After a few more than 30 years living with myself, I've decided that there are a few genes I just don't have. And they have to be genes because I've tried, and I can't change them.
The first one is the morning person gene. First of all, I don't think the day should start before about 8:30 or 9:00. Even when I have to force myself to get up earlier than that, I'm not really awake until then anyway; I just wander through the first hours of my day in a hazy dreamlike state. That's fine unless someone who was blessed with the morning gene tries to engage me in any form of intelligent conversation before 8:00 (I can usually fake it through the last hour of my haze). Or worse, they expect me to be just as chipper as they are before the sun comes up. I'm still trying to figure out if I finished getting dressed before leaving for work, and they're telling witty stories—usually in an obnoxiously loud voice—and expecting me to join in the frivolity. If normal mornings are this bad, it's a good thing I've never had to experience a hangover. And no, it doesn't matter what time I go to bed, 9:00 or 1:00 a.m., it's the same deal.
Another gene I just don't have is the popular gene. Some people are Glindas; some are Elphabas. I was born an Elphaba, I'm pretty sure I'll die an Elphaba, and I've finally decided I'm OK with that. The popular crowd never changes, from elementary school all the way up to my ward today. I'm the one who gets lost in a crowd of any more than three people. I used to wonder how it would be to be surrounded by happy, chatty friends all the time. Then I decided that I'm much happier being my quiet, introverted self with a small group of close friends. See, I didn't get the chatty gene either.
So I'm perfectly OK with not being a morning person (nights are more fun anyway), and I'm content with never being popular, but I wish I had received just the tiniest bit of the spontaneously irresponsible gene. Last week I even planned ahead to be spontaneous, and when the time came I chickened out and couldn't do it. Pathetic. Wouldn't it be grand to run away for a weekend on a whim? Yeah, I think so too. Problem is, my brain starts telling me all the reasons why that would just be silly, and I actually listen to it. Before I know it, I've talked myself out of everything except staying home, running errands, and doing my laundry. Just once I'd like to find out what it feels like to be carefree and wild, to drive off into the sunset without planning my itinerary out first.
8 comments:
Hear hear for all the Elphabas of the world!
I think we have some of our genes come from the same gene pool. I used to be a morning person but maybe I just didn't realize how much I wasn't until later in life. I get very annoyed if someone calls or wants to schedule something before 9. If I come out to the kitchen and every light is on and the TV is blaring. . . you better watch out. Is there someone in between a Glinda nad a Elphabas? OK, honestly I don't have a clue who they are. I've been working on the spotenaity (again, I have no idea how to spell it). My husband has forced that on me, but then I have forced itineraries on him so we can both have our way.
O K Here it is. I am sorry but you did get some of my genes and Grandpas and your Dads. Yes when Your Dad was a baby he would stay up late at night and sleep until 10 am or so. It was nice as I could get alot done. That is why he did so well working late. Grandpa was an early riser although he had to work late hrs. at first. That was hard on him. Me I used to be a night owl and got my energy about 8 or 9pm. But age seems to cause a difference and it eerks me to have people call after 8:30 and 9 pm. See now you know where it came from. :) Love you lots. Even if you do have trouble thinking in the mourning.:)
Have you seen Wicked?
Thank you, Rebecca, for getting the reference when your mom didn't. I need to send her a CD. :) Yep, I saw it in New York a few years ago. Fabulous!
I am going to go see it in December in San Francisco. I have wanted to see it for so long. I can't wait!
LOVE this post. I relate on so many many levels. It is a complete mind game for me to force my way out of bed and into the harshness of the morning. It is a rare morning that I truly see the beauty. It doesn't help to be living somewhere that gets REALLY messed up with daylight savings (thank goodness we are back to normal). It stays dark here VERY late into the morning and even after almost 3 yrs I'm STILL not used to that.
I haven't seen Wicked, so thanks for the frame of reference before having to do internet browsing. It is not a natural gene in this family to be the socialites. So its a good thing a few have married into the family. Although chatty... well those genes do run in the family somewhere and your dad loved to remind his mom that she had logorrhea which I always thought was a made up word until I became an adult and found it in the dictionary. I was blessed with the chatty gene. (even in my writing - see)
As for spontaneity... I have had to make a VERY conscious effort on this one. I had an itinerary and agenda for our honeymoon 18 1/2 yrs ago. Nick said WHAT? I realized that maybe some things in life don't have to be totally planned out. It has been a very hard thing to adjust to. I still like a plan but with time...one can in fact be spontaneous. Our trip to the Mackinaw Bridge a couple of weeks ago would never have happened 18 yrs ago. Yes its only a couple hours north but we left without a plan and 18 yrs ago my stomach would have been in fits and I never would have made it.
So I say there is hope.
Ha Ha! You totally got Grandpa's genes! I call it the "Franklin" gene, as in Franklin Covey day planners. I know my mother desperately wishes I had been blessed with that trait. But I just don't have a planning bone in my body!
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