When I met my husband, something like twelve-and-a-half years go, I was not interested in dating him. At all. He was a friend of my roommate’s boyfriend. My roommate and I were on barely-speaking terms. And I had just found out that the guy I was dating had both a live-in girlfriend AND a wedding planned for the following spring.
I’m not kidding.
So, when the roommate’s boyfriend told me I had to meet his friend Mike, because “he’s black, just like you!”, I was unimpressed. I politely declined. Then less politely. Then told him to fuck right off and stay out of my personal business.
Now, one of the reasons the roommate and I were not on speaking terms was her profound inability to actually hear what I was saying to her at any given time. She would nod and smile, commit to doing as I asked, and then go ahead and do whatever she had planned to do, anyway. Which, in this case, was to have her boyfriend get Mike drunk and sneak him into our place while I was sleeping. And hope that he would be the one to bear the brunt of my icy fury upon waking.
I am so grateful.
Things should not have worked out for Mike and me. We were both crazy-busy with work and school. My life was a mess. He was still living with his parents. It should not have worked out. But, thinking back, here are two things (among others, heh heh) that made him irresistible to me:
1) He has a nametag from a tech conference that lists his official title as Minister of Propaganda. (Does it GET sexier? No, my friends, it does not.)
2) He can juggle. Not flaming torches, or anything. (I mean, not as far I as know.) But balls, oranges, and – as it turns out – small children. Seriously, the man can juggle.
Versatility, baby. My man’s got it. A diverse skill set that manifests in his daily action, and influences and inspires others. And, evidently, so do I.
The stellar bloggers behind If I Were Brave and Frugal Science have awarded me The Versatile Blogger award. Woot! (While I’m working on my touchdown-style celebration gyrations, please click over and read their stuff. They are both very, very good writers.) Did you see how awesome they are!?!? Thank you both, so much!
Here is my snazzy award. (Yay, me!) Along with 15 other fantastic bloggers to whom I’m passing along the goodness:
- The Short and the Long of It
- Critters and Crayons
- Our Little Yogis
- The Ramblings
- Intentionally Living
- Belle of the Carnival’s Blog
- This n That That n This
- The Kitchens Garden
- Diary of an Angry Fat Woman
- The Outlaw Mom
- Mamamash
- Small Wonders and Other Thoughts
- Icy Exhale
- Urban Homebody
- Momma Be Thy Name
And here are 7 things you may not have known about me:
- I can’t drive a car.
- I slept with the light on until I was well into my twenties (and sometimes, I still do).
- My first job away from home was as a housekeeper in a mountain chalet resort.
- It took me seven years to finish my undergraduate degree. Yup. It really did.
- I have freckles.
- At one time, I could wear 13 earrings at the same time.
- I was a moderate-to-heavy smoker for 12 years, and then quit cold-turkey 12 years ago. It sucked.
If you see your link here, it’s because I not only thoroughly enjoy your blog, but I also entreat you to pass the honour along to another 15 awesome bloggers in the names of Good Writing and Social Media Networking. It is a HUGE smile to know you’re read and enjoyed by a host of gifted, witty, funny, thought-provoking bloggers. Pay it forward y’all!
Thank you to everyone who reads my stuff and comments, sends virtual hugs and long-distance shoulder pats, chats with friends about my insanity, messages me inspiration, and otherwise makes me feel like what I’m doing here is worthwhile. If I’ve missed your blog, it’s only because the award “rules” limit me to 15 links. You guys are awesome.
Thank you!
ED. I completely forgot to list the Award Rules. If you are a recipient, you need to put together a post that meets the following criteria: Link back to the person awarding you, with thanks. Pay it forward to 15 newly discovered bloggers. List 7 random things about yourself. Done and DONE!
Um, I just saw this. Thank you and thank you!!! I’m shamed I missed it.
You’re welcome! No shame required :-)
Pingback: The Kreative Liebster Versatile Blogger Sunshine Ad Infinitum Award | | critters and crayonscritters and crayons
Pingback: My Happiness Wall And The Versatile Blogger Award | | critters and crayonscritters and crayons
Pingback: Gifts, Gratitude and Grubby Fingers | The Valentine 4: Living Each Day
First off, Congrats on this award. I absolutely loved reading this. I learned a year ago, the man you don’t think is for you.. end up being the one you were supposed to meet all along. I can totally relate to this story. Great post
Thank you! It’s funny how that works, isn’t it. When my single friends ask me for dating advice, I tell them “It just kinda happens, you know?” Yes, I’ve become that annoying married friend (hahahaha). So glad you enjoyed our story :)
Awww! Thank you! And congrats! Also I want to know Does Mike juggle the laundry ;)
You’re welcome – and Thank you (hahahah)! And no, sadly, Mike does not juggle laundry. He does throw it, on occasion, but unfortunately does not catch it when it falls ;)
What a delightful blog! I’m so pleased that you aimed me in this direction via your blogging award to Cecilia–who also richly deserved the attention! I’ll enjoy seeing further developments and exploring your archives. Cheers!
