Jean did not have a computer for nearly two months, but finally we are back to normal. I bought a new eMachine last weekend and gave her my computer, so both of us are up and running as well as online. It is hard to imagine that when we got married 26 years ago computers were so simple they were basically fancy word processors. Nor were there such things as the Internet, World Wide Web, or IM. There were also no cds–I was still buying tapes and records–VCRs, DVDs or cell phones. It certainly seems that the world has advanced technologically more in the past quarter-century than it did in the entire century previous. And, with the possible exception of people walking around with cell phones glued to their ears 24 hours a day, it has definitely been an improvement.

I had another day off this week, so I have been able to keep up with my school work fairly easily. This has been a rather stress-free school year so far, especially compared to last year when AP Statistics occupied nearly all my waking time, and my classes were considerably more stressful overall than they have been this year (so far; fingers crossed!).

Yesterday Borders began a week of discounts for teachers, so I could not resist buying a book even though I am way over my self-imposed annual book-buying limit. I have been eying Travelers Tales Books for over a year, which are collections of essays devoted to specific regions of the world. I decided to buy the most intriguing one, Italy. I have gotten 24 new books already this year, with at least 4 more books coming. Considering that I read 15-20 books per year, not only am I not cutting into my list of unread books (which is currently 101 books), but the list is growing larger. *sigh*


Currently reading: This past week I read a light, science fiction mystery The Palace of Love, by Jack Vance, one of his Demon Princes novels. That is pleasant stuff to read during school when I do not have the time for more serious reading.

Current listening: The Very Best of Jackson Browne, two disks containing the finest songs by an outstanding singer-songwriter who has become vastly underrated in recent years. This is highly-recommended.