Bonne année à tous!

I've only been back in Chicago for 36 hours and we're already about to leave for the wilds of northern Wisconsin. It's a relatively balmy 35 degrees or so here in the city, but my blood has thinned out considerably after spending two and a half weeks in L.A., so I'm a little worried about my capacity to withstand a weekend in the north woods of the Midwest.

Thank goodness for the hot tub that awaits us up there. I've become accustomed to nightly soaks, so yesterday was rough without one. Of course, once school starts next Tuesday, my soaks will have to be replaced with nightly reading sessions of dense French literature. Wow, I can't wait for the new quarter to begin...

p.s. Many pictures of good times in the city of angels coming soon...

M.I.A.

No, I didn't fall off a cliff or something. Thanks for your concern. Nice of you to call and check on me.

My computer did, however, suffer a massive breakdown and needs to be sent away for a few weeks to the Dell factory for some rehab. I have commandeered my brother's laptop for the moment so as to post this message.

My camera isn't broken though, so I've been taking (as opposed to acting as the subject of) many pictures. And I've been enjoying 75-degree days in sunny southern California. So I can't complain.

Once my poor Inspiron returns from its little obligatory vacation, however, I will return to posting as usual. Stay tuned...

Hey Jultomten

I know, I know. I haven't posted in quite a while, but give me a break. I'm in finals period here.

Despite my ungodly work load, I've been managing to show my face outside every so often (or perhaps, inside, at a poker table.) When I do venture outside, I come across such entertaining fellows as the Santa posted above and the reindeer below.



Rudy here is a Swedish reindeer, of course, displayed in the window of our local Swedish museum. Here in Andersonville, this weekend was Julmarknad, a traditional Swedish Christmas festival. I'm not sure much was going on besides a few stores advertising 10% off some crusty ornaments and perhaps some heavy glogg drinking, but how would I know? I was working all weekend.

p.s. Here's a clue to help you get the title of this post. Jultomten means "Santa" in Swedish.