Psychosis Primer Part One

Today was a great example of how sometimes I feel like I’m a little weird, but then assure myself that other people act this way too.

I arrived at work a couple minutes before ten and knew Rick wanted me to go to cover a press conference at 10:30, but I wasn’t sure WHERE. So I checked that really quickly and it was in possibly the farthest part of the county from where I was at that moment. Google Maps estimated it takes 28 minutes to get there. It starts in 31 minutes….tick…tick….tick…

Those of you who know me well know that I hate to be late for things, and if I’m going somewhere I’m not certain of the exact location, I leave a little ‘getting lost’ time. There was no room for getting lost time. I print the directions, throw my kit together and jet out the door.

I get pretty grumpy on the way to the car. I don’t like being rushed, I don’t like not knowing exactly where I’m going, etc. So, in an effort to vibe myself out of a bad mood (because who wants to be in a bad mood the rest of the day?), I convince myself to pretend I’m trying to find a Route Marker on The Amazing Race.

This instantly changes my mood from one of frustration, to one of adventure and excitement. (I know, I’m like a three-year-old. Just turn something crappy into a game and I’m happy all of a sudden.)

So I actually spend the next thirty minutes pretending there’s a camera crew in my back seat and talking to them like the racers on The Amazing Race do. (this next part may not make sense if you’ve never watched the show)

For example, I did the situation set-up as I was getting on the ramp to I-65 SB…

“We’re way behind the other teams right now, I don’t know what happened back there, but we had no idea it would take this long to get to the route marker. We’re going to have to make up some time to keep from getting eliminated!”

Then when some car zipped past me really fast on the interstate…

“I mean, I KNOW this is a race for a million dollars, but I’m not going to put my life on the line for some money! It’s not worth it!”

And when I *thought* I had made a wrong turn off the Greenbelt Highway…

“This is just the kind of mistake we can’t make right now. We’re already in last place…we have no idea where the other teams are…these silly mistakes are going to put us out of the race!”

Finally, when I saw the sign for the West County Water Treatment Plant (ye-ah)…

“We made it! There’s Phil! What?!? We’re team number two?!?? How did that happen? We thought we were last!!”

But then my cheery mood was dampened again when I found out the press conference was being held OUTSIDE in the 20-degrees of comfort and wind. I’ll just put my cold medicines on my expense report.

Okay, no I won’t.


Other topics:

I’m finding it really interesting as I keep reflecting on last weekend’s sermon at Southeast the direct conflict between what women are taught to be today and what people in general are okay (and expected) to be in God’s eyes. Young women are raised to be tough, strong, and self-reliant. I think I strive to be those things, and really, I’m proud of it. BUT, as children of God, we’re just the branches of the vine. We GET our strength from the Vine and aren’t expected to have strength or grit of our own.

It’s a hard thing to balance in my tiny brain.


Things I learn from my friends:

From Robin: mandolin = musical instrument, mandoline = kitchen utensil to slice up stuff.