Fri 9 Sep 2005
Yesterday, I got an almost unbearably funny — in the unintentional humor sense — email message from the "What to Expect When You’re Expecting" people. Here was yesterday’s message:
Week 19: What Not to DoThese moves may work great when you’re not pregnant, but don’t even
think about trying them at home (or at the gym) now. Just say no to:
upside-down "bicycles," shoulder stands, or flat-on-your-back positions
after the fourth month. Also off-limits: deep-knee bends, back bends,
jumping, bouncing, or herky-jerky dancing.
The emphasis is mine.
I immediately forwarded the message to Jill with the question, "What on earth is herky-jerky dancing?"
Of course, I could have googled it, but I thought Jill might know and that her answer would be funny.
Here was her answer:
Mrs Boo? What on earth is "herky-jerky dancing?"
It’s what you, my whitest-of-the-white Wisconsin Boo, do.
I have to admit, I was a little put out. I’m never going to win any dance contests, but I’m not THAT bad.
This morning, as we were brushing our teeth, I gave her a hard time about it. Her reply was priceless.
"Honey, it is just who you are. You have to OWN your whiteness."
Now it is just a plain fact that I am practically glow-in-the-dark white. White infants often have darker skin than mine. I cannot remember the last time I met an adult with skin paler than mine.
I turned around and gave her a look, like…remember me, your day-glo wife? And we both just dissolved in hysterical, clutching your stomach, trying not to spit toothpaste everywhere, raucous laughter.





September 9th, 2005 at 4:43 pm
Just remember to wait until ‘Lil Smudge is out before bounding up to do the herky-jerky the next time the opportunity comes up.
Way to own your whiteness!!
(hopefully we won’t get any hits from fringe groups from this thread) :0
September 12th, 2005 at 5:08 pm
I’m with ya, Babe! I, too, am one of the pale people and I’m white both chromatically and culturally. Once, long ago, one of my then-co-workers actually said, “she was really white — I mean, even whiter than you, Leta.”
Jill’s right. We just have to own it.