You (Yes, You) are Interesting
Look. I know you used to be a Pulitzer Prize winner who volunteered with Doctors without Borders. I know you used to raise chickens and paint watercolors. I know you once won a Tony Award for your one woman show about your life, about which the reviews read, “The rest of you can only wish your lives were as interesting as this woman’s is.”
Then you had kids.
Spit up. Poopy. Is this applesauce still good? If I use a disposable diaper am I going to hell? Laundry. Car seats. Toy recalls. What am I going to do with yet more yellow squash? Where’s the cat? Did you take out the trash? Peek-a-boo. Moo Baa La La La. Moo Baa La La La. Moo. Baa. La Fucking La La.
You think you are dull. You aren’t dull. You’re tired. You’re overwhelmed. You want to know what idiot names nursing tanks the “GlamourMom” tank because you once knew glamour and, honey, this shirt covered in corn and butternut squash baby food ain’t it. But you aren’t dull. Dull is that “I am deep, meaningful, write poetry and wear only black” stage of adolescence. Dull are academics who really truly think you want to hear about the mating practices of squid over dinner. Althusser is dull. But you, you’re interesting.
Now, go read Moo Baa La La La. The singing pigs are waiting.
Lori in Denver said,
August 15, 2007 @ 2:33 am
Yes I Am. Thanks for noticing.
Today I pulled out the biggest booger you’ve ever seen from my son’s nose, and I taught my daughter how to make a sound on my flute.
I’m NOT wearing black, but I DO have to go clean up the barf just produced by my mom’s dog.
Next stop, Nobel Peace Prize.
Shrijnana said,
August 15, 2007 @ 6:00 am
How did you know I did all that?!? Seriously, I am way more interested in my own life now, even if my conversational ability is ‘challenged’.
Swistle said,
August 15, 2007 @ 8:47 am
Great post! And you’re so right about that stage of adolescence.
Lori said,
August 15, 2007 @ 8:57 am
Aw, thanks! This post made me laugh (especially the Moo Baa La La La part). Lately I’ve been thinking I must be a dreadfully boring person to talk to since it all revolves around sleep: who’s getting it, who isn’t getting it, and how I can get more of it.
bailey said,
August 15, 2007 @ 10:02 am
yes yes yes!
Lara said,
August 15, 2007 @ 11:33 am
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I needed to hear this today!
And Lori – the sleep thing? I get it. I really do. My husband gives me the hairy eye-ball stare almost daily because I am obsessed with all things sleep…mostly because it is non-existent in my life!
lesley said,
August 15, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Who’s getting sleep, who had stink butt, who didn’t, who ate what, who started clapping…..while they are all interesting to me I’m sure others would disagree. It’s nice to know I’m not alone. =) Thanks Staci!
pokerpeaker said,
August 15, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
“I know you once won a Tony Award for your one woman show about your life, about which the reviews read, “The rest of you can only wish your lives were as interesting as this woman’s is.”
Well, you were right about everything but this.
Stacie said,
August 15, 2007 @ 2:55 pm
Your secret that you were once a cross-dressing performer is safe with us.
Amy (Tulip and Turnip) said,
August 15, 2007 @ 3:06 pm
Love it. It’s nice to be reminded that I’m interesting…sometimes I forget!
pokerpeaker said,
August 15, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
Cross dressing? Now THAT would be interesting. Unfortunately I’m not that creative with my clothing. Remember Queer Eye for the Straight Guy? Yeah, I’m Boring Clothing Guy.
moodswingingmommy said,
August 15, 2007 @ 6:01 pm
This is fantastic, and you are about to receive the ultimate MSM compliment. It’s going on my fridge. Thank you for the reminder.
(I think I’d blocked out Althusser. Yep, the man was dull!)
Amanda said,
August 15, 2007 @ 8:56 pm
Thank you for the laugh! And it came just hours after that last, hard-to-reach Cheerio stuck to my ass had ALMOST solidified my perpetual state of dullness.
jeanne said,
August 15, 2007 @ 10:33 pm
I needed this. I feel like all I have to talk about is poop and sleep habits and no one cares but me.
Jen said,
August 16, 2007 @ 10:42 am
I found myself thinking about this post as I drove home from work with my 22 month old in the backseat. I was jamming, yes, singing and dancing, to kids music (Disney Classics). She sat calmly in her carseat, looking highly unamused (actually she had that “Mom, you are strange.” look on her face). Things sure do change!
Pann said,
August 16, 2007 @ 1:30 pm
Oh so true! Thanks for the chuckle!
I actually received a nice compliment yesterday. “Pann’s so different from the mom’s I’m used to being around,” said one person, “It’s so refreshing.”
“Yeah,” answered another, “She’s such a hippy.”
High praise as far as I can tell!
cardiogirl said,
August 23, 2007 @ 9:26 am
Amen sister!
I can talk on the phone, change a dirty diaper and sew a life-sized doll now. My multi-tasking skills in Corporate USA have come in handy and I like the dress code I have now (shorts and Converse low-tops) better than I had then (business suits, nylons and heels).
Now if only I could get some comp time things would be perfect.
Busy Me said,
August 25, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
OMG!!! YES I am interesting!!! Do you realise I actually APOLOGISED to my hubby for only having boring stuff to talk about when he gets home…….. Blow that!!! I am interesting and proud of it
Mom Unplugged said,
September 3, 2007 @ 11:45 pm
But…didn’t you know? Butternut squash spit-up is “The New Black.”