life: expressed

Me reading a short piece by John O’Brien entitled “In Other News…”

In Other News

Today I turn 31. Seems strange to be “in my thirties” now.

I don’t really have any profound birthday reflection. There are some things that have improved in the past year. I’m full-time at work, for example. Other things have deteriorated. I’m deeper in debt than I was last year. Overall, I’m at a good place in my life. I have Orlok, who loves me. I have great friends* for support. Things are going better between my family and myself. My inlaws are terrific.

Despite being in a good place, I have been feeling drained emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I haven’t been maintaining a conscious effort to get the diabetes under control (in fact, I’ll probably be on medication for that by the end of the month). I haven’t been doing a real great job of taking care of myself. I’ve been maintaining my weight instead of losing it. So that is my goal for this trip around the sun. When I turn 32, I want to look back on the year and feel that I’m more sustained and healthier. I want to paint more, crochet more, develop my talents. I want to be prepared for returning to college in the fall.
Today, I’m spending the day with Orlok. We’re spending the night with his family (for Easter tomorrow), and going to see VAST in concert at Station 4 in St. Paul’s Lowertown. I’m sure there will be some reflection on Grandma Margie (who died 2 years ago today), and joy at meeting Orlok’s baby cousin tomorrow.

Happy birthday to you, brave girl.

*Linked every two letters in this order: Vas, Nibbler, Trina, Fidgety, Tobey, Rick. You guys are the best.

I was mentioned here in reference to this post about the one true design flaw in laptops.

I don’t carry a laptop around. The one Orlok and I own is bulky, old, and doesn’t run by battery for more than 30 minutes. The nature of working in retail doesn’t lend itself to being able to work for very long by computer anyway, because by the time the computer powers up, half of my break is gone. I did comment, though, and listed the contents of my purse at any given time, and I’m amazed that some people can get by with just a wallet. Perhaps this is why I change purses so often. It is very challenging to find one “perfect” purse or bag to carry everything needed to function daily.

Just to go to work is a minimum of two bags, or at least a purse and a bag. I have my usual things, plus an entree for lunch, at least 3 .5 liter bottles of water, snacks, and sometimes either crocheting, or a file folder of current things I’m working on to read. I mostly spend my breaks talking to Orlok anyway, unless he’s working, too. I would never try to run an errand while on my break.

So, let me ask you: what do you carry around with you to function everyday? Just a wallet, or keys, driver’s license and a check card? A huge purse? Do you haul around a laptop? And, if so, what do you do with the cord?