I just got word today that my friend Ben, that reclusive MSTie and Anglophile, not only has a job and a girlfriend, but a new address.

In SoCal.

And he left early this morning.

And no, according to his friend John, this is not an April Fool’s prank.

Well… I wish him nothing but the best. He could certainly stand some happiness and personal success, after the last half-dozen years or so of not-so-much-fun. Still, I wish I’d at least been there to see him off.

Ah well. Such is life. People move on, hopefully to bigger and better things…

Reactions were mixed, to say the least. A couple of people thought it was darned clever of us. One called me names for a minute, then laughed. At least one person didn’t take the hint I sent their way. If you, personally, were offended, I most sincerely apologize.

Whether you think it was clever or cruel, funny or tasteless, it was just an April Fool’s joke. Dawn and I are okay. Heck, we’re better than okay. A weird side-effect of reading one another’s entries is that it actually renewed our resolve and made us appreciate one another more.

Now if you want to read about a really funny prank I was involved in, check out the story of the voice-activated fax machine…

Anyone who’s been a friend of mine over the last year or so is familiar with the challenges I’ve been facing in my relationship with my girlfriend. Sure, we love each other, but there are so many complications and obstacles that add stress to the situation. We believed we could make it work, however, no matter what.

Alas, it was not to be. Last night she and I agreed to part ways. I could say that “it’s for the best” but I’m not really capable of that kind of perspective right now. Ask me about it later, okay? Right now I just want to curl up and hide for a while…

Look what somebody sent me!

(The ducks, not the sticker. That came from someone else, but I couldn’t resist putting it into the picture.)

So, do you think she’s trying to tell me I need sweetening up? Or that I should be trying to get my ducks in a row? What do you suppose the meaning is, here…?

Some days, all you really need is to wake up late, eat a large breakfast, goof off, putter around the house, do some cleaning, play games, eat a hot dinner and laze around until bedtime.

I think everyone should get to enjoy a day like this, fairly regularly. Heck yeah.

Shortly after 6pm, from the east side of town, looking west towards downtown Portland and the West Hills, I was treated to an outstanding sunset. A beautifully layered cloud cover filled most of the sky, and through the gap to the west came all the gorgeously red sunlight you could want to light up the underneath of those clouds.

On the way home, fellow pedestrians were commenting on it. During the walk all I could think was, “Of all the days to leave my camera at home.”

Please, somebody, tell me you got that splendid vista on film or memory card…