The only downside to not working today is that it feels like Sunday…I was surprised to see a new MMP, and have to keep reminding myself that it’s actually Monday. 
I considered both going to the grocery store and catching up on some work this morning, but by the time I got out of the shower I’d rejected both notions. Even though it’s a beautiful day – sunny and only 71°F at 10:36am – I just got a delivery from Safeway (via Instacart), and I decided that I really want one more full day off: so, I’ll beg out of tomorrow’s 9am-12pm Great Big Formal Technical Review final prep meeting in order to do day-job stuff. I don’t think they actually need me at this point, and I could definitely use the time because I’ll be at Navy Yard – at the Great Big Formal Technical Review event itself – the rest of the week (with no laptop, and only intermittent email [via work phone] access). I think my boss will agree to let me skip the final prep. 
In Lego news, I built most of the Crocodile Locomotive yesterday and am looking forward to finishing it this afternoon. This morning I saw an announcement for a new set that I’m excited about: a bookstore book nook!! I love the book nooks, and have all four of the existing ones: two Harry Potter, a Sherlock Holmes, and the Balrog (from Lord of the Rings). And, of course, I love bookstores. It will be released on 10/01, but sadly is not available for pre-order. 
I put a reminder on my calendar. I’m not sure whether I’m more excited about this or Wallace & Gromit, which will also be released on 10/01 and was another no-brainer (but that one can be – and already has been – pre-ordered).
Yesterday I also got a fair amount of reading done: I finished book #2 in David Baldacci’s “6:20 Man” series (The Edge), and started book #3 (To Die For). Book #4 releases in November, and another title I’m looking forward to releases in October (#21 in Louise Penny’s “Chief Inspector Gamache” series, Miss Wolcott’s Ghost): fall will be great for spending quality time on the main floor sofa (my “reading couch”)! Anyway, I’m also hoping to do more reading today.
My only other plans for the day involve doing laundry. I had “change the furnace filter” on the list for this weekend, and was able to check that off yesterday! It was my second time changing it since I moved in: the previous tenants left a few 15" x 25" x 1" filters downstairs, but they seem a little small. 16" x 25" x 1" is way more common, and I can’t imagine them not getting/using those if they fit, so later on I’ll bring a ruler or tape measurer down there and confirm the size of the filter opening.
Heh. 
My commute involves I-495, but I rarely take the express lanes to get home from work; they’re hardly ever worth the toll. That said, just last week I realized that I’ll want to start deliberately avoiding them after Thanksgiving: using them literally takes me to the mall (Tysons Corner Center), and that traffic will get bad. I’ve seen some ridiculous backups during previous holiday seasons. I do tend to use the express lanes in the mornings, but that should stay OK because I leave for work before the mall opens.
Ugh.
“Minor”? You have some super-reasonable relatives! On either side of my clan, not being invited to a family wedding could definitely result in WWIII.
Wow…yeah, way to blow one of your first chances to make a positive impression on a candidate. 
(Written as a hiring manager who drafts job openings and reviews them after they’re posted.)