A fast pace, but few results...

When I got up this morning, I checked the water level up in the attic, and aside from making it sound like something you'd typically do in the house, I made sure that it was as low as reasonably possible, seeing as I really wanted to avoid killing a second pump.

I started to take the stuff out of the car, and found that it was possible to get Natalie's television (32 inches wide and heavy) out of the cargo space by sliding it down a ramp and into the garage. This would allow me to use the Ford to get into town and not have to coordinate movements with Natalie during the day.

I got out of the house a little later than I had hoped, but fortunately, the traffic was in my favor and I got to where Google Earth told me the end client's office was just about exactly 15 minutes before the appointed time. The only problem, apparently, was that instead of showing me where 2000 W Sam Houston Parkway South was, Google Earth had cleverly directed me to the North version of that address. I called the end client, got directions, and managed to walk into the end client's office on the dot of 10:30 am. Three cheers for aiming to arrive 15 minutes early and a big, fruity raspberry to Google Earth in this instance.

The meeting with the end client went well, and afterward, I followed my client to their office, where I was introduced around. The introductions were very good for my ego, as everyone seemed genuinely glad to see me and finally put a face to a name (I, too, was genuinely happy to see them). The topper occurred when we visited the office where the editors sat, where everyone jumped up and expressed real enthusiasm at meeting me. One of the editors mentioned that she was always happy to be assigned one of my translations "because I know it will be an easy job to edit," which was echoed by other nodding heads in the room.

After lunch with the client, I started off for home and got a call from Galina, suggesting that I stop by Natalie's apartment and pick up some more stuff. I agreed. At about that time, I passed by a large sign advertising the Houston SPCA and its pet adoption program, and on impulse, I got off of I-10 and made my way to their headquarters.

I ended up registering with the organization and taking a tour of their available pooches. Quite a number of cute pups were already marked as "adopted," my understanding being that, having been selected as pets, they were now eligible to be spayed or neutered (which occurs over a 2-3 day period, if I recall what I was told correctly), which is a precondition of adoption.

There was a greater selection of dogs among the larger breeds, and quite a bit more noise, too. At one point, when the racket peaked, one of the dogs within my field of view started to tremble. I interpreted that as fear, and it occurred to me that being in such a facility must be fearsome indeed, from the perspective of an "inmate." Then again, being in such a facility is head-and-shoulders is almost certainly better than being out in The World, fending for yourself.

In any event, none of the dogs caught my eye, or my heart, so after about 15 minutes, I left.

I met Natalie at her work and accompanied her to lunch (that's right, I had a second lunch; my bad), after which I went to her apartment and took down about a half dozen boxes. The heat very nearly floored me. Eventually, I got back to the house and went to sleep for nearly 2 hours.

And here I am!

There are three items on the translation plate: one is due tomorrow; the other two assignment, on Thursday.

I should probably get going on the item due tomorrow.

Cheers...