I have a few minutes before we have to leave to set up for today's workshop, and it's not long enough to do any of the work related things I need to do today, so I thought I'd ramble a bit.

First, I feel much better this week. I actually got things done last weekend (taxes ...check!, typed new story ...check!, finished present for Meeshla's twins ...check!) and I've even already done my Pboz reading for the week, so I don't feel like so much is hanging over my head. The absolutely glorious spring day that arrived in New York yesterday didn't hurt either, even if we've gone back to cloudy fifties today. I took an extra long route back from lunch yesterday, and ambled along with my fellow pedestrians all of us dazed from the sunshine, and the scent of blooming plants. Last Friday, the Super Temp was complaining that it "didn't smell like Spring ...even in the city Spring has a smell." Yesterday, I finally understood what she meant.

I haven't said much about the Cardinals because of my capacity to jinx these things (and also: second week of the season), but I think it's okay because they lost to the Giants last night. I don't know how long the pitching staff can continue to pitch over their heads as they have been doing, particularly given the number of innings the bullpen has been putting in, but I am certainly going to enjoy it while it lasts. Also, I can't believe Rick Ankiel sat unclaimed in my fantasy league for an entire week before I scooped him up; currently he is largely responsible for my sudden rise in offensive points (to Chuckles: told you I wouldn't stay in last). Of course at this point he's also largely responsible for most of the Cardinals offense as well, though Albert appears to be coming around. Anyway, given how painful I thought this season could be, it's nice to at least start on a positive.

Bought the new R.E.M. album last night, and I'm really enjoying it. My one criticism is that so many of the tracks are so short (under three minutes) that the ending feels a little jarring -- some of the songs could have benefited from a longer bridge, or maybe just an extra time through the chorus. Still, I'm going to have the chorus to "Horse to Water" stuck in my head all weekend -- which is certainly more pleasant than getting Rickrolled.