So I decided to switch it up and do a shorter, but more vigorous swim, since I was going later. Busted ass doing a mile ...and same speed as my mile-and-a-halfs earlier in the week. Which were still bad. I don't even know. But for the shit times, it feels like it is working right. But clearly, something has changed and I can't figure out what. I think that irks me worse than the actual slowdown.

I did pretty ok on the maps. Funnily enough, I often switched up NM, northern MX, AUS and SA desert areas when I couldn't find signs. But it was always plants and geology I am really familiar with! And I've remarked on the similarity when I've been there! (Not northern MX. I've never been to Mexico. How funny is that?)

Nails done.

Although, is it cheating if I'm using google to help me with the clues?

I don't think so.

I don't think so.

Whew! That explains why I can't match your score.

omg, so not only is every tv show I watch hitting their season finales this week, I hit the end of white collar on netflix. OMG!! I need so much resolution.

I decided not to Google -- seems like it would be way too easy otherwise.

In other news, FUCK. We have fleas. How do we have fleas? Our cats are both strictly indoor-only. Guess I know what we're doing this weekend. Except that I also have a big freelance project to finish this weekend, that is already going to take up most of my time. Argh.

Is it sad that one of my favorite childhood memories is watching the fleas jump into a soapy bowl of water under a lamp?

This was a close one. [link]

You lost the challenge with 20971 points against 21182.

Whew! That explains why I can't match your score.

I wouldn't be able to match your score without google.

I decided not to Google -- seems like it would be way too easy otherwise

I'm trying to work out the best strategies. Check 360. Pick a direction that looks like it will get you to the first signage. Examine the type of trees and work out if we're temperate or tropical. Check the dirt and the horizon. Look at the road markers/signs--are they familiar? How weird is weird (the weirder the more Russian, so far)? Language, alphabet, format of phone numbers. Style of cars. Start at the roof of the building and work down.

What else? I mean, if you don't land in downtown Boston or anything.

I turned out to be really good at ID-ing former soviet republics and eastern Europe. Considering I was in the waning USSR and then Central Europe became my thing, I guess I shouldn't be surprised.l But I was when I'd nail a location in Poland (where I've never been) within 50 miles.