“Unless you have been very, very lucky, you have undoubtedly experienced events in your life that have made you cry. So unless you have been very, very lucky, you know that a good, long session of weeping can often make you feel better, even if your circumstances have not changed one bit.” ~Lemony Snicket
Yesterday morning I was asked how I was doing. Not exactly known for my sunny disposition I shrugged and replied, “Fine. It’s been a long week.”
“Don’t ever say fine!” he shot back.
“What? Why?”
“Don’t you know that fine stands for Fucked up, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotionally unstable?!”
“…”
“Never, ever say fine. Say excellent. Say blessed. But never fine.”
Well then, I seem to be ‘fine’ in all senses of the word for it’s been a really, really long week. I’ve said this a million times before but it’s always the little things that pile up and turn into one big thing that causes me to feel like I’m seconds away from spontaneously combusting. One step closer to an open flame and I’m a goner. It started with a cold and then a crappy reaction to medication then checking in and out of three different hotels in one week. And let it be known that I’ve seriously gotten over the whole allure of sleeping hotels and ordering all the room service my little high fructose corn syrup heart desired.
ANYWAY all of these things has turned me into a complete basket case of impending doom. With the climax of this story being a really exciting trip to the Verizon store after which I cried. No, CRIED into a chocolate milkshake. I honestly don’t cry that often but I apparently needed to just let it all out. You know, that type of cry that starts off with a tightened chest, then a deep breath, with the next exhale becoming a little shaky, then the involuntary chest heaves before you’re suddenly BLINDED by tears (while driving no less) (while getting onto an on ramp where people are known for their lack of turn signal usage) (did I mention that I was holding a fucking milkshake and God forbid I put that shit down). Then you let go of everything that was being held back. The tears only come after I’ve let something build and build and build and for the most part I tend to keep them at a distance because tear stained is not a good look for me. I, my friends, am an ugly crier. It’s just been a week that’s all. A week of really fantastic highs and the inevitable lows all of which were planned and deserved but either way, I am now truly spent. But at least I’m able to own up to everything and honestly say that I am just ‘fine’ and perhaps next week I will be back to my normal, vodka drinking, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis-esque, excellent self.
22 Comments
Sounds like “fine” was more than a perfect answer. I also tend to bottle my emotions up, but it comes out anyway and usually in the most unusual places and circumstances. The Verizon store was as good a place as any. Better out, then in. Anywy, here’s hoping your next week is better. But if not, “fine” will do just fine.
I’m sending positive thoughts your way.
For the record right now I’m feeling much better. Apparently some time at the gym and the soundtrack to Hairspray pumps some happiness inducing endorphins into me. Now I’m raring to go.
Crying while drinking a chocolate milkshake seems perfectly logical (and quite smart, actually) to me. If you ever need to release over a root beer float, mark me down for location.
You know, I think that people who do not readily accept “fine” as an answer to how are you are about as invasive as the procreation questioners. This is because “how are you?” is actually a fairly personal question, and an honest answer is generally the kind of thing that when indulged and answered honestly gets a look of abject terror.
of course, maybe that’s just me cuz I ain’t exactly known for my sunny disposition either.
FINE is the perfect response. The reason I probably shouldn’t go out in public is because I would have responded to that person with, “Oh, I’m not FINE anymore, I’m annoyed now that you’re being a dick.”
I concur; fine is a perfectly acceptable answer. his response reminds me of those folks who tell me to smile. Sometimes I am just thinking…I don’t need to smile all the time.
Glad to hear you are feeling better…milkshakes always cheer me up.
Sorry to hear you’ve had a bad week. Glad you’re feeling better now.
I wonder if “alright” stands for anything.
I will have to remember that definition because I have plenty of fine days.
I’m so glad you had a good cry and that you’re feeling a bit better. I’d also just like to point out that you look “MAY-juh” in that photo!
When I am “fine” and know I need a good cry (which doesn’t happen very often), I put something sad in the dvd player. Like the ER episode where Dr Greene dies or the Angel episode where Fred dies or the Buffy episode where… well, you got the idea. And so I watch, and I cry. And then I feel better.
When I am “fine” and know I need a good cry (which doesn’t happen very often), I put something sad in the dvd player. Like the ER episode where Dr Greene dies or the Angel episode where Fred dies or the Buffy episode where… well, you got the idea. And so I watch, and I cry. And then I feel better.
i think most of us would be considered in the “fine” category.
I’d have kicked him and then said, “So how are YOU?”
Jackass.
I’m having that same kind of week. I cried into chocolate milk last night–funny almost-coincidence, huh?
I love milkshakes. I hope you can laugh into your next chocolate one. : )
xoxoxo
Mmmmmm…I just LOVE salt and chocolate. Maybe I should try that crying into my milkshake thing. Sounds much better than crying into my pretzels…because that’s just too much sodium.
I’ve gotten into the habit of answering that question, with “great”!
Everyone needs one of those cries every once in a while. I hope you have a better weekend.
Seriously, you all are the greatest. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I prefer “EXCELLENT,” really loud and obnoxiously, so they don’t ask the next time they see me.
My manager’s manager asked me this morning how I was doing. I said “Good.”. Good should stand for something too, because I was lying through my teeth. Telling him that I’m completely disgusted would probably produce some phoney answer from him, and I’m not sure he’d know what to do with me. So, lying is better. I’m glad to hear that you’re feeling better, and really ARE fine. Here’s to a better week for you!