AUSTIN, Texas, November 4, 2005 — About the first thing I did today, over coffee, was publish the journal entries for forty-three days. How insane is that? I sort of tested the basic mechanics of linking and whether the pictures made it but I'm telling myself I'll proof the words, um, some time.

But first I need to workout and I need to do our budget for about the same number of days. (Which may be close to impossible for things we didn't charge or write checks for. I think we've gotten lazy.)

And there are many other things I should be doing, too. If I could just figure out what they were!

I got to the gym and rode the recumbent bike for fifty minutes while reading about Internet Technology, gadgets for cars, business issues for big companies (like bankrupt Delta) in quickly aging newspapers. I did two sets of some stuff with twelve-pound weights while worrying about all the things I wasn't doing at home but at the same time feeling accomplished because I published a few words and pictures attached to recent dates on the calendar making a stretch of of such rambling production going back continuously to September 21, 2005. Now I know this is silly, but somehow I feel much, much better than when I had that gap in my nonsense. Doesn't hurt that I sent off a order to SNAPFISH to print some cards for our holiday mailing. We want to mail early so we can enclose a couple of promotional pieces for our charities for recepients who would be interested. (Is that crass? I don't care!)

When I got home, I avoided working on the budget by deciding I needed to tidy up my work areas first. Or so I said. And before that I needed a shower. And nouishment.

And my father-in-law needed some new headphones. So I made a trip to Fry's. The phone company screwed up our phone. FFP had to spend twenty-five minutes listening to elevator jazz or something on hold. Real cruelty. Turns out SBC had promised him he could switch to a residential phone from our old business (everything) line. Instead they had changed our number without telling us. He then had to agree to keep business service to keep our number. Although we don't need the listings et al any more. He got to listen to better music on hold to the business people. When we do move and have to give up our number, we will certainly try to do away with their (um) service.

My dad called on my cell phone while I was on the way to Fry's and wanted to know why our phone didn't work. He got a call from the hearing aid place that his hearing aid was back from being repaired. He took himself there, though, and stopped by on his way home.

I never did get to the budget.

We went to a symphony benefit at Grapevine Market. Tasted some wine and had eats, visited with friends. (Ridge Three Valleys is a worthwhile drink and a good value.)

We went downtown to Sullivan's after that and sat in Ringside and had a little food and a glass of wine and listened to Kevin Ahart and his group. Nice venue for them. Hope they get back in there.

I'm back. In more or less real time. Whatever that is worth.