Passions and Pursuits

"What is he like? What are his tastes, his passions, his pursuits?"

I saw a woman on the train yesterday wearing a Sheela-na-Gig necklace. It reminded me of an earlier time when I had passions and interests. Right now the thing I am most passionate about is my Netflix queue.*

Recently Watched:
Freaks and Geeks, episodes 1-6 - Jason Segel: cute!
Son of Rambow - British boys: cute!
Doc Martin, episodes 1-6 - surly British doctor: cute in an awkward sort of way!
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - Amy Adams: cute!
Jane Austen Regrets - kind of dreary actually

New discovery: Gavin and Stacey
Thank goodness for On Demand, otherwise I wouldn't get to see the occasional BBC gem.
The first two episodes were really good, I hope it lasts.

I also recently watched a best-of DVD of The Johnny Cash Show and as I sang along with Tammy Wynette I felt rejuvenated by my love for the old-timey country music. One of the clips showed Mama Carter singing "Wildwood Flower," the song I liked in the movie Walk the Line:
Oh, he taught me to love him
And called me his flower
That was blooming to cheer him
Through life's dreary hour.
Oh, I long to see him
And regret the dark hour
He's gone and neglected
This pale wildwood flower.

*But really, there isn't anything I am passionate about. I definitely used to have hobbies and interests. As nerdy as it is, I loved being in school, I loved researching papers and stumbling upon random periodicals with articles about the divorce laws in Ireland. I went to an event with Irish authors and I got so many autographs. I took art classes! I went to concerts! I wrote stories! I kept journals that weren't all about health issues and sad-sack complaints!

OK, I am not totally without interests now. But even so, whenever I see someone with a tattoo, I still think I could never do that. Why isn't there anything I am so passionate about that I would want it permanently fixed on my skin? Why does it take a little nudge like The Johnny Cash Show to remind me of what makes me me?