I recently shared a blog post about the variety of views we have, without realizing that others have different views. It taught me a great deal about myself and my cloistered upbringing in the Deep South. To be clear, I lived a blissful, happy life in South Carolina. It just didn't have many windows to the outside world. My first encounter with unsweetened tea, bagels and real Yankees was in college. I still don't understand unsweetened tea. Why bother?
Recently in my Spanish class, my teacher called me el ombligo del mundo, which literally means the "belly button of the world." Her point was that I always put myself first, like an infant in the womb.
In my defense, I have a predilection toward making jokes among new groups of people, as a way to break the ice. It is also a self-defense mechanism I acquired in elementary school and junior high, to protect me from getting picked on. I know that sounds weird, but I quickly learned to deflect criticism of my diminutive, nerdy side to other places that were not so fragile and could withstand ridicule. Now it is an automatic part of my psyche that I use to break down barriers. My crutch became a superpower. Most of the time.
When I poke fun at other people, it is never meant to disparage, but to incorporate them into my little safe bubble. Sometimes, I go too far, or make comments about the wrong subjects, not realizing how sensitive they are to things that have no effect at all on me. My green kryptonite is just another rock to other people and vice versa.
And that's where the "ombligo" comment arose. I stepped in a pile of poo and came out stinking. Again.
Since that time, I have back-peddled somewhat, while also piling on the self-deprecating humor. It is working.
Then I brought out the big guns.
Nobody can resist Susan. She is the sweet to my tart. As people begin to realize this, they inevitably wonder how such a woman could marry such a man. I ponder that myself quite often.
It didn't hurt things when she made brownies for the class. Our teacher is a chocoholic, so they are kindred spirits.
When the walls come tumblin' down
When the walls come crumblin' crumblin'
When the walls come tumblin' tumblin'
Tumblin' tumblin'
(Crumblin' Down. John Mellencamp & George Green)
Chocolate is the universal instrument of peace, unity and brotherly love. My work here is done.
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