staying awake

You know what I say to all those Americans just starting a four-day weekend? Pwaah. Pwaah, I say. Hrmph. Especially if you gloat too publicly.

Stayed awake through the afternoon's big briefing session and breakout talks and whatnot, and even found bits mildly interesting. Given what it could have been like (thank heavens they opened the doors on the town hall where they were holding it, rather than leaving us to suffocate) I'm counting that as a victory.

My landlords dropped round afterwards to countersign my new lease (I'm set for another year) and give the apartment a quick check-over, and to get to meet me. Two perfectly nice people, and all's well. I didn't really expect anything to go wrong, but -- it's a relief to have it over safely.

Looks as if my father's going to be staying overnight on Sunday, before going to a French literature conference in Leeds on Monday. I'd better check the spare duvet/pillow before then, just to be sure there aren't any problems.

Hm. Shopping tomorrow. Fingers crossed we don't get any of today's rain showers. Especially not when I'm trying to walk back with said shopping from supermarket to home.

Have given in and ordered the new Harry Potter on Amazon for delivery on the day of release -- well, it's cheaper. I do pity the poor postmen on July 16th, though.

---

Flames

Smokey the Bear heads
into the autumn woods
with a red can of gasoline
and a box of wooden matches.

His ranger's hat is cocked
at a disturbing angle.

His brown fur gleams
under the high sun
as his paws, the size
of catcher's mitts,
crackle into the distance.

He is sick of dispensing
warnings to the careless,
the half-wit camper,
the dumbbell hiker.

He is going to show them
how a professional does it.

-- Billy Collins