Stolen from the Diamond Geezer, but could have been written word-for-word by me:

And as for books, I'm the sort of person who has to ensure that books still look like new even when I've finished reading them. I'd never break the spine of a book or fold it back on itself just to keep my place. And when I'm out buying books I never ever take the top one off the pile, oh no. Some paperback-sadist has probably been hanging round the shop reading that one, someone with grubby fingers who's indented the cover with thumb-sized folds. I have to take the copy behind the front one, or maybe the one behind that, just to make sure it looks good-as-new so I can keep it that way.

4/30/2003 05:08:00 PM

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My sweetie darling Nicky invited me to her home last week for dinner, and as a last opportunity to see her family (and Harry). The day was warm so we got to sit outside while the salmon was grilling. It was a lovely meal & it was nice to chat with someone who understands my reasons for making this pretty dramatic leap across the pond. And, rare though it is, I have to say Nicky's daughter Ciara was a doll.

4/30/2003 02:37:00 AM

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I was pleased to read that, starting this summer, portions of the Queen Mother's former home, Clarence House, will be open to the public.

Good timing!
4/30/2003 02:22:00 AM

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I had a great weekend. Friday after work I met up with Steve F. and our friends we used to bowl with, Patti and Nancy. They treated me to a dinner-cruise on The Dandy, which travelled from Old Town up to Georgetown past the monuments and back. The meal was excellent and it was great to catch up (and say goodbye).

The weather was nice both days Saturday & Sunday. Dad and I had errands to run Saturday (including a trip to the post office). Sunday Linda T. and Vivien R., who I worked with at the Bank five years ago, drove down here for Sunday brunch at a charming restaurant in historic Occoquan, on the river.

Yesterday Apple had several important announcements regarding their new music service, new iPods, and a new version of iTunes. I think I'll part with a small portion of the eBay proceeds to spring for one of the new iPods when they're released on Friday.
4/30/2003 02:20:00 AM

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I missed work today, but spent the day tying up the last of the eBay auctions. As much as the extra ca$h is welcome, it's been a bit of a chore managing the listings, sending and receiving email, and packing and sending off packages. I found a great Auction Management program that allowed a trial period, but I wound up purchasing it as it saved me countless hours of headache.

Since I got back from Oklahoma, I've sold about 210 items, and have another 100 currently online. The last items have been posted tonight.
4/30/2003 02:11:00 AM

Friday, April 25, 2003
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Stories about abused or abandoned animals upset me, so I usually just avoid them. But since this one has a happy ending, go and read about how Dosha the dog was run over, shot, frozen... and survived.

4/25/2003 02:58:00 PM

Thursday, April 24, 2003
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We've had some sunny, if cool, weather here during the past week which has made it very nice to get out and about during the lunch ~~hour~~ 30 minutes. This morning as I was waiting the four and a half minutes for a laptop to reboot, I gazed out the window and saw a handsome couple strolling down the sidewalk, hand in hand.

I wonder what that's like.
4/24/2003 06:47:00 PM

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Last week, while having dinner at KFC with my father, he brought up an entry I'd made in my blog a few months ago. He asked what course of action I had decided on after being diagnosed with depression in 2001. I told him that the type of depression I'd been diagnosed with -- situational depression -- was a very mild form and that though I have had good and bad days, that I had decided for now against medication and hoped to look into it, if necessary, after the move. Even recently some days have been bad. I have the feeling though that most, if not all, will clear itself up after June, but we shall see.... I'm not averse to looking into it again if necessary.
4/24/2003 06:46:00 PM

Tuesday, April 22, 2003
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You may recall awhile ago I mentioned the only good thing about working at C S B was the amazing, ergonomic chairs they have. They didn't buy desks or computer tables to match, but at least your ass is comfortably supported. I finally found a picture of the Aeron chairs:

4/22/2003 07:55:00 PM

Friday, April 18, 2003
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I shouldn't find this funny, but I do:

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- People who joined the cult-like following of Iraq's wartime spokesman Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf can now buy a talking doll and hear him say things like "our initial assessment is that they will all die" as often as they want.
The Connecticut company Herobuilders.com built the doll (which sells for $35.95) and also sells others that make fun of Iraq war allies President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The company made the "Iraqi Dis-information Minister Action Figure Doll" of the former Iraq Information Minister al-Sahaf, who disappeared from Baghdad after the invasion of U.S. troops whose presence he had bizarrely denied. The doll says,
"There are no Americans infidels in Baghdad, never."
"Our initial assessment is that they will all die."
"I am not scared and neither should you be."
"They're not even within 100 miles of Baghdad."

