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LJ Idol, Week Twenty

Do you remember where you were on December 31, 1999?

I was in a bad place. The lady I'd spent the last seven years with, two of them married, had just moved out, and we were headed for as rapid a divorce as both of us could manage. Surprisingly, I wasn't second guessing myself over bailing on such a long-term relationship, that would come later, but instead was depressed over having wasted so much time with the wrong person. After building a life with someone for that many years, the thought which kept ricocheting around my head was, "What the Hell do I do now?"

All of my close friends lived far away, and although that hadn't ever bothered me before, suddenly I felt as though I was completely alone. It used to be, talking on the phone or chatting on the computer were perfectly natural ways of maintaining my friendships, but now I just wanted people to hang with. I guess I thought, if I could make a connection with someone, it might prove that I hadn't been spinning my wheels for seven years after all.

Then, there was the Y2K issue. You remember, right? It was the concern that many computer programmers had shortened the year field in dates to only two digits, and that, when 2000 dawned, those double zeros would start raising Hell all over the planet. Some people insisted that the whole media extravaganza was nothing more than scaremongering, while others just as vehemently screeched that several nasty surprises were in store for all of us. Preparing for the apocalypse, the major television networks scattered their reporters across the globe, planning to hopscotch from one locale to another as the dateline traveled around the world. Personally, I didn't really care which side was going to be proven wrong, I just hoped they'd have as crappy a New Year as it looked like I would.

Clearly, bracketed by the destruction of my personal life on one hand, and the possible annihilation of the real world on the other, there were only two things I could do. First, I needed to obtain some Dr Pepper. Go ahead and scoff if you want too, but if I was going to die, I wanted to go down drinking something I enjoyed. So, off I went to the neighborhood convenience store, where I obtained two twelve packs of the chosen beverage. All went well until, at the foot of my driveway, I fumbled one of the twelve packs, and cans went rolling every which way. Score one for Team Annihilation.

The only other thing I could do was find a very long and well written book to read. Fortunately, one of my favorite authors, Lois McMaster Bujold, had just published a new book in her popular Miles Vorkosigan series called A Civil Campaign. I didn't know if it would be any good, but I had just finished scanning it into my computer earlier that day, and, once I had picked up all the illusive Dr Pepper cans, was ready to begin reading.

As night fell, I curled up in my favorite recliner, chilled Dr Pepper easily reachable by one hand, the TV tuned to a news station in case of onrushing doom, and began reading my long awaited book.

I knew the main character, Miles, from previous novels, a man driven to be the very best at whatever he tried, mostly because of his all too noticeable physical limitations. In this installment, he'd decided that it was time to get married, and even had the appropriate lady picked out. Unfortunately, the female in question was recovering from her husband's recent death, and really wasn't looking to marry anybody.

Next up was Mark, Miles' brother. Mark had recently rescued a scientist who hadn't been able to pay his bills, and asked if both of them could move into Vorkosigan House, the family estate where Miles was currently living alone. Miles agreed, unaware that his brother was also planning to start a business selling highly nutritious butter from genetically engineered bugs.

Finally, there was Donna, the daughter of a recently deceased count. Determined to inherit her father's title and property despite a law barring female children from doing so, she underwent a sex change operation, and switched her name to Donno.

As the night passed, I would periodically check the television, discover that no doom had fallen, and return to my book. Miles had planned a dinner to impress his prospective bride, and was enraged when he discovered that Mark had collaborated with the cook to have each dish composed, at least partially, of bug butter. Back on TV, I watched a round table discussion being held by several talking heads, and thought that everyone, the news anchors, numerous experts, and scattered reporters seemed bored. Eventually, I gave up on Team Annihilation altogether, turned off the television, and concentrated my full attention on reading the story. By this time, all the butter bugs had escaped, and much like Y2K reporters, were scattered throughout House Vorkosigan.

At one point, I caught myself laughing out loud, and thought, with amazement, "I'm happy. I figured this was going to be the most miserable night of my life, and instead I can't stop laughing."

My problems weren't solved of course, but I'm not kidding when I say that reading that book changed my whole outlook on life. It was the ninth book about Miles, his family, and his friends I had read, and watching all those people, almost like family of my own at that point, go nuts, repeatedly screw everything up in a hilarious manner, and eventually win despite all their past mistakes was marvelous.

On January 1, 2000, I badly needed to laugh, and I did. Ms. Bujold showed me that, no matter how badly I screwed things up, there was usually a way out, although, chances were, finding that path would probably make me look pretty ridiculous at times. I decided that I was cool with that, so long as I didn't have to change my name from Dan to Danielle.

Dan
(And now you know why I put it at the end of EVERYTHING!)

Date: 2012-03-26 02:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pasticcio.livejournal.com
Great stuff .. I've often wondered about the "Dan" signature!

