Learn what makes me happy, and do it

I think I’ll give myself a pedicure tonight.

I think about Christopher Walken’s character in Catch Me If You Can – the dad. He tells the story of a mouse who falls in a bucket of cream, and swims so hard trying to get out, he churns the cream into butter, and climbs out.

Walken tells the story in two different scenes. The first time he tells the story, he’s got the world by the tail. The second time, he’s crying as he tells it.

My friend hated the instructor, and I wasn’t o’erfond of him either. Soooo … back to the drawing-board.

On the plus side, I had a damn fine time at a benefit for a local theater this weekend. Magic pearls, raw oysters, open bar, wire work, Ira Glass and Peter Segal singing Thunder Road together … ‘twas the better best.

Yesterday I went to a Tai Chi class with a friend. I was a little apprehensive because the last time I tried Tai Chi (years ago) I felt horrible afterwards, really anxious. I think it was the “reverse breathing technique” – it felt very strange and unnatural, and I ending up holding my breath a lot trying to get it right.

But this class was really nice, very relaxing. It was an absolute-beginners class. We didn’t even talk about breathing, just focused on getting the first few sequences down. I felt really good afterward. My friend enjoyed it too. We paid up for a month, so I’ll be going back next week.

Have had a shitty couple of days. Walking along just fine, then FWOOMP AAAAAAHHHH!!! I fell into a pit.

Cancelled plans with boyfriend tonight in favor of a good cry, which had the added benefit of alleviating my migraine. Happily, he was understanding. I still feel bad for cancelling, though.

:(

... we’re in complete control of our moods, so I won’t impose that standard, or feel ashamed if I’m unhappy. Kinda defeats the purpose.

But I’ve noticed that I’m happier when I force myself to stop dwelling on something that’s bothering me (when I’m merely ruminating, not problem-solving) and think about something else instead.