(guest entry up at Koogle, in case you're not already checking there for updates)

Just got back from a lovely, if short, weekend at the new House of Nicole and Tino out in the woods. Looks much different with walls, flooring, and appliances than it did when I was last out there. We didn't get the network cable terminated, but we did hook up the MagicTV dish -- only to discover that their access card had been deactivated due to the length of inactivity on their account. They're getting a new one this week. I'm sure I'll be back out there soon enough, and I suspect that Tino won't terminate any network cable without me, as it just wouldn't be the same.

While out there, I finally read the copy of McSweeneys #4 that I bought so long ago. It's good. I recommend it. If you're in the DC metro, they have more -- inexplicably -- at Politics and Prose, a place I otherwise wouldn't plug out of disdain for its tweeness (which I guess isn't really a word, but it is now).

Nicole makes good vegematarian chili (which I'd had before), and Tino turns out to make a nice breakfast of eggs and home fries when he's suitably inspired (a surprise to us all). I've been plagued with heartburn all weekend, but the extent of the problem leads me to believe it's not the fault of the food up there but something else. It wouldn't be this persistent otherwise. Not that you care.

This afternoon Amanda called my cell phone to report that she'd been moved into an actual room (and out of the ICU) and that she was feeling much better. We talked for a while. She eventually asked, "did you come by Friday?" She thought she'd seen my jacket but wasn't sure. I recounted the David Gergen conversation, which she vaguely remembered as well, so now I know that she's good for the automatic jokes even when half asleep. Good to know.

I thought I had more to say, but it's gone now. Oh well.

link (22 oct)