ABBA

I'm taking a quick break from my theology paper to stop in and say hi. I'm doing an exegesis of the Last Supper and explaining the narrative in light of the Passover paper I wrote. Have to tell ya, I'm getting into these Scriptural studies. Even if one isn't devoutly religious, the stories have so many layers and contexts.

It's all very interesting, even for a non-nerd.

[Just to clarify, I'm the nerd.]

[You're not a nerd.]

[Unless you want to be and think nerdom is weirdly cool and liberating.]

Things have been pretty difficult at Chez Dorrie lately. Jack's working his rear off and in the throes of midterms. I'm still pushing through, day by day (sometimes hour by hour or even moment by moment) and I'm hanging in there. Persistence, endurance, and grit.

And it's no coincidence that the perky Kelly Clarkson song, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" song comes on the radio no less than three times per day (y'know, when you're channel-surfing in traffic, trying to find what *else* is on!). It's all making me stronger, I know that deep inside.

[I just wish all this "making me stronger" stuff didn't produce so much stomach acid.]

[I also wish it included more palm trees.]

So while work is, well, work, Jack and I are taking care to have some fun. Last weekend, we tried out a new Mexican place and after the first bite of cilantro-infused salsa, I had to cry out, "Ole!" I arrived home on Wednesday night, after a wondrous massage at my neighborhood spa, and Jack had crafted a multiple-course meal. I made some serious headway on some ethics papers I'm re-writing for publication. Oddly, the academic writing is a nice diversion from coming home after work and diving into email. It's all in the little things.

However, the *real* fun started last weekend when, after deciding we were tired of the usual entertainment options, wandered through Target and emerged with a Just Dance Wii game. Hey, why not?

SO we threw an impromptu dance party in our living room, laughing until our sides hurt. More than our sides hurt the next day, as we were so very sore from the intricate dance moves we practiced with the Wii! There was only one injury when, during a 70's disco song, we collided hands and the Wii controller cut into my finger!

What I wouldn't pay to see a video of *that*!

Last night, after having heard about another difficult week on my part, Jack stopped on the way home for another rendition of Just Dance.

The ABBA version.

Yes, ABBA.

Does it get any better?

Before we even sat down for dinner, I anxiously loaded the ABBA disc in the system and positioned myself for some Dancing Queen.

[Dangit, where'd I put my white and gold-sequined polyester leisure suit?]

Imagine my shock (and giggles) when Jack joined me and struck the pre-Dancing Queen post as well. He's such a trooper.

And he totally kicked my butt at ABBA Just Dance. You heard it here first.*

When we finished with ABBA, a few hours and beers later, he looked at me astonishingly and said, "Wow. I must be gay. Or maybe Swedish!"

And THAT is how you know you're with your soul mate. They'll make you laugh until you cry and do whatever it takes to get you out of your funk and into some hilarity.

Thank you, Jack. And thank *you*, ABBA!


*He did tell me I could tell you about this. I think he's strangely proud of kicking my butt into next Tuesday, even if it did entail ABBA!