Experience

Where have I been? What have I been doing? In no particular order...

Hung out on observation deck of Empire State Building with Heather after standing in a long, consumerist line. Beautiful beautiful views.

Visited dead ancestors, and took flowers to some of them (I hope there is no jealousy aroused by seeming partiality).

Met some very helpful cemetery workers who then gave me a customer satisfaction survey to mail in (I kid you not).

Fell down hard on the driveway while taking out the garbage.

Bought oversized bandages perfect for scraped knees and elbows (so many choices these days).

Got pulled over while lost in San Antonio (it wasn't a good moment).

Accidentally happened upon the Alamo and the Riverwalk.

Saw a cool photo exhibit in an otherwise not extremely photographic photography gallery.

Drew the attention of guards at an art museum. Learned I must stay 6 inches from all display cases and really ought not put my head in the potentially decapitating security openings overlooking courtayrd below.

Drove through some of the most and least desirable areas of New Jersey.

Met a new relative (welcome Terrence!).

Hung out with family and friends and had a great time chatting and walking around.

Pondered the future of my program.

Experienced a tire blow out at freeway speeds while driving with a car full of empty boxes and wearing white pants. (Hurrah for AAA and America's Discount Tire Company!) David promptly went and got the new tires for VW.

Officially advanced to doctoral candidacy. Now I just have to pass a long test and complete a dissertation. Right, practically done.

Rediscovered a wonderfully stimulating toothbrush.

All in all, a pretty good few weeks.