2009...Weird as can BE!!!

When we find someone who's weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness and call it true love - Robert Fulghum

Greetings Everyone,

Yeah...it was a weird year.   Through the course of it though,   I've learned  that weird isn't necessarily something to run from. 

I assume  it's due to self-imposed biases based on our culture that contributes to each of us not wanting people to think we're weird.  That need to "fit in" that we should shed post high school doesn't always go away, especially when it's hard coded into our feelings.  The avoidance of feelings that go with being "on the outside" will usually overshadow the appreciation and connections we might find by just letting folks think we're strange.   

I have always avoided people really seeing me be weird for fear they might see the real me because I've found that when when you're acting weird...you're really showing more of your true self than you might be comfortable with and that will leave you quite vulnerable.  Vulnerability for me though, has proven to be the gateway to love.  After all, how can you be sure that someone loves you for who you are if they don't know who you are??  Weirdness and all.

So our family - who didn't have the advantage of evolving together, instead coming together practically overnight - had some weirdness going on from day one.  2008 may have been the year that we all blended together but 2009 was the year we accepted each other - weirdness and all. 

 Sierra is now 15 and has her driver's permit.  I'm uncertain who is happier about her getting her license, her or Curtis.  I think Curtis may win out because he's grateful to give up the taxi service of running the girls everywhere.  Sierra is a sophomore and is probably the best in the household at letting her weirdness out.  Also, she's still the best sleeper in the house.

  Shyanne is 14  and is an 8th Grader.  She's still playing the flute and singing in choir and developing a love for photography and video.  You can find her and her weird friends on Youtube...being weird.  I've observed her to be a quiet leader in her group yet she marches to her own drum.  She's talkative as can be and has drug me back into the world of pre-algebra.  This time around however, I'm actually learning a few things!

Chynna is now 17!  Which is weird to the rest of us.  She still lives in Ajo with her Grandma and will graduate from High School this year.  After school plans are not entirely ironed out yet, which really isn't that weird!

Curtis and I enjoy keeping the roof over our heads so we continue to work.  I'm still at the Medicaid Health Plan in Data Management, however my duties continue to evolve...almost daily.  Curtis changed retail arenas and jumped back into automotive parts sales at Merle's Automotive in Casa Grande.  He's much happier there and is experiencing better hours, pay and work conditions.  Best part, his customers are still just as weird!

I'm still singing with The Keepsakes, in fact we recorded a second CD this year and released it in September.  It was a bit surreal (aka weird)because we went to California for a week to record and I got to feel like a rockstar for a few days.  One day home however reminded me that I wasn't one.  :-)  Be sure to check us out at www.keepsakes6.com and if you're on Facebook or MySpace, become a fan or a friend today!

Improv troupe EXiT 185 hit a milestone this year as we performed at the Phoenix Improv Festival (PIF) and got the opportunity to watch some amazing performers.  Unfortunately Curtis and I fell victim to schedule constraints once school started up again this fall and we had to take the ramp and we EXiTed 185.  The troupe is still going strong though and have monthly performances and will surely play at next years PIF as well.  You can check them out at www.exit185improv.com.  You'll also find them on Facebook, MySpace and I think Twitter too!

So now it's two days away from Christmas and while I still have all my shopping to do, I'm actually at peace with it.  Yes...at peace with it.  Feels a little weird...ya know?

Best wishes for the weirdest holiday ever to all of you!

The Davis Family

Huge thanks to Globug for the quote which finally triggered  the inspiration I needed to sit down and write this…