I had to skip Otakon this weekend because of family and work pressures.

Mostly family pressures.

At work they asked me to work till right before Shabbos and lock up behind me. It's the first time I've been trusted with the keys, and it's surprising too, since my job there is almost done. Maybe it means they're going to ask me for more work? Not something I wanted to turn down.

Meanwhile, my middle brother and his family came in from Israel a few weeks ago, and my nephew Aryeh (my sister's second son) flew in this week. So a big family Shabbos dinner was planned for this weekend, and of course, I was the last to be told. It would be my only chance to see my middle brother between now and September.

So I chose family over fun.

It's funny... Now that I'm working with computers and the internet most of the day, I don't have much desire to check email, go on AIM, check Facebook and myspace and Gaia, and all the other internet hangouts where my virtual and sometimes real friends are located. I feel like I'm cutting my self off from everybody.


I wonder if any of them have noticed...

Yesterday, I did in-store inventory at a computer shop while dodging customers and dust.

Today, I repiped a cast iron bathroom sink, mowed the lawn, and disposed of a dead cat.

It really makes me appreciate the computer store work.

Oddly enough, I got nearly as dirty working in the shop. Time for a long shower.

For no good reason, the guy I'm doing office work for while I'm recovering just got a third computer.

I think I'm going to move it right by this computer and work on one, and go online on the other. No more slowdown.