After such a beautiful weekend, this dreary Monday is making it hard to be back at work. On Saturday, I took the laptop out to lunch at Mexican restaurant with sidewalk dining to enjoy sunshine, nachos and beer, but it was a working lunch, I got a new short scene written and part of a second. Then, after some tv and napping, I met up with friends for dinner and a concert. At Zot, I decided to eat only things that hop, so I had fried frog legs followed by kangaroo in green peppercorn sauce, washed down by a bottle of Victory Hop Devil (and a couple giant martinis). After dinner, we went to see Lily Allen, who was great and hopped, but all sang too briefly. Since she only has the two albums, I really expected to hear more from the first.

Then on Sunday, I decided to eat nothing but kid food all day. I made some waffles, then we did some shopping at the Italian Market, where I bought some cherry extract that I'm going to use in making lemon cupcakes with cherry icing for K's birthday. Once back, we whisked off to the Wissahickon, where I ate hot dogs and orange soda from the snack stand at Valley Green and then we went for an excellent hike, wherein we discovered that everybody on one side of the river kept to themselves and everybody on the other side was super friendly. And then we came home and had sloppy joes while catching up on old episodes of Kings.

I think the warmer weather is having a good effect on me. I actually came home from work and did some writing last night. And then a bit a more on the subway this morning. Now, if only both the weather and I can keep this up. Come on, Spring, let's make a deal!

Saturday was super productive for me. I finally renewed my driver's license which expired back in 2006 (easier than I expected!). I replaced my cell phone which I lost over a month ago (the new one's got a camera!). I opened a new checking account at a bank that's convenient to where I currently live and work as opposed to where I was ten years ago. And I got to work organizing my notes on an as yet untouched portion of my novel.

And then Sunday morning, K. and I went to the Italian Market to buy ingredients for our homemade chicken pot pies, figuring we'd get one more good hearty winter's meal in before Spring is officially upon us. And then I went off to play D&D and she to a baby shower where she was able to secure the final ingredient for the pot pies as the party favors where mini bottles of white wine.

On Saturday, K. and I got some awesome Mexican food at Taqueria Veracruzana (carnitas tacos for me and sweet pineapple and pork tacos for her), then did some shopping at the Italian Market. Then later I experimented with doing some writing while under the influence of a borrowed Xanax (thank you, Steve F.). It went pretty well. I definitely felt like I was judging myself less harshly and I'm inclined to say that I stayed focused much longer than I normally would. Further experimentation to follow.

Then yesterday, we went to a couple parties, the first one being a gaggle of drunken librarians taking over a local bar, 12 Steps Down, for a double birthday bash. And the second being a big old Oscar party complete with people in costume (not us), lots of groovy cheeses and samosas (which I devoured), and trivia contests (which my team totally won). The show itself was pretty good. Steve Martin and Tina Fey were awesome with that Scientology shtick and Ben Still was pretty funny with his Joachim Phoenix act.

Well, San Francisco's been fun so far (I'll write up a full report soon), but today it will likely take a nosedive as it's the first full day of nothing but sitting in the convention center. Still, I've brought the laptop along on the trip and have been working on the novel positively everywhere. On planes, at meetings, in restraurants and bars. Being away from my usual distractions definitely helps me focus.

But you didn't come here for that! You're here to vote!

Poll #1337800 Best of 2008: Round One, Match Three
This poll is closed.
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All

Which is your favorite?