Y2K, and A Civil Campaign
Mar. 26th, 2012 08:31 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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!)
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!)
no subject
Date: 2012-03-26 02:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-26 02:48 pm (UTC)Dan
no subject
Date: 2012-03-26 05:45 pm (UTC)I think I have a new favorite of your entries now!
Jem (Who would probably not want to be Jim, either.)
no subject
Date: 2012-03-27 12:21 am (UTC)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
no subject
Date: 2012-03-27 05:09 am (UTC)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
no subject
Date: 2012-03-27 11:57 am (UTC)Good luck to you too!
Dan
no subject
Date: 2012-03-27 06:16 pm (UTC)Have fun in Houston!
Thank you. *smile*
no subject
Date: 2012-03-26 07:06 pm (UTC)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*
no subject
Date: 2012-03-27 12:16 am (UTC)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
no subject
Date: 2012-03-27 02:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-27 11:32 am (UTC)And what did you do in 1999/2000? *grin*
Dan
no subject
Date: 2012-03-27 06:20 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2012-03-27 11:51 am (UTC)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
no subject
Date: 2012-03-27 05:05 pm (UTC)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
no subject
Date: 2012-03-31 05:33 pm (UTC)I'll have to go back and read your entry.
Dan
no subject
Date: 2012-03-31 07:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-27 09:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-31 05:34 pm (UTC)Dan
no subject
Date: 2012-03-28 12:29 am (UTC)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*
no subject
Date: 2012-03-31 05:38 pm (UTC)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
no subject
Date: 2012-03-28 12:42 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2012-03-31 05:41 pm (UTC)Thanks for reading!
Dan
no subject
Date: 2012-03-28 07:17 pm (UTC)BTW, I think we are living parrallel lives - my Y2K was separation/divorce time too.
And I guess my "man name" would be Randy?
no subject
Date: 2012-03-31 05:44 pm (UTC)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
no subject
Date: 2012-03-29 04:45 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2012-03-31 05:52 pm (UTC)Dan
no subject
Date: 2012-03-29 03:37 pm (UTC)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)
no subject
Date: 2012-03-31 05:58 pm (UTC)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
no subject
Date: 2012-03-29 05:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-31 06:00 pm (UTC)Dan
no subject
Date: 2012-03-29 07:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-03-31 06:36 pm (UTC)Thanks for reading and commenting!
Dan
no subject
Date: 2012-03-30 01:44 am (UTC)And of course books can be great friends.
no subject
Date: 2012-03-31 06:04 pm (UTC)Dan