Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Flocking Together

Do birds of a feather flock together? Some. Just like people. I think lots of times people do, although not always. Just like birds. I'll tell you soon who doesn't flock together. I'm going to be like Asude today and teach you something. My little lesson doesn't have anything to do with politics but it is a little piece of knowledge you can stick in your back pocket for the next time you play Balderdash. That's what life's all about right? Making up fake meanings of words and trying to get your friends to choose them? Okay maybe not, but it's fun.

So I was thinking about this whole bird/flocking thing on Friday when I introduced two of my friends who had never met. Two friends who I adore. Two friends that I hang with a lot. They are also both straight up whack. They know this. It's not a secret. Lovely, funny, generous, beautiful, kind women who both have their own special brand of crazy. The stories I could tell... but that's neither here nor there.

The point is they were like magnets to each other although polar opposites. My one hippy friend who wears flip flops and jeans, no make up and a big plastic ring was mesmorized by my Manolo Blahnik friend with a Chloe bag full of make up that she applied constantly durning the night at any moment of downtime and a big chunky Chanel watch. So these birds aren't really of the same feather, or are they? What constitutes being of the same feather? Your social status? Your wealth? Your looks? Your hobbies? Your jobs? Your meds? What?

My hippy friend said to me after being delighted by my fancy friend, "Amy, all your friends are crazy. You collect them to make yourself appear more normal." So I took a mental inventory of my friends and decided that you were the only normal one. Just you. And by you I'm talking to my laptop.

At that moment Fancy friend pulled out an array of Chanel lipglosses and examined each one closely apparently deciding which to apply over her already shiney lips. Then she took her cute little hat and put it on, looked in the mirror, took it off, looked in the mirror, on, off, on, off, "Should I wear this?" she asked us.
Hippy friend said, "I just want to shrink her and carry her around in my pocket." YES!

Todays information: Woodpeckers do not travel in flocks. They do however hang with their family until the kids are grown and the kids look a lot like Mom and Dad so you might think it's a flock. It's not though, it's a family. Which is probably a good thing, who wants a whole flock of woodpeckers hanging around? That can't be good.

21 comments:

Kathy said...

I'm going to pull a "Brother Chris" and contemplate this for a while. (smile)

Kathy said...

Okay. I contemplated. I thought. I yoga-d. I researched. I googled.

http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics/Gaggle-of-Geese-and-others-26607.html

I think your friends are like hummingbirds and "charm" together.

(Better than crows......)

Kathy said...

Hmmmm. Empty again. No one seems to be around here today. The theater is dark. I have the stage all to myself....

"Do, re, mi, mi, mi, miiiiiii."

"Start spreading the newwwws. I'm leaving todaaaay. I want to beeee a parrrt of it. New York. Newwww Yorrrk! "

Tap, Tap, Tappity Tap. Shuffle Step, Ball Change. Slide. Jazz Hands.

"To be or not to be...."

"Stella!! Stella!!"

"Thank you! Thank you!" (Deep bow.) "Oh, really, you all are too kind." (Another bow.) "Thank you. Thank you."

twist said...

Now I forget what I was going to say.

Amy said...

Kathy! I love the link! I love the song! Thank God for you. This post was UNPOPULAR! You are the star today. You even made Twist lose it. That's a tall order, cause she's got it Together! Yes, she is together and reverent.

Mark said...

Several years ago, someone very important to me had a tragic experience, which was the culmination of years of misguided decisions and unhealthy living. This tragic event turned out to be this person's rock bottom, and through some divine grace, she had a loving family that served as this person's safety net, keeping this person from what could have been disastrous consequences had they been left on their own. As this person began recovering, there was lots of struggle. When I listened to stories about this person's life as they tried to pull things back together, I heard a lot about people this person was associated with who also had history's of unhealthy living. I mentioned that as long as this person was surrounded by others who were unhealthy, the chances of making improvements would be minimal. I explained that this person needed to have others around who made good decisions and lived healthy lives, so that this person would have clear examples of good decision-making and healthy living. They took it to heart, not fully, but in part, and started to make friends with a different type of person. Over time, this person gained confidence, set and achieved goals, and made significant improvements in life. This person still struggles with some bad behaviors, but every year, things improve. I am hopeful that, in the long run, this person will always or nearly always choose better options when challenged by demons. As long as this person is surrounded by good people, the chances are good. All this to say that birds of a feather do indeed flock together and for a reason. We choose to be around people who reflect, in some way, how we see the world and ourselves, and what we want for our lives. Amy, this is a discussion for you, me and Manya, right? Love you, my crazy like-feathered friend. Mark

Mark said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sue Jacquette said...

