I had such a great day today. We wrapped up the retreat, which went really well. Four different tribes. Seven different cooperating orgs.

Afterwards we sat and chatted with the organizers for a couple of hours. And then we took the older boys (who attend the boarding school that hosted the event, but weren't allowed back in the dorms yet) out for Mexican. It was a fun, goofy time. One of them ordered a hamburger and the waiter was teasing him about it. So when he brought it out, he stuck a little paper Mexican flag in it and said, "There. Now it's Mexican food." We don't often get that kind of relaxed downtime with the kids, so it was super fun.

Then we hooked up with our houseguest for the week. Our neighbor boy came over to chill and we did the guest's preproduction, worked on his guitar tone (a beautiful Martin) and laid down a couple trial scratch tracks. It should be a good project.

It's 10pm. She's been here since 1pm. I said I'm pooped and fading. She was shocked, me, the night owl, was tired before her. Eh. It happens.

Sometimes "I'm tired" means "I'm tired of this" or "I'm tired of people." Does to me, at least.

Tonight, I am tired. Of this, of people and just physically tired. Long day at Dad's. And talked to Mom some. I know that nearly everybody goes through situations like this in life but I have to say, I don't know how we do it.

I walked three miles yesterday because we're apparently, as a family, doing a 5k in support of brain cancer next Sunday. Sadly my feet and toenails are still wrecked from moving so I need to wear toe socks and those don't protect my heels as much. If my blisters are healed enough for moleskin, I'll do it again tomorrow. If not, Tuesday.

The 5k itself isn't worrying me so much as the fact that it's in Marina Del Rey and its a hell of a lot of driving in a car with fun suspension and not touring suspension. I love my car but I ache at the end of days like today and there was no 5k today. My hip hurts more tonight after five hours of driving than it did yesterday or this morning after yesterday's pre 5k. I am remembering to stretch though. And maybe it'll instill a new exercise regime in me.

Really tired.

Edit: sounds like a great day, Liese. Oh, I am learning the sky again. I can find Jupiter and Betelguese and the crazy changing LAX path. Well, the flight path doesn't change but what I see way out here does. I feel like the desert version of Duck, Duck, Goose is star, planet, plane.

Go get a massage, Cassiepants.

Why did I wake up at 3 am, and dozed and just got up at 4? I went to bed at 11(!) and thought for sure I'd sleep til7, 7:30 since I got 4 hours of sleep Sat. night, and kept myself busy, but here I am, bright-eyed and busy tailed!

Ah, well. I have a bunch of work today, so it's fine. Think I'll take a walk and do some floor yoga (arm still can't do plank or down dog and such.)

So...morning! I hope East Coasters are well!

Is your brother the kind of guy that would open that can of worms?

Temperamentally, possibly; but I don't think he'd be willing to put forward the sustained effort it'd take. (Which I think is healthier for him anyway, he has in the past got hung up on past grievances too readily. As long as this guy doesn't start hurting his chances at any other job that comes up.)

Anyway, we had a lovely time at my sister's place. Gareth's kids didn't show, but Ryan had lost of fun playing with Kathleen's kids. With the exception of one incident: he and his eight year old nephew Andrew were playing a game where they took turns running down the hall and jumping on a beanbag. Andrew starting pulling the beanbag out of the way as Ryan neared it, which Ryan was enjoying; but then on one occasion he waited too long to pull it out of the way, and Ryan couldn't change course in time. My little boo smacked his head into the (brick) wall, and that was the end of that game.

Meanwhile, way back when she was eighteen my sister hooked up on a Gold Coast beach with an unemployed surfer guy named Axle. (His best friend was called Handlebar. There has been much speculation among my siblings of the possible existence of another friend called Dipstick.) Said surfer visited her in Canberra six months later (after he'd saved up enough of his dole). It went poorly, a tale I have recounted here before, which ended with a family friend headbutting Axle at a bar called Mooseheads.

Last night I learned more details, of their first and only date. Kathleen determined that this guy might not be a keeper when, instead of sitting and talking to her, he vacated to the alley out back to drink goon with a homeless person. To be fair, the signs were there earlier in the evening as recounted thus:

"And when we were walking to the restaurant, he harassed a pair of girl scouts!"
"Wait, how did he harass them?"
"He shouted, 'Show us your cookies!'"

We're back home now. That was a great holiday.

Go, Pix!

The good is that we don't seem to be having much of a storm yet. Mostly just rain. The bad news is the rain is completely freaking my body out, and I'm in pain.

Yay Liese, I'm glad that the retreat that you were dreading turned out to be so great.

And hugs and sympathy to Cass. I think we get through these things because we have to. But hey MDR is right by my house. Call me if you find that you're done with family and need to get away but not ready to face the drive home. Or hey, call just 'cause.

Cass, go you! 5ks are pretty cool, having lots of people with you is surprisingly motivating.

Go Pix finishing grading! I managed to be somewhat motivated and print a bunch of work stuff and scan some expense stuff (so I can finish it this week) and pack. I just woke up and need to get dressed and leave the house, but my bed is so cozy...

Hey smonster, do you know if/when you're going to be on Treme?

Popping in to wish safe~ma for our East Coasters. Just saw pictures of Sandy. Wow!