Briefly:

Christena's in central Arkansas because she presented research at the American Chemists' Society (or whatever it is) convention today.  She's kicking it with me in the way as a result.  Well, actually, she's staying with Jenny, but we've been hanging out hardcore.  We took a tour of campus, had an amazingly tasty dinner (including the best hummus + pita ever), watched Eryn play a couple minutes of intramural football, went to the Forum and watched the VP debates*, and then settled her into Jenny's place for the night. 

Also, today I took Melanie out to Pickle's Gap as a friendly little adventure to check and see how she's doing adjusting to life in Conway and life away from her parents, etc.  I am a little worried that she doesn't have much social network going on up here, and that maybe she's living in Texarkana too much still.  But it takes time, and I know that I was really blessed with a network when I got to Conway.  We had fun nonetheless.  I bought some fudge and postcards.  I want to sent one of these super-country postcards to Julia in Singapore.  I don't know that she'd get the humor, but part of me thinks that makes it funnier.

Tomorrow will be kind of normal, I guess.  Class in the morning.  Then a taste of freedom plus a few incidental add-ins.  

I'm working at the Wing-Ding festival in Jacksonville on Saturday from 11-3.  I can't wait.  Haha.  Actually, I'm not sure what this kind of event calls for me to do, so we'll see.  I can't imagine it will be much more than stand there and be nice to people.  I can be very nice if need be.

*I cannot believe that Palin said "nuk-u-ler" like you-know-who.  She said it like 30 times, and she mispronounced it every time.  Honey, if you want to win this one, you've got the charisma.  Don't blow it with the accent and the mispronunciations.  I did think she held her own quite well tonight, and she was busting some chops on stage.  Biden, however, argued like a bit of a robot, I thought.  He's like Fred Thompson, minus the swagger, politics, and charm.  I guess I'm just saying he's kind of old and balding and white... quite the progressive choice for the ticket for change.  (Also, isn't it interesting to watch the "greening" of the GOP over the course of the past couple years?)

T