Insomnia Doings Report

I think my brain is too full. I specifically went to bed early last night so I would get a full eight hours, but no. I woke up at 5, in time to see one of those sunrises I was taking on faith a couple days ago. It's very pretty, but I'd rather I'd missed it. Oh, well, I'll sit here admiring the peach-toned sky and blog some doings.

Frank hasn't had time to tell us all his stories, but he did say one thing last night that was nice to hear: they had a very good time. That wasn't clear from our two-minute sat-phone chats, so I'm glad he finally had the chance to communicate it.

My talks are coming along. Drafts are due this week so that Kelly can prepare transcripts for some hearing-impaired attendees. I think the drafts won't be as long as the final versions, but they'll definitely be able to get the drift.

There, don't I sound calm? In reality, I'm all in a dither because I won't be completely done by this "deadline." Breathe, Ronnie. All is well.

MJ received her replacement lens yesterday. Did I tell this story? Probably not. On the 4th of July, I knocked MJ's camera off the couch. It was fine that day, or seemed to be, but a few days later, the lens sort of froze up, and then it broke. Or we broke it trying to get it unfrozen. Anyway, there was something rattling around inside it, which couldn't be a good sign. We *really* wanted to be able to take her camera to RU Fun, so we hustled off to Circuit City to get a replacement. Of course, they only had telephoto lenses in stock, so, damn, MJ had to have an early birthday present, and we got some very cool candid photos of people at RU Fun who didn't know they were being photographed, and MJ loved her new toy. But over the past couple of weeks, she has started really missing the old lens, since it was better for self-portraits and other close-range work. We priced them online and she was able to afford one, so she ordered it. It arrived yesterday.

This explains the flurry of STUNNING photos on her photo blog.

Chloe has been working on her story. I am not privy to many details of said story, so that's about all I can tell you, except that she's very dedicated.

The three of us went for a walk at sunset last night. Our neighborhood really is a pleasant place to stroll. We love looking at the 20s architecture, and a few of the neighbor cats will come out to greet us. Several people had their sprinklers going (not realizing that brown is the new green), and Chloe took big, looping detours to avoid stepping on wet sidewalks. I'm not sure why, but her mystery is part of her charm. My fairy child. Anyway, it was fun, and I took some photos finally, although I haven't posted them yet. (MJ is able to get her camera card to work in my computer, so maybe she can teach me and I'll get back into my pre-sailing routine.)

Steph said she's looking forward to my blogging from Europe. I had to confess that I'm not sure I'll be blogging then, because I want to live it more than write about it. You all might have to wait until October for pictures and stories from our trip.

I think I've discovered the cure to my monthly Pouty Mouthy Shrew phase: exercise. I was completely cheerful all through the usual Days of the Grouch. I'm less chipper this week, but (a) nobody can maintain that good a mood indefinitely without pharmaceutical assistance, and (b) I'm really missing Frank this week, and (c) I'm stressed about my talks.

About (b): It occurred to me yesterday that this is the longest Frank and I have been apart since 1986. We've done two weeks before but never three.

The girls and I are reading the new Artemis Fowl book together. We're enjoying it, but the subject matter is a little on the grim side: Artemis' mother is dying. I'm sure Artemis and Holly will find the cure and triumph in the end, but it's still a less than pleasant theme. What is pleasant is reading with my daughters again. We do less of this now that they're teenagers, so it's been nice to get back to it.

The sun just popped over the trees, so I guess I'll go ahead and start my day. My (very few) early-bird coworkers will be quite surprised to see me so early.