For all Chicago area 'istas:

NoiseDesign will be in town the weekend of April 26-27. We're looking to arrange some sort of dinner/drinks get together. Let me know if you're interested, which day works best, if you prefer aftn. or evening... that sort of thing. I'm also open to suggestions as to where this shindig (with an option on hootenanny) might take place. Profile addy is good.

On a related note, Fri. April 25, we will be attending the show I currently have running at Apple Tree Theatre. I'm probably already at my limit on comps for the night, but feel free to join us at the show.

It looks like work is moving back into a busy period, so I'm going to be going dim for a few weeks, or at least keep vampire hours. Since I'll be skimming a lot more, anyone who needs to discuss F2F plans, or Laista Buffy finale party plans, or anything else, please email me at my profile address.

If there are any istas in the San Diego area, I'm heading down there tonight and will be there through Monday morning. I'll be looking for all sorts of reasons to get away from my family, anyone interested in meeting up for coffee/drinks/lunch/dinner/chewing on glass/watching grass grow/etc, let me know. Profile addy works.

Hi all,

I got some sleep last night.

12 hours straight.

Woke up when my sister phoned to say the funeral was starting soon. She was going to tape it for me. I wonder if I'll ever watch it. I hope she got footage of the 21-shot salute.

I'm going to plant two apple trees in my back yard in tribute to my brother, since I can't make it.

Going grey for a while because our hard drive needs to be replaced.

sobbing.

Got a phone call while I was home for Easter. Mr Heather's boss died early this morning. He was 35.

The Grapevine was the first place in Dallas where I ever felt like I was at home. Richard made us feel like family, and he took care of us like we were his own.

I'm not sure how much I'll be around. The crawfish boil is next weekend and we're all still going to try to make it happen, so I may be dark while I help out.

RIP Richard F.

At 3:00, Central Time, I have an interview with the dean of the grad school program I'm applying to.

Vast amounts of vibes would be appreciated.

In a bit of good news, my sister's show opens Thursday. I'm hoping to still make it down, so I'll probably be dark from Wednesday until Saturday.

Good karma vibes appreciated for WeeSisterJay, who's studying in Beijing at the moment and doesn't know whether she's staying or being pulled out by her Uni. Or indeed whether to stop on if the Uni tell them to leave.

I don't know which to wish for myself, because on the whole it seems to me that there isn't that much more danger than one normally has of (e.g) being hit by a car. She feels that she's better staying there and not losing 4 months of Chinese - and Beijing is way emptier than ever before, and she can control her environment quite a lot - rather than getting on a 'plane for ten hours and breathing in the same air as all the other people. But her Uni haven't yet decided what their official policy will be.

I don't know what I'm asking for, really, other than good karma, everything-turning-out-for-the-best-ness. 'Cause if it were me, I'd probably stay put. But I don't want to say that in case it is dangerous. Argh. Good karma vibes for WeeSisterJay appreciated.

Off to Montreal tomorrow for my sister's senior recital. She's finally finishing her degree in performance violin at McGill, a road that has bumpy, to say the least, interrupted by smashed violins, broken fingers, and terrible illness. Just getting to this point is a real triumph, and it should be a fantastic concert.

So kudos to her. I'll be mostly dark for the next week or so while we celebrate. If there are any Buffistae who might be in the area this weekend, please join us! We'll be wining and dining all weekend, including a barbecue on Saturday, and welcome anyone who wants to join in.