4/18/2003 06:30:00 PM

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I felt better today than I have in weeks. My vice president visited us this morning & spoke to my government supervisor, so now everyone knows I'm on my way outta here. Plus, I'll get to stay until May 16 as I'd wanted. For some reason, that's a larger sense of relief than I thought I might have.

I also got a check in the mail today from my apartment complex. They only took out about 10% of my security deposit for "damages," so that's a nice bit of cash I'll have to take with me next month. I really wasn't expecting to get anything back, as the carpets really were quite dirty, even after I'd hired the cleaners.

I'm also looking forward to Chinese w/my sweetie darling friend Nicky tomorrow, so that's 3 for 3.
4/18/2003 04:21:00 AM

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Drool.

4/18/2003 04:16:00 AM

Wednesday, April 16, 2003
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Another step closer....

Dear Chris,
It is with regret that I must tender my formal resignation, as I will be relocating out of the area next month. Unless you or the company deems otherwise, I intend my last day of employment with RS Information Systems, Inc. to be May 16, 2003. My decision to leave not only the company but the Washington area came only after careful consideration.
I wish to express my appreciation for you as a manager as well as to RSIS for the experiences and skills I have obtained during my employment. Please let me know if I can be of special assistance in "delighting our customer" during the transition of my responsibilities.
Yours Sincerely,
Timothy G

4/16/2003 04:48:00 PM

Monday, April 14, 2003
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(I'll have to ask someone to remind me of this post a few months from now, when I'm complaining about the shouting, odd routines and general daftness.)

It only struck me yesterday that I'm really lucky to have the opportunity to live with my Gran for awhile. All my other grandparents passed away when I was relatively young, and I didn't get to spend any quality time with them, that I can recall. Thankfully, even at 93 my Gran has all her faculties, is well read, and has an amazing long-term memory. I was astounded when, during my visit last February, she stood up and recited a poem she'd learned in school at 16.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to chat with her and learn more about her and the family.
4/14/2003 06:21:00 PM

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Finally, and for a change, the weather has turned nicer, and on the weekend. I was up early yesterday to go with Dad to help the Boivins move some of their clothes, breakables and smaller items from their town house into their new house, 1.8 mi. away. It was a full day but a great chance to chat and catch up with Cathie & Beth. We went out to eat for Chinese afterwards.

I've spent most of the day today on taxes and paperwork. For some reason, I had thought Easter is two weeks away, but it's next weekend, which means I only have four weekends before my move. I would like to have more time but I'm sure it will all come together in the end.

Mom has given me almost daily reports on how well the cats are doing. So far so good, but no tremendous interest expressed by them to do anything except eat, sleep (mainly under the bed), and have a look out the window every once in awhile.
4/14/2003 01:57:00 AM

Friday, April 11, 2003
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I forgot to post last week that while I was on vacation I made my last Student Loan payment! That's $135.91 I no longer have to send off to Minnesota each month. Seems like I've been paying it off forever, but it's really only been nine years or so, and only seventeen years since I started the fall semester of my first year at college.
4/11/2003 02:55:00 PM

Thursday, April 10, 2003
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Bite me

My commute from Woodbridge, whether I arrive by bus or with my ex-boss from D A R P A, drops me into DC at a few minutes after eight in the morning. As my normal work hours up until now had been 9:30-5:30 I asked the other RSIS employee here whether I could change them to 8:30 to 4:30; that would get me home at a more decent hour and since most of the government employees leave between 3:30 and 4, I wouldn't be missing many help desk calls. Jay agreed but indicated I should probably talk to our government supervisor to let him know. Tuesday wasn't a good day as the guy blew up the Exchange server, so I waited until yesterday.

