Monday, April 7, 2008

A Sledgehammer and a Sidewalk

That's what I thought I'd need, along with wine, ice cream, and Office Space, yesterday when I counted to myself all the things that have gone wrong lately. I'm having some problems with guys and friends, all of which came in quick succession, on top of the yearly April-in-school meltdown, departmental politics, looming projects, and untrustworthy weather. So yeah, it's been a hard week.

BUT. I went to a beautiful wedding this weekend and saw some old faithful friends and felt like I might believe in love. The library book sale is this week, and I picked up Thurber, E. B. White, New Yorker cartoons, a book by Gordon Lish (Raymond Carver's controversial editor), a New Journalism anthology, and essays on Superman. I did watch Office Space (and what a help!), but I haven't engaged in carb therapy, and instead of taking a sledgehammer to the sidewalk I've kicked a few sturdy trees. My friends here have come through in ways I wouldn't even have hoped for. A book for me came in the mail from my mom. My favorite professor winked at me and said I could join his class in the fall even though it's full. I am blessed even in my whining.

A word about those New Yorker cartoons. I very rarely find even contemporary ones funny, and the old ones hardly ever. I enjoy them not as humor but as zen koans. Tiny, moment-sized knots that you untie just a little with every looking.

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