Lying in the Grass

Sometimes I enjoy nothing more than a late afternoon nap lying on the thick heavy grass.  Today was one of those days.  I am still soft and fuzzy sitting here in the grass.  There is this large grass yard that separates the UVA campus from the main drag of stores and restaurants that cater to the students.  Earlier today, it was sprinkled with girls “lying out”, now there are the folks who want to enjoy being out side on the lush grass.

The hum of students being student across the street spending money is almost a non-issue.  The constant noise they are making eventually fades to nothing on my senses.  But I definitely feel the grass underneath my legs.  For some reason, this feels like the first time I have sat in the grass in my life, that new and fresh to me today.

This is a much different feel than the one I experienced last night sleeping across the front captains chairs of the van.  I felt cramped and my hips took about two miles of walking at a natural pace with what was an unnatural activity for a little while to get the kinks worked out.  The UVA campus is very nice.  Everything feels old, strong, sturdy and tasteful.  There is no gaudy architecture whatsoever so far.  The rotunda is actually pretty neat.  It is a large outdoor amphitheatre surrounded by solid, strong white pillars that were actually being touched up today.  There is a performance there tonight I may attend.  Folks do not seem as friendly here as in Williamsburg.  With that said, most of the students look pretty soft and relaxed- unpretentious for the most part.  The women, of course I was going to go there, are very attractive in a Southern girl kind of way.  They are mostly blonde, soft full cheeks and to heavy or “sculpted” by obsessions for working out.  Their bodies look real, their hair looks real, and their walk and disposition look real.  And many of them are wearing soft colored, cotton dresses today.  This is one of my favorite looks.

I attended and listened to former white House Press Dee Dee Myers speak this afternoon about her book, “Why Women Should Rule the World”.  She gave a good argument to support her provocative title named for effect. One of the points she made was that there are external obstacles to women becoming successful leaders in business or politics, and internal blocks as well.  One that she expanded on was the lack of ability for women to take credit for success and not willing to take risks that may lead to lead to running for political office and upper management.  I think this is a good point.  Women, especially young white women, suffer form thinking they are not good enough, ready or qualified for whatever the next step is for them.  I see this all the time and when compared to men, who go for it even when not even close to qualified, this becomes more apparent.

It is Cinco de Mayo.  I am going to hunt down some Mexican food.  I hope I do not have to settle for pseudo-Mexican food but will if needed.  Today is a good day.
5/5/08