More press...

Our Mars-analog site in the Canadian Arctic received nice coverage in an article in today's issue of Science.
(That's actually my Swiss army knife in the lake sediments photo ;-)

NRE rubbing off ;-)

(grin) Over the past few months, a significant other (Barbara) has been falling (in Oregon) for a visiting German guy, P... believe it or not, they almost got *married* three weeks ago! But decided not to rush into things... P is now trying to get his visa renewed in the meantime. I'm very happy for her! She's in that glowy, bouncy NRE stage, and once she broke the news to me (she hadn't said anything about a capital-R Relationship, and I think she was worried about how I'd react) I congratulated her. And then chided her for contemplating
holding the wedding without inviting me! Granted, it was on very short notice... but I would have been there. Even at full-coach ticket prices.

She was relieved and happy that I was supportive, and this rubbed-off on to her attitudes towards me last week, when she was visiting... we spent time just looking at each other and giggling. It was fun, and a throwback to where she and I were two years ago. She even used the term "boyfriend" again, and we talked about my visiting her in Oregon in September. Also, P wants kids... while Barbara is almost 60. So they would have to have a poly relationship... or something... I'm not going to worry about that myself, they have to work out their own issues and groundrules first (P is/was not poly, originally, but is apparently interested in the concept).

It is just great to see her happy, and the energy and sparkle in her eyes again... one of those lovely poly events that can be hard to explain to monogamous friends. Seeing a loved-one happy and in-love, while not being the person responsible for it, can be a delightful experience. (large grin)

A pleasant day

Despite the grayness outside, it's been a good 24 hours. Last night I was at the office late, but spent part of that in a long, worthwhile chat with several friends, including SWSS and my new *poing* object ;-). Pat kept dinner for me.

Today at work, I found a 3% pay raise waiting in my latest biweekly statement, the Science article came out, and I got my Letter of Intent filed with NASA Headquarters for the upcoming set of astrobiology proposals. And in the meanwhile had a nice lunch with the_ogre, he's a fun guy. And set up my reservations for a trip to Washington, DC and Houston for next month... scoring big on the DC-area hotel (getting the Ritz-Carlton in Tyson's Corner for the gov't per-diem rate... boy, business there must be *way* down!). Sure, I'll have to spend an extra half-hour driving, each way, but at Holiday Inn prices it's worth it ;-)

And Pat's tickled because Steve Jobs sent her an email, apologizing for not responding earlier to the school VIP Reading Day invitation (he was abroad) and asking to be on next year's contact list.

Weekend plans: Mexican art-film with Pat tonight in Saratoga, Little League parade in Mountain View, maybe help with pre-pool party hauling in the East Bay, go to the party. Then a San Jose Giants game with the 3 boys on Sunday afternoon.