Category Archives: Diversions

Mick and I met online in December 1996. We met in person on January 1, 1997. The first words I said to him were "Here, drink this quick."

I handed him a plastic cup full of champagne. We've been inseparable ever since.

I don't believe in fate and I don't believe in soul mates. But I do believe in Mick and I. It is all I need.

I don't mean that the cable went out during a storm or something like that. Mick and I got rid of our cable service about eight months ago, and for the most part, we haven't looked back.

On days like today, though, when a big cultural event like the Superbowl is on (it's sort of a cultural event, isn't it?) it feels kind of weird not to have cable. I don't even like football. But it would be cool to be able to turn it on for awhile, just to see what's going on. It's like that for awards shows, too, or really, any live show we can't watch live on the Internet.

Okay, it's not like I'd be watching it anyway. But I'm reminded of the Superbowl a few years ago when I was working in my bedroom office and turned on the TV just to check out the half-time show. Dude, I got to see Janet Jackson's boob. This year, there will be no such titillation.

Of course, we were invited to watch the Superbowl at a friend's house, and normally, that's where we'd be on this special day. This year, however, Mick and I are both sick and I have an assignment I have to get done by tomorrow. So alas, we will be spending the day at home, Superbowl-less. I don't even have any chips and salsa in the house, and forget the Miller Light.

The only football team I have any feelings for at all is the Philadelphia Eagles. That's because my dad grew up in Philadelphia and I was taught to like them. Since the Eagles are sadly not playing in this year's Superbowl, I am rooting for the New Orleans Saints. Why? Because I remember when I was growing up the Saints were so bad they were nicknamed the Ain'ts, and let's face it, New Orleans is a much cooler city than Indianapolis. I've been to both. I know.

Tomorrow, I will not lament my lack of cable, I will rejoice in it, for it is one less bill we have to pay. But today, I'm feeling a little lonely, a little left out. I think I'll make a run for some chips and Miller Light.

This is the funniest thing I've seen in a long, long time:

IKEA Heights from DaveAOK on Vimeo.

This is episode one of four. You can watch the others at IKEA Heights. It's shot at the Burbank, CA IKEA, apparently without the store knowing.

LOVE IT!

Lately I've been treating myself to a bouquet of flowers every two weeks or so. Mick's a great husband, but if I had to wait for him to buy me flowers I'd never have any at all. So I buy them myself and everyone's happy.

I've found that I can make them last that long or even more by replacing the water, picking off dead bits, and throwing out the flowers as they wilt. Today's bouquet was purchased at Costco and it's very cheerful and yellow.

Whenever I arrange flowers in a vase, I think of my friend Doris, who died last year at age 91. She'd buy herself flowers every week and spend a good deal of time arranging them. She'd get frustrated when she'd come to my house and find flowers that I'd just stuck in a vase (I never used to separate them out–I figured whoever arranged them knew what they were doing, right)? Now I take the time to cut them down and re-arrange them into at least two vases, one large (above) and one small (below).

Speaking of Doris, one of these days I'll write about her in more detail. She had the most interesting life of anyone I've ever known. But I never thought I could do her justice, so I haven't written about her here. I miss her every day though.

Now for a subject change. In the fall I'll be going to a couple of writer's conferences and one thing I lacked at the last conference I went to was business cards. I didn't want anything fancy, just a card that gives my name and contact information. I turned to Etsy, because I knew they had a number of graphic designers selling their services. The one I chose was Bean Sprout Studio. I am so pleased with the results:

For $40, I got the design and 100 business cards printed. The quality is great! I would highly recommend this seller for any graphic design work you need.

I can't believe September is here already. I'd better get back to work!

Many of you know Mick and I have been staying at our house in Oregon for the past few weeks. It's been great, but we've both been feeling a bit cooped up. Today we decided to make a day trip to Crater Lake.

It's about a two hour drive through some really beautiful country. We passed over the Rogue River several times, and if you ever get a chance to take a rafting trip down it, I highly recommend it.

I knew Crater Lake was going to be spectacular, but wowza! It is amazing.

We knew it would be chillier up there then it is down here in the valley, but I wasn't prepared for how cold it actually was. My baseball cap and pigtails weren't cutting it. Mick and I went into the gift shope and bought extra clothes to keep us warm.

Our plan was to take a two-mile round trip hike to the top of Watchman overlook but it was closed. We drove back to the lodge area and chose a slightly longer hike to the top of a peak. Two months off of from running has taken its toll–a mile hike with a 1000 ft. rise was really tiring, but worth it.

 Mick took a few more pictures and posted them on our Picasa page. He did some gorgeous panoramas.

It was a lovely day! I'm so glad we decided to take a break.

This is me, circa 1986:

When I look at this picture, there is really only one thing I wish for this girl. I wish she had more self-confidence.

Failing that, this is the advice I'd give her:

1) Learn how to manage your personal finances

2) Wear sunscreen

What advice would you give your 18 year-old self?