If you miss us, dear optimists…

we apologize! We were finding it a bit tough to come up with content, what with the craziness of life and all. But if you miss us, here are some things to check out that Den has been up to:

Den’s blog, of course. Some of you probably already follow it, but just in case, he writes on there sometimes, and of course most of his stories are at least a little optimistic.

Children’s Literature: Den has been writing and self-publishing some kid’s books with his time off from D.O. He has been lucky enough to work with some TERRIFIC artists and has learned to create ebooks with some diligence. Here is some info on them:

A Day in the Dumps: the story of Joey, whose favorite toy is thrown out and his mom takes him on a quest to find the dump and locate the toy. It’s a nice bonding experience for mother and son, and Joey also learns of the importance of recycling. Artwork by Monica Minski. Available on Kindle and in the iTunes bookstore.

 

The Princess of the Land of Black: Princess Onyx is tired of her father, the king’s refusal to use anything that isn’t the color black. She knows there must be more out there, so leaves her father’s kingdom on a quest to learn about the world. Artwork by Lyndsaye Greke. Available on Kindle.

 

 

Even if you don’t have kids, they are fun reads. Or maybe you could recommend them to others! Either way, Den misses all of you and hopes everyone is well.

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Time off

Dear Optimists,

This is us these days!

I’m spending every waking hour at the University, writing essays, articles and yet another thesis. It’s absolutely fantastic and I love every bit of it.

Den is of course busy planning the perfect wedding – as you can see on the picture, he’s very preoccupied.

This isn’t goodbye. Our lives are just so amazing these days that we can’t find time to write all the fantastic things down and draw it up for you.

Don’t worry, we’ll be back… we’re just taking a break.
We’ll miss you!

Love,
Nadia.

Today

Dear Optimists,

There’s nothing like defeating a video game, right? I just beat all of the zombies in Rebuild 2, an online game I happen to love. I saved 99 people and defeated every zombie in the town to make it safe.

I’m a hero.

What did YOU accomplish today?

Love,
Den
P.S. In case you missed it, this post was seething with sarcasm.

Know What I Love?

Dear Optimists,

Know what I love? Bendy straws. You know the ones. They..ahem…bend? Something about them always makes the drink more fun.

This has been a random post.

Love,
Den

P.S. Tell me something random that YOU like!

EBooks? EBooks!

Dear Optimists,

I don’t love Kindle, Nook or anything else. For me, an English major, my love of the novel, the feel of the paper and turning of the page itself are all romantic in some way. Sure I love playing games on my iPad, and using programs on it, but I just can’t bring myself to read on one.

As much as I don’t love e-readers, I found one wonderful use for them. It’s easier to carry one around than a book when you’re reading a Stephen King novel. 😉


Love,
Den

What’s That Smell?

Dear Optimists,

Elevators are often an uncomfortable place for me. I really appreciate my personal space, and always try to give everyone else around me as much space as possible as well. Usually, I find most other people willing to do the same.

One morning this week, I was heading up to my office on the elevator with about five other people. No one was saying a word, and we all just watched the numbers climb up, waiting for our respective floors, and prepping ourselves for the onset of a new work day. After a few seconds, a woman in the elevator opened up her bag and pulled out an onion bagel. I’m not sure if you’ve ever been in an elevator filled with the smell of onion bagel before or not, but it can be somewhat overpowering…especially early in the morning. She took a couple of bites, and we all stood in silence, even more anxious for the elevator to reach our floor.

Suddenly, the man standing behind me slowly leaned forward, stuck his nose in my hair and full-on sniffed it! I immediately thought, “Whaaaa?! Did that just happen?!” I didn’t move a muscle. The elevator doors opened on the floor just before mine. He casually moved past me, and walked towards his office like nothing had happened. I looked at the girl next to me and we both burst out laughing.



Hey, at least that means my hair smells better than onion bagels, right?

Love,
Christy (of PCC Advantage)

An Odd Thing to See in a Car

Dear Optimists,

Driving home from the mall (yes the same mall trip I wrote about yesterday) I looked in the car next to us and it was full of old people.

No, that’s not the funny part. The funny part was that in the back seat a little old lady was sitting on another old lady’s lap. The look on her face was one of misery. Although the one on bottom was laughing.

Hilarious.

Love,
Den

I Wish I Could…

Dear Optimists,

We all spend some of our time wishing, right? Some wish they could fly, some wish they would meet their special someone, everyone has a wish.

I’ve been trying to think of something I could wish for. Weird, right? I should just know. Am I that optimistic that I love my life, as is? I have to try harder. Let me think…

…okay I have it. I wish I were a often-read author. I wish I could go out to a table at a book signing and there are a hundred people waiting to meet me. No, wait, a thousand people. And the publisher would send me on a worldwide tour, all-expenses paid, that stops in some amazing, beautiful countries…Denmark (so I can meet Nadia), England, France, Spain, Iceland, Italy…wherever. There…that’s my wish.

What’s yours?

Love,

Den

Relax, Dude

Dear Optimists,
There’s something about a random day off that’s just so nice. That’s me today! I slept in a bit, made a nice breakfast and some tea, and now I’m just relaxing and playing online. I’m so glad I’m a teacher!
 
Not rubbing it in…just saying.
Love,
Den
P.S. Today’s illustrations are by the always lovely Mette.