I can't write with much enthusiasm tonight - feeling melancholy. Z wonders if I'm stoked for my coming Euro-journey, but just now I feel nothing, except maybe pre-trip blahs (as opposed to the more common post-trip). Wish I was there already!

Dental appointment this morning was a waste of time; the new crown has arrived, and very shiny and golden it was, but the thing didn't fit! Has to be redone. Of course now that they've fucked up a new one can be created in a week instead of the two they've already made me wait.

Although the big boss has returned to New Jersey the guy he brought along will remain until next week; if all goes well he'll get funding and be with us off and on for a month at a time through next year. That's okay, I like him now, he's only a little obnoxious (in that brainy A-student way) and very helpful to work with - just the sort of office-mate I need at this stage of my career. As it is now, I get minimal oversight and assistance, which is fine with my inner Wally who's content to just loaf all day net-surfing, but that's gotten stale and deep down I'd rather be more productive. They leave me alone on this project, and I'm not a self-starter - I really do need supervision with a hint of the lash to bring out my best work - and with that comes satisfaction.

I spoke too soon yesterday about the new ground-floor neighbors - their stereo was blasting away when I got home today - but only for a little while. I would only identify the music as generic rock.