Thursday, August 20, 2009

Oriented

I had the day off today, which was thoroughly enjoyable. I don't often have a weekday, or maybe I should just say I don't often have a day, that I get to sleep in a bit and sip on my coffee for a good, long time. It wasn't a purposeless day, though. Andrew had 7th grade orientation today. That, in itself, is a frightening statement. We shouldered our way to his homeroom class amid the throngs of adolescents. My senses were assaulted and I was reminded that middle school stairwells always smell like sweaty armpits. I filled out all sorts of paperwork and set up his lunch account and then...that's it. He's a seventh grader now.
It felt so official. It was a moment of great import. So we went out to lunch. Steak N Shake is always a good idea when you are taking a boy out to lunch. Cheese fries and a heart attack burger with bacon please? Okay. Comin' right up!

This evening, I attended my first photography class. I was a little bit nervous, to be honest. I haven't been in a class for kind of a long time. But by the time I left, I was mostly just excited. I really like my professor - he seems to really love what he's doing and that counts for so much in my book. I can listen to and learn from anyone who genuinely loves what they're talking about. And if it's something I genuinely love, too? Well, that's just icing on the cake. I mean, it's definitely going to be a challenge. This will stretch my creative muscles. This will be all coming from me, you know. It's not like knitting or sewing, where you follow someone else's instructions. Hm. I don't always do that, I guess. But the instructions and the final idea are provided. Here, the final idea will come from me, with a few instructions provided to help me get there. Subtle difference, but a big one to me.
We were let go a little early, since this is the first night. After an intensely hot afternoon, with no rain at all, the evening was dry and almost pleasant. The sun was setting and I decided not to go home. I headed to Starbucks (where else!) and took myself out for some coffee.

My coffee and I pulled out my big notebook and we wrote a little bit. A friend has asked me to contribute an essay to a project she's working on. It's an essay that requires some alone-time for thought and introspection, and alone-time can be a bit hard to come by. So we seized the moment, my coffee and me. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset, a pleasant breeze and a big notebook that still has lots of empty pages.

Wake-up Playlist: Gwen Stefani, Keep On Dancin'

8 comments:

mindy said...

what an exciting day for both you and drew! still can't get over the fact that the little boy i first met when joe and i were dating is now in middle school (holy cow!!)....

and i can't wait to see the work you come up with for your photog class!

Amy Button said...

7th grade- wow! It goes by so quickly.

I really hope you love your photography class. I've always wanted to take one but was too busy taking other stuff. Maybe one day. Your life has definitely gotten more busy but also sounds richer in that your doing things that you really love. That's exciting.

When you mentioned a coffee cup cozy I really wondered what in the world someone would use that for. Silly girl. I don't usually buy coffee out. Now I get it. And it's very eco friendly too. Cool.

Christy said...

Silly Amy :) I just may have to make you one some day...but not this fall!

Mary said...

That's such a nice post. Full of potential in every sentence.

Like Amy, I hope you love your class too. I think it's so cool that you are taking care of yourself this way. The mind needs sustenance.

Amy Button said...

That sounds fantastic!

claibornes corner said...

I want you to take a Head Shot of me when we come down for Thanksgiving! You have such a great "eye"!

Christy said...

Okay, Nana. Will do :)

frabjouspoet said...

I cannot wait to see your class homework! I'm sure it will be brilliant.