I wish I could say that I locked myself away with my laptop and notes and that my word count is up around 30K. Or even 20K.

I wish I could say that I neglected writing because I am trying to get into shape by running five miles a day, exercising, and finally landing a few jabs on one of the twenty-something black-belts I spar against.

I wish I could say I have been studying and practicing and that I am now smei-fluent in Italian and can play Canon in several octaves on the guitar.

But...

We just flew back from Boston (where we spent Christmas) on one of the worst (but not the worst) flights we've ever been on. The flight was long. And delayed, so the two hour wait in the crowded airport wasn't a happy precursor.

The trip was fine, and Mary relented and let me bring my laptop. It didn't snow, but there was plenty of snow on the ground, and it was cold. We had a most glorious Christmas and met some wonderful people, including my wife Mary's brother Bobby's wife's brother, who brought his guitar and taught me some stuff. I didn't bring my guitar, but there was one available to me.

Still busy catching up and winding down, but here are a few updates:

NOVEL: The only work I have done is some plotting and outlining and revising. So the word count isn't up much, but I do have some forward momentum building.

SHORT STORIES: Again, more scribbling and supposing and outlining. Good progress, despite little or no wordage.

TAEKWONDO: My brother-in-law Bobby has some exercise equipment, so I did workout, but didn't practice or spar, but with any luck, a color change on my Journalscape page will soon be in order.

GUITAR: I still can't hit a perfect F chord, but can sometimes hit a halfway decent one. I've learned some variations on some seventh chrods. And I'm working on the rhythm part of TEQUILA SUNRISE by the Eagles.

That's about it. I hope everyone had a happy healthy and wondrous CHRISTMAS HANUKKA KWANZZA HOLIDAY season.

And all the best for 2006!