Today is a special day.

Today is my father's birthday. Happy birthday, Dad. This would have been a phone call but I seem to have misplaced my phone for the moment. I think I left it in my car. I just wanted you to know that I did remember and I am thinking about it. I am hoping that you have a marvelous day today. I'd just like you to know that I miss you and I love you. Your presents should be on the way. I'll check to see if they've shipped out or not.

*hugs*

I had a dream last night...

... that it had snowed and I was driving in it. I was displeased by this, generally, not because of the fact that I was driving in snow but the fact that so was everyone else. I also remember thinking to myself that if it continued snowing, there was no way in hell I was going to work tomorrow. Oh no, not at all.

So... I don't know what I'm doing for Thanksgiving. I don't think I'm able to fly out for Christmas this year either. It isn't that I couldn't get the time off... It's a combination of not being able to have the moeny for it until the end of November and the general frowning upon taking vacation at this time of the year in my department. I'm thinking maybe... I don't know. There is a conference people go to in Vegas in this department. (Several, actually.) Maybe I could go visit on one of those. I don't know. I'm just.... Starting to feel Christmas coming and it is a generally amazing feeling but there is that dark undercurrent of panicking since I have to buy everyone presents and I currently have no money. Yes, I'll have present money before Christmas comes but... I want to go buy presents /now/.

There are lots of people who have grandparents ailing and my thoughts are with you.

There are times when you realize how different people are. And sometimes you realize that you just don't have the language to communicate the reason for the difference.

Anyway... I should get more work done. I just had some thoughts to toss out there.

Oh, btw, Dad? If you read this far, know that you and Neil Gaiman share a birthday. Thought you might find that interesting. He lives in Minnesota, you know.

In case I forget...

I just got out of a meeting.

I handed my card to one of the representatives we were talking to and about 20 minutes into the meeting he looks up at me and says, "Are you Finnish?"

I blink at him for a moment and then nod, saying, "Yeah."

He responds with, "I thought so. There are lots of you where I'm from in Houghton."

I blink at him again and then say, "Houghton? My dad's from Pelkie..."

So... We had a bonding moment. It was really neat and especially neat to happen on my dad's birthday. It's strange but super cool to run into people like that.