Juniper Disco

I really like the idea of reincarnation. Who wouldn’t want a second chance or a do-over? And I’ve put some thought into what I’d like to come back as in my next life. So I’m putting in my requests.

When I first made this list I noticed that were no people on it. No human beings whatsoever. (Yeah. I’ll have to discuss that with my therapist.) If I really had to choose a human form, there are three I could handle (listed below, followed by the rest of the original thoughts):

1. Jamaican — Thing is, I may have already cycled through as a Jamaican. But maybe you can have more than one cycle?  If you’ve been to Jamaica, then you know just how nice they are, how totally laid back they are, how much music is a part of their culture, and how beautiful their country is. Some of the people I’ve met there have such deep souls and an energy that would calm a caged tiger. I told the Mr. I’d even live in one of the shacks that populate much of the island. He laughed heartily. I would, too!
2. A Gay Icon — I’m not talking Madonna, more like Cyndi Lauper-level gay icon. To be adored, styled, and surrounded by gay men sounds great to me. Wait a minute …
3. Yayoi Kusama — She makes polka dots all day and lives in a mental institution, voluntarily. I’ve often said it must be nice to live at McLean’s (or maybe I said, I’m going to end up in McLean’s. But whatever.) Painting patterns and having someone take care of the rest sounds like a great life.
4. Any one of the stray dogs that sleep on the beach in Positano, Italy — I mean really. Sleeping on the beach. In Italy. And locals feeding you their fabulous leftover seafood and pasta. Sign me up.
5. An African Grey Parrot — In the wild, of course! No cages for me. I saw them flying on a nature program years ago and just thought how amazing that must be.
6. Bob the Grey Heron who lived outside our room in Negril, Jamaica — He really seemed to have it good with his own little hut and pond filled with fish. Maybe this is the ideal incarnation: spending all that time in a resort in Jamaica and possessing the ability to fly.
7. A brown pelican in Puerto Rico — Fell in love with these birds during our trips to Puerto Rico. Soaring high above the ocean and then diving down into the water seems like a pretty good way to spend your days, don’t you think?
8. A flamingo — It’s pink. And has long legs. It flies, eats seafood, and hangs out by the beach. What could be better?

As I look over the list, there is definitely a theme there. A yearning for a simpler, less complicated, and surely less combative day-to-day life. With maybe a sparkle or a special superpower thrown in here and there.

I’m pretty battle-weary these days. I don’t want to fight for a seat on the T. I don’t want to argue with you, cab driver, about the best way to get somewhere. I don’t want to make a reservation six weeks in advance just to get a cramped seat in the corner by the kitchen. I don’t want to navigate the treacherous pathways that plague every second of my non-bloggable world. And I really don’t want to think about whether you like me or not through all of that. Sigh. Flamingos don’t have these issues.