Halllo!

I've missed you so!

But I needed a little mental break from…from…I'm not sure what I needed a break from. Once again I blame work completely and utterly for my lack of blogging, and this time it may have merit. I may also throw a little blame spring's way, goodness knows I have enough to spread around--sometimes being outside is better than being in. Watching the returned oriole pair sporting in the oak tree, for instance. Please let them build another nest in the mulberry tree, please!

But now I'm sitting in a Starbucks with the Pointy Pals--none of us brought writing to share, so we're pounding it out now, together, amidst the cleansing chattering and catching up. Thank goodness, I don't think I could've done it alone tonight. The bed has been too much of a visual, cushy siren, calling to me every evening as I walk in the door.

So, what's new? you ask. My ramble du jour: I almost electrocuted myself hanging a new lamp in my office (M said I probably wouldn't have died, but it woulda hurt like hell). As it is, just a little bit of carpet melted and the noxious smell cleared quickly, though I felt very odd on the right side of my body for several hours afterward. I have an office lamp obsession--I also purchased a heavy, old-fashioned marble lamp at the local Good Will store (I willed that I would find an alabaster lamp there, but hey, marble is pretty close), and now my office is practically homey. Good thing, since I spend so much time there. M came to visit me today, trying to relieve a little stress over impending finals, and he observed that my office reminded him of a shrink's. And he thinks that's why so many people come in to talk to me. And interrupt me. And keep me from doing my own work. But so be it, I think that's part of being a manager, though I am going to have to lay down the law about interruptions soon. I'm looking to fill one last position, and I interviewed two candidates today. I think I've mentioned this before, but it's such an interesting process, both for the exercise of trying to judge people's skills and style and personality in less than two hours, and for what I observe about myself in that space of time. But I remain grateful for the lessons (I first typed "lesions" eeew) and actually, for the additional tasks I'm doing to fill in until I hire someone. More skills, good. And what about the fun? you ask. Hm, that's harder to answer. Um, we did our taxes last week. I broke down and actually purchased an "anti-wrinkle" unguent at Target while searching for a shade for the new marble lamp. Itchy skin be damned, it's going on every night. And tonight I'm blogging at this very moment, hooray! And I have things to look forward to in the next couple of weeks: a clothing swap, the library sale, a bridal shower luncheon, a teeth cleaning (I love my dentist), jury duty, M getting through finals. I need to plan other things to anticipate with pleasure: visits to my Portland family and my grandma, and a summer vacation in particular.

Oh, and my roses are going to be blooming spectacular. They'll be in their prime first flush next week. And yes, I'll be away at a conference.

*****

Happy Birthday, Don! And happy Poetry month, everyone!