I’m sitting on the couch, a little after lunch, while N watches something the latest Star Wars: Clone Wars episodes. He’s got nasty sniffles, too. The dogs are outside, barking away at causes dogs to bark, while M is on the other computer and T and S are playing Wii paintball upstairs. Between birthday parties and football games today could be busy so I think we’re trying to catch a few moments of calm before S heads next door for party #1 and T heads off to pre-game warm-ups. I think N and I are staying home. Maybe we’ll rearrange furniture. I just whispered to N that we have a secret plan for when everyone leaves. He asked if the plan included licorice. Fair question.

This week was busier than expected by not bad. I caught on almost all of my grading and got out to a few more schools for observations. By the end of the week I was pretty tired…Thursdays continue to be way long. At least Friday wasn’t bad, just a class in the morning, some paperwork, and a phone conference.

So what else happened this week? On Wednesday night S, T and I hit the last Port football game of the year. The night was perfect autumn weather, the flood lights bright on the field and the red and orange trees silhouetted past the visiting team’s stands. S and I sat way near the top of the bleachers while T bounced around with his friends. Beautiful night, very small town.

I’ve also read the Ellroy every night but don’t feel as if I’m making much progress. I love his week, every page crackles with energy, but I’d like the next 400 pages to go fairly quickly so I can go on to another book.

I’ve been listening to the Cave/Ellis White Lunar just about every day.

Workouts have been fine…early in the week I felt like I had to grind out the workouts but by Thursday I was fine. Yesterday I played decent hoops, jump shot falling, and this morning I lifted despite a slightly sore back after T leaped on me from behind last night while N and I were messing around before bed.

I’m watching Rear Window off and on this afternoon. I didn’t know Grace Kelly was so beautiful.

I’m looking forward to driving south Friday morning. Later that evening a few friends from elementary school and I are getting together at a neighborhood bar. The gathering is getting a little bigger than I expected, as one of the guy’s little sister has invited all her friends, but no sweat, I don’t feel too worried. If the gathering sucks I can always cut out and drive around my old neighborhood. Either way I’m ok.

Ok, that’s it for now. More later.