reply imminent

An example from my inbox

Date: 5/6/09
To: Rahni
From: Curtis
Subject: RE: a precursor to a real email

I am still patiently awaiting a real email from the eloquent Rahni.

On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 3:34 PM, Johnson_Rahni johnson_rahni@asdk12.org> wrote:
I got your email--thanks! I've been planning a reply in my head now for days--not ready yet, but didn't want you to think that I was ignoring you. ;o)>>>> Rahni

Dear Curtis/Dawn/Melanie/Heather/Paul/Stephen/Darcy/the entire East High staff waiting to hear what I found out about the history of the Thunderbird mascot/Donia/Sarah/Aunt Yvonne/Eric/Leah/Lindsay/Perri/Corey/Steve/Xitla/Rachael/Emily/Chicago Greg/Pam/Amy/Kick/Joan/Kim/Ijeoma/Nai/Gail/Patrick/Dori/ETCYOUKNOWWHOYOUARE

Just think of how behind I would be in communication if I had to keep up with anything MORE than my cell phone, regular mail, email, texts and blogs. Facebook is really never going to happen, at this rate. Take note of the dearth of blog posts at this site and burrow in for a loooong winter. :o) I apologize for any past, present and future neglect!

Ironically, I only made one New Year's resolution (so far) this year--Be on time! Didn't work. I thought that maybe I'd work on just one quality a month, master it and move on. Shouldn't have put such a hard one first! Being timely in communication, travel, tasks, etc., is NOT MY FORTE. Here's to hoping--there's still one month left in the year.

Humility

I've always had this bizarre (unsubstantiated) notion that I'm a pretty good all-around athlete.
(view from my neighbor's driveway)
This past Labor Day, my ward advertised a Men v. Women softball game.
Sunday morning, sunny skies . . .
"Excellent!" I exclaimed. I well remember my glory days of 4th grade softball with Mr. McConnell. Along with Chandra, we were always among the first picked.
Arms pinwheeling through the air, heels flying . .
As I broadcast my enthusiasm to many about the Monday event, long-dormant doubts begain to creep in.
Neighbor girl, normally laidback, flashes by . . .
After all, 4th grade was long ago. Long long long LONG ago.
A hopeful screech wafts behind, "BAIIIIIIIIILLLEEEEEEY!!" . . .
And, hadn't I had "practice throwing" on my New Year's resolution list for years? My gosh, did they lengthen the distance between the bases? Just how far away was home plate from the outfield? Could a person even be seen out there?
Dog, disinterested, flickers a glance from a fragrant tree. . .
Reviewing my basic deficiencies (pride being foremost among them), I gulped and took the field with my team, to no spectacular results. (Much to the bewilderment of my 4th-grade self still echoing around here in my 33-year-old self.)
Later, wasps hum as they return home . . .
Chastened, I now recognize the signs. Whenever I feel my head begin to swell with errant, grandiose thoughts and foolish pride,
All is well.
I remember this my-word-there's-a-crazy-person-running-down-the-street-again scene and shake my head.
The enemy is vanquished.
Cheeks aflame, head size back to normal--meekness restored.

Sometimes it just takes a memory to cure overactive swelling--no aspirin necessary

(P.S. Really, I'm not sure what I thought my dog would do to help me escape the angry wasps that were stinging me, but reaching out for help (from anyone/thing) seemed the thing to do.)

Faultlines

*When I hear what sounds like a gunshot/car backfire/firecracker, I don't run into danger or investigate at all--I DO meticulously note the time so that if I am asked to testify the next day, I'll be a great back-up to the actual witness who ran towards the danger to help.

*I don't say "Bless you" when people sneeze and would actually prefer that people ignore my own olfactory travails.

*I'm horrible at asking "How are you?" It's actually one of my least favorite questions, mainly because it's so often asked, so infrequently meant. And, actually, if we're strangers, I actually don't have a deep-seated desire to hear about your inner emotional issues, and if we're friends, I trust that you'll tell me.

*When kids/teens/adults talk to me in a baby voice, I don't play along, I call them on it.

*A pile of clothes constantly reform on my bedroom floor because I think, "Oh, I'll hang that right up--it doesn't deserve to go to the laundry yet. Still wearable." Until, ironically, the sweater tried on for 2 seconds in the morning actually does become "worthy" of the laundry machine.

*I really dislike voicemail and rarely get around to listening to messages.

*I watch WAY too much television--TiVo is my enabler.