In conclusion? Smooth, easy-to-use app that satisfies a need I didn’t even know I had (up-to-date news on a few specific subjects from a wide variety of sources).

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I don’t know if the over- part is true, but I certainly do feel like I’m constantly analyzing things, thinking about how things work, how people work, how interactions work and don’t work, how essential timing in the kitchen is and planning ahead is and making lists is. Okay, maybe I do overanalyze. But I like doing it, and I think I do save myself some time and effort, and at every traffic light on the way to work I always know the order of the lights so I’m never surprised when it’s my turn to go. And I can almost always tell Frans where his missing keys or wallet are.

Anyway (I promise, I’m going somewhere with this), I just started taking a course in the library science program with my staff tuition waiver. The course is called Systems Analysis for Information Management, and while the focus is on digital libraries, it also looks like we’re going to get a good introduction to systems analysis in general. I read the first two chapters of Systems Analysis for Librarians and Information Professionals, and got so excited by the introduction to systems analysis that I texted my dad, “I’m reading about systems analysis! And I like it!” His reply wasn’t quite so enthusiastic.

Maybe my dad is a little older and wiser than me. Or maybe I’ve just found my calling in life.

After the running, and a small recovery nap, getting my mother-in-law packed up and off to the airport (we’ll see her again next week), and doing enough house cleaning to not feel too guilty about not doing any more, I made some tea and pulled out my DVDs. I hadn’t watched a movie, other than the Star Trek and documentaries Frans is constantly turning on for background noise, in weeks. Maybe months. I rarely have the patience to sit through an entire movie at once, let alone two in a row. But yesterday afternoon and evening, I watched FOUR MOVIES IN A ROW. A Good Year, then Girl with a Pearl Earring, then A Good Woman, then Love Actually. All of them reasonably cheesy and romantic, but all enjoyable in their own way.

And now, movie binge out of the way, I can get on with other things. Like the TWO WEEKS OF VACATION stretching out in front of me. Oooh boy.

It’s official: we sold the motorcycle this morning and are now full-on Bike Hippies. Frans and I have always (at least all three years we’ve known each other) been pretty serious about doing most of our travel around town by bicycle, but there was a moped towards the beginning, and we bought a motorcycle about two years ago. Now with full-time jobs and more regular schedules, though, we’ve been just letting the motorcycle sit – to the point where the battery was dying – so we decided to sell it and go all-out biker cool.

For me there are three lines of reasoning behind wanting to ride bikes instead of having a motorcycle or car. First, it’s a lot healthier. Second, I don’t want to participate in the crazy American car culture if I don’t have to. Third, bikes are definitely the cheapest way to go.

None of this would work if we didn’t live in a place where our jobs, stores, our friends, and the beach are all under 30 minutes away (often closer to 10). And yeah, it helps that the weather is nice pretty much year-round. Still, I’m proud that we made this decision and I’m happy we both agree that this is a good lifestyle for us right now.

(*Technically Fran’s hat. And not really a director hat. But I’m not going to let mere technicalities slow me down today.)

Some thinking today: three things (at least) make me feel really good. One is interesting conversations with interesting people. I’ve certainly had my fill of these the last few days, plus two good talks that were part of Open Access week here at UH. Two, running. Yesterday I ran what Frans and I call the “golf course” route, and it was lovely, and I listened to podcasts the whole way. Three . . . what was three? I had these all figured out while I was riding my bike home . . . oh! Three is getting lots of sleep! Plentiful sleep makes me CRAZY AND HAPPY!!

Which brings me to thinking back on the insane tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the day after Christmas 2004. I didn’t hear about that one until a few days later, having spent Christmas with some friends in Kenting, the southernmost point in Taiwan, a small town near the beach, the exact sort of place that would be completely washed out and made helpless by a tsunami, had it happened over there.

A few other things, less morbid but also less important. I was talking to a co-worker the other day about having had the job for two months now, and what progress I’ve made (and not made). As we talked it struck me that one place I’d made progress was in understanding the QUESTIONS we’re facing in this whole video-digitization process. I may not have the answers yet – heck, the answers might not even be out there – but I do feel happy with the progress I’ve made in understanding some of the central questions that need to be asked.

Even less important, but certainly very pleasant: Frans and I just acquired a pair of Edirol monitor speakers to replace our awful old computer speakers that we were using for music and movies. They are incredible. Since I got home from work today I’ve had them going, playing all sorts of music and thoroughly enjoying the clear sound. It makes SUCH a difference. We should have gotten these years ago.

Blueberries from Pike Place Market in Seattle a few weeks ago. Yum.

I am very interested in the launch of Belletrista, a journal of literature by women from around the world. Must read. Also want to donate and get that cool tote bag.

Have started compiling photos of our Cooking Adventures – mainly to print out and paste into a new blank book we got from a friend, but an online component might be fun too. Tonight Frans grilled whole sardines (!) and showed me how to pull out the spines and eat the rest.

Guitar is excellent. I am learning cool songs and playing them very badly but enjoying the whole process.

Adele. I cannot stop listening to her album. To the point where my obsessive dedication to Bregovic is suffering.