Sheesh

Yes, I'm alive. A few observations out of the blue (or, as this day would have it, the very crappy gray):

1. Forties and rainy: Still the worst weather known to humanity. If you're sitting in some Godforsaken desert nation right now praying for a few drops of rain so that you have some liquid in which to boil your United Nations Famine Relief Rice, trust me, you are happy that it is not forty and rainy. Also, why the heck do you have a computer?

2. A perfect statistical summary of the college-student mindset: On such a day as today (see item #1) there are to be seen in the hands of the hundreds of students milling about a given campus, the following items: Umbrellas: 40%. Nothing: 60%. On backs of said students: Anything resembling a waterproof or weather-appropriate jacket: 40%. Some kind of absorbent material such as cotton: 60%. Was I like this in college? I have no specific recollection. I'd like to think not, but you never can tell.

3. Excessively long sentences today? Yes. Overuse of colons? Yes. Proofreading? No.

4. Use of lists? Yes.

5. It must be said that a bike ride through rural Southern Indiana in the fall is one of the most subtle pleasures a person can seek, if said person is inclined to outdoorsyness and rigorous physical activity. Also, if said person enjoys rest stops on a bike ride that feature Dixieland Ragtime bands, apple cider, and Krispy Kreme donuts, that is an added bonus. So go ride at least one day of the Hilly Hundred.

6. Holy Jumping Jeepers on a Pogo Stick am I busy. But loving it. But dying. If you happen to find a few extra hours of sleep laying around, kindly bundle them into a padded envelope and send them to me. 2nd Day Air preferable.