Saturday, 22 November, 1997 13:31

It is a beautiful day here in Topeka, even though I don't think that it is supposed to be. Karen and I spent a good part of the morning cleaning out the vehicles that we have for sale, but so far only one call on the van and three on the trailer.

After we got done with the cleaning, we went out to eat breakfast and continued a conversation that we'd started earlier... we seem to be drifting apart, and neither of us wants that to happen.

Last night was a good example. I'd had a good day, got lots of stuff done. Karen and I had talked about going out to eat, maybe doing something else. She knew that I was tired, since I'd gotten up really early.

Well, shortly after Karen got home, Lacee called, she was in tears. It seems that Karen had told her that she would pick her up and they would go shopping to pick up something for Brian's birthday. So, Karen left, saying she'd be back soon.

Well, I was really tired, and I sat there watching TV and seething. Karen got back two hours later, and was upset that I didn't want to go out any more. OK, so I was pouting. I went to bed shortly, alone.

So, it was Karen's turn to sit and watch TV and seethe, and she did.

Our basic problem is... there are other people in this world. Karen, being the wonderful person that she is, tries to please everybody. And since I am very easy to get along with, I often come out second or third on her list, quite simply because I don't make enough noise.

Shortly after we were married, we started going somewhere, mostly to Kansas City, every month or so, just so we could spend some time together, away from distractions and other people. In the last five years, we have kinda gotten away from that. In fact, the last time that happened was in August, on our anniversary. Before that, I think it was in March or April.

Not nearly often enough. That will be rectified, though... we are both determined to do that.

I discovered a wonderful site this morning, thanx to Jay. It is This essay, which is part of a larger site that I will return to: I like this guy.

I got some email yesterday that I would like to share with you, along with my reply. This is what makes keeping a journal fun!

-----Original Message----- From:XXX To: nilknarf@nilknarf.net Date: Friday, 21 November, 1997 21:14 Subject: Are you my husband? I found your site by chance this evening. I'm a hard-working 9-5 type of person who is pretty darned organized and who is married to a person who works a very limited schedule and spends alot of time at home. As I read through your entry, I thought you were my husband, but then, I knew that my husband doesn't have a web-site. At least I think he doesn't. So that means there could be another man in America just like my husband.  I don't want you two ever to meet. Would you like to buy a used 1990 BMW 325is? Call me, not him. My Reply: Dear XXX: I would really like to meet your husband. I would really like to avoid having you meet my wife, though. I have not figgered out if your letter was ragging or complimentary, so, being a good optimist (I am this morning, anyway) I will accept it as a compliment... thank you very much! And, as always... Thanx for being here! (Please let me know the URL when your husband gets a web page!) Doug nilknarf@nilknarf.net http://nilknarf.net

So... right now, Karen is on her way to Lawrence for Brian's party, with Packy and Lacee. I'm sitting here, waiting for the phone to ring, and keeping an eye out for potential people driving by to look at the merchandise.

I really want to get all of this junk sold. We need the money, and we sure don't need four vehicles in the yard.

Actually, the amazing thing is, all of them are running. So much for my redneck status, huh!

Dammit, it's happening again!

I want to re-design Nilknarf!

"But!" I hear you protesting, "It's already perfect!"

And you go on: "Like, what's to improve? You've already got it all! Everyone else on the web is already jealous of you and your design skills!"

Ah, ye of little faith! Have ye not heard of Frames? Have ye neither heard of Cascading Style Sheets? And there's Java, Javascript, Active-x and Dynamic HTML! Should Nilknarf remain as it is, whilst the world passes us by?

OK, there will always be an alternative, for those of you who do not wish to upgrade to Internet Explorer 4.X or Netscape 4.X. But, I'm kinda hooked on frames right now. I did have a frames version up about a year ago, but I gave up on that way too soon. I am going to limit my frames to a simple right/left window, with the navigation on the right. Or maybe the left, or the top, or the bottom. Hell, at this point, I don't know. I just want to be happy with the way Nilknarf looks and works, and I'm not right now.

We'll see what happens...