I Yam Who I Yam

I watched an episode of The New Girl last night that made me think about how others might see me. In this series, Zooey Dechanel's character, Jess, is a teacher. She is silly and innocent and doesn't seem to have a clue about 'normal' social interaction. She sings through her conversations, and dances like absolutely no one is watching [while they're standing right next to her]. I like that. If this show teaches us nothing else, it gives us reason to believe that it's alright to behave as you'd like. You're you. Why try to be like anyone else? As long as you aren't talking to the grocery cashier about whether or not she likes wearing thongs, or peeing on the feet of the dude waiting in the elevator with you, I think you're doing just fine.

In this particular episode, Jess meets a girl named Julia, who's a little on the colder side. Julia doesn't like Jess because of her childlike demeanor. Jess tries to show her warmth by sharing cupcakes, but to no avail. At the end of her rope, Jess confronts Julia, ending her rant with, 'And my checks have baby farm animals on them, bitch'.

Last night, on my way to the Boston House of Blues [to see Feist!], I saw a baby bird that had fallen from his nest and died. I wanted to take a moment and mourn for it. It didn't strike me as an odd thing to do, it didn't make me feel embarrassed or weird to have cared the way I did. It wasn't even until Steven asked, 'Do little birds come and help dress you in the morning?' [Another Jess & Julia reference], that I thought my behavior might have seemed strange to others.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I don't frigging care what other people think. I DO feel bad about hurt or dead animals. I AM super sensitive when it comes to a lot of things, and cry when I think that something is so absolutely beautiful that it moves me. That's the way I'm built. It's a huge part of what makes me ME. 

Do you have sensitivities that you think other people just don't understand? I started reading this book:

It had been sitting on my bookshelf for years, and I've only now just gotten to it. Steroids make your mind mushy, and you become more and more sensitive to everyday situations when you're taking them. Reading literature like this, that reminds you that you're not the only person who has issues with sensitivity, really helps to strengthen the faith that you have in yourself and in your thoughts. 

I'll always want to cry a little when I see that something has died. Especially baby birds. I just will. I'll probably always cry at Hallmark commercials too. I can't feel bad about that, because it's my norm. Someone with a less sensitive personality may have it easier in life, but I'll take my sensitivity over that any day. I like feeling all of my feelings.

peep.

Mean Girls

Let me paint you a picture.

Yesterday on the train, on my way back from a short visit to Faneuil Hall, I overheard two girls talking about their mutual friend.  They were meticulous in attacking her physical features and the status of her love life, as well as her inability to dress stylishly.  Then, they started gabbing about how they will look better than she does at her own party this weekend.

I wanted to close my book, stand up and cross the car to ask, 'Really? Really??'.  I don't know of anyone who actually does this, so I refrained.  But I would have liked to wake these biddies up if I could have.  Hearing girls talk like that about other girls really chaps my ass.  We're supposed to be sisters.  Was my Grandmother lying to me?  I didn't think so, but the state of our sisterhood is in serious shambles.

 

Gossip.  We've all been a part of it in some way, and drama inevitably seems to find it's way into our lives.  It is how you react to less than lovely conversation that can keep things harmonious in your own life, and in the lives of your pals.  Watch your mouth, my dears... You never know who's listening.  And if you have to check your phone to make sure it's off before you start talking- take that as job one in getting your ish better handled.

We can absolutely change female interaction for the better.  We just need to loosen whatever's too tight and keep our ears out for our own insecurities.  If we aren't careful, they will kill our strong and beautiful species.  Until then, when you overhear other women talking about each other in a shitty way, remember how much it can hurt, and make sure you aren't making a habit of doing the same [I'm not forgetting about you either, fellas].  Because being a good friend and genuine person is easy.

 

Duh.