- In 1999 I got this pencil. It was silver and had black writing that said: NEW MILLENNIUM PENCIL. All around this writing, in smaller black letters, it said Y2K a bunch of times.
I had this pencil for a long time, but eventually some kid in my class stole it. I find New Millennium/Y2K things charming, and it amused me that it was literally labeled NEW MILLENNIUM PENCIL. So I want my damn pencil back. I've occasionally searched for it over the years, but no luck so far.
I have something like 500 followers on Neocities now. I figure if just 1% of those followers read this post, that's five more people with knowledge of the pencil. Perhaps you will be inspired to help me search for the pencil. At yard sales, in bags at thrift stores. It's gotta be out there somewhere.
Will you answer the call of the pencil?
- It was warm today, so I went outside and made a snowman while my partner built us a little fire. I walked around the block looking for rocks but found none. They're all covered in snow, so I used crumpled up leaves for the eyes.
Here he is. I like how his little raised arm blends in with the tree.
- I also spotted an opossum wandering around in my backyard today:
I'm a big fan of critters. Raccoons are my favorite, but I also love seeing opossums, squirrels, rabbits. Sometimes deer come into our front yard; it's strange to see them so close to downtown. I'm also on a yearslong journey to attract and befriend crows. I know there are good reasons to not want wild animals near your house, but I really like watching them.
- I used to work trade shows for a basement remodeling business. It involved getting up at 5 a.m., driving to the middle of nowhere, lugging heavy shit into elementary school gymnasiums, and talking to old men about the R-values of different types of insulation (a subject I knew nothing about) for six hours. I got paid like $30 a day, plus $10 per lead (if I was lucky enough to get one; I usually was not).
It was absolutely miserable, but I would still rather do that than work for ICE. I don't understand why anyone would willingly take that job. I would be so embarrassed.
- I saw Hamnet and A Muppet Christmas Carol this past week. I loved them both.
I also went to a Cattle Decapitation show recently. I think it was the third time I've seen them. This music is not my cup of tea, but it ended up being a fun way to celebrate my partner's birthday. (I am still yearning for a Cattle Decapidoodle T-shirt, though).
- I learned that someone I used to work with closely had a baby. I'm happy for her and know she'll be a great mom. But my immediate feeling upon hearing this news was angst.
For a long time last summer, I thought for sure that I wanted to start a family. More recently I've been leaning in the opposite direction. But that could change again. Think too much about it and I'm back at square one.
Maybe I'm jealous that she and her partner (I assume) made a decision that I'm unable to make?
Or maybe my feeling comes from the fact that I have considered this person a role model. Perhaps subconsciously, I thought "That's what a good childfree life can look like."
Now that things have changed, it's set me off-kilter. Suddenly my mind thinks, "This person who I admire and respect did this. Is that actually the right thing to do?"
Obviously, I can't base what I do on what other people do. I know this. Maybe the fact that I'm so conflicted about it means that I'll be happy either way.
