I was previously positing that the Swan might be the ballet teacher if the bunny was the little girl who took ballet lessons. However, although my bunny did take ballet lessons they weren't really her "thing" and she didn't keep at it very long (OTOH, the monkey really liked to tap dance and would like to take a class right now.) So what was the relaxed bunny doing while hyper monkey was exploring creek beds and climbing trees and tap dancing? Bunny was reading just about every single book in the elementary school library. She was the librarian's pet and when she was in 5th grade, she got to go on a book buying trip with the librarian and choose all sorts of books for the other kids to read. That same year her boyfriend was the smartest boy in her class (cute too.) She tried to convert him from atheism by informing him that the Bible was in the non-fiction section of the library. Unfortunately, the monkey broke his bike when he had the nerve to ask her out on an actual date to McDonald's. ( That monkey has got some real issues. Can you believe that just a few weeks ago when NG offered to give me an extra bike he had in his shed, the monkey said " I don't want to take your stuff."?)
So, I'm thinking that maybe the Swan is the Sexy Librarian. That is why she wants to be loved for her "pilgrim soul." That is why she looks for Captain Wentworth and contemplates which Austen heroine she most resembles. That is why Bunny's favorite books were all really romances written for little girls like the Secret Garden or Mandy. That is why she writes literate semi-erotic scenes and e-mails them to her lovers. That is why she responds to her lover's thoughtful e-mail which contained a creative and subtle use of the word "dalliance" with a thoughtful e-mail that closes with "I think 'dalliance' is a lovely word."
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver
And that is why, maybe, NG wants a date without Sex. Maybe, just maybe... he'd like to find the bunny... and discover a Swan... all on his own.... while the monkey stays in its cage for the night. Not that he doesn't like the monkey... but they do tend to throw the books...
Here... for your amusement... is monkey:
The Monkey
Monkeys are fascinating animals to watch. Their acrobatic maneuvers hold the energy of effortlessness and grace. They twist, turn, jump, and hang with the greatest of ease. They crawl up and down tree trunks and leap from branch to branch extending their long arms outward towards the next limb. Once they arrive at their destination they stop, look around and contemplate what is in their immediate environment.
Moving in all directions, forward, backwards and sideways gives the monkey the advantage of seeing things from different angles. They have excellent vision and are able to see that which is hidden from normal view. Their master ship of movement and keen observation skills help them reach their destination safely. Those with this totem have the ability to know where they are going and understand where they have been. Through perseverance, focus and fluid movement their goals can be attained.
Monkeys are flat-footed animals. They walk around using all four limbs. When they walk their whole foot hits the ground at the same time. This links the monkey to the qualities of stability and sure footed. Their agility of movement is a reminder to us to maintain balance in all that we think, do and say. Leadership roles are often granted to people that hold this medicine.
Curious and clever a monkeys mood can change instantaneously giving them an air of unpredictability. A general theme for those that carry this medicine is to "expect the unexpected."
Monkeys are most active during the day. Their brains are large denoting a strong intelligence. After sexual maturity, male monkeys are at all times potent. This sexual potency is symbolic of birth, rebirth and new creation.
The monkey is a powerful ally to have. A master at shape shifting realities it prompts us to explore all aspects of who we are and who we choose to become. By learning from the monkey and applying its skills of power, grace and observation, foundations are created that give birth to our choices. Eventually these choices will manifest in our lives so if monkey is your totem be careful of what you choose.
And that is why, maybe, NG wants a date without Sex. Maybe, just maybe... he'd like to find the bunny... and discover a Swan... all on his own.... while the monkey stays in its cage for the night. Not that he doesn't like the monkey... but they do tend to throw the books...
You should be aware that all of my animals will engage in sexual intercourse of one kind or another. That is why I pretty much never turn down sex unless I am nauseous. However, when NG suggested a no-sex date I did take his intention to be that we might take more time to get to know all the animals outside of the sex-induced dopamine haze and push the re-set button a bit. Actually, it isn't the case that he hasn't met the Swan (as currently defined.) We've exchanged many e-mails, talked about books and his "art" and I've read and commented on his memoirs-in-progress. I definitely think that he views me as an intelligent audience for his "work" and that is one of the reasons he was attracted to me. The other reasons being my .72 waist to hip ratio and the fact that I wear shoes that he thinks are "cute" (black and white Keds.)
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver
