Monday, May 17, 2010

“Lex, I’m still in love with you. I tried not to be, but it didn’t work. And Sloan’s gone. There’s no baby, and I don’t wanna sleep around. I want another chance. I’m in love with you.”

“Karev…he’s…Mark, I have a…I have a boyfriend.”

“I know. I’m saying you could have a husband.”

--from the episode “Shiny Happy People” on Grey’s Anatomy. This is a small scene between Lexi and Mark, who, if you watch the show, has made a monumental step in committing to this woman. Dr. McSteamy does not do this! I have to admit, I felt so warm inside when he did. I like the idea of Lexi and Mark together. Yes, Grey’s Anatomy is my favorite show. I have loved it since day 1, and I will continue to, even though I greatly miss Katherine Heigl’s character, Izzie. And T. R. Knight’s, George. And Burke, played by Isaiah Washington. The dynamics of that show were explosive, and the original cast made that happen. But things change. People get fired and others decide to take on a different career path. I miss Izzie the most though, seriously - where do you think I got that word from?  I miss her smile, her charisma, her emotions that spilled out of her, and many times, not in the best of ways. Many people didn't like her character though; they were glad to see Heigl gone from the show. These people can think what they want. I'm still siding with Izzie.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

"Your father picks you up from prison in a stolen Dodge Neon, with an 8-ball of coke in the glove compartment and a hooker named Mandy in the back seat."--the famous first sentence from the short story "Until Gwen" by Dennis Lehane

This is a powerful story, even more powerful when you hear it. Try the audio version. You'll be holding your breath at the end, not realizing that you've forgotten to take in air. The writing is just that delicious.
"Jake, darling, don't play in the trash, honey."--from a concerned mother in the post office line. Her boy was about 7, a cute little dumpling of a thing. Boys will be boys though. Remember, after all, they are made out of frogs and snails and puppy dog tails.
“Writing is easy. You just sit down at the typewriter and open a vein.” --from Red Smith

And my family thinks what I do is easy. Ha!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

"Ain't no such thing as a good cup of tea."--from a stranger, offering me his tea that automatically came with his to-go meal. He caught me off guard, because I was sitting on a bench, thinking about what to get my mother for mother's day and waiting for my carryout, when he walked right up to me and smiled, giving me the tea. I don't believe this man had any teeth in his mouth. But that smile was genuine. The tea was good, too.
"...I do believe in killing the messenger. You know why? Because it sends a message."--from Damon Salvatore's character, played by Ian Somerhalder, of The Vampire Diaries

What a yummy show this is. See, you thought I was talking about the men on the show. I was talking about the writing...okay...and the actors, as I shamelessly admit!

Monday, May 10, 2010

"There comes a time when you've got to stop shoving hurt up underneath the rug and deal with some of the stuff."--a local preacher during his mother's day sermon

"Disappointment is the child of false expectations."--another quote from this preacher
"When you were born, God threw your Mama and Daddy a lump of clay."--from a local preacher, during his mother's day sermon

His point: Everyone is born the same. It's our parents, our guardians, who mold us into who we become, who we are. No child is a racist when he or she is born. No child is full of anger or hatred. It's all carried down from one person to the next, a generational conveyor belt of subjectivity. 

Thursday, May 6, 2010

"Maybe mango raisin' ain't your thing."--from Steve Harvey, his morning show

This morning a woman called into the show, concerned about her mango trees, which weren't growing. Harvey, of course, with his ghetto humor, blatantly told her that she should abandon mango trees and try growing tomatoes or collard greens or beans - things she likes to eat, and things that would be easier to manage. The woman had been told by other mango tree-growing lovers that she had to beat the tree, so she did. She also had nails in it. Upon hearing this, Harvey yelled, "Could you do your job with a nail in you and a beatin'?"

He’s got a point.
“Seriously!! Could you please stop talking?!”

This is my first line to a small group of silly, babbling brook-like teenagers in a movie theater. Of course they were late. Of course it was already dark in the theater. Of course they blocked our view as they tripped their way to their seats not far from ours on the same row. Of course. Of course. Of course. They giggled and chatted long after the trailers were over. It was then I felt this burning sensation spreading through my chest. It grew lighter and lighter until it finally flew out of my mouth. Seriously.

