I will be a very dark shade of gray, verging on pale black, for a few weeks as we prepare to move. I am sending out constant waves of Buffista -ma to anyone who may need it. And if anyone has any spare jobma, I could use some myself as I start my job search.

If anyone needs to reach me, you can use my profile address. If there are any Orlando-based Buffistas I would love to hear from you.

Shortly going completely dark until Tuesday evening. I'll be at DragonCon, and I won't be checking my e-mail.

I'm going to be dark for nearly two weeks, due to a conference.

According to the Buffista Calendar the time of my absence will be full with many Buffistas Events: tomorrow, August 29th, is Jen's birthday (I haven't 'seen' her around here in a while, I hope she somehow gets the well-wishes); the following Thursday, September 4th, is Susan W and her DH's anniversary; the following Sunday, September 7th, is Lyra Jane's birthday. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to have computer access by then, but for the just-in-case scenario, I'll post here and now anyway that Trudy's birthday is on the Thursday after that, September 11th, Herah's is on the following day, September 12th, and the following Saturday, September 13th, has a double birthday, both billytea's and mikal's.

So, lots and lots of (somewhat too) early good wishes, for lovely days and great years ahead. Plus, of course, loads of good vibes to everybody. I'll miss y'all.

I have found my perfect wedding dress!

Hello. I am an aunt.

flea went into labor last night around midnight. Her water broke; she awoke mr. flea; she emailed me; and then she woke our mother, who was/is in North Carolina just for that very purpose.

I did not check my email. (Ellen knows this is typical.)

My mother called me at 12:30 to inform me of laborious progress; I proceeded to call brother, grandma and stepmother, and then read flea's email that I shouldn't tell anyone till labor was done. Whoops! (I did manage not to email her list of non-Buffista contactees, which I will do in a second.)

I spent the next 4 hours in phone meetings, some in my office and some in conference rooms. I carried around my cell phone in my back pocket like a high-tech hustler, and only managed to interrupt a particularly rancorous meeting with my brother calling to ask why the hell there had been no news.

I come back to my desk at 5, and of course she called my office phone. And now? Cell phones not allowed in hospitals, so I have absolutely no data as to size, number of toes, or name. Arrrgh!

But I am informed that labor is hard work, and it is done, and mother and baby are healthy and in need of a nap. So that, at least, is good.

More data as phone tag warrants.

Continuing Dark Grey shading into Black as work is trying to bury me alive in paper and I still have no internet access at home.

Love and Hugs, Hairpats and -ma to all who are in need. I will try to read as often as I can, but will likely be unable to post for a week or two at least.

I am a licensed driver. Take *that*, parallel parking!