Of Birds and Reptiles

I hung out at Red Deer Reptiles with B for a while today.  Giant (uncaged) macaw hated my guts... screamed and postured at me just because it knew I found it intimidating.  Snakes make me creepy crawly inside.  I'm quite sure that the big boa was large enough to swallow me whole.  And the variety of other assorted reptiles - skinks, bearded dragons, monitors, etc. - were impressive, but still make my chest a little bit tight with anxiety.  But there were two little guys that caught my attention...

I always had pet chameleons in Africa.  I had a theory that they would eat the mosquitoes in my bedroom so I wouldn't get malaria.  Four rounds of malaria later, I now know how wrong I was, but I still loved the little buggers with their beady eyes, speedy tongue, bad balance, and tri-toed slow-motion dance.  Two chameleons, much like the ones I grew up with, were for sale in the shop.  I've been saying recently that I'd like to get a dog and a house... you know - grow roots and stay somewhere.  I might have to edit the dream: a chameleon and a house.  Tell me they aren't the cutest little things on the planet... 

It's a quiet shift, and I'm painting.  I started this one last summer, and decided today that it is time to finish it off.  There's something therapeutic about the act of creating... no matter how amateurish the canvas looks when it's all said and done.  After the palette and paintbrushes are washed and restored to their hide-out in the cabinet, I am left with a wordless expression of my thoughts, emotions, and desires (this time, with the help of a few words).

must study must study must study must study must study must study must study.
and then off for Christmas!  see you in January - unless I feel inspired to blog over the break.  not particularly likely.

Dear Self, (the sequel)

Dear Self,
I need to apologize.  I sounded kind of invalidating when we talked earlier this morning.  You are entitled to your feelings.  I'm glad that you moved past your moody morning though... since we're being honest with one another.
Love,
Me

Dear Self,

Dear Self,
You're being grumpy.  Stop it.  You have no valid reason to be grumpy today.  You are not pms-ing.  You do not have pressing deadlines that you're scrambling to meet, or other overwhelming stressors.  No one peed in your porridge this morning.  You're just being pissy.  Get over yourself and get on with your day.  I promise it will make you much happier.
Love,
Me

Journalling with Jenni....