thanks for the birthday wishes yesterday, everyone! it was extremely low-key. went to my parent's house to swim, but the water was a bit chilly. so i mostly just put my feet in and soaked up the sun. came home and showered so we could go to dinner at the delicious japanese restaurant and then we came home and watched National Treasure 2. after the movie i grabbed a wine cooler and went to enjoy the cool outside and then went and got ice cream.

definitely not a bad day.

yep, the NWS is SERIOUS.

We went to Anaheim and had breakfast at the Original Pancake House, then we went to the beach at Dana Point and then the Ocean Institute. It was 70 degrees down there. Am tired now.

LIGHTNING IS ONE OF NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLERS. REMEMBER...IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER...YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. MOVE TO SAFE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.

So I guess we made a good decision coming home from Clearwater when we did, then? Of course, by the time we got back to Brooklyn, it was sunny and gorgeous. Go figure.

I sat under the patio umbrella during a downpour this afternoon -- only came in when it started to thunder, because the maples kept much of the wet off, and the umbrella did the rest. I had a book, not my laptop, so I knew I was OK even if I did get dripped upon.

Today is the last time I'm filing for Unemployment benefits -- it's running out. Unfortunately, school runs on until 8/6, so I'm going to be in financial freefall after this last check. So remind me that this is what I put all these savings away for -- the rainy day is here, right?

I'm watching gymnastics on TV. Shawn Johnson's beam routine was incredible. (So was somebody else's bars routine, but I can't remember who now.)

I'm thinking about reading "In Defense of Food." Anybody read it? My sister keeps trying to get me to read it.

I've read it, Hil. It's good, if preachy, but probably wouldn't contain much you don't already know.

OK, thanks, Susan. (This morning, my sister was telling me about how this book said that people used to eat a diet full of fresh foods. I was just reading one of the Little House books that took place during the winter, where several meals were described, but the only fruits or vegetables mentioned were some canned peaches that they had on holidays as a special treat.)

lisah! I'd like some restaurant reccs! Nothing fawncy or really $$, just good food. My parents love taking me out to eat when they visit & I know they won't let me pay, so I don't want to sock it to them. And I know, like, 3 places (Paper Moon, Niwana and Mari Luna up the street.)

I'm looking forward to their visit. I'm always a little apprehensive (disruptive to routine! Parents and me in 750 sq ft!) But then I found out it is only 5 days, not 6 and I was a little sad there wasn't an extra day. We've got one day for the Folklife Fest, mom wants to do some museum tours in DC (so that's another day,) Aquarium, Science Center, AVAM, Fells Point and the harbor, maybe sunday going to open houses (eep!) and the time here is pretty much filled up. And I might be able to get together with the friend I saw give birth & family. So.

I have to be at work early tomorrow, in a suit. My suit could use some ironing. Why am I neither ironing nor preparing for bed? Unknown.

get busy young lady. I am getting in the shower now since I am also making an early morning of it.

In the meantime I am super proud of myself for keeping the tv off and getting through a to do list once mac went to sleep. The list:

pack up ebay box
upload pictures off camera
email GG at least on of the pictures
list chair on craigslist

bonus items:

copy pictures to external harddrive (2 months worth)
bid on shirt for mac
sync iPod