I love this post, Amy! Are you sure, though that this was real? Fancy friend and hippy friend sound like they could be the two sides of your personality. Was your psyche arguing with itself? Were you having an episode? Are you still taking your meds? Seriously, though I think you are right... birds of a feather doesn't mean outwardly similar, it means that we connect to people who relate to us in some way. You relate to crazy. That's why we are friends. Oh wait, I'm the normal one, right?

twist said...

Mark, no matter how many times you tell me to stop hanging with Amy, I still will. I know, I know...she brings out questionable traits, my sketchy side if you will. But dammit, I love that little coo-coo bird.

twist said...

Was that irreverent? Sorry, Mark. What you shared about your friend was lovely and hopeful. I just couldn't resist...

Kathy said...

Amy, Thank you. Thank you. (clapping hands with glee.) You know how excited I get over the bright, shiney star stickers. Just think, if AIG had only used them as incentives instead......

Mark - Twist is right. Your comment is lovely and your friend is very lucky to have you "to flock to."

Twist - Amy already declared that you are Reverent and Together - which I believe makes you Togetherly Reverent. A plus, plus in my book. And I echo your coo-coo bird sentiments.

Lula! said...

My new favorite post from you, Amy!!!!!!! Who wants to hang around with a bunch of people who are exactly like you? BORING!

It's also one of the reasons I love you muchly...we are so different, yet also the same. Basically, we're both awesome. Clearly.
p.s. Kathy's comments are cracking me up.

Amy said...

Oh my God Sue, I think you're right! There weren't three of us, it was just me, myself and I. My plastic ring and my Chloe bag. God. Now I gotta deal with this!
Mark, this a lovely blog post. I mean story. Crazy is as crazy does. I have no idea what that means. It seemed appropriate. Whose the friend? I want names! Manya is my fb friend.
Twisty One- Pipe down and start sanding those steps. Do you think they are going to sand themselves? Cause it's YOU that brings out the bad in me. "Are you gonna cry???" That was all you my innocent looking but not friend.
Kathy- Thank God you're here. You pulled this one together. Without you it just would have been me.
Lula- We rock the Casbah. And yes, Kathy is funny.

twist said...

v. busy just now doing an energy clearing on my new dining table. wish i had friend who would sand steps...

twist said...

Or doesn't Ashleigh have a monkey who could do it?

Amy said...

I would sand them but it might ruin my non existent manicure and then where would I be?
Are you calling me a monkey?
I'm so glad you're getting that pesky energy clearing out of the way. Let me ask you though (whispering) 'There are still four live chickens in the aquarium in your butlers pantry, right? One didn't lose it's precious little life so your dining room could be one with the spirits did it?'

twist said...

Eh. What's one less chicken?

Kidding...It's still four chickens you'll need to look after while I'm in Maine this summer.

OK, seriously everyone, picture that.

Kathy S. said...

Amy... four chickens... and a monkey.
Sounds like the makings of several blogs and at least a good song or two.

Speaking of songs (like the segue?)... here is something for a rainy day. For those who have not heard it, it is a reminder that true beauty can be found in the most unlikely places.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY


Oh, and Thanks Lulu. I have a habit of cracking myself up too. I'll share one of my shiney stars with you. No, not that one. This one.

Kathy said...

Oooops. I forgot I gave up the "S".

Amy said...

No need for the S Kathy and I just might have to post that. That was wonderful. Thank you for sharing. :)

Brother Chris said...

Well clearly Kathy deserves a 2nd Gold Star for today's contributions. First a "B/C" shout out when I've been missing for a week (Tad too much Real Housewives Femspeak for my pallet) and then for the Susan Boyle appearance - heartwarming. When she belts out the first line of that song, which is so perfectly pitched and beautiful, the reaction of every person in that hall is marvelous - just makes you want to stand up and cheer along with them.

Another Atta Girl to Amy for causing all her readers to stop and smell the roses once again. After much 'contemplation' I think that is the true beauty of her blog. We go about our daily humdrum and sometimes think to stop and escape over here to CBTCK where the content causes us to appreciate the little things we all have but don't always have time for - til Amy reminds us. Thanks Sis, you know I love you.