Fond of rumpots, crackpots, and how are you, Mr. Wilson?

I'm sitting at a window seat at the Thirsty Mind coffeehouse across from the Mount Holyoke campus. This week I've been looking after the kids and Duncan the Grandmonkey in Easthampton while Kristi is away at a conference. I normally view these times with no small amount of dread, largely because of my kids' penchant for attempting to murder each other, but this time around hasn't been bad at all. Nik in particular has grown by leaps and bounds in terms of managing stress and his temper and setting boundaries, while Abbey has done her part by respecting the above. (And Duncan is Duncan which is to say OMIGOD TOO CUTE TO STAY MAD AT, even when his sleep patterns don't include his crib, but do include punting me in the ribs at five-minute intervals.) It also helps that I've had days at leisure to sip hot chocolate and hang out with Patrick Rothfuss in the sort of autumn that New England does so well.

When I'm not here, I'm generally hoarding my precious free time. My job is still unrepentantly beige-flavored, the commute still frustratingly long, and my evenings even more frustratingly short. I've been doing the whole self-prioritization deal and trying to remain creative, but by the time I get home and finish dinner my brain is down to the consistency of thin porridge most nights, and then off to bed early enough to survive the inevitable 5:30 a.m. alarm. At least this season of Dancing With the Stars is above average.

What else has been going on? rain_herself recently celebrated our five-year anniversary as a couple (just realized that we started a two-minute walk from where I am right now) by driving down to Providence to exploit the hell out of their restaurant selection. There were pre-dinner cocktails and roasted bone marrow and scallops that they threw in because they had a half-order left over, then we crossed the street to Chez Pascal for the pork special (italics mine) and paprika custard, which should not work as well as it did. We're seriously considering moving to Rhode Island when our lease is up in spring; will keep you posted.

Oh! And Murder Ballads has been named Musical Guests of Honor at this year's Philcon, which is exciting and humbling and also freaking us the fuck out because it's only three weeks away at this point. A bazillion thank-yous to collacentaur and hughcasey and Lynati-who I'd -totally-link-to-if-I-knew-her-LJ-handle! We're also doing a house concert that Sunday in the Philly area, for anyone who can't make the con. Details to follow.

Sadly, in my paucity of time I haven't been keeping up on the social mediases as fully as I'd like. What has everyone been up to?

Wait, didn't we just do this, like, last year? Today, please join me in wishing boy-child Nikolas a happy birthday!



Lad, I wish you the finest of years, the greatest of adventures and the finest of victories. I love you!