Bullet the Blue Sky

• Spent most of today with The Star. We attended Wordstock, Portland's writing festival. I listened to newly published author Selden Edwards speak about the 34 year gestation of his little book and she wandered the exhibit hall, meeting editors and checking out colleges with writing programs. We also walked the Alberta neighborhood and checked out some boutiques run by indie fashionistas, like Frock and Donna & Toots.

• Yesterday was my organization's Veterans Day parade. Most of us started work at 7am and spent a lot of the morning standing in the rain. So our office is closed tomorrow.

• And good thing it is. My first grad school paper is due on Wednesday and I need to write a most of it tomorrow when the rest of the family is at school.

• I've been called for jury duty again. The second time since I moved to Vancouver in 2005. My boss has lived here for 17 years--and has never been summoned. I called in today and my group is off the hook for Monday. Tuesday is a holiday, so my chances of having to show up are getting slimmer. I leave for Pittsburgh on Saturday, so I couldn't serve on any but the shortest trial anyway.

• After traveling so often for my last job, this one has me staying close to home (2 miles door to door, to be exact.) However, I will be attending a big conference each year. This year it's in Pittsburgh and I'll be gone from Saturday to Thursday. I'm excited to have uninterrupted hours to read Twilight study on the airplane.