A Piece of Mae #1: Like Yourself, Party All the Time

I’m loving ToothFairy’s blog post game, “A Piece of Me“. The first Sunday of every month, one posts a Piece of Me, a small insight into a person’s particular feelings at that time by answering the questions to 5 key phrases. Over the course of months and years, one can see how she/he grows and changes.

I rather like it.

I like: I’m starting to like myself a bit more. Honestly. I looked at myself in the mirror a couple times, stark naked, stripped of all adornment, frills and flaw-covering enhancements. I looked at myself, nipples saluting the cold air. It was sobering. But then I sat down in front of the mirror and realized: I complain, and I cheat sometimes, but all the changes I’ve made over the last five years have led to a body worth appreciating. Running, vegetarianism, staying out of clubs, minimising how much drunken shenanigans I get into have led to a stomach with muscle definition, toned legs, clear skin. I may be small, but I have good skin, great hair and a somewhat toned physique. I shouldn’t let my I Feel Hideous Days rule me and distort my self image, erode what small amounts of confidence I can muster.

My style has changed, too. Though my entire wardrobe has now converted to a casual yet very office-y style, I pretty much don’t have to worry about thinking that I’m crossing too many styles or genres, that I don’t have any definable attributes that would allow me to label whatever my “style” is. Trendy, urban, feminine yet tomboyish, quirky. It doesn’t matter. The mix is balancing and whatever it is, I am starting to feel comfortable with it.

I like the Holiday Cheer. The other day I bought a bunch of holiday ornaments, started playing the Christmas Music station, wrapped presents for the unfortunate family we “adopted” through my mother in law’s office. For once, after feeling displaced and spiritless for years and years, the Holiday Spirit has absorbed back into me. I feel myself lighter, happier than in Christmases past, looking forward and looking backward, in love, seeing all the wonderful people and blessings that have enriched my life.

I don’t like: Eddie Murphy’s song, “Party All the Time.” Nate and I spent a whirlwind 24 hours in Chicago to celebrate his college roomie’s Big Thirty, surprising him at his favourite neighbourhood bowling alley with him and a bunch of his friends from all over the country in a big drunken frenzy. Near the tail end of the evening at the alley, everyone joined the Wild Rumpus near the jukebox while Murphy’s “Party All the Time” blared from the speakers about eleven times straight.

Since we returned from Chicago a couple of weeks ago, N has been blaring it on Youtube in The Lab (our home office) whenever he knows I’m particularly apt to listen to him, thereby assailing my ears with the horrid notes.

Suffice to say, it is not one of my favourites right now.

I honestly didn’t know that song was Eddie Murphy, and on top of that, I didn’t realize–once I knew it was him singing it–that he was in earnest singing that song. It wasn’t some comedy satire thing. It was him trying to be Jamie Foxx before Jamie Foxx was old enough to be famous, but without the whole singing well or being successful about it thing.

I want you to know: I’m blatantly honest. I say what I think, what I feel, what pulses through me in an instant, mostly without thought to the reactions of others. It does get me into a bit of trouble. We all have our prejudices, and I, many times unfortunately, find myself revealing mine in the least convenient company and maybe, sadly, hurting people’s feelings. Thankfully, I have very open minded friends who know me, know my heart, and know that I most of the time say things in jest, though they are hardly the least bit politically correct.

I’ve planned: Vacation time in Victoria, British Columbia (My home town #1) during Yuletide. I intend to take lots of photos and blog as much as I can, but being in Canada even now (we’re in Toronto visiting Sister), I’m inconveniencing those with me, mainly N and mum, by taking time out to clear my mind through my website.

I want to say to someone special: Dear Giselle, Trixie, Dre, Crix, A-Damn, Tin-tin, I’m sorry I’m not going back home to San Diego/So-Cal for X-Mas, but I will be thinking of you, texting you, writing you, and loving you from the wintry wastes of the North :), from the frozen tundric lands north of the Border. You’ll be in my thoughts always.

In summary: Homies, I be texting you and sending you pix from ma iPhone so it’s like you be wit me 25/8. Trust.

If you want to join in on the Piece of Me fun, visit Toothfairy and place your name in the link and let her know you’ve done it. You can join at any time, but subsequent Piece posts should be posted on or before the first Sunday of every new month. Let her know I said to stop by, and how much I adore her.