Back when Drew and I started dating, we listened to Jenny Lewis’ album, “Rabbit Fur Coat” all the time. Drew didn’t really know who she was until he met me, and then he became an instant fan and, whenever we hear her first solo album, it reminds us of that time very early in our relationship when everything was sweet and the only challenge we faced was whether and when one of us was going to move to the other (I did, a year and half after we met). Last night we got to see Jenny Lewis perform that album at the Beacon, our favorite venue, during her 10-year anniversary tour. Ten years! That’s (just about) how long it’s been since Drew and I met.
Anyway, before the show, we stopped for dinner at a little tapas place, and on our way to the theater afterward we saw this couple arguing. The woman, who was late 20s/early 30s, was visibly drunk and screaming at her boyfriend.
“I hate your family!” she yelled. “I can’t stand them! I hate your mother, I like one of your sisters, I hate the other one, and I’m indifferent to your father!” I was riveted.
“You’re drunk!” the boyfriend replied.
“I tell you I hate then when I’m sober, too! I don’t understand why my sister has to meet your mother. I hate your mother! And I don’t know why you still live with her!”
“Oh, girrrl,” I said to her.
“I know!” she replied.
I was sad when we got to the theater and I couldn’t watch their show any more. But then, during the first intermission, I went to the bathroom and, as I was walking back up the stairs, I heard a couple yelling at each other. As I reached the top of the stairs, there they were — my old friends! He was yelling at her to hurry up and that he was going to wait for her right there, under the lights, while she went to the bathroom.
“I don’t care!” she screamed as she passed me on the staircase, swinging her purse over her shoulder. And then, as we bumped shoulders and I gave her a sympathetic smile, she looked at me and said, “He’s awful!!”
As much as I wanted to see Jenny Lewis, I kind of wanted to camp out on the stairs and watch the rest of the crazy couple show. I was rooting for the woman, for no better reason than she seemed like someone who wouldn’t have hangover shame the next day and I always respect those people (I mean, provided they aren’t, like, abusive or putting anyone’s lives in danger or whatever). But, alas, I went back to my seat and will likely never know how the story ends. I bet they get married and the woman writes in for advice one day when she’s pregnant, asking how she can keep her mother-in-law away from her baby. I can’t wait.
And on that note: I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
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Trixy Minx February 5, 2016, 4:56 pm
I love other people’s drama. I have almost none in my life right now. Its almost sad.
honeybeenicki February 5, 2016, 5:21 pm
Guys! We’re meeting a dog tomorrow. When the baby was little, we tried to get a puppy but then it tried to eat my cat and nipped at the baby and just wasn’t a good fit (he was grossly misrepresented by the rescue we got him from – not cool, ya’ll.) So we’ve waited. And waited. And now hopefully we’ve found “the one”. We’re driving nearly 2 hours tomorrow meet him.
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AND the baby is starting swim lessons tomorrow morning! And by “lessons” I mean he mostly gets swished around the pool by me. And they’ll teach us (parents) important safety information. And then we swish some more. I’m super excited. So far he seems to love water and I want to encourage that.
Taylor February 7, 2016, 10:41 am
LOVE baby swims =) Can’t wait to take my toddler to swim lessons this summer. Her favorite sitter works at the pool so it should be awesome all around.
girltuesday February 5, 2016, 6:49 pm
I love that story. The best is “AND I’M INDIFFERENT TO YOUR FATHER!”
shakeourtree February 5, 2016, 7:30 pm
I’m spending the weekend in bed with lots of opiates because I just got home from the hospital after emergency gallbladder surgery. I’ve been working such long hours lately and have been very stressed, and my body just gave out on me. It all happened very fast, and I was in so much pain. My parents drove a long way to be here for me, and mom bought me groceries and cleaned my kitchen and cooked me a couple of days’ worth of low-fat meals. I’m so thankful for her, and these meds are making me emotional, so I’m going to stop now and go back to sleep.
Lianne February 5, 2016, 8:01 pm
Feel better soon!!
Lianne February 5, 2016, 7:55 pm
Omg. I love other people’s drama, too. Last night our neighbor’s were SCREAMING at each other and we could hear everything since they were in a room which has a wall we share. Admittedly, I started getting a bit uncomfy when he screamed that she is a fucking bitch a few times, but it was certainly an interesting part of the night.
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Anyway, we’re in SC this weekend visiting my parents. We had a 3.5 hour delay due to the snow storm in Boston, but we got out and the flight was fine. They even offered free movies and booze to everyone on account of the delay which I would have LOVED to take advantage of had I not been pregnant…alas.
jlyfsh February 5, 2016, 9:54 pm
Enjoy SC! I wish it was still 65 like it was a few days ago!! 🙂
Chaotonic February 6, 2016, 12:05 pm
Right? It went from 70’s to freaking 45! Where’s spring?!
freckles February 6, 2016, 10:54 am
I’m trying to be more active, so I’m going on a nice long walk this weekend. I’m pretty excited to go explore parts of my city that I never see. I’m such a terrible resident of my city. Time to go play tourist!
Also as of this month Mr Freckles and I are officially trying to have a baby. (Whaaaaaaaaaat). It feels weird to type that/say that. We’re keeping it mostly a secret – only one of my very good friends knows. I’m usually pretty Type A, but for this I’m TRYING to just relax and let things happen as they will. I’m already trying to figure out how I’m going to lie when people ask me why I’m not drinking.
Oh, and go Panthers!
shakeourtree February 6, 2016, 12:24 pm
Yes! Go Panthers! Since I’m laid up in bed, I’m giving myself an elaborate Carolina Panthers-themed manicure and listening to Petey Pablo’s hype song. Very excited for tomorrow!
freckles February 6, 2016, 11:22 pm
I like Peyton Manning and all, but Cam Newton is just so fun to watch. And he’s so dynamic, and has such a dominant season. Plus he was on my fantasy team this year and was very, very good to me. I also love a good underdog team in the Super Bowl. And while they are not an underdog by any means this year, as a franchise, they haven’t been very good historically. So it’ll be nice to see someone different win for a change.
shakeourtree February 7, 2016, 12:28 pm
I’m a Carolinian, so I don’t really need a reason to love the Panthers other that that. But I do really love Cam Newton. He’s the future of the NFL, and he’s all ours!
RedRoverRedRover February 7, 2016, 2:27 pm
There are ways to hide that you’re not drinking. A couple ways my husband and I did it: 1) have parties at your place, you or your husband make drinks for everyone and yours are always virgin; 2) when you’re out, sit beside him, order the same drink, have your glasses beside each other, he alternately drinks from both glasses. You lift yours to your lips but don’t drink.
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Also, while we were still trying, I used ovulation tests. Made it great to know when you can drink. When your period comes, start drinking. When the ovulation test is positive, stop. That gives you like two weeks every month that you know you can’t be pregnant and you can drink.
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But speaking of drinking/pregnancy, there’s no evidence it’s unsafe if you drink low to moderate amounts. I don’t want to drag this up again but look at the links to studies I posted in the CDC post. Oh but actually it might be unsafe for your husband to be drinking (it can cause his sperm to have issues). So consider that too.
freckles February 8, 2016, 6:33 pm
That’s really helpful re the drinking tips. Thanks! And yeah I’m using the sticks too. So I’m still drinking at the moment. And I’ll stop once I ovulate. Although my NP friend says it’s fine to drink until you test, so we’ll see what I actually end up doing haha. I do love wine.