I am, as I said, going to Singapore to keynote a conference. Women from around the world, as I understand it, speaking to the young women of Singapore. Way cool. Apparently there's also a fancy gala dinner to kick things off, black tie and ball gowns and the President of the Republic as honored guest. Like as though I had a ball gown. But I do have a superb silk jacket and velvet pants, so I think I'll manage. I've never been to Singapore, am very excited, though why they chose me among all these hotshot women to do the keynote I'll never know. But I'm giving it my all.

Three days after I get back, I'm heading down to Florida for Sleuthfest. Panels, a talk, a workshop, birdwatching, sitting in the sun, and a chance to shake off the jetlag.

Shaking off the jetlag is necessary, because nine days after I get back from there I'll be heading to Shanghai, to the Shanghai Literary Festival. More panels, a workshop, and a lunch-time conversation with Colin Cotterill which should be wild enough to satisfy anyone. And my buddy Qiu Xiaolong will be there. He's from Shanghai and has offered to show me around! Can't wait. That the trips to Singapore and Shanghai are so close together is not great planning, but the events are when they are. Better than not going, right? As a friend said, besides the experiences of being at all three of these events, I'll get an understanding of a new-to-me phenomenon: I'll learn what all those ex-pat execs feel, flying back and forth across the Pacific all the time.

In any case, by late March I'll be back, likely a complete wreck, but likely it'll have been worth it. I'm leaving Saturday afternoon, turning things here over to the catsitter, so if I can manage it in the morning I'll have the week's haiku done before I go. Otherwise it'll be coming to you from the clouds. Now, to pack...