Somehow, that Bart Simpson prank-call-esque title for the blog tonight came out of me thinking about the words “day off”…don’t ask me how, I don’t know 😛

It wasn’t really a day off, though, was it? No, I have a pile of stuff to do in advance of the wedding. So much so, in fact, that I really need to start a list so I can also start crossing it all off.

It was more driving around today. Got my eyes checked, my prescription is the same. They took my insurance, which was a relief given that the last office I took it to didn’t (apparently) even try to bill them. I do have very odd insurance, this is true. But, they’re a GOOD odd insurance company in that there is no network – they just offer straight benefits to anyone who bills them and I haven’t used up my applicable coverage. That’s a pretty sweet deal.

I also started watching FINALLY the old episodes of The Walking Dead that the Ho and I have let sit on our DVR now for almost a year. We’re both really kind of “out” on that show, but I sat down and they’re less annoying when you’re tearing through them quickly. There’s some interesting stuff going on, and I definitely have more perspective on the inner workings of this kind of stuff after listening to the Children of Tendu podcast. Like, I know now what all these titles mean that flash on the screen after the main titles (with the music and the actors) have gone by.

I’m also going to bed tonight at a reasonable time. Hooray for me 🙂

Didn’t get to nap today, nor did I get to go play any golf, but I did get the editing work done I needed to, and I also went over the hill to choose and order the prescription sunglasses that I’ve been wanting to get. I got all my groomsmen sunglasses from Warby Parker for the wedding, so it’s only fitting that I get a pair myself, right? Right. So, I did that, then came home, ate some food, took the Coopadoop for a walk, and then had a good solid two hours to just sit down and write. And write I did. 15 pages on the novel.

Oh, and I also had an idea for a new series of books, actually. Based in my childhood imagination adventures with a kingdom of little people that I (unoriginally) called the “gnomes.” They lived in the forest, see, and had all kinds of adventures and exciting things like their own amusement parks, and TV shows, and planes and ships, and all kinds of fun things. It was my go-to imaginary world from when I was 7 or 8 to 12 or 13 years old. Long time when you’re a kid. So, anyway, had a kind of Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe idea about a kid moving out to the forest and then getting sucked into the magical world of the little people. Some darker themes than that too, about death and family and finding strength inside yourself, a lot of connected to my own experience growing up and the loss of my youngest brother Russell. Had me tearing up on my walk with the Coops just thinking about it. Things will never be the same, and you are not alone. Two thoughts for me to remember about this whole story idea. Not sure if it’s something I’ll pursue right after finishing Starstuff, or if it’s something that I’ll work on and then put on the shelf for a while.

Anyway, that’s all for tonight. I always love the entries where I talk about stories. It means I managed to indulge in that creative space and be productive with it. Those are the best days. These are the best days.

Also, the Ho returns home tomorrow. All is well.