AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 15, 2005 — I wasn't out of bed early, but not so late either. My intention (ah, intention) was to be out of the house and to the club at nine. I wasn't because I got an e-mail about some corporate sponsorship for Ballet Austin. It was a long, long shot but I wanted to respond to the person since they were kind enough to send me an e-mail.

Then I went to the club and did fifty minutes on the bike. I did a few weights and went home. I stopped at the grocery store for yogurt and some Luna bars and succumbed to those little sugar heart Valentine's candy, a weakness of mine and of course on sale as the holiday has passed.

I had some cereal and rushed through my showering and grooming. The house sitter was coming by to get briefed on our departure. The maid was due. I sorted out my suitcases and backpacks, gathered up some of my stuff to pack. In the midst of this the housesitter showed up to get briefed and the maid came. I wrote a thank-you note and I got some e-mails off to people about various things that are scheduled.

Somewhere in there, I confess, I watched some game shows on fast forward.

We went out to dinner with a new friend...someone who is key to the arts community and has just moved here. We went to Fonda. I ate too much (just eating some yogurt and cereal and pure sugar candy all day will have that effect) and I drank a Margarita. We had a nice time talking to our friend and also to the owner who joined us for a while.

We didn't last long before bed beckoned at home...a crime show, a few sections of the newspaper.