Ah. It's Monday. This means I'm motivated to post some virtual drivel on the net. Or it means, since I'm also chatting with this group at the time, that I sneak out every few moments to write something in this space. Is this what they call multitasking? But I'm not really doing this simultaneously. Hmmm.

Had a bit of a rough week. Had a business deal implode three days too late, which means I also lost my previous job--which is the reason I came to MI in the first place. Oh to look for work. Ucky. (which by the way is one of my new favorites words). To be more specific, my wife and I gave a proposal, which the current business owners took to their advisors. They returned with only a few minor conditions to agree to. Now, I never thought the deal was "solid" but I did think it was about 90% good. We were on our way to writing a contract. Meanwhile, my old job boss needed to know whether I was staying or leaving, and after waiting to the last possible moment, I had to say leaving. Well, big surprise after going out on a limb, the branch snapped--the owners came back from drafting a contract with their advisors and suddenly wanted twice what they had agreed upon for an initial downpayment. Needless to say, that was not going to happen, out trust was broken, and my wife and I had to move on. Sadly, she too has just quit her job, but for reasons unrelated to this business deal gone bad. Oh well. Crap happens and all those cliches.

I should also add my wife came down with some intence flu action, and wary of getting sick myself, and desiring to care for her, caused me to cancel a trip downstae for a MI grotto meeting. How sad. So today, out of venegeance I officialy joined the MI grotto (which is about 250 miles away) by sending a $15 check to people I've never met. However, they are cavers, which means they are as crazy as I am. Besides, they actually reply to my emails so I give them big kudos for that simple reason! A POX on those who do not respond to emails! And while I'm at it--a POX on those who do not sumbit critiques! One is not a significant number of critiques for any memeber at any time! Then agin, the group continues to limp along as if we've shot ourselves in both feet. I see the brick walll ahead...

In other news, I'm about 20 pages away from finishing the first major revision of my fouth Elevator to the End of the World book entitled, "The Fall of Imagination".
It's Spring, though in northren MI it's always colder longer than other places. Still, I hiked across the Sleeping Bear Dune field to lake MI into a moderate wind. Quite nice, since I was dressed appropriately. Picked up tinfoil and a beer can along the way Got back and promptly ached as my activity level has been low these last few months. I should learn to type/write while hiking.

I apologize for typos--I don't feel like proofreading tonight. But I will insert a smiley here: :smt069

I've reveted to this: :smt064 as my favorite smiley. Ah, simple pleasures.