AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 11, 2005 — We've agreed to leave after the worst of the traffic. I get up early and speak to my cousin's wife. She was supposed to go pick up my cousin this morning but he's had to stay over and finish business.

I go over and have coffee with Dad. Around nine we take off. There are spits of rain but Dad drives uneventfully to West. We have a snack and I drive to Austin.

I'm relieved to get home. I unpack stuff, put things away and think of all the things I should do.

I don't do any of them, of course. Nope. I don't go to the gym or get work on the taxes done. I read some papers and watch TV. I take a shower and we go out to see the ballet. This performance, a mixed rep, is at The Paramount. We are entertaining some people we met with tickets and by accompanying them to the after party. It's a great performance, I think, and the party after is fun, talking to dancers and staff.

We go home and sleep after watching a bit of TV and having a snack.

I was so relieved to get home that I didn't do anything useful. Sigh.