Hey Bitches, long time no see. I was unexpectedly dark for a week. But I only have about 1700 posts to catch up with in this thread, and then several thousand other posts...so I should be back up to speed in about 2 days.

How are things?

Caught up. Sort of. Digging on Cashmere's violet hair. Interesting Catholicism discussion - I'm sort of a Catholic groupie, I guess. My step-mom used to be a nun, so she's good for all sorts of interesting tidbits with the overlay that comes from the "used to" part. Since she lives in New Mexico she's kind of gotten into the Hispanic iconography of Catholicism, and I have been gifted with an Our Lady of Guadalupe apron, snow globe, t-shirt, milagro, and (my fave) mouse pad. She also sends carved wooden statues of indeterminate saints at Christmas - they are sort of Mexican kachinas.

Based on that, other Catholic friends have made with the kitsch also, so I've got things like Pope John Paul II tea towels and beer bottle openers (really from the Vatican!). I suspect as a result folks who don't know us and come over to our house assume we are Catholic.

Oddly, most people who don't visit my house assume I'm Jewish, though. I didn't even grow up near a Jewish community, so I've no idea where the assumption comes from. I mean, I was raised Quaker-Christian Scientist-Navajo, so go figure.

So anyway, cool to read some of the mechanics of the Catholic faith. Lent (or whatever it's called in Orthodoxy) hasn't started here yet - we're still looking forward to Carnivale. Kind of convenient from a world market standpoint - after October, Halloween stuff goes to Catholic countries (and New Orleans) for Carnivale, and then comes to Greek Orthodox countries for their later Carnivale, and then goes back to wacky America for Halloween (which is the same as Carnivale, really, a day of abandon right before a holy day). So if you missed getting your latex Osama bin Laden mask last October, I can hook you up right now.

rambly...clearly need caffiene.

It's pouring rain outside - maybe CA has given us their weather. I love listening to the rain outside. I woke up early this morning and just listened to it while laying in bed for a while.

Daniel, I didn't realize that diabetes could make a scrape like that worse. I hope it heals well.

Daniel much healing~ma to that knee. Poor you!

Raquel! So good to see you stop by!

Nonian, I'm with you on listening to the rain. I actually fall asleep each night to a CD of thunderstorm sounds. I love it.

Timelies all!

I have much to do today. Hopefully I will find more motivation than I had yesterday.

Daniel - Interview~ma headed your way this morning.

Raquel! I wondered where you were. Good to see you.

Here it is Thursday and I am still on Monday's list. I must be scarce today and focus on work.

Laura, I have you beat. I'm on last Wednesday's (the 16th) list. Of course, I just keep adding to it, but still.

Actually I did a great deal of work earlier in the week assembling all of our tasks in MS Project so we can feel the joy of checking things off the list. The rest of the crew loves the crazy long list, so it was nice that my efforts were appreciated.

I have enjoyed reading your progress towards finishing your school projects vw. Light at end of tunnel in sight.

Light at end of tunnel in sight.

Yup! The final one will be dropped off at the prof's office tomorrow. He's not going to see it till Tuesday, so I could drop it off on Monday, but I want it off my plate and out of my mind. Plus, I'm celebrating the completion of the incompletes with the Somervillains on Sunday. It wouldn't feel right if I hadn't actually dropped it off.

I have enjoyed reading your progress towards finishing your school projects vw.

Thank you so much. I hope everyone knows how much I value the support I receive here. Sometimes I worry that I'm either boring everyone to death or making people crazy with all my chatter. So, it's nice to know that I'm not doing that.

I love reading Buffistas victories. I shall toast the completion of the incompletes with you Sunday, virtually.

I'm looking forward to hearing that Daniel did well on his interview this morning.

It has been exhausing, in a good way, reading Anne's progress with her house prep.

It is fine and well to give comfort to fellow Buffistas when they are in pain, but it is the natural balance to be able to share in the joys as well.

The full moon is a fist-width above the western mountains, which are turning pink and white instead of blue-grey. The southern faces of the eastern mountains, which are about a mile away from my office, are catching the sun. It's like a celestial strip tease, with the sun showing a bit more every day. Stupid work, I want to stay outside and watch the sun drop a few more scarves.