Someday I'll look back on this and laugh...

One of the things I've been working on in my adulthood is the ability to laugh at myself. It's definitely not something I learned growing up. But I'm getting better...

Part I.

This past fall the store had a Team Appreciation Day. Employees were encouraged to wear a jersey from their team on opening day of football season. I reached way back in my closet to find an old Buffalo Bill's jersey.

Now, why would I, someone who shuns all sports that are not Olympics, have a football jersey? Well, way back when, I started hanging around with a friend who had always been a Bills fan. She explained the game to me (finally I knew what a down was!) and we spent Sunday afternoons immersed in Bills football. As a matter of course I began amassing Bills clothing. I had a couple of sweatshirts, a jersey, a long-sleeved shirt, a pair of Zubaz (those atrocious loose-fitting pants) and even a scrunchy. My then-boyfriend accused me of being a "bandwagon fan." He (and many others) savored the sound of "bandwagon" in his mouth and used it whenever possible. Truly it was coincidence that the first year I began watching football, the Bills were in the playoffs (first time in years - or maybe ever!) The boyfriend (a Steelers fan) liked to mock my Bills attire whenever possible. Surprise, surprise, the relationship didn't last. In time my friendship with the Bills fan waned (long after the Bills lost all 4 Superbowls) and my Bills stuff was shelved or tossed (the Zubaz had to go!) I have better things to do on Sundays than plunk down to watch football!

Fast forward to this fall. So I put on the Jersey and went to work. Throughout my shift, I was regaled with updates from customers as well as employees on the game that day, as well as scores from other games. Whenever I was asked a Bills or other football-related question, I would give a generic answer, "oh, time will tell!" or "well, there's still a long way until the playoffs!" Heh heh heh. I could not have named one single player on the Bills team this year, and no more than 2 players from the entire NFL. Seriously. Don't. Care. But that meant that I was a fraud for wearing a jersey. Neon light over my head advertising "Fake Fan Here!" There I was, wearing a jersey for a team that I no longer cared about. As soon as I got home I ripped off the jersey and vowed to never wear it again. Lesson learned! Heh heh heh.

Part II.

A friend gave me a gift certificate to a coffee place, and the plan was to stop by and get a nice cappuccino before finishing my Christmas shopping. I made stop number one (same plaza as the coffee shop,) took a deep breath and entered the coffee shop. I should mention that I was slightly apprehensive since I normally get my coffee at home, or on a rare occasion I will splurge and get a coffee at the gas station. The last thing I wanted to do was embarrass myself by ordering coffee incorrectly. Nobody likes to come across as a hick who can't even order coffee.

I entered and so to not feel intimidated by the people who obviously belonged there, I began to look at the stuff on the shelves. I had thought to buy some packaged coffee while I was there, but all I saw was whole-bean coffee. A nice young man in an apron come out from behind the counter and asked if he could help me. "Uh, do you have any ground coffee?" "You pick what you like and we'll grind it for you," he replied without even a trace of smugness. Okaaaaay. Awkward, but I'm doing fine. As I waited for him to grind the beans, I looked at the menu board. Aha! Frappaccino! Obviously that would be their name for cappuccino. Like dunkacino is at that other place. I selected a size, placed my order, and paid. I smiled as the man handed me my newly-ground coffee in a bag. I'd done it! I was a big girl! I had managed to order from a coffee shop without looking like an ass! Whoo hoo! I was so pleased with myself as I left the shop. That is, until I got to the car...

As I went to unlock the car door I realized that I had walked out without my drink. Hellooooooo! With my tail between my legs I went back into the shop. One lone drink stood on the counter. I got someone's attention and asked quietly, "Um, is this my coffee?" "Yep, Frappaccino!" "Thanks," I almost whispered, and as I picked up the drink and felt how cold it was, I realized my error. A frappaccino is a cold drink. Like, coffee with ice. Cappuccino (which I had somehow overlooked on the menu) is a hot coffee drink. I took my cold drink and laughed all the way to my next stop. Bwaaa Haaaa! For the record, it was really yummy.

It's 2009!

Whoo Hoo! A clean slate - a fresh start. I have a thousand ideas for resolutions, but it seems cliche to list losing weight, getting more active, being a better person, etc. So what I have is not a resolution (they're doomed to fail anyway) but rather a life change. I vow to remove more from our house than we bring in. Trash, recycle, donate, or craigslist. Going going gone.

By unloading the stuff that I don't need, can't use or fix, I'll be freeing up usable space. And I WILL NOT FILL that space!

I'm also hoping to part with things that I've been hanging onto, just for the sake of the past. Seriously, I'm not playing with my barbies or paper dolls again, so I neeeeeed to let them go. I don't know why it's so hard, but I'm working on getting over it. It's freeing when stuff goes out.

We just brought a ton of stuff in for the holidays, so I'll have to work extra hard now to make up for it. But just a little bit each day (or most days) will help me on my way.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!