"INSPIRATION"

Disclaimer: I began this post over two weeks ago, when things like bed bugs and Barack Obama were still relevant topics.

Is it me, or is life bleaker than ever?

I mean, I just can't understand how we are still expected to wake up every morning and say, "Gee, I sure am proud to be/wish I were an American" when the president of the United States is funneling all of our country's educational stimulus money into the smut industry.

How we are still expected to reconcile the opportunity cost of marriage when Tiger Woods' ex-womanthing is only getting away with $100 million.

How we are still expected to find joy in sex when we know that the beds we, ourselves, are fucking in are being shared with tiny, little creatures who are getting fucked - and to climax, as the ever-growing population would indicate - at 54,832,984,527,089,703,419,837,981 times the rate.

I find all these things increasingly difficult, and then...

There's that wrought iron wall hanging of mine, reminding me to "Dream" even when the president seems a little gay and I've got bugs squirming through my panties.

There's that inspiring message printed on my 100-calorie snack pack, reminding me to "light a scented candle and relax" when I'm not too busy reading other inspiring messages on bottle caps, or thinking about how fat I am.

There's that "Eat, Pray, Love" movie/dynasty, reminding me that all I need to do to start my quest for self-discovery is turn on the Home Shopping Network and order an embroidered tapestry/power bead bracelet/dream journal/spice blend collection/silk tunic/floor pillow/wooden elephant figurine. ( I own them all!)

And so I say.

Life really is beautiful, and if it takes a little reminding here and there - "NO TURN ON RED (Relax, you are a woman! Smell the flowers!)" - so be it.