danke schoen

today's lesson: say thank you more often.

i got a thank you card from my cousin the other day, mostly thanking me for coming to her wedding, and urging us to come stay with them in San Francisco. very sweet.

and a couple emails today, for other stuff. it completely brightened my day. although there was a bit of cognitive dissonance, since i tend to sing when i'm happy, and found myself busy, pleased, at peace with the world, singing with the radio "there's a little black spot on the sun today..."

so i think i will remember to thank people more often. something so simple that feels so good should be shared.

had a great dinner last night, prepared by the other Matt, in his and Lisa's lovely house. i have total kitchen envy. they have a gas stove and granite countertops in a RENTAL. which reminds me - i have leftover giant brownie with chocolate chunks to eat. we were supposed to play games after dinner, but we chatted up a storm until C couldn't hold his sleepy head up anymore. i'm excited to go again.

i'm tired, so i opted to skip every one of the four potential engagements for tonight and take the route of bath and early bed, with perhaps an episode of SportsNight.

it's not yet Thanksgiving, but i'm thankful for thoughtfulness, and birthday presents and phone calls trickling in, and Diesel Sweeties (i know i'm tragically unhip and behind), and pen porn, and beta reading, and everyone who has expressed concern when i was sick or feeling down recently. you all rock.

pen porn

i did a little interweb research tonight related to birthday goodness and experienced an odd moment involving the fundamental interconnectedness of all things. i was looking into pen manufacturers, and i find this odd little article. start reading after the picture of the bell ad. the story excerpt in the lead is excreble.

not only did i live and work in Bloomsburg for about five years, i sang in a choral group that met and performed at St. Paul's. i know the postcard image of the church because i have a friend back there who is an avid postcard collector. furthermore, i lived just down the hill from the cemetary and it was a favorite place for walks (and for viewing July 4th fireworks). i have touched those tombstones. pens. who knew?