Well, he said no, my hours are 9:30-5:30 and that's it. I told him that doesn't really work for me, as it means I'd have to sit here for an hour and a half before my day "officially" starts, and that "I might have to look at some alternative." I didn't say what, but I know he knew what I meant & it's laying the groundwork for my eventual departure. Thanks for the excuse.

So, for the next few weeks, I really will be sitting in a cafe or somewhere, reading the paper for 90 minutes, before stepping foot in CSB at 9:29 a.m.and not a minute sooner.
4/10/2003 07:59:00 PM

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Steve F. and I went to see Mozart's Don Giovanni at D.A.R. Constitution Hall last night. (The Washington Opera's normal venue, at the Kennedy Center, is currently undergoing renovations). We both enjoyed the performance, and agreed with the Washington Post critic that the performers, with one exception, were very strong. The set design was novel, as there was no curtain and the orchestra was seated behind the stage. Unfortunately, though, the surtitles on either side of the stage were blocked by hanging speakers. I had forgotten, too, how hard it is to sit still under very cramped conditions.
4/10/2003 07:52:00 PM

Wednesday, April 09, 2003
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I had a "bad" day at work today, so it seems only appropriate that I've moved forward on the following:

Departure: Washington (IAD) to London (LHR) Flight VS022 Depart 19:00 Sun., 18 May, 2003 Arrive 07:05 Mon., 19 May, 2003 Cabin Economy Fare Type lowest Booking Class Q Return (HA!) London (LHR) to Washington (IAD) Flight VS021 Depart 11:30 Tue., 17 Jun, 2003 Arrive 14:40 Tue., 17 Jun, 2003 Cabin Economy Fare Type lowest Booking Class X First adult passenger: Timothy G Flying Club account: 00612288408 Seat preference: Aisle Meal preference: None

4/09/2003 09:18:00 PM

Tuesday, April 08, 2003
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The magic number is now

28

It's the number of times I'll have to get up and show my face at work in the U.S.
4/08/2003 03:22:00 AM

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I have an appointment with a member of Defense Investigative Service tomorrow morning at 9, to discuss my Irish citizenship. I assume they have a problem with my having a U.S. security clearance now, which is no big deal in the short term as I don't need one for my current position at C S B. My corporate supervisor has told me to charge the time to overhead, so I'm not going to break my neck getting back to the office.
4/08/2003 03:21:00 AM

Monday, April 07, 2003
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Imagine the worst kind of weather to be out in while waiting for a bus: driving rain and sleet, temperatures near freezing, and gusts of 30mph.

That's the weather I was in this morning at 7:20, waiting for the commuter bus. I don't remember the last time I was up at 7:20, let alone an hour earlier as I had to be this morning. Ugh. I am so very much not awake.

The good news is that the bus was on time & not crowded, and made it downtown in about 55 minutes. We'll see how the evening's commute goes.
4/07/2003 01:57:00 PM

Sunday, April 06, 2003
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This post used to contain some photos of the kittens taken while in OK.
4/06/2003 05:50:00 AM

Thursday, April 03, 2003
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I realized yesterday that I'm going to lose two hours this weekend, with the flight & the Time Change. Bummer.
4/03/2003 04:54:00 AM

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Following on to my last post on forgetfulness, I forgot to tell you that I forgot to throw my suitcase into the car when my mom picked me up at Will Rogers World Airport. I had been sitting on the curb for about half an hour, poking fingers into the pet carrier to see if I could stir a reaction from my stunned felines, waiting for Mom to find her car and pick me up. Several people working or also waiting stopped by to ask about them, as the carrier had LIVE ANIMALS in large, fluorescent letters pasted on three sides. When mom arrived, I put the carrier into the back of her minivan & away we went. It wasn't until after dinner, when I wanted to retrieve the cat's dishes from my suitcase, that I realized what I'd done. A quick call to the airport confirmed they'd found my suitcase & after a thorough examination, it was in the able hands of airport police. John kindly drove me back out to the airport to pick it up.
4/03/2003 04:54:00 AM