Dust comes from sunlight.

Well, of course.

If you're a vampire.

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We were woken up at 5:30-ish by an earthquake. Not terribly strong (4.9, epicenter in Albania), but it lasted long enough to really get my adrenaline going. I woke up just before the rumbling started with all my hair standing straight up; don't know when I got this sensitive to them, but the last couple earthquakes have made it clear I am.

They just aren't as fun as they used to be, I guess because I have more responsibilities and more to lose...and I'm not living in structures designed to withstand earthquakes.

ION, maybe I should get my friend to submit the email exchange he just had and forwarded to me:

Friend: Which server does this database connect to? I need to know before I can start troubleshooting.

Customer: You also need to know what server the database is on.

Friend: That's what I'm trying to find out. Pls see previous email.

Friend's manager (cc'd on emails, replying only to friend): [Name], please be careful when composing email. I'm not sure your last one had the right tone.

Friend (to manager): OK, thanks. The tone I was going for was "THAT'S what I'm trying to FIND OUT, you moron!"

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Pancakes:

OMG Robin!!! I just saw Beep Me! That's so cool! Congrats to you and the WBH!

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Congrats and best wished to sneaky ol' Robin and WBH!!!

Happy Birthday, Robin!

Continued boredom, with even more boredom (which can be less boring to you, provided it involves nothing stressful, or anything less than optimal where your bod is concerned), JZ!

Get better, Tom.

This has just been the weirdest week, here. And it's earworming me with Riley's line from As You Were, the one that goes, "Wheel never stops turning, Buffy. You're up, you're down."

Out of 144 episodes, that's the line that this week is bringing to mind, and it's not right.

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Oh, Robin! I've got goose bumps and shivers. I'm so happy for you. What a fun thing to spring at your birthday party!

JZ got to take a bath! How lovely! You take care of yourself, girl. Boredom and all.

Cindy, that ain't right at all. Hope everything is ok and that this week is better.

I'm all up and have coffee. msbelle is still trying to sleep in the living room, if Toto would let her. Although, he was pretty polite. He clearly wanted to be by her, but didn't want to disturb her, so he was lying next to the air bed. Then, as soon as her eyes opened, his tail went a waggin', and he jumped up on the air bed. So cute. He's lying next to her now. They're both getting a few more zzzzzzzzzzs.

Speaking of Toto. He's doing so great in the new place. There have been NO accidents...even when I've left for a while. I expected there to be tons of "Mom, I'm really not happy about all this change" accidents over the first week or so, but so far nothing. I keep giving him treats and praising him lots to keep it going. He is having a little trouble getting used to Upstairs!Neighbor walking by our door. He barks for a little bit and gets kind of hysterical. Poor guy just isn't used to that. I can tell already, though, that it is getting better. Last night we were all piled on the love seat, just hanging out with a snack and stuff, and upstairs neighbor came home. Toto almost ignored it. Then the door closed, and he went nuts. I think another few days, though, and we'll be good. I'm also gonna try to go out and introduce them one of these times I hear Upstairs!Neighbor come/go. I think that may help.

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Cindy, that ain't right at all. Hope everything is ok and that this week is better.

Just to be clear, I meant that about here (at b.org). The news here has been a weird mix of awful and wonderful.

How great to have msbelle there helping you to settle in, vw. I read her posts in Natter about what she's getting rid of, or doing in her own home, and can tell she's the right person for the job.

I'm also gonna try to go out and introduce them one of these times I hear Upstairs!Neighbor come/go. I think that may help.

That's a great idea. Toto will start to learn Upstairs!Neighbor belongs there.

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Congrats Robin with the elopment. Now you get to answer the eternal "When are you two going to get married?" questions with "already are."

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Wheeeeee happy news, Robin!

I'm hoping to see Tom check in soon and tell us he's okay. Tom, I hope you are feeling better.

vw, glad things are going so well in your new place. Happy news!

Woke up after having a really bad and stressful dream. Called zee ex-BF (actually returned his call since I missed one last night) who answered the phone with, " Jesus woman, do you ever sleep?" Seemed sort of relieved that I actually had been asleep and was just up way too early. Then he made me smile and laugh so maybe I can go back to sleep now.

Also earwormed me by singing his way countryfied version of Metallica's "Enter Sandman."

Kittenish is miffed because her head is too big to fit in my glass and drink the half full cafe au lait I pulled out of the fridge. That was kinda funny.

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Just to be clear, I meant that about here (at b.org). The news here has been a weird mix of awful and wonderful.

Ah...gotcha. Clearly I hadn't had enough coffee yet!

read her posts in Natter about what she's getting rid of, or doing in her own home, and can tell she's the right person for the job.

She really is. We had some good laughs yesterday as we went through some of the boxes. She recommended that we set up a big box in the middle of the dining room to put stuff in that I decided I didn't really need. And, it's actually pretty full. So, got rid of some unnecessary stuff.

But, boy, do I own some silly stuff. I had this set of magnets that were just horrendous...little cutesy sayings on them with bunches of flowers and stuff. Boy, have I changed in the last four years! In lots of good ways, though. I'm glad I'm not still that person that needs cutsie little sayings to fulfill my day.

Some of the silly stuff I'm keeping...like my popcorn bowls [link] LOVE them. Hated to not have them with me the last four years, but there just wasn't room in Cambridge. Now they are proudly displayed on the baker's rack in my dining room. And all my fabulous dishes are displayed in the china cabinet. And the drawers are filled with table clothes and Christmas platters. It's great.

Edit: To be clear, I really love some of the stuff I haven't had access to in the last four years. And some of it I forgot about...One of the first boxes I opened was like Christmas. It had my gorgeous crystal coffee mugs that I adore. I had completely forgotten about them...actually, I thought I had sold them on ebay. But, in the same box were these HORRID big Kim Anderson cups. So, there's a dialectic.

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Congratulations Robin and the WBH!!!

{{{Cindy}}} I hope your upcoming week is better.

{{{Tom}}} Health~ma

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