Just as a reminder: these are more for my benefit than anyone’s entertainment, although what you’re entitled to whatever amusement you derive from reading these records of my stream of consciousness.

10:23:

I started my day with news of a secondhand electric cello being sold nearby, courtesy of the Tough Love Muse. Have just communicated with vendor for info and to negotiate a test-time, cause no way will I seriously buy an instrument without hearing it and testing out the feel of it first. It’s a staggering steal of a deal, and I am almost certain that if I pass it up I will kick myself in a few weeks. We will see what happens.

10:26:

Oh my gods, these croissants that the producer brings in every Wednesday are divine.

11:09:

I can’t get comfortable. I don’t feel quite here; I just can’t settle into my body or into day properly. I feel almost caffeine-jumpy, which is odd because I haven’t had any for days.

11:14:

What a dreadful position this cello vendor is in. She made some major life decisions a decade ago and has come up against dead end after dead end. The cello was to be her joy and solace; no time, no money, and now injury have taken that away from her. She’s had it for seven years and hasn’t done anything with it. I feel for her. She isn’t sure if she’s going to sell it or not, and I completely understand; selling an instrument when it was meant to be your personal creative expression and place of soul-refuge can feel like giving up the possibility of attaining success or happiness. In fact, I told her that I felt she wasn’t ready to sell it, and that I wouldn’t be disappointed if she changed her mind at any point as we both decide if this is right. On the other hand, if she decides that she is ready and if I think it sounds good and feels good in my hands, I will buy it from her with pleasure, knowing that the money will help her and that she may be somewhat comforted knowing that it’s gone to a good home and someone who will love it and use it.

13:45:

Lovely lunch with HRH, Fearsclave, Mellanmouse, and Mousme.

14:21:

A real definition: “Potholing: a sport which involves climbing into and around underground caves”. One is tempted to add “An extreme sport originating in Montreal.” (Can’t claim credit for all of that one; the extreme bit was contributed by t!.)

14:40:

In an IM, t! misreads “potholing” as “plotholing”. A: “Burrows made by plot bunnies?” t!: “You could feed them plot carrots.”

15:02:

Just finished the sixteenth level of the dictionary. That’s 1300+ today alone so far. Go me.

15:04:

Oi. Level 17 has 1600+ words to get through. *headdesk*

16:02:

The air conditioning keeps going on and off. When it goes off it’s remarkably quiet. One doesn’t notice how much noise it’s making until it’s gone. Warmer now, too. No, it’s back on again.

16:05:

Never ceases to amaze me how many words in the English language are actually stolen wholecloth from other languages.

16:20:

The other problem with the higher levels is that there is a denser population of longer words. I have to limit the words I use to twelve characters long. Some really great words are being cut simply due to length.

New words today: photovoltaic, graticule.