Monday, June 18, 2007

Sleeping with Bread: Joe Versus the Volcano Edition

In yesterday's Lazy Sunday post, I referenced the movie Joe Versus the Volcano. I googled "Joe Versus the Volcano quotes" since I had the movie on my mind and here is what I found:
"You mean you were diagnosed with something called a brain cloud and didn't ask for a second opinion?"
Isn't that a great quote? I love it. Of course, I don't know if the quote can be appreciated if you aren't familiar with the movie. There were a few other quotes from the movie which I liked so I thought I'd try to work them in to my SWB post today.
"So I'm not sick? Except for this terminal disease?"
The problem with my brain cloud is that I self-diagnosed. There are times when I just feel this thick fog that seems to disconnect the different parts of my brain. Yesterday was one of those times. The advantage of calling it a brain cloud is that I can pretend it is something just happening to me and not anything I can change of my own volition. There are choices, though, I made in the last few days which contributed to that feeling. After a couple of weeks of small appetite due to the sinus-infection-that-almost-was, I have spent the last few days eating too much junk (Out damned Cheez-its! Get thee away from me Ghiradelli 60% Cocoa bittersweet chocolate baking chips!) and lying around watching TV. I also missed church yesterday morning because I happened across the last hour of Watership Down, the best animated rabbit movie ever. I needed church yesterday, both the spiritual encouragement and the fellowship. Decisions like these lead me down the road to self-loathing, an emotion I face by engaging in more of the behavior which led me there to begin with, a cycle which is hard to break.

"Dear God, whose name I do not know - thank you for my life. I forgot how BIG... thank you. Thank you for my life."

I had a little one-on-one with God last night, my usual "I screwed up today, help me do better tomorrow." This morning, Marley and I made a list of things to accomplish today. I made myself a cup of tea and ate a bowl of shredded wheat. The day is young, but I am determined to get rid of my brain cloud. I have a good life at my disposal, one I'm very thankful for. I forget that sometimes. Joe reminded me this morning. Thanks, Joe Banks. I owe you one.

Here are some bonus quotes:

Patricia: My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement.
Waponis Chief: We are the children of children and we live as we are shown.
Marshall: Listen, ain't you got nobody?
Joe Banks: No. But there are certain times in your life when I guess you're not supposed to have anybody, you know? There are certain doors you have to go through alone.
Joe Banks: I bribed them to sing a song that would drive us insane and make our hearts swell and burst.

9 comments:

daisies said...

Joe versus the Volcano is one of my all time favourite movies ... ah, the brain cloud ;)

N. said...

Yes, brain cloud. I'm having one of those days myself.

ewe are here said...

I've always had a soft spot for Joe Versus the Volcano. Particularly the dancing on the floating luggage scene... ;-)

Julie Pippert said...

I liked that movie, I did. In a similar way to liking Jerry Maguire.

M-L, I am no doctor but what you keep describing sounds like possibly hormonal fluctuations. Maybe an imbalance. It's true that this happens,and it's also true that somedays we just have those days. But maybe...get it checked? Just to see? And maybe if there is something, get some relief. Estrogen drops can cause a "brain cloud" feeling, create weird cravings, etc.

I love this post, and I love what you took from your brain cloud day (and allt eh Joe allusions) but I do worry a little. Just cuz I care. :)

Mel said...

Now I'm gonna haffta rent the movie, dangit.

Anonymous said...

Hi. Not a comment on your post; just a first-time participant identifying herself.

I posted here.

Unknown said...

Julie,

I agree that I probably have hormone issues going on. The curious thing is that the last two months, I've had a sort of crash right as my cycle ended. So, I've not been sure whether it is really hormone related or sleep apnea related. My CPAP therapy has been more like my C-R-A-P therapy for a long time now. And, with the sinus issues I was having, I completely stopped trying. I have the machine set up to go for tonight and I'm seriously considering an out of pocket purchase of a new mask to see if that helps.

BUT. . . I did almost everything on my to do list yesterday and made a new one today. Pushing myself to get something accomplished in the beginning of the day really seems to help my overall outlook.

Thanks for your concern. I've wondered how much of my ups and downs have been coming across on the blog screen. I will be having my annual physical as soon as I get an appointment (Note to self: add to "To Do" list: make doctor's appointment). He's a good doc and I always feel comfortable telling him what is going on and we always discuss my options.

Mike Minzes said...

Great blog!!

I will be back!

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Queen of the Mayhem said...

I was previously unaware of the "brain cloud" condition. It explains so much, with regards to my behavior!

We all are blessed...it's just easier to wallow every now and again, than to suck it up and move on!