Whoo-hoo, I am completely buzzed on caffeine. This morning I had coffee at around 4:30, a diet coke near 6:30, and a latte at 7:30. Will I ever sleep again? If I have a heart attack here at Alterra’s, will they call the ambulance?

The last few weeks have been a bit manic but I’m ok this morning. Highlights!

• My birthday passed well. Really, this was one of the best birthdays I can remember, so thanks for all the messages, people. I had a rough stretch the few days before so the birthday came at a good time. The weather was strangely warm, though. Usually I associate my birthday with cold, pissing rain. I’d rather have the cold, pissing rain, but oh well, if I start complaining about warm weather on my birthday, with all the emotional uplift pouring my way, kick me in the nuts or something.

• Work has been fine. Working out has been good, too. I’ve switched schedules a bit, 45 minutes of cardio a day spread over three different machines rather than one or two. Time passes quicker that way.

• What have I read? Coupland’s Microserfs, Beautiful Creatures, and I just started the new William Gibson. Last night I sat in the glider after a shower, turned on Stars of the Lid (although I rarely listen to music while reading), and read a good seventy or eighty pages. Excellent so far.

• Next weekend will be busy. Dan’s scheduled to come up for the DBT and eels concerts. I hardly bother with any gigs, and then two of my favorite bands play on consecutive nights in Milwaukee. I’m thinking of springing for a hotel room downtown so we don’t have to drive back north or worry of the kids waking or anything.

• Autumn has arrived. This morning I drove over to the Lion’s Den and continued taking photographs for the book. I hope to finish by the end of the year.

• Did I mention my brother visited? Why yes, he did, last weekend. He’s as low maintenance as a visitor can be. He sleeps in his van, for christ’s sake. I don’t think he wanted to watch football, though. But we talked about our history, sort of freaking out M in the process, I think, and ate tacos. We’re different in many ways but both seek out safe, small places, too. He’s my brother, the only family member with whom I feel much of a connection, really. I’m glad he visited.

• Blonde girls get better service at coffee shops than normal people.

• I need a stretch of regular journal entries. They help.

• Mogwai’s Happy Music for Happy People is one of the greatest albums ever.

• More later.