Elections require CBT

I've been to therapy, but I've never specifically tried Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. My understanding of it is basic, but I think it basically means positive self-talk. So when you've found yourself overwhelmed by the election, antibiotics, boring work tasks, and of course, nothing, and you've been lying in bed for three days listening to sad songs (god bless the JYPU) and watching election updates and stand-up comedy, repeating in your mind "I can't do anything. I feel so bad. I can't do anything,"... there hopefully will come a point when you remember CBT.  I didn't say CBD, but that's also a good option.  

That point came for me, and I thought, "This is only going to get worse. You're getting more and more behind on your responsibilities, this laying around isn't even fun in an indulgent giving-up way anymore, the house is getting filthy...BOUNCE OUT OF IT!" Yes, my motivational brain used the word "bounce." 

I remembered that I don't want to feel bad. It doesn't feel good. If I have any power to stop it, I should! I remembered that my quarantine partner and I had determined that if he is feeling bad, I should tell him to do yoga. And when I am feeling bad, he should tell me to vacuum. 

(Of course that's problematic, for a man to tell a woman to vacuum to feel better, but that's specific to me and my use of cleaning (anti-entropy) to work through my negative mind-states. I famously once said "I love cleaning your refrigerator more than I love you.") 

The heart of the matter is that I don't like little pieces of crap all over the carpet, and every time I walk to the bathroom or the kitchen, I see them and I don't feel good. My Shark Navigator makes quick work of that detritus, and then my march to the toilet or fridge is unmarred and if not inspirational, at least not demoralizing. 

So I got up and I vacuumed. When the distance between the chair legs allowed the Shark to vacuum underneath without me having to move the chair, I felt my first little burst of pleasure in days. There is still happiness to be found in the world! And I washed the dishes, and I drank some Jamie, and I'm listening to Knapsack and I'm telling myself that EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE OKAY.

One of my favorite mental health strategies is to pretend that I'm my own mom--the best mom a person could have. And I think of what that sweet mom-me would think about what I'm doing, and what she/I would want for me. I believe that she wants me to be happy, and her advice is sound. Right now she's telling me that I'm going to feel so much better if I buckle down, muster up, and do my bit of work that I need to do. She's also telling me that it's okay if my creation isn't equal to what I could have done in the best possible circumstances. It's okay if it's just good enough. 

Quarantine makes it harder to do some things...easier to do others

I'm not at all prepared to give a full account of all the ways Covid-19 has both ruined and enriched my life, but it's enough to know that both of those things happened at once. I suppose it's a typical story, some sort of rising from the ashes, if the ashes were Jameson and the Phoenix were some lady wearing the same dress every single day. Oh but it's so comfy and cute! 

Quarantine is something I'm taking very seriously, as my hermit nature lends itself to the lifestyle anyway. Of course, hedonistic hypocrite that I am, I decided that going to Tahiti was safer than seeing any of my family or friends or going out my house in town. Everything was so gorgeous there. I couldn't stop taking selfies of my happy self with the views and the sunsets. 

Don't worry--I was diligent about wearing my hot Cuomo-mask when we were around people. 

I even found a waterfall! Not quite like the Amalfi Coast, but what is???

I can't go to Italy, or Germany, and it makes my privileged heart very sad. I spend hours watching the Positano Skylinewebcam, or NickiPositano's vlog  or just any lengthy 4K drone or walking tour of Italy. 

But what CAN I do?? What is great about Quarantine? 

• I don't have to get ready to go to work in the morning. I can work in my bed and my pjs. I don't care if it's cold outside
• I can indulge my inherent desire for a non-cyclical sleep schedule
• I no longer feel guilty every day that I don't go outside. That's just how it is. OH how I regret the hours I spent tormented by the thought that I "should go out" instead of enjoying my staying in
• I was able to let go of ALL of my social responsibilities. What a load off my shoulders! 
• I've watched SO MUCH comedy on YouTube. I'm basically an expert comedy watcher
• Cheese piles...cooking lots of cheese piles
• Spending huge amounts of quality time with my quarantine partner (who I'm very lucky to have)

So now what? Well, Jamaica is taking Americans!

I love Sicily; I hate France

I’m too freshly annoyed by my experience in France to write about it now.  I need to sleep soon and I can’t afford to get all riled up again.  The people in Lyon just seemed sad.  Sad and bored and boring. Everything about it was the opposite of my experience in Sicily.  Friendly people, delicious food, Campari Spritzes, and low prices are not to be had in Lyon.  Previously I’d been to Paris and didn’t care for it, but I thought maybe Lyon would be better.  Maybe it is, but not enough better. When I have more distance from the experience, I’ll tell you about the restaurant where I couldn’t eat the food because they sat us next to the bathroom and I was overwhelmed by the smell of piss.  I’ll tell you about the airport that was worse that the ones in Texas—they excelled in inefficiency and rudeness. The pharmacist, the coffee guy, and several people in security made terrible impressions. But most of all, I’ll tell you about how gorgeous and warm and wonderful Sicily is.  I’d love to hear if you have any French horror stories. I’m happy to declare that I’m Never Going Back.

Writing about traveling while traveling is hard

This post is intentionally left blank.  Get it???

Let's all put poppy seeds in our french toast!

Morning Thunder Cafe

My favorite french toast in Chico can be found at the iconic Morning Thunder Cafe. I don't know why I'm surprised by how great it is to have a little crunch in your french toast. Watch out if you're on a date, though--take the usual poppy-seed-in-the-teeth precautions. 

Morning Thunder is a stand out for other reasons. Their roof is shaped like a piece of toast, and if you're a regular they'll keep your coffee mug on site for you. I would eat there more often if they didn't close at 2pm. Their Vegetaters (bottom right) are to die for, and I usually end up having to order two entrees to feed all my desires. Also shown are the yummy huevos rancheros. If you need a super cheesy breakfast bagel sandwich after a big night out, they have those too.