Tuesday, November 19, 2013

The perfect gift(s)

Never underestimate the potential of the perfect gift.

As a preface to this post, one of our friends died unexpectedly last night. I found out via text. What the fuck is up with that? There should be a limit to technology.

This was not a young person, but it was not an old person either - it was and is still a shock.

This followed a  couple of other non-starters from the weekend, including an argument with the kid and a front-page incident involving the police and one of our donors, in which everyone and their grandmother emailed/texted/phoned me and said, "Did you know about this?" To which I wanted to reply, "No, I've been living under a rock."

So how therapeutic was it to arrive home today, and find in the mail a custom office stamp from my friend Granny Annie

And I am now not sure if she was putting me on, but to think that earlier today she wrote,
"It won't really seem like a gift.  It will be more like an office supply and you might not even think it is a gift."

In my daze I was wondering if I was going to receive a package of post-its, but I should have known better.

Sha-zam!! 
And it has INK!!! It is going right onto my desk, ASAP, tomorrow morning. 


That is exactly what I needed today.

Never underestimate the power of laughter and thoughtfulness. And for me, that can sometimes be when the word "fuck" is involved.

Tonight, we went to see Nine Inch Nails as an early Christmas present from my dad. Also lots of saying (singing) "fuck!" 


You remember the days where they said no flash cameras (was there any other kind?) allowed, right? Did all of that just go right out the window with smart phones? Well, cheers to that.

So you see? My needs are simple. Give me rubber stamps and Trent Reznor, and everyone is safe.

22 comments:

Mr Bouchard said...

I don't know why some people still think that more big or pricy items makes better gifts than carefuly picked objects someone really wants in the first place.

I grew up in a somewhat poor family, single mom with four kids to take care of by herself and I learned to appreciate gifts way more than half my friends who'd whine if they didn't get every items on their list while I'd be really happy to receive one.

Hope you get what you want this holiday!

Rock Chef said...

I think getting bad news by text is sort of OK these days. The alternative is usually either seeing it on Facebook or not knowing until long after the funeral!

Lynn said...

I love the stamp!!!!!!!! Perfect for your desk at work. :) Granny Annie knows how to pick a perfect gift.

Rock Chef said...

By the way, I love the stamper!

Granny Annie said...

I actually envisioned this stamped all over your face neck and arms as you walked into work one day:) Glad you liked it and so very sad and sorry about the loss of your friend.

LL Cool Joe said...

Haha, that's a great gift and so right for you!

So sorry to hear about your friend. Texting was the cowardly way of letting you know about the death, and I'd probably have done the same, if I could text.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Glad you've had some lighter moments after that barrage of bad news.

Charles Gramlich said...

Very sorry to hear about your friend.

Cperz said...

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. The unexpectedness of a loss is so unsettling as you don't have a chance for some closure with that person. Again, I am sorry that you have to deal with that.

I, also, have that stamp. Comes in really handy sometimes.

Abby said...

Ah, sorry about the unexpected death of your friend.

I love the ink stamper, and sounds like it arrived with great timing!

Mike_D said...


The stamp is pretty much perfect for you...

And if i recall, i know exactly the song where you would say "fuck!"

Sorry about your friend

Elephant's Child said...

I am so sorry about your friend - and agree, I think the phone is as 'high tech' as I am happy with news like that being shared.
Love the gift from Grannie Annie. Thoughtful, and carefully considered. (And a stamp that many, many of us could find a use for.)

Birdie said...

When my mom died people sent their concordances on my wall on Facebook. A true WTF?

Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. xo

OldLady Of The Hills said...

That is a FABULOUS Stamp!!! Granny Annie is a wonderful friend and obviously knows what is perfect for you...! I read what she said about stamping it all over your face, etc., Very funny!

So sorry to read of the loss of your friend....My heart goes out to you, my dear.

Memphis said...

I went to a museum recently where big signs said "NO CAMERAS NO PHOTOGRAPHY!" and everyone was walking around the exhibit taking pictures with their cell phones and some big-assed SLR cameras. The security people just stood there like tools doing absolutely nothing. I guess we're living in an age where if our leader doesn't have to follow the rules, we don't feel like any of us do either. And apparently where cameras are concerned we don't.

Betty Manousos said...

love the stamp!! glad you liked it and so sorry to hear about your friend. i'm thinking of you!

big hugs~

DWei said...

Yep, I completely agree with your attitude towards gifts.

However, this often requires that I buy/order things way in advance to make sure that they arrive on time.

Anonymous said...

Now that you are ably equipped......watch out world!

G. B. Miller said...

The stamp is you.

A Beer for the Shower said...

Love the stamp. It's absolutely perfect. As for bad news over text, I hate that this is becoming the norm. I'm waiting for the day my phone vibrates and I get the message, "Wnt a divorce its not u its me LOL k bye"

lotta joy said...

Joe would LOVE to have a stamp like that to put on the envelope every month when he has to send his ex-wife half his pension. And they've been divorced for over 15 years. He could have killed her, been out of prison by now, and we'd be RICH.

Lee said...

Here are a couple of Vegan fudge recipes for you, RK...that's my gift to you! :)


Vegan Fudge Recipes:
Recipe No. 1

6 tablespoons vegan margarine
3 1/2 cups powdered confectioner/icing sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup soymilk
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preparation:
Lightly grease a 5x9 inch loaf pan using a little of the vegan margarine.

Place the remaining margarine, sugar, cocoa, vanilla and soy milk in a heatproof mixing bowl or the upper part of a double broiler. Place the bowl or broiler over simmering water and stir until smooth. Add the nuts if desired.

Pour the mixture quickly into the prepared pan. Chill thoroughly and cut into squares.

Recipe No. 2
No Cook Fudge

1/2 cup coconut butter*
1 tablespoon peanut butter**
2 small ripe bananas, cut into one-inch chunks
1/4 cup raw cacao powder*** or regular cocoa powder
3 tablespoons agave nectar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch sea salt

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until smooth, roughly five minutes or so.
Use a spatula to pour the mixture into a flat, sealable container.
Place the container in the freezer. The fudge needs to be super cold in order to retain its shape, so I find that it’s best to store the fudge in the freezer. If you store it in the fridge, it will have a semi-solid mousse-like texture.

Recipe No. 3

1/2 cup raw cacao powder
1/2 cup coconut oil (room temperature, not melted)
1/3 cup raw hazelnuts
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
cacao nibs for topping (optional)


Combine all of the ingredients in your food processor and process until mixture is completely smooth. This might take several minutes, kind of like when you make nut butter. Be patient! Transfer the fudge mixture to a small rectangular baking dish that's been lined with parchment paper and use a spatula to spread it in an even layer. Sprinkle tops with cacao nibs, if using. Refrigerate until solid, then remove the fudge from the baking dish and cut into squares.