Date: 2012-03-26 02:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
Yeah, I thought you guys'd like that, seeing as how I'm pretty nurotic about always putting it in. It was either that, or tell you about all the crazy dating experiences I had in 2000. LOL

Dan

Date: 2012-03-26 05:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jem0000000.livejournal.com
Awwwwwww!

I think I have a new favorite of your entries now!

Jem (Who would probably not want to be Jim, either.)

Date: 2012-03-27 12:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
Silly LJ didn't tell me you had commented here.

Really, a new favorite? Wow, I wasn't expecting that, thanks!

Hmmm, probably for the best. Lucky for you, I don't think anyone has ever turned your name into Jembo. LOL

Thanks!

Dan

Date: 2012-03-27 05:09 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jem0000000.livejournal.com
Yeah, LJ was running slow earlier, and all my notifications got delayed. It crashed just as I was going to link my entry in, too! Fortunately it came back up quickly.

You're welcome! *smile*

I hope not, although I suspect that should actually read 'luckily for them', lol, given what my reaction to "Jembo" is likely to be. *grin*

You're welcome! Good luck with the Gatekeepers. I imagine you won't actually need it, but just in case, lol.

Jem

Date: 2012-03-27 11:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
Lizbeth and I turned in early last night, so I didn't find out about the gatekeepers until this morning. Curse Gary anyway, another week without a poll to "watch like a hawk," quoting you about me. LOL At least I'll be busy, today I'm flying down to Houston for a training and then a conference through Friday.

Good luck to you too!

Dan

Date: 2012-03-27 06:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jem0000000.livejournal.com
Lol, you can watch the number-to-eliminate poll. I'm certainly keeping an eye on it. *smile*

Have fun in Houston!

Thank you. *smile*

Date: 2012-03-26 07:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] halfshellvenus.livejournal.com
I didn't really care which side was going to be proven wrong, I just hoped they'd have as crappy a New Year as it looked like I would.
That's the spirit!

I hadn't thought about how much time it would take to scan a book into a reader, or whether you could easily be sure you had all of the pages. But clearly, it would be worth it.

By this time, all the butter bugs had escaped, and much like Y2K reporters, were scattered throughout House Vorkosigan.
I loved the parallelism here.

no matter how badly I screwed things up, there was usually a way out, although, chances were, finding that path would probably make me look pretty ridiculous at times.
What a great lesson!

And we come to find that humiliation will not actually kill us, so we go with whatever works.

How nice to see where you are now, so happy in the new life and family you've found. *happy smile*

Date: 2012-03-27 12:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
LOL You know what they say, misery loves company.

It kind of depends on the level of quality you're shooting for. Back then, with a book of Lois' length, it would've taken several hours.

Hahaha, glad you liked. At least, you know, butter bugs could potentially do something useful. *evil grin*

Oh, and I definitely had plenty of humiliation before it was all over. You're right though, finding my wonderful family was worth it. Although, truth be told, I think it was more of them finding me than the other way around.

Thanks so much for reading, and writing such kind words!

Dan

Date: 2012-03-27 02:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] khixan.livejournal.com
That is one of my all time favorite series :) Bujold created a masterpiece with Vorkosigan.

Date: 2012-03-27 11:32 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
YAY, a fellow Miles fan! Barrayar was her best one about political intrigue--although I didn't count it as a Miles book since he was only born towards the end--and I think Memory was the roughest on Miles from a soul searching perspective, but A Civil Campaign was just fun. She's supposed to have another one pending with the publisher, although her author website is strangely quiet.

And what did you do in 1999/2000? *grin*

Dan

Date: 2012-03-27 06:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jacq22.livejournal.com
You have lifted my spirits and sent me off to find the book!Bujold
House Vorkosigan. Just looked it up...

It really is great to know you came through after so many 'downs', Life can turn round, we just need to hang around long enough. Hope the future is better, and will be making sure you always sign Dan,....well just in case?who knows.....

I liked this, it made me happy to know you were alone with Dr.Pepper, but,At one point, 'I caught myself laughing out loud, and thought, with amazement, "I'm happy." Nice.
Edited Date: 2012-03-27 06:28 am (UTC)

Date: 2012-03-27 11:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
Ms. Bujold is one of my favorite authors, so I'm sure you'll enjoy her work.

Yeah, that realization of "I'm happy" was quite a shocker to me. 2000 would end up being a pretty good year overall, although it wasn't until 2002 that I met Lizbeth and began building the excellent family I have today.

Thanks for reading, and I'm glad you liked my story.

Dan

Date: 2012-03-27 05:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] myrna-bird.livejournal.com
Great story, Dan.

I am happy things turned out well for you in the end. My hubby is a Pepper, too! Now i will add Bujold to my list of books I want to read!

I wrote an entry during the Break Week in Dec. about our new years/millenium, if you are interested. :)

http://myrna-bird.livejournal.com/13530.html

Date: 2012-03-31 05:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
Ooooh, your husband is obviously a classy guy. No wonder you kept him. *smile*

I'll have to go back and read your entry.

