Tripartite fold

I don’t really like Saturdays or holidays. I mean, I do like having oodles of free time to use however which way I want, make no mistake. But I feel a strong need to get out of the apartment early each morning and go to work or to school, and if I disregard that and stay home until later, I feel wretched, miserable, and even kind of sick. That’s what happened today — I slept in till 7:30 since I’ve had a string of late nights this past week, but then I didn’t actually leave the apartment till 11:30 for a run on Provo Library. I don’t really know how to describe this, but I’ve felt like I’ve wasted the whole day, and like it’s a mortal sin. It’s not, of course, but it’s an interesting sensation, one quickly remedied by coming up to campus. Stir-crazy, that’s what it is. Except just going outside doesn’t necessarily do the trick — I have to tap into my normal routine, or as much of it as I can. And that’s why holidays are bothersome, because almost all of campus is closed, so I can’t go to the library.

Yes, I realize this is odd behavior. No, I haven’t yet sought help. :P I don’t think I’m a workaholic, frankly; it’s more of a tether to tradition, tying me to my daily routine and threatening to open the gates of darkness if I veer from it. I’m not entirely convinced that it’s a bad thing, either, seeing as late mornings almost always end up wasteful anyway.

But moving on, I noticed a girl walking across campus the other day in high heels — no, clodding across campus — and I couldn’t help but wonder if they’re painful. High heels certainly make walking look inconvenient, and it’s hard to believe it doesn’t feel just as awkward. I suppose they look nice, in a way, but in all honesty normal, flat shoes look just as nice, and not nearly as agonizing. I wouldn’t mind in the least if my future wife never wears high heels. And I wouldn’t have to worry about getting gored with the point when we go dancing. (But of course she’s free to wear them if she wants.)

Switching topics again, one of the things I enjoy about writing is that it’s not high-maintenance. All you need is a paper and pencil, and if you’re on a computer, all you really need is a text editor like Textedit or Notepad (or, for the hardcore geeks among us, vi). That’s it. And because it’s so low-maintenance, you can really fly, going as fast as you want. I love it.

Ben,

This was an interesting post. If I could give you a really good gift, it would be to walk in a girl’s shoes for a month.

High heels certainly make walking look inconvenient, and it’s hard to believe it doesn’t feel just as awkward.

LOL–it does! :)

It’s nice to hear a guy say that he doesn’t care about high heels on girls since I think girls only wear them to impress the guys… The only reason I have any high heels is because they were required for my dance class. Boy was that interesting, not only did I have to learn how to dance, but first I had to learn how to stand up in those silly things!

In response to Holly: Sometimes I think girls wear high heels (and myriad other articles) simply to impress other girls!

But I really wanted to respond to your comments on sleeping in, Ben. Today was a similar day for me and I completely agree with you: if I don’t leave the house in the morning to accomplish something meaningful, I just feel yucky.

We ended up going out to get gyros for dinner (yum!) and then to the grocery store, so I got plenty of fresh air and conversation. :) But look at my blog, I actually wrote about it today as well.

Your post made me smile. There’s a research geek in me that gets all excited at the prospect of spending time in a university library, even though my graduate work is now two years behind me.

Heather: I think I’ll pass, but thanks. :)

Holly: If walking is hard in high heels, I shudder to think how difficult dancing would be!

Bethany: I wonder if there are things guys do to impress other guys. Probably not clothing, but sports stuff and other machismo things, I’m sure. Speaking of which, I’m finally reading Deborah Tannen’s book that our ELang professors always talked about — You Just Don’t Understand. It’s all about the independence (male) vs. intimacy (female) paradigm. Fascinating stuff. Anyway, nice post (I’m way behind on reading others’ posts and even further behind on commenting, but I do plan to get caught up sometime in the near future), and I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels yucky about sleeping in. :)

Katherine: I think it’s a very healthy thing to get excited about spending time in a library. :) In fact, I wish more people were like that! Our numbers are dwindling, I’m afraid. But of course we’ll never go extinct. I hope.

LOL. I think the meaning of my comment went over your head, but that’s okay. I have two brothers and I must admit, most of the things they do don’t make a bit of sense to me. Still, by asking for explanations and trying to put myself in their shoes I learn a little bit about their epistemology. It’s hard work. I would never want to be a guy because I don’t understand how the male brain works. In some cases, I wonder if it works at all, but I have learned to exercise a little empathy before making any judgment calls.

Oh, no, I did understand — my answer was both literal and figurative. Maybe a day or two, but certainly not a month. :) And I’m getting to do it vicariously through reading Tannen’s book, so we’ll just stick with that for now.

Well, my first wish was meant kindly.

In response to reading Tannen’s book, do you honestly believe that what guys probably categorize as the incomprehensible actions of females can be explained through comprehensible English?

As my brothers would put it you can ask a guy to kick you where it counts on the Karate mat, but it won’t teach a girl very much… In other words there are some experiences you can’t understand, even vicariously. That’s why I wished you the experience, without any hope it would come true. :P

Still, I commend you for trying.

Ben-
You use vi? Why am I not surprised? I don’t think I ever will–you can go super-fast using it, but the learning curve is soooo steep.=)
High heels aren’t ALL uncomfortable, although I used to think they were the most ridiculous things on the planet (and therefore refused to wear them). I suppose it depends on exactly HOW high you mean when you say “high heels.” Also, what TYPE of heel? Are we talking 6-inch stilettos? 1 1/2 inch pumps? espadrilles? hooker boots? platforms? little kitten heels? mules? strappy sandals? Are you going hiking in them, or just wearing them with a skirt? They do take some getting used to, especially if you’re used to wearing sneakers, but if you’re used to them, they don’t really present much
of a problem, and they make you feel feminine. Especially when you’re short, some extra height can be nice. I have some heels that are so comfortable that I don’t mind doing errands in them. They’re more professional/dressy than flats, which too often come in two varieties: those silly ballet flats that are trendy now, which give your feet no support, or those dowdy-looking flat black dress shoes that make you look 20 years older. Oh yes, or flip-flops. Or Crocs. Perish the thought. Heels can be feminine and dressy and flattering, and can make you look put-together when flats make you look slouchy. Yes, some go to extremes–there’s no way 6-inch stilettos can be comfortable or good for you, and they make you look like a streetwalker if you’re good at walking in them (think: paired with fishnets…yikes!), or like a clown if you aren’t. Besides, you’re liable to twist your ankle trying to walk on a heel the size of a pinhead. But that’s no reason to dismiss all non-flats out of hand. Besides, every other boy on the planet seems to like them, admittedly more for how they shift a woman’s posture than for any regard for fashion or height.
And, for the record, I agree with Heather. I think all men should have to be women for an entire month. It would certainly make them stop whining about how irrational and moody and weird girls are. But that’s a topic for an entirely different rant….

Heather: Not all female actions are incomprehensible, and a few basic principles of female thought can do wonders. But of course no male can ever fully understand the female mind, at least not in this life.

Amy: Learning curves be hanged. Vi is bliss. (Blender’s another program with a steep learning curve, but it’s sooooo worth it once you get up there. Same with vi.) As for high heels, I do like the way they look, and I agree that they’re very feminine. It’s just the extremes that seem to be irrational and painful.

And no, I don’t want to be a girl, for a day or for a month. I’m happy the way I am. :)