Should've Been A Cowboy (or Cowgirl)

Several years ago I had this co-worker who liked to sing. He had theme-songs for many of the group home residents with whom we worked. He would sing, "Eye of the Tiger" when a resident would get angry or overly worked up. He would sing "Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear" when talking about his heart's desire. And he would sing "I Wanna Talk About Me" to me.

***

A few months ago I was having lunch with a therapist friend and we were discussing ways to effectively deal with the stress of the job. I mentioned I work out quite a bit and that I keep the volume up on the IPOD as to block out any unwanted thoughts about work or clients. He asked me about my workout playlist and I repeated my workout favorites including Beastie Boys, Cyndi Lauper, Kings of Leon, Dashboard Confessional, Shakira, Toby Keith, Snoop Dogg, and U2. His eyes narrowed and his voice lowered a little bit and then he said, "You listen to Toby Keith?" I could feel my face redden a bit. He continued, "I wouldn't have taken you for the type to listen to Toby Keith."

I hadn't really meant to let the cat of the bag. It was one of my biggest secrets.

But, since the cat is now out of the bag...

I HEART Toby Keith.

I know nearly all of his songs' lyrics. Of the 100 songs on my workout playlist--42 of them are Toby Keith songs.

Did I mention that I LOVE Toby Keith?

***

Several years ago I didn't know that many Toby Keith songs (it was before IPODS/ITUNES) and so a few years later when I became a fan and started learning all of the said lyrics I realized my co-worker's song for me wasn't very flattering...at all...

How embarrassing!!!!

We talk about your work how your boss is a jerk
We talk about your church and your head when it hurts
We talk about the troubles you've been having with your brother
About your daddy and your mother and your crazy ex-lover
We talk about your friends and the places that you've been
We talk about your skin and the dimples on your chin
The polish on your toes and the run in your hose
And God knows we're gonna talk about your clothes
You know talking about you makes me smile
But every once in awhile

I wanna talk about me
Wanna talk about I
Wanna talk about number one
Oh my me my
What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see
I like talking about you you you you, usually, but occasionally
I wanna talk about meeeeee
I wanna talk about me

How embarrassing!!!!!

***

Yesterday L and I, with some good friends, went to Usana Amphitheater to see Toby Keith in concert--fulfilling one of my lifelong dreams. It was a fantastic show on an incredible summer evening in Utah.

Here are a few of my thoughts and observations from the show:

-There are a lot of rednecks here.

-If I were to grow a mullet, I'd perm it.

-Why are there so many people passing out from alcohol intoxication before Toby even performs?

-I didn't know you could wear leather chaps over underwear like that.

-I lost count of mullets at approximately 629.

-If I was German this crowd would be how I would stereotype Americans.

-I wish I would have known it was trendy to wear see-through lace blouses BEFORE the concert.

-It IS weird that I still have all of my original teeth.

-A cowboy hat, bikini top, daisy dukes, and cowboy boots--I never thought I'd see someone dressed like that in real life. What would her parents think?! Oh, she's here with her parents.

-I should slip bikini girl/bikini girl's parents my business card.

-Where do you even buy a see-through lace blouse?

-I think L and I may be the only ones here (besides Toby) who actually live on a farm...with cows.

-I've got to get me a straw cowboy hat.

-I should pick up our garbage before we leave. But is that really what a redneck would do?

-I should've been a cowgirl.

Facebook

I joined yesterday. Why? I'll quote my client today (who does not know I joined yesterday):

With a snotty junior high girl ring in the voice tone, "Because Myn-di, myspace is soooo last year. Facebook and Twitter are where the cooool people are."

(If you think I'm kidding you should come to work with me sometime)

I said seriously, "Are you serious?"

She said, "Yeah."

I asked, "Seriously? Your serious."

She said, "Yeah."

I began hating myself and I thought about deleting my profile but when I logged on this evening and saw I had 21 friends. I did some quick math and realized that is 7 times the friends I had in high school.

"SCORE!" I yelled loudly.

Until I realized that my brother-in-law has 542 friends and I re-thought deleting my profile. Ore deleting my existence...

Private Practice

I started, officially, today. It's been in the works for months but today was the day.

I met with 1) my first private client 2) my first couple (oh, boy) for couples therapy ever. I was nervous, but that excited sort of nervous.

It went pretty well. As well as couples therapy first session goes, I guess. I was confident, I was experienced (so I hope they thought), I was an expert, and I had authority. I told her if there is any hope in the marriage working out she's gonna have to try and I told him that he has a million dollar debt (of trust) to repay his wife...starting now. He asked for feedback and I told him, "You sure about that because my feedback can be like a backhanded slap." He looked scared. I looked poised.

I told them, and now I tell you, one of the most important things I have ever said in therapy:

Emotionally sound children are raised with parents that have a healthy relationship with each other. Your children deserve your efforts here, don't they?

BTW, marriage does not define the healthy relationship. The healthy relationship can occur with separation and with divorce--it's just harder and requires more work and happens much less often.

My second private practice client is tomorrow 8:00 am. I'm dedicated aren't I? I haven't gotten up for an 8:00 session in I can't remember how long.