Their babbling brooks did not run again.

I am not the kind of person who calls out people in public, not like that. I’m the one who holds open doors for people, even if they don't say thank you. I’m the one who puts my clothes back on the rack in the department store after I’ve tried them on in the dressing room, no matter how heavy my arm gets as I circle around the store, trying to remember where those things should go. I do these things because I believe in karma. No, really, I do these things because I’m genuinely a nice person.

But you can only be nice for so long.

There comes a time when you need to yell at teenagers in the dark and not feel bad about it. I bet their parents paid for their tickets. On second thought, my guy paid for my ticket, so what am I really complaining about? Oh, it’s the principle of the whole situation. Seriously!
"Many times a dead sea marries a babbling brook." --from The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman

This quote is in reference to the differences of personality types between people. A dead sea is a quiet individual, someone who would much rather listen to a conversation than keep one going. A babbling brook is the opposite. Most people think the female in the relationship is the babbling brook. Don't be deceived! There are plenty of male babblers out there. Oftentimes they babble about things that make absolutely no sense, like, "It feels like you washed my T-shirt with rocks. Why's it so hard, and where did all these little balls come from? I just bought the shirt. And why don't you hang up my shirts when you wash them. You don’t fold so well either. Doesn’t this look wrinkled to you?"

Actually, this might be the mindless ramblings of a complainer, not a babbler. It’s a complainbler. My new word that I made up. But when you don't feel like listening to this complainbler, just say this: “Do your own damn laundry then.”

Babbling brook shuts up. Just like that.

We’ve all been accused of babbling, I’m sure, especially when you’re around someone you really enjoy talking to. Have you noticed, however, that strangers do this to people? I actually believe there is a label burned into my forehead that says PLEASE TALK TO ME. Strangers approach me all the time, especially in waiting lines or grocery aisles or in the mall when I’m shopping for jewelry or jeans or high heels that will no doubt put in a hospital someday. These strangers keep talking and I wonder where their automatic shut off button is. Oh, that’s right; they don’t have one because they’re babblers! But I listen to these people, because it’s rude not to, especially when the passion of their conversation coats their skins in such an interestingly, vibrant way. And I smile at them. I’m good at smiling.

Babbling, though, not so much. Well, sometimes, depending on who you are.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

"We regret that we are unable to use the material you submitted to our magazine."

This is the first line that makes writers think of visiting a local bar. Or eating a box of cookies. The first line of a rejection slip. Of course you know even before the first line. The self addressed stamped envelope in your mailbox is like a pinless grenade, waiting for you.
"Alright. Ya'll be blessed. And don't forget to go to church."--from a security guard at a furniture store.

This woman was a stranger to me and my boyfriend. All I did was compliment her perfume as I sat in the truck watching her place checkmarks on my receipt as I picked up my new furniture. Usually strangers say, “Goodbye” after doing business with you, but this woman didn’t. Her nails were fake, but they were pretty—long and orange. They made me think of pumpkins and Halloween. Candy corn and black tights.
"The thing about addiction is, it never ends well because eventually whatever it is that was getting us high stops feeling good and starts to hurt. Still they say you don't kick the habit until you hit rock bottom, but how do you know when you're there? Because no matter how badly a thing is hurting us, sometimes letting it go hurts even worse."--from Meredith Grey's character from Grey's Anatomy; 2007 "Love/Addiction" episode

In this rerun, a married couple was treated in the ER after accidentally blowing up their apartment building, sparked by the dangerous Crystal Meth lab they were running. The episode wasn't just about drugs, however, but about the way people are addicted to things, to situations, to people. It's Dr. McDreamy’s presence at the top of the stairwell at the end of the show that strikes me the most. You see the love for Meredith in his eyes, clawing at him, it seems, until the need to be with her is visceral. He knows he should let her go home alone, yet he descends the stairs and walks out the hospital with her. She is his poisonous addiction. If you’ve ever been in a relationship like that then the thought of walking away from that kind of connection with someone makes you believe you will actually sink into the ground and disappear. But you don’t, even when the relationship ends.