I got a (small-ish) bonus at work for taking a month-long assignment in Singapore. So not only did I have all expenses paid for a month (and I mean all expenses, including touristy junk on the weekends), I also got a little extra money when I got back. Nice!
I just got back from a guys’ mountain bike trip in Crested Butte. I consider it good news that I can do that, at 57 years old.
On another front, occasionally when someone mentions their god, I say “Haven’t you heard? The good news! [pause] There is no god!”
Even better.
Found out that My Beloved and I are going to save hundreds of dollars by house-sitting for friends instead of paying for a hotel room when we go to Spocon in the middle of August. Also, sis-in-law will be going on vacation that week and is letting us borrow her Rav4, saving us time and Amtrak ticket costs.
Did I tell you The Oldest Nephew has been accepted for a year abroad? It’s not very abroad, just across the border in SW France, he’ll be coming home many weekends, but the mental distance is still going to be huge. The trip is part of a scheme started by La Salle, where schools which have a boarding area are reviving it through these exchange programs. The Oldest Nephew will be in, let me count, 8th grade; under Spain’s current educational system that is not an end-of-stage year, which is important because very often grades during the year abroad get lower. And small wonder; I mean, think of being dumped into an immersion class in Math, or in the History of a country that’s not your own, when you were in 8th grade! Even if the language is one you’ve been studying for years, it’s still going to take some girding of loins to get through that.
Him and his sister, The Niece, are in a summer camp right now and having a great time. I attended the same camp back in mchsmchssomething, but it wasn’t so long ago that we had dinosaurs roaming around, only the occasional cow. Calves apparently think that camping tents are really interesting, one kept trying to get into the tent my cousin shared with three other kids.
And The Youngest Nephew and his parents have just come back from a trip to TYN’s native Bulgaria. He was very happy to see his Bulgarian grandmother (the foster mother always made it clear that she wasn’t his Mom, she was his Grandma) and aunts, and I think my brother was also very happy that the months they’ve been studying Bulgarian came in handy (“they” means TYN and Bro; SiL can’t attend the classes because they’re on a day when she always has to work). Bulgarian happens to be useful for Bro’s job, as it’s one of the locations where his company has a subsidiary.
Aaaand I’m wrapping up the current project, and apparently everybody here is very happy with my work, which is good, and I’m also interviewing lots. No idea where I’ll be next. Project-based work is always something of an adventure, but with better bedding and food than Jules Verne’s books!
The link to the flower girl story** Ivylass** mentioned was taking a nap, so here’s another one. All together now: awwwwwww!
My pups had a fantastic doggie vacation the last two nights at a new pet hotel. They had fun and were totally shielded from the war zone atmosphere of our neighborhood the last two nights. Worth the cost, since we were able to do down to the Bay Area yesterday and spend the day with family without worrying about them at home.
Also, Suburban Plankton is getting a really good raise this year.
Younger son just found out he did well enough on his two AP tests to get credit. All together that’s 4 classes he won’t have to take in college. He’s starting in the Writing for Film/TV/Emerging Media program at Ithaca College this fall. Older son got his wisdom teeth out on Tuesday, and he says he’ll be ready for a solid meal this evening (Taco Bell).
Last Friday a guy knocked on my door as I was making dinner. Long story short: after just a little haggling, he gave me what I wanted for my old Blazer. I hadn’t used it in almost a decade, wasn’t really trying to sell it at the moment, and I ended up getting all the money I put into it back and then some. Not bad for answering the door (dinner wasn’t ruined, either!), eh.
Well, I was off for a week and half. I decided not to travel because I’m supposedly saving money for a trip to the Mediterranean in a year or so and also already blew a wad on my Vegas trip over spring break, but then I turned around and bought a 65 inch ultra high definition smart TV instead. Oops! LOL
We have a (secret) office kitten today. He traveled here in the engine compartment of one of my co-workers cars, and came out unscathed (if a little smudgy). He is obligingly quiet and cuddly as we keep him out of sight of the more rule-abiding folks.
Dung Beetle, seriously, you know the rule!
I know, and I did take a picture but I can’t post it because my co-worker’s big ol’ face got in it. Trust me, this is a very cute cat! 
Aha, I figured it out: 20180705_144302 | Secret office kitten! | vamdpa42 | Flickr
How’s that?
Who gets to take Turbo home?
Can’t see your coworker’s big old face at all!
How big is it? Like circus sideshow freaksngeeks big or just a bit larger than normal?
The same person who accidentally brought him here. That’s a perfect name, though!
Oh my gosh, it’s absolutely massive. Gets in my way all the time.
If you all call her “Big Head X” (where “X” is her first name), don’t let her find out. It might hurt her feelinings (I’m somewhat of an empath).
But, cool cat!
The good news tonight is that after the storms roll through, the temperature and humidity are predicted to drop to reasonable levels. Enjoy!
Lucky you. We have to wait 'til tomorrow afternoon.