Dan

Date: 2012-03-31 07:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] myrna-bird.livejournal.com
I hope you do. One of the drawbacks with writing on the Breaks is we don't get much for comments. There are no polls or voting but some really good stuff can be there. I debated about holding off in case it fit a topic week later on but I ended up posting it after all. It just felt right at the time.

Date: 2012-03-27 09:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] karmasoup.livejournal.com
Thanks for sharing your amusement!

Date: 2012-03-31 05:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
You're welcome, and thanks for reading. It was a real turning point for me, which was why I thought people might enjoy reading about it.

Dan

Date: 2012-03-28 12:29 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] unmowngrass.livejournal.com
Very well expressed, Dan. I spent the 1999/2000 new year round at next doors... We were having a quiet evening in celebrating, then kind of got strong-armed into joining the neighbours that we didn't even like because they didn't want to see us celebrate it on our own. We were only there two or three drinks worth, but over that crucial midnight period.

The best new years I had was 2010/2011, when it just my sister and I in, and we got a chinese takeaway, flopping in front of the telly, chatting and sharing secrets. Although the one just gone is a close second, which is the only time we ever went to the pub and socialised, and that was pretty cool.

Katie, who does not have an obvious male-isation of her name and likes it that way *wink*

Date: 2012-03-31 05:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
Now you've got me trying to come up with a male version of your name. LOL Kayden?

Your 2010/11 New Years does sound like fun. Catching up with a friend or sib like that is usually an excellent time.

Thanks for stopping by and reading.

Dan

Date: 2012-03-28 12:42 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] n3m3sis42.livejournal.com
You managed to be hilarious and touching at the same time. :D

One night after a really bad breakup, my friends and I went to see the movie Sorority Boys. It was incredibly stupid, but that night it was the funniest thing ever to me. Laughter really can be the best medicine.

Date: 2012-03-31 05:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
With a title like Sorority Boys, it'd almost HAVE to be stupid. LOL Still, I know what you mean, doing stuff with good friends, particularly after such an emotional roller coaster, can often be some of the best times ever.

Thanks for reading!

Dan

Date: 2012-03-28 07:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] sarcasmoqueen.livejournal.com
Heehee! Enjoyed this! Looks like I'm going to have to try to find some books by this Bujold creature of whom you speak.

BTW, I think we are living parrallel lives - my Y2K was separation/divorce time too.

And I guess my "man name" would be Randy?

Date: 2012-03-31 05:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
Yeah, either Randy or Andy? Hahaha!

Parallel lives? Now there's an interesting thought. Except, hmmm, when are you gonna acquire two kids? Come on, Candy, life's short! *smiling*

Dan

Date: 2012-03-29 04:45 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ellakite.livejournal.com
Y2K was never an issue for me; I work in the computer industry, and knew full well that the danger was vastly overblown.

But there have been points in my life where I completely screwed things up, and thought I would *NEVER* recover.

I never recovered as quickly as what you describe here, you lucky bastard. I'm indescribably jealous.


PS: A nice slice-of-life tale. Well done.

Date: 2012-03-31 05:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
Glad you enjoyed the story. The true recovery took longer, of course, but reading the book certainly made me feel better, which helped.

Dan

Date: 2012-03-29 03:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vaudy.livejournal.com
I always meant to read the Vorkosigan Saga, now I really think I should. And I couldn't help but think that it was a good thing you had bought two twelve packs, because at least one was still intact. :D

This was a great entry; I'm glad that New Year turned out so much better than you expected.

Claudia (who has always despised being called Claud for short)

Date: 2012-03-31 05:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
Oh yes, the Vorkosigan series rocks. I recommend starting with her first book about Miles' parents, Shards of Honor, and then Barrayar. Both of those will give you a since of the world Miles will eventually grow up in, which is important to understanding his character.

LOL I actually found all the cans eventually, but yeah, I definitely started drinking the ones which hadn't been dropped.

I think Claudia's a beautiful name, but Claud... No!

Dan

Date: 2012-03-29 05:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] basric.livejournal.com
Very well done.

Date: 2012-03-31 06:00 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
Thank you!

Dan

Date: 2012-03-29 07:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] noodledays.livejournal.com
it's amazing when and how books can do such fantastic things for us. :D

Date: 2012-03-31 06:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
It really is. I've been a Book Geek throughout my life, and can't count the times an author's words have had a profound effect in shaping who I ended up becoming.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

Dan

Date: 2012-03-30 01:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] m-malcontent.livejournal.com
I smiled a lot. As a true Texan I love Dr. Pepper.

And of course books can be great friends.

Date: 2012-03-31 06:04 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] muchtooarrogant.livejournal.com
Not just true Texans, but everyone with true taste! *big grin* Thanks so much for reading and commenting. Glad you liked it.

Dan
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