personal

Memorial Day

I spent the day mostly reading, mostly in the backyard, except when the sun got too hot and I had to come back in. My iPad actually overheated, which has never happened before, and refused to start again until it had cooled down. The next time I went out, I brought along the more traditional paper-and-binding type books. I’m mostly alternating between Jennifer Egan’s A Visit from the Goon Squad and Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan, although I threw a little collected Tintin in for good measure.

It was a lovely day, and the weather, although warm, couldn’t have been much nicer. When I woke up this morning, a little after eight, I noticed it was raining, and I thought, well, that’s it then. Our streak of unanticipated clear and sunny skies has come to an end. But the rain had all gone away by the time I actually got dressed, and it must have been perfect weather for a Memorial Day parade.

I didn’t see any of the parade myself, even though the route runs past just a couple of blocks away, and I could hear some of the gun salute at the town memorial up the road. I don’t think I’ve seen the parade since I was last in it, and that was easily sixteen or seventeen years ago, when I was still in the Boy Scouts.

Nevertheless, I am grateful to all the men and women who’ve served in the Armed Forces over the years, particularly those who have died defending our nation and freedoms. I recognize that I wouldn’t have this day of good weather and lazy reading — though no barbecue; we had burgers last night — were it not for their sacrifices. Many thanks.

Sunny Saturday

I got a new cell phone today. I was due, and my old one has had a crack down the front for the past week. (I’m not sure how that happened, but I suspect I threw the phone on my bed, then something else like my bag or a book, that accidentally landed on the phone. Some such clumsy physics.)

That’s about it. I tried reading a little Kaleidotrope slush in the backyard, the weather just gorgeous here today, and I read through a few stories. More, hopefully, tomorrow. My reading period ends on August 31. I’m thinking next year, I’ll end it even earlier, maybe January to June.

Working for the weekend

Another very busy day at work, though I did manage to get a lot done before the office closed at three o’clock, getting an early start on the three-day weekend.

I have no real plans for the weekend, beyond avoiding my work e-mail altogether and maybe doing some reading (slush and not) and writing. Maybe watch a movie, go for a walk, that kind of thing.

The weather has been lovely the past few days, with no sign of the rain we were supposed to be having. I suspect it’s all run north across the border to Canada.