First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

Starting With a Kind Word

I flew home from Washington just as everyone was arriving for the Inauguration. On the way to Dulles Airport, the cab driver told me that 300 private jets carrying dignitaries were about to descend. During my stay, it felt good to flex that democratic muscle of being in conversation with legislators, and I hope my voice was heard. Words can have such power. But there’ve been other times – with friends, neighbors, work mates, my mother, the person who seemed to cut me off on the freeway, when I wish I could rewind what I’ve said. At 12:01 AM, I will begin the experiment (accompanied by some of you) of not saying anything negative about anyone for a day. I’m curious as to how long it will take for me to mouth off. With you as my conscience, I’m determined to keep at it. Let me know how it’s going.

Illustration by Lisa Congdon

Heading to D.C.

I’m flying to Washington tomorrow to meet with leaders who are working for a pathway to citizenship for millions in the U.S. aspiring to become Americans. This will be my first time lobbying on Capitol Hill and I’m really excited. I might not be able to post for the next few days. But I’d love to continue hearing from you (and I will respond!)

From the sublime to the pathetic, I got my first wink from Match in almost a week, and it was from a man who had this to say in his very sparse profile:

If you pay rent please do not date me. I am only dating women who own a house.

 Illustration by Alessandro Gottardo

Thinking About All You Say

A week from now, we’ve collectively agreed to take a risk. I have it in writing. (You know who you are.) Beginning on January 21, we’ve committed to not saying anything negative about anybody for 24 hours. What makes it even harder is that we’re including ourselves in the mix. On a day that commemorates Martin Luther King, and the Presidential inauguration, we will be celebrating with kind words, or at least not unkind ones, and thinking first about what we say. This scares me, but I like it. If it was a marathon, we could train with short runs leading up to the big event. Any ideas about what else we could do in preparation, other than vent a lot.

Poster by Anthony Burrill

End of Week Exclamation Point!

It’s a wrap! Happy weekend, everyone.

Illustration by René Gruau

Getting to Yes?

I winked at 3 more men on Match this week, none of whom got back to me. Apparently for them, I was a no, no and no. I’m determined not to take it personally, which is almost like getting to yes. It’s at the point where it feels like sport. Oh, and I did get a note from someone in a hat, covered in mud and shirtless. That would be a no, no and most definitely no.

Surviving the Holidays and Getting a Prize

On my street, there are remnants of the holiday season in the form of discarded Christmas trees still awaiting refuse pickup. But for the most part, it’s a wrap. (Yay!) So, I thought this would be a good time to announce the winner of our “Surviving the Holidays When You’re Single” contest. Thanks to all who took the time to share their stories. Congratulations to Julia who will receive a copy of The Round House by Louise Erdrich for her 2 entries, which showed grit and grace:

One Christmas I rented out a (cheap) cabin in the woods nearby and read Dante’s Inferno by the fire. At night, the stars were so numerous that it looked like the trees were decorated with them. A getaway from Christmas doesn’t have to be expensive or exotic.

One thing that never fails to kick my butt out of the Christmas blues is to do something nice for someone less fortunate. Sending a check to a local food bank reminds me that I have plenty to eat or volunteering for a shelter for abused women reminds me that being alone isn’t always bad. It puts things in perspective.

Painting by the visionary artist Will Barnet who died in November at the age of 101.

The “Let’s Not Say Anything Negative” Challenge

I recently proposed a respite from saying anything negative about anybody for 24 hours. I got the idea from artwork by Yoko Ono, who suggested 3 days, 45 days, 3 months. There’s no way I could last that long, but it did make me wonder whether I could do it at all. And I realized the only possibility was if we embarked on this together, and could lean on one another for group support. I’ve been asked to give advance warning so leading up to this challenge, we could get those tirades out of our system.  January 21, 2013 is Martin Luther King Day. It’s also President Obama’s inauguration. I’m ready to be a beacon of positivity and light. Are you? 12:01 your time. Game on.

Artwork by ABHR Life Work

The Glee of Staples

Over the weekend, I visited my favorite spot for gourmet food supplies, on the hunt for Callebaut bittersweet chocolate chips. I was happy roaming the aisles, ogling the exotic spices, grains, pastas, olive oils, soup stocks, cheeses and every shape of cooking vessel that one could imagine. Other than the chocolate chips, I didn’t buy anything. It was enough just to be in close proximity to such lusciousness. It reminds me of the way I feel browsing designer shoes. What are your staples?

Check back tomorrow when I’ll set the date for our challenge.

Painting by Thomas Levy-Lasne

Cozying Up on a Winter Weekend

Update for yesterday’s post. On Tuesday of next week, I’ll propose a date for our challenge of not saying anything negative about anyone for 24 hours. In the meantime, I’m going to lay some positive love on my pet. Have a great weekend!

Artwork by Franco Matticchio

Staying Positive

I could try this for 24 hours. Are you with me? Seriously, we could set a date and report back.

Yoko Ono’s Cleaning Piece. Via 365blanc