My dog ate my blog

So, yeah, I've been too busy for you lately. These are my reasons for neglecting you, my peoples:

-Job search: I've had some networking interviews that have led to some pretty sound advice. I'm on the verge of my third wave of resume submissions. As it happens, the biotech industry is in a bit of a squeeze lately, with plenty of jobs on the process end of things, but not a lot of movement in the basic research side. Post docs don't pay as well, but provide an opportunity to expand my skillset/resume. I'm thinking that something is going to happen soon.

-Computer death: I'm typing this in Safe Mode, which is the only way that my computer will currently start. This has put a bit of a damper on my job searching. I'm working on (1) installing updated drivers, (2)troubleshooting hardware, and, if all else fails, (3) attempting to reinstall Windows XP. In the meantime, we're looking for my next computer.

-Netflix: We finally got hooked on Netflix, so we've been on a nightly kick of watcing LOST season 3. It's pretty fun television, especially blowing through 3-4 episodes per night. Cheesy dialogue, X-Files-like push/pull of revelation and obfuscation, some decent acting (and some gloriously crappy acting), and the imminent threat of death hanging over the most annoying character. This season focuses more on the Others' leader, Ben, and a new love-to-hate, convincingly scary female character, Juliette. Yay, LOST!

-Post-convention burnout: I watched both political conventions and then got into big internet fights on the Religion, Sex, Politics forum at Boardgamegeek. So all of my brilliant commentary went there instead of here. Then I realized that the more I posted, the more invested I became, and I started spending a lot more time thinking about these silly things than anyone really has a right to. It's not like anyone's mind is going to change, or anyone actually wins. So I banned myself from posting for a week, and regained some perspective. IT'S OK if McCain/Palin wins. What difference will it make? Palin is going to come back at the top of the ticket in 2012, perhaps with Bobby Jindal. Then, we will simply declare GAME OVER, and move out of the country.

Spending more time with Jill and Elaine: Jill's had some recent bad news about her blood markers. There's been an upward trend, after a long, steady decrease into the "undetectable" range. This, combined with some abdominal pain, has had us a bit more worried of late. Plus, she's had a cold, and then bronchitis, so she has had difficulty recovering from the chemo cycles. This means a longer period of time where I essentially get no help from her on the Elaine front. I think that, lately, Jill's illness has been hitting me a little harder. Obviously, she's one of the two most important people in my life, and I can't imagine not having her with me, but also...I really want Elaine to grow up with her mother around, and vice versa. (For those of you who are way out of town, I really wish you could meet Elaine right now, at this point in her life. She's just the best little kid. She's funny, strong, and affectionate, and you can see her imagination really going to work now. Come visit!) Anyways, when Jill is feeling better, like over the past few days, I tend to spend a lot more time with her when Elaine is sleeping.

The lesson, as always, is don't hate a playa. Hate the game. I miss you, too.