It's interesting how structure evolves where there is none. People everywhere create routines to put a structure on life. Or are we just getting with the program? After all, the sun goes up, the sun goes down. We get sleepy and sleep. We get hungry and eat, then return the food to the earth. It's little wonder we might take nature's hint and build our own little routines and rituals on top, thinking all along what clever little buggers we are.

The first couple of weeks off work were a kind of a drifty existence lived pretty much in the immediate now. Not much stress until the outside world required me to join it. Danger, stress level increasing. Borrowing some time management techniques used at work I have my life on a list at home. OMG, do I want to do a lot of things!

“Helm, Engage!”

I've evolved my own little rituals and routine on sabbatical, and am quite pleased. Getting up seldom involves a pushy little clock making noise at me. I'm up when I can sleep no longer, and the time pretty much depends on when I went to bed. After the trip to the bathroom the morning starts with powering up the espresso machine and computer. *sip* News and comics not available in any newspaper over a cup of cappuccino. (Conrad who sold what?) Then it’s plan the day and go!

Life now is much more purposeful and still low stress.

Hey! You in the red pyjamas. Yes baldy, you. Beam your sorry ass out of here, that series is so over.

It was a pretty good week, last week. Lunch with Cow, lunch and a movie with Glavar - I love paying $7.50, 50th birthday clam bake party - ate and drank too much, a walk around Stanley Park, a dinner party where two of the guests - a 50 something and a 20 something - compared recreational drugs past and present and I was scheduled for a job interview.

The last week of August, another cycle draws to a close. Seems like the Madison trip was only a week a half ago and the lay off a month ago. Memory, let’s not go there.

I need a hair cut.

Books (Started):
Liar’s Poker - Michael Lewis

Movies:
Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back

Lazy, hazy days of summer

There's very little better than a sunny day, a patio, a BBQ, beer, and some good company. The family all converged on my brother's place while my nephew played in a ball tournament. Yes, the very same nephew who is the poet. My niece wasn't as thrilled at being dragged along to the tournament, but she's turning into a very good artist and we all know that good artists need to be tortured for their art. She may never thank my sister and brother-in-law, but the world owes them a great debt.

Even though I've lived on the North Shore for over 10 years I haven't averaged a hike a year. Decided to change this and went out with a hiking group this weekend. Wow. There's a 2 km trail (that's one way) from Deep Cove to the top of this big honkin' rock face north of the Cove entrance. What a view!!! If I hadn't been with the group I would have settled down and did my impression of a basking sea lion. Wait, no, my breath doesn't smell that bad. Though there were fish 'n chips at Steveston and the chasing of schools of used books at Gerry's.

Arr, arr, arr. (That's marine mammal for: Yup, life can be good.)

Books (Finished):
The House That Jack Built (A Time Scout Novel) - Robert Asprin, Linda Evans

An expensive phone call ....

No, I don't mean phone sex.

Took the DragonMobile in for maintenance. Get home there's a message waiting on my answering machine. No, no, no, please don't be Honda. It's Honda. I return the call and 450 extra loonies later hang up. Arg. One doesn't mess with brakes or drive train. Hey, for that kind of money they wash and vacuum the beast, too. That's my license number, but MY car isn't that red and shiny.

Movie, must see movie soon. Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back is supposed to have a sneak preview this weekend.

In the mean time, Tribes. Boy, am I rusty.

Books (Finished):
Ripping Time (A Time Scout Novel) - Robert Asprin, Linda Evans

Boring Bad, No More Boring

Back at the lair my non-mundane dragon colleagues must be having a good laugh at my expense. What do they care about paper. I should have burned a page from their book before I got myself into trouble. But, I'M DONE!!!! ... i'm-done-i'm-done-i'm-done-i'm-done. Finished on Saturday. Don't ever want to do that again. If you're ever feeling too cool and need some dork-a-tude to tone things down - just say you're spending 5 days to clean out a home office. Trust me, cool will run fleeing. If you ever do find yourself in this position: lie! Umm, I'm researching a magazine article on arcane tortures.

Now, cleaning can be good. For example, polishing up the espresso machine. With the help of my resident coffee expert, trained (by proxy) by Howard Shultz, I cleaned the dust and crud out of my machine. Finishing the job produces its own reward. Mmmmmm, Nectar of the Gods. [Add your own reverb and echo effect]

Books (Started):
Ripping Time (A Time Scout Novel) - Robert Asprin, Linda Evans

Books (Finished):
Round Ireland with a Fridge - Tony Hawks
Sir Stalwart (Book One of the King's Daggers) - Dave Duncan
The Crooked House (Book Two of the King's Daggers) - Dave Duncan

Movies:
America's Sweethearts

Head's Down Bloody Boring

Hard to believe I've been back four days now. After a slow start it's back to getting this fecklin place sorted out. Starting with my "filing" system. My God can the shiznit build up when your back is turned. I'm up to a 2 foot stack of paper destined for the recycling bin and I still have three quarters of a file drawer to go. The book I'm using says plan for 16 hours in this phase. I believe it. I've been wanting to do this for like 10 years. If a damn good thing I want it bad, or I would have given up by now. This is mind numbingly boring!!! Sadly, this is only the beginning. Hopefully, this is also the worst and it will be out of the way.

Fortunately, I have some good reading to distract me.

Books (Started):
Round Ireland with a Fridge - Tony Hawks

Books (Finished):
On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington Series) - David Weber
The Honor of the Queen (Honor Harrington Series) - David Weber

Movies:
Planet of the Apes
Legally Blond