Anesthesia

When going through a tough spot, there are any number of ways I anesthetize myself against [X where X = horrible boss, distracted spouse, financial woes, etc.]. For the past few years, my favorite heroin has been of the Mr. Darcy and Edward Cullen variety. I escape to a romantic, impossible place. My Beloved gave me the complete Jane Austen series which I ripped through several times over last winter. This fall, the crack-du-jour is the Twilight series.

After the reading the first book, all I could think was: this girl needs an editor! But tossing literary value aside, I found true enjoyment in connecting with the teen-angst of the protagonist. And quiet, humiliating shame in recognizing my 12yo neighbor and I were on the same page. Literally.

Beer, too, has been a good friend in these troubled times. Ironically, so has exercise. (You wouldn't think those two things would mix but, hey, you've been wrong before, right?) And fantasizing/planning my trip next spring to Spain, too, has been a welcome distraction - although not as, ahem, appealing, as Edward Cullen. *sigh*

Unfortunately, Real Work has not provided the respite from reality that my psyche needs right now. I'm referring to the volunteer work and the searching for a new job kind of Real Work. Of late, I've been really frustrated with my inertia on these two fronts but I've decided to be patient and just enjoy the oblivion. When I'm ready, I'll take action.

For now, pass me another Blue Moon and dim the lights. Mr. Darcy is about to declaim me as "Too generous to trifle..."