My grandfather passed away two weeks ago.  A funeral and general revelry.  I will miss him, though in the end it was a passing that one can call a ‘good thing’.  I’ve successfully alienated my latest ex-girlfriend, though my personal opinion is that that the Great Cosmological Scoreboard is probably about even.  So it goes.

In more interesting news, I’ve decided to write a serial.  The first installment will appear tomorrow in this very place.  It will serve two purposes: Get me back into writing and take up my excessive free time.

The move is drawing to it’s inevitable conclusion, with both moments of triumph (I unpacked the kitchen and my office) and defeat(I haven’t unpacked much else, and I don’t have a washer).  But all said, a fine move.  My roommate is Otis, who pays his rent in kisses and nuzzles; my house is situated in a nice quiet part of Riverside*.&nbsp Such as it is, I am lord over my domain; and it is good.  Haven’t had too much of a chance to hang out, the burden of a move and associated costs plus a new project at work has kept me homebound and dull.  Though, I expect payday to bring an atypical amount of mischief with it.  I hope to wipe out the last of the moving/purchasing that the new digs have required (did I mention I needed a washer?) this weekend.  The folks have offered to send a little cash my way, which has been nice of them.  Moving seems to get more expensive everytime I do it.

I’ve rediscoved the joys of pipe smoking again, something that I’ve been off-again on-again with for some years (though it has remained something of “trademark", if you will).  I do forget how relaxing and enjoyable of a pursuit it is.  I had quit the last time because of headaches caused by clenching the pipe to hard with my teeth; but there really is nothing more satisfying then to sit at the computer writing, reading, or whatever while puffing merrily away at a pipe.  It has all the qualities of a Chris Brodt hobby/infatuation:

• It is something an old man would do
• It requires study, practice, patience and effort; wheras, it’s modern replacement requires a fraction of or none at all (look up double-edged safety razors for another example)
• I could fill at least 15 minutes expositing the finer points and vaguries of it over it’s ‘modern’ competitors

Which I guess seems strange for someone who is in the business of technology and such.  Well, if contradictions are a measure of character then I come through in spades.  But now to more pressing topics: a trip back to the motherland.  I’m thinking the 31st through the 4th or 5th.  I was thinking maybe a little sooner, but one of my team leads will be on vaction for the next two weeks so I figured the timing wouldn’t be that great.  I expect each and every one of you (and you know who you are) to drop any plans you have for that time and spend it with me.  I promise you won’t regret it

*Otis is a dog, in case you were wondering