Hello to you! Cecilia’s blog is lovely. She deserves much more attention. Thank you for your compliment, and for stopping by. I so appreciate it!
I like stories of how good things happen in spite of ourselves :)
Me, too :)
Can you get ordained as a Minister of Propaganda online? That would look good on my resume.
Evidently not. But wow did the Google search for “ordained as minister of propaganda” turn up some interesting reading. Wowzers!
13 earrings! I can’t imagine you did that without juggling abilities. You maybe weren’t able to juggle balls or torches but, according to your story, you were able to juggle with several activities at the time. What a great story!
I usually do have too much going on, that’s for sure. One of the things I love so much about your blog is its understated quest for intelligent simplicity. Obviously, that’s a growth area for me! :)
I think that’s how a lot of successful relationships start..weird & distance-y. It did for me anyway. Very cool that the man can juggle!
lol It is very cool :) You could be right about the successful relationships. Coming into it with zero expectation of any kind of longevity obviously worked for us!
Thanks so much, lady! I’m pretty flattered :)
You’re welcome :)
Yipee! Glad to have been tagged and thrilled someone out there actually reads my blog and then actually even likes what they read! :-) Now I don’t feel too too guilty about staying up two hours later than my husband while I do bloggy/Internet-related stuff and he snores in the loft above. (It’s the opposite of the porn-addicted husband who stays up all night. The Interweb is my own not-so-secret addiction).
I love all the we-should-not-have-been-together stories. Would love to find out how and why it ended up working out. My ball and chain was a definite there’s no way we should be together guy, but somehow here we are years later, with kids. Life, eh :-)
Hooray for you! I’m happy to support your addiction, and even happier that you enjoyed our story. One day, when I’m feeling all sappy, I’ll post the rest of it :)
I forgot to include the award rules! Ack! I’ve updated the post, and invite you all to have a look before you pay it forward. Sorry, everybody!
Yay! I won! I won! Thanks, Desi…very sweet of you! Your man can cook, juggle and manage kids and propaganda? Score! :) Thanks, again, Desi. :)
It’s true, honey. I am a very lucky girl :) You’re so very welcome. Enjoy!
That’s a great story.
Thanks for passing the award on to me. I was surprised, and touched. And encouraged! Can’t wait to pass it on to some of my blogger friends.
You’re very welcome :)
You do influence and inspire others, my dear. You really do. Thanks.
You’re a sweetheart. And also so inspiring to me. Thank you!
Awe … you are way too sweet! I am blushing!
Happy to pass along the smiles :-)
ok, being such a newbie, I have no idea how to attach an award to my page.. HELP!?.. c
You should be able to just drag the image to your desktop, and then bring it into your blog post as you would any other image. Message me if that doesn’t work, and I’ll send it to you!
you know what made me laugh (other than the fuck off) was your room mate saying something like you will like him .. he is black too!! hilarious.. people say that?!! and thank you for the versatile blogger award, thank you sweets!.. c
What’s hilarious is how fair Mike actually is. If he ever lets me post a photo, here, you’ll see he is kind of a warm-beige colour. With hazel eyes. Wow, right?
You’re very welcome, sweet lady. It is well deserved!
Will we ever get a picture of your propaganda juggling bundle of hotness? Jugglers are good with their hands. GREAT POST! And thank you for the award. Now, I just have to have my hubby (the Geek) help me to get the award thingy on my page, because geek skills I have NOT!
Hmmm. I’ll work on him. My sexy geek is a wee bit camera shy, but my negotiation skills are (ahem) considerable, hahaha. So glad you enjoyed the post, and the award! It’s well deserved, kiddo :)
Minister of Propaganda, that is funny. I should get me one of that….
You should! If you’re looking for the type of lady who will keep you up very late talking politics, and then just, you know, keep you up late…. Ahem. You might find it beneficial ;)
Woo hoo! There I was, thoroughly enjoying your How-I-Met-My-Husband story, when BAM! I get an award! Yippee!!
Yay for YOU! So glad you enjoyed the story, too :)