I was amused to read a quote by Catherine Deneuve in today's San Francisco edition of the green website, The Ideal Bite.  Quoth Catherine:  "At a certain point, you have to choose between your face and your ass."  I guess since I've only recently started a skin-care regimen but have been working out for several years, my choice is clear.

The quote tickled me so much that I wrote it down in my little book of collected quotes.  In the process of writing, I realized that there's more to the quote than it originally seemed.  Sure, when one is discussing aging, the quote is a sassy bon mot about facing reality and the tradeoffs of managing Time.

But in light of yesterday's blog about the congressional resolution to officially declare the Armenian Genocide, it takes on a whole different meaning.  The quote pithily captures the dilemma facing our representatives.  Do they save their face (i.e., their reputation for acting with integrity, in accordance with their ideals) or do they save their ass?

Idealists save their face.  Pragmatists save their ass.  There are those infrequent instances where saving one's face and saving one's bacon (tired of the "a" word) coincide--where one is held accountable for acting with integrity.  But recently, especially in politics, these interests seem to be opposites rather than sidekicks.

So that's it for my salient observations for the day.  I'm looking forward to lunching with my Santa Clarita friend, Peggy; to working out (saving my a!); and to office work today.

Speaking of which, I've got a couple of new poems up on the poetry page.  They're works in progress, so read them with a kindly eye.  If you want to check just these new ones out, click on "Storyteller" and "Among Her Collection of Bowls."  I'm experimenting (like Donald Hall in Without) with writing my typical confessional poetry in a stepped-back, third person.

I'm re-reading Without, Hall's account in poetry of his wife's (poet Jane Kenyon) death.  It's heart-wrenching, particular and luminous.  If you're into poetry, check out the link below.  Who knows, maybe someday I'll have a link to one of my books down below the blog?

Just read a great quote on www.myfooddiary.com (a great website for tracking calorie intake and expenditure).  The quote fits perfectly with today's activities.

"Success and failure.  We think of them as opposites, but they're really not.  They're companions--the hero and the sidekick."  --Laurence Shames

Shames is a novelist and erstwhile ghostwriter, so I imagine he knows a little bit about success and failure.  I have to say, running across this quote today was a nice synchornicity.  I was journaling this morning about expectations versus realities...for two reasons.  1. I am playing in a golf tournament today (best ball format so it's not too stressful).  2. I am re-renewing my commitment to eating healthily and working out regularly.

As a recovering perfectionist, it's hard for me not to see failure as both enemy and excuse.  Perfectionists start endeavors with the highest of goals.  They often achieve a great deal because they drive themselves to meet those goals at some pretty ridiculous costs.  But when they (inevitably) prove to be mere humans instead of demi-gods, the crash is hard and the "failure" can become an excuse not to try again.  And/or a nice bludgeon for hitting oneself repeatedly over the head.

So in my journaling today, I wrote a few realistic expectations down for today's golf outing.  I will contribute to the team by enjoying the day and the company.  I will also contribute 3-5 good shots to the overall effort.  Anything more is gravy.

As to the renewed commitment to a healthy lifestyle, well...that's going to be full of Shames's companions--success and failure.  I am sure I will have great days of working out and eating only things that are good for me.  I will also have days where I don't make it to the gym and still manage to eat a serving of chocolate souffle after a steak dinner.  In this case, it's more about the trend than it is about the incident. 

I've also discovered, thanks to my friend Erik, that a weekly day off from being a dedicated intake monitor, is a wonderful way to stave off the "failure" syndrome that so often accompanies eating plans.  Instead of saying, "Oh well, I had the souffle, I might as well eat my way through the rest of the week until Monday," I can plan for the souffle and avoid the guilt.

So, today, I'll have two companions with me on the golf course and at table.  Success and her sidekick, failure.  If I can get the 3rd companion of grace to join us, it should be an awesome day.