Now that