When I was a kid, my mother used to come into my bedroom on Saturday mornings, throw open the blinds and sing me awake. Alternatively it was, Oklahoma’s “Oh what a beautiful morning” or “Good morning, good morning” from Singin’ in the Rain. It was pure torture.
I didn’t understand morning people until I became one. And not that I’ve been fully converted – there’s still that space between asleep and fully awake where my inner pre-teen still clenches her fists in fury beneath the comforter. But the moment my feet hit the floor and Sir Hal and I have our good morning exchange (me filling his bowl with breakfast to shut him up), I’m pretty darn perky.
I sing in the shower. I eat breakfast, tidy up and have a cuddle with my ornery cat. I go through a thorough flossing routine and then decide which flip flops to try to get away with at the office that day. I’m little Mary Sunshine.
Unless…
Okay, here’s the thing: you know that very first thought you have when you wake up? The one that’s still cloudy and half-formed -- a reminder of the night before, a something coming up that day, maybe even the last thing you thought about before you went to bed? If that thing, that first eye-rubbing leap into consciousness is a bad thing, I’m fucked.
I’m way too susceptible to first thoughts.
Usually, my first thought is a person. A friend, my boss (sigh), my father, a coffee date, my 9AM interview. John Wayne. Yeah, John Wayne; but a young John Wayne, so it’s more mojo than mosey. Anyway, what shouldn’t be too surprising from my writing here is how easily affected I am. When my first thought is something daunting (boss) or something worrisome (say, my father) my morning is less perk and more… funk.
Fortunately, this morning’s first thought (thanks to last night’s movie choice), was Gael Garcia Bernal (rowrr) and then real folks like Jen and Sarah who are inked into tonight’s calendar. I can’t tell you how great it is not to be thrown into my day by thoughts of work (mercifully slow this week), but rather un-lullabyed by the something sultry and foreign, something friendly and fun and by promise of much-needed vacation.
I’ve been grinning like a fool for two days. A good first thought, a song to sing off-key – It’s summer time, and the livin’ is surprisingly easy.
My dad used to sing the exact same songs to me when he tried to wake me up in the morning. I think I had the same reaction as you.
Posted by: Caitlinator at August 2, 2005 10:42 AMThe only thing that can get me to the "Mary Sunshine" stage in the morn is a good ol stick of Marlboro Lights.
Posted by: trish at August 2, 2005 10:45 AMThat sounds alot better than my Dad's freaky sense of humor of staring straight into my eyes until I woke up and got the shit scared of me. His maniacal laughter for making pee myself in the early morning hours was quite a way to start a day.
God, I can't wait to have my own kids and carry that tradition on. :)
Posted by: whirlygurly at August 2, 2005 10:52 AMWhen I made the decision to pierce the top of my right ear to match the left, the sweet young lady who did the deed uttered the perky little phrase "HAPPY THOUGHTS" as the stud penetrated my cartilage. I'm all for happy thoughts. And you're right. When you wake to happy thoughts, it makes your day go so much better. Cheers to happy waking thoughts!
Posted by: Brian Fletcher at August 2, 2005 01:09 PMMmmm...Gael Garcia Bernal. He's so hot, I don't care that I am fluent in Spanish and can't pronounce that first name of his.
Posted by: kate at August 2, 2005 01:43 PMHow I love Gael Garcia Bernal the world will never know...unfortunately, it is likely that neither will he.
Posted by: annush at August 2, 2005 01:49 PMmy mom would sing the same songs, and even throw in some good ol' "wake up little, suzy" when she was feeling particularly perky.
ugh.
i am a grown adult, and getting up is STILL my least favorite part of the day.
i blame her. :)
Posted by: red at August 2, 2005 01:52 PMYou're lucky, my mom used to wake me up by singing "Gonna kill my son and bury him in the backyard" by The Murdering Mommys.
Posted by: Jacob at August 2, 2005 02:11 PMi can definitely identify with those first thoughts that make my first daily utterance more of a groan than a peaceful sigh. however, i can also identify with those first daily thoughts that leave you with the feeling that, "this is going to be a good day."
Posted by: amanda at August 2, 2005 02:12 PMThe worst "first thought" always comes for me shortly after a breakup.
Crying myself to sleep, then escaping the sadness for a few hours in (we hope) a dreamless sleep. I wake up, and my mind hasn't fully tuned in yet... and it's just a feeling of calm.
Until the switch is flipped, the brain starts chugging, and reality rushes in.
Perhaps one of the worst feelings, the intrusion of reality. Gotta hate reality.
Posted by: Pi.nk Stil.etto at August 2, 2005 02:54 PMIf my first thoughts of the morning include a strategy for stopping at Dunkin Donuts for iced coffee on the way to work (for some reason, there isn't one on my street, as there is everywhere else in the Boston area), then I know it's going to be a good day.
If I realize I'm running too late to get the coffee and have to settle for the stuff from the work cafeteria--not so good a day. But by then it's too late to roll back into bed!
Posted by: Alison at August 2, 2005 03:57 PMWhat a FUNNY blog! I'll be back...
Posted by: Scott at August 2, 2005 04:14 PMMornings and I are not on friendly terms - ever. My dad used to blast the stereo with his southern gospel quartet du jour and then ask innocently "did I wake you up?"
To this day, I tell people up front: I do not wake up until 10:00 a.m. I will drive, talk, and otherwise give the appearance of being awake, but I do not wake up until 10:00 a.m. You have been warned.
[Some people - bless them! - actually listen to me when I tell them this and structure their ways accordingly! :)]
Posted by: lawyerchik1 at August 2, 2005 06:01 PMdefinitely not a morning person, never have been. however, running into an old friend first thing in the morning can definitely change that. like yesterday. made for a bearable Monday.
Posted by: rg at August 2, 2005 06:08 PMWHAAHAAHAHA.....GREETZ , HOLLAND HERE
Posted by: spion at August 2, 2005 06:08 PMMy Dad used to sing 'the ugly bug ball' to get me up. You were lucky.
Mornings. Love them...
man, if my first thought were gael, my day would be soooo much better! now im thinking happpy thoughts...
Posted by: Rebecca at August 3, 2005 01:02 AMman, if my first thought were gael, my day would be soooo much better! now im thinking happpy thoughts...
Posted by: Rebecca at August 3, 2005 01:02 AMI so wish I was a morning person. I remember that article in the Times about morning people and saying how non-morning people are discriminated against and people are sick of it. lol. I should be a crusader for late night people, except for the fact that I really want to be a morning person.
Posted by: TCho at August 3, 2005 11:41 AMFish... my mom sang "Rise and Shine" and also called me her 'little mary sunshine'. Jesus-I thought I was special.
Posted by: Ingrid at August 3, 2005 12:28 PMI agree, the first thought is usually the mood setter for the day! But it's bever too late to turn it around and have a great morning despite a bad start too! :)
Posted by: AdventureGirl at August 14, 2005 09:52 AM