alexpgp | Tired of searching...

After checking and sending off the two PowerPoint files, I've spent most of the day searching for some paperwork Galina needs down in Texas. I do so dislike this kind of activity. I wish I had been in one of those rare moods where a lot of stuff gets thrown out as a result of this kind of rummage, but I wasn't.

Drew had me over at the store for the 4 pm crunch, which was quite manageable, especially considering the arrival of a long-awaited check, which I deposited with its sibling from a couple of days ago. The two formed a much-needed transfusion into an otherwise anemic account.

Talking about Drew, here's a shot of the group as we broke up after last night's birthday dinner at JJs here in Pagosa:

Today, unlike the case a few weekends ago, I had plenty of time to use the slow cooker to make corned beef and it turned out very well, albeit there wasn't really enough room in the pot for much else other than the brisket, so I cooked the cabbage separately, using some of the liquid from the slow cooker. Very nice dinner.

Four days and a wakeup before my departure for Albuquerque, and I am faced with something of a conundrum, as I have a very tight budget for expenses for this gig. Do I make a reservation at a conventional hotel and risk only one night's stay (~$69) as a penalty if the meeting is canceled, or do I try to save money via the Priceline.com route and pay ~$45 per night for 9 nights, in advance and on a non-refundable basis?

This all depends, of course, on the probability of the meeting occurring, or not. I am leaning toward the Internet special alternative.

Cheers...