Gouda's Cheesewheel

Call me obsessed...

...but I've had weddings on the brain lately. Between two of my friends preparing to get married--one in July and one in September next year--I'm knee-deep in dresses, colors, venues, decisions. Granted all that stuff is their problem when it comes down to it, but what kind of friend and/or bridesmaid would I be if I didn't at least offer a helpful opinion or two? Not to mention it's made me explore my own long-term intentions; I've been in a steady monogamous relationship longer than both of them combined, and they're already tying the knot? Am I missing something here? Are they being hasty and stupid or am I dragging my feet? Or is there something more at work here? In an attempt to find out, I've been checking out (and sometimes purchasing at an extreme discount) every analytical wedding book known to man and woman. Well, that is an exaggeration. I've read about 3 that were analytical, and the only reason it even occurred to me that such books existed was that I was looking at what you might call "practical" wedding books: etiquette, elopement ideas, weddings on a budget, etc. In my search I came across a book that was half memoir, half psycho-social retrospective analysis. Through references it made to other works, I acquired two others. One studied the American wedding industry from a marketplace/financial viewpoint (e.g. "Why do Americans spend so much g*dd*mned money to get married?"), while the one I'm reading now is very sociological/anthropological (it makes me feel smart!) and focuses on the reasons people--specifically women--want to get married so badly in the first place.

What this all boils down to is that I'm caught in a strange limbo between feeling good about considering marriage as a logical next step and feeling like the decision deserves extreme scrutiny. I'm drawn to the nice package deal that comes with an established institution, but I'm skeptical of something so many people walk into blindly. There's no reason to rush the decision, of course, but there comes a time when you have to shit or get off the pot, so to speak, and that time will come eventually. Not to mention the whole childbearing consideration, which still seems quite far off until you consider I've got maybe 10 years to make that decision for certain, before I start to worry about birth defect and all that. Ack.

In any case, you can't argue with the fact that weddings are pretty. Here's one I found particularly alluring, even if it hadn't specifically been a wedding.

posted by Greta @ 10:10 AM 0 comments

The rare and mysterious update!

Had a Luau a couple of weeks ago. Good times were had by all, or most anyway. It really was an eclectic mix of my co-workers, a few of my friends from various sources, and a few of Brent's friends. I would actually consider a lot of them Brent's and my friends in common; I don't mean to sound like I monopolized the party. In fact, due to Brent's ability to socialize with just about anybody, I would almost say he ended up being more of a host, while I scuffled around getting things ready, attending to people's needs, and generally relaxing and people-watching.

Although the party was a great chance to mingle, see old friends, and splash around in a kiddy pool, there have been some drawbacks. For instance, two weeks later we're still eating leftover ham. Got tired of it for a while, but it keeps rearing its smelly head. I've resorted to creative uses for the ham, like omelettes, especially now that zucchini season is upon us (tomato season too!) and we're finally getting a few edible items from our back yard garden.

In other news, I just submitted my resume for the position of Canvass Director where I work. If I get the job, I will essentially replace my immediate boss. It would mean more stress, but a step upward in the career world as I see it. Not sure if I'll actually take the job if they offer it, but it doesn't hurt to apply.

Also, I finally took advantage of my health insurance and went in for a routine exam last week, got some bloodwork done, that kind of thing. Makes me feel like that $22 a week is going to good use, especially since the visit was free (preventative care usually is).

My reading time lately has been consumed with wedding planning books. I have two friends now who are engaged, and in an attempt to be useful (and ponder my own thoughts on the whole institution) I've decided to give myself a crash course in basic wedding ettiquette, small vs. large weddings vs. elopement vs. not marrying at all, making wedding arrangements quickly (one friend expects to do the deed next spring), weddings on a budget, and so forth. So far one of the more interesting sources has been a study of the wedding industry, and the consumer aspect of modern American weddings. If that sounds interesting to anyone, it's called One Perfect Day: The Selling of the American Wedding, by Rebecca Mead.

And I think that's about it. The end. For now.

posted by Greta @ 10:45 PM 0 comments