Update: My head felt just like two balloons

Hey all, long time no post. I've been busy with work-related things and writing-related thoughts and life-related errands, so it's been a quick and event-filled week all around. Added to the fact that I've been bravely fighting a cold since last weekend. All things considered, I'm happy my head is no longer as Comfortably Numb as it was on Monday and Tuesday, though the occasional stuffiness is annoying.

That said, various and sundry things over the past week or so...

--The work-related move went well, as I managed to avoid most of it by being on vacation. My instincts were correct and I was able to pack my entire belongings into three boxes in twenty minutes. My work area is spartan that way; always has been, or else I wouldn't be able to find a damn thing. I'm in a smaller cubicle in a smaller floor space, but on the plus side I'm about twenty feet from two different doors for ease of escape if need be. It's quieter and cleaner too, not including the ridiculous amount of moving boxes still sitting around.

--Lots of packages mailed over the last week to parents, family and in-laws for Christmas, so stuff that wasn't ordered straight from Amazon or elsewhere is now on its way or already at its intended destination. Most packages have reached us, but we're still waiting on a few.

--Later today we'll be heading into town to see a musical version of Neil Gaiman's Coraline, which Emm purchased tickets for. Interestingly enough, the music and lyrics were written by Stephin Merritt, he of The Magnetic Fields. Should be interesting! I'm just hoping that the weather will behave, as it's been rainy and windy over the past couple of days. Such is Bay Area winter, though...

--Forgot if I mentioned this, but we both decided that the best way for me to celebrate me becoming an old man turning 40 is to go to Disneyland. We plan on also going to California Adventure across the way as well--this is the section that has the Muppets--so this will further prove that though my body's getting old, my brain is still that of a kid. :)

--With the end of the year being about two weeks away, it's high time I started up on my Year End Music Review. I may post it this weekend or next weekend, depending on if I have the time. Looking over the past year, I've heard quite a lot of nifty songs that I think will make the top 20 or so on my personal list. More on this soon!

--Oh! Also, and I'll put this in bold so skimmers will see it: The Great Book Purge of 2010-11 is coming soon! Been awhile since we've done these, and we're starting to accumulate piles of books again that we've read and don't want to keep (or never read since buying years previous and gave up on). This will probably take place after the first of the year once the holidays are over, so I'll let you all know when it starts.


...and that's the State of JoncWorld at the moment. We should be achieving normality sometime soon. Have a happy and safe holiday season, kids! :)

[Pictures] SF Zoo, during our vacation

Happy Holidays from the reindeer at the SF Zoo! :p



Snow leopard sez "I WILL EAT YOU." Kitty was grumpy as it had recently gotten up from a nap and didn't like the little kid that was nearby. Also, it barked at me as well.



Black swan sez "WHAT." Apparently he/she wasn't too happy about us taking pictures either, although there were a few annoying mallards in the pond as well that were making everyone else irritable.



The kangaroos are actually awake! Every time we went by their enclosure they were always asleep, sprawled on the ground with the local peacocks stealing their food. These guys were awake and actually hopping around the place.



Meanwhile, Mr. Meerkat keeps a watchful eye on any predators, including howling five-year-olds who think meerkats are the Most Awesome Thing Evar.



And one of many ring-tailed lemurs keeping a watchful eye on...something.

OUTTAKE: What happens when your camera's too slow and the lemur gets bored of posing:







Finally, a family portrait of sorts over at the African Savannah. I should note that this enclosure is at the southwestern end of the zoo, and when we're driving on Great Highway back from Target, we can sometimes see the giraffe heads poking up. :)