiffness. As the evening wore on, my shades of pink quickly darkened to [wait for it] red. So my tanning escapades have probably come to an end.

As I moved around last night and today, I remembered scenes from the I Love Lucy episode where Lucy gets burnt to a crisp. And I definitely had a moment last night in which I could have sworn I was going to lose my supper. But my usual routine, which includes immediately sipping cool water, quickly subdued the situation.

However, the tanning hasn't made things much worse. I think it did even out my previous tan lines a little, and most of the red will be covered by the dress. And there's still several days for it to significantly fade.

Now if I only had a few bruises, my patriotic look would be complete.

South Bend Sunday

Yesterday afternoon my mom and I went to South Bend on a quest to find new shoes that would satisfy my pickiness. Result: success! Two new pairs of shoes have found their way into my closet. And I must say, they're quite cute and put my older shoes to shame.

To celebrate the find, we went to Olive Garden. Mom had some kind of alfredo with shrimp, which I tasted. I skipped supper and went straight for dessert: tiramisu and cappuccino, which Mom tasted. My routine involved taking a bite of one and then sipping the other, back and forth until I had my fill.

It was good to spend time with just Mom. It seems I don't do it very often. The drive to and from, walking through the mall, and eating out gave us a chance to talk. I tend to forget that my mom is an actual person, not just a mom or a wife.

That Explains It

The main topic of discussion last night at supper happened to be me. Bits of my childhood, anyway. I even learned something about my past that earily foreshadows the way I function today.

I knew that when I was three months old, my parents brought me along to a family reunion. At this reunion, my great-great aunt Emily (for whom I am named) held me on her lap so my parents could take a picture of us. (I've seen the picture.) But there's one detail my parents failed to tell me... until last night. When she held me, she exclaimed, "Somebody better put some clothes on this child! She's shivering!" And thus explains my need to have layers of clothing on when most people around me claim to be just fine with less.

Breathe In Breathe Out

Okay, I like Mat Kearney's music. And this song, being his newest, is my favorite of his. The video's not bad, but I have one main complaint... his shirt. It seems effeminate. Does anyone else agree or am I alone on this?

Chewbacca Sweater

A couple months ago I bought a beige button-front cable cardigan. I've been wearing it almost everywhere I go--kind of a convenient comfort blanket that keeps me warm. Due to it becoming fuzzier and more warn, I'm starting to think of it as my Chewbacca sweater.

Sweater Breakup Songs Revisited

Okay, to my amazement, without even trying, I found another sweater breakup song last night. I was listening to John Mayer's latest cd (Continuum) and heard it. However, instead of a guy wanting to keep his sweater, it's a guy wanting his ex to have her sweater. So it kind of messes up my previous thinking... But it's another song!

JOHN MAYER
I'm Gonna Find Another You

It's been your word, you made your stand
You got me crying, as well as you planned
But when my loneliness is through, I'm gonna find another you

You take your sweaters
You take your time
You might have your reasons but you will never have my rhymes
I'm gonna sing my way away from blue
I'm gonna find another you

When I was your lover
No one else would do
If I'm false to find another I hope she looks like you
Yeah and she's nicer too

So go on baby
Make your little get away
My pride will keep me company
And you just gave yours all away
Now I'm gonna dress myself for two
Once for me and once for someone new
I'm gonna do somethings you wouldn't let me do
Oh I'm gonna find another you

Sweater Break-Up Songs

A few days ago at work, I got a song stuck in my head. This happens all the time. But on this particular remembrance of "that country song," as I have known it as, I came to an amazing realization. Break-up songs tend to contain the word "sweater." I found this intriguing as I recalled other songs I know of, some of which are listed at the end of this post.

Why? Why are sweaters so personal? Why do we worry about where our sweaters are when we break up with someone? Maybe it’s because once you wear a sweater a few times, it becomes an extension of you. It is stretched and pulled, keeping it’s misshapen state for the rest of its life. It takes on your scent. How dare your ex keep your sweater! It’s yours.

Upon digging deeper, it also becomes evident that guys are the ones worried about their sweaters. No girls here. I can see why this is. The sweaters I own would look rather silly on a member of the opposite sex. (Imagining…) Yes. Yes, they would. (Smile.)

What are your thoughts on this matter? And can you think of any other sweater break-up songs? How many are there?

Cake: It’s Coming Down
It's coming down.
It's coming down.
It's raining outside.
You've nowhere to hide.
She's asking you
Why you think it's funny.
It's coming down.
It's coming down.
She's leaving your house.
She had to get out.
She's mad,
And she'll take her mattress with her.
It's coming down.
It's coming down.
It's coming down.
You lie on the floor.
She's slamming your door.
She's gone,
And she's wearing your red sweater.

Keith Urban: You’ll Think of Me
Take your records, take your freedom
Take your memories I don’t need ‘em
Take your space and take your reasons
But you’ll think of me
And take your cat and leave my sweater
Cause we have nothing left to weather
In fact Ill feel a whole lot better
But you’ll think of me, you’ll think of me

Weezer: Undone – The Sweater Song
If you want to destroy my sweater
Hold this thread as I walk away
Watch me unravel,
I'll soon be naked
Lying on the floor (lying on the floor)
I've come undone