Hello all,

Yet again, it has been too long since I posted. Things have been busy!!

As JP mentioned, in celebration of his birthday we went out to Death Valley, CA. What an amazing place. I will post pictures once the computer at home is up and running. Gavin is setting up a lot of recording equiptment in the basement and has been dismantling computers for the last few days. He just transfered our internet connection to a new computer/motherboard, and hasn't installed photoshop yet. He's quite handy. He did all that with no prior and knowledge, and through consultation with his brother. The picture above is a place we actually took several pictures of, but the above picture is not one of ours. JP, this is the spot we stopped at with the really high winds one the drive out. We stood on the rim of the observation platform, remember?

Dad, have you been to Death Valley? The lowest altitude we were at was 200 ft below sea level. It only went up to roughly 95F when we were camping for two days, which was very fortunate for us. However, while driving through the low levels at sunset on our drive out to the campsite the outside temp thermometer in the car got up to 104F, but we were in the nice, airconditioned environment. The heat is enjoyable though, not humid and sticky. We camped for two nights, visited a waterfall and ran around on sand dunes. I loved the sun and heat, didn't even get sunburned. There's something about Death Valley, that makes you feel energized, as long as you have enough water. We've got some great pictures. The landscape is very "other worldly," and I can't wait to go back. As JP mentioned, we were like wild animals at the buffet sunday night, after having eaten only chips and granola bars (besides Saturday breakfast) for the whole weekend. It was really disgusting. The buffet was about to close so we all got two plates at a time. cheap too - only $13. Christoph, if we do this again next year, you should come along. it isn't an expensive trip at all...

Somehow, I was able to get JP up after only 3 hours of sleep at the hotel Monday morning and got him in a cab to the airport. Radder and Gavin are both marveling over that feat. Gavin and I took a plane back to Philly that got us in at 4 pm, and I took Tuesday off to recoup. Wednesday then I flew to Manchester, NH for our first thin women session for work. It's nice up there, green. I didn't see any flood damage. I came back yesterday morning. We are flying to Boston Saturday morning for a wedding (one of Gavin's friends), returning Sunday afternoon. Sunday night WEEN is playing at a festival in Philly, so Amy and Rory will be in town with friends. I am so glad we have Monday off. Gavin is going to go help a friend of his build a fence, so I will have the day to myself for reflection and maybe a bloody mary.

Am at work, so will get back to talking to skinny women.
Oh, one question. So the Germans have some preconceived notions about Islam. Are there statistics available for Americans' views, asking the same questions? It would be interesting to see if it's jus the Germans who have so many preconceptions, or just most caucasian Westerners.

Love to all,
H
- posted by H @ 5/26/2006 12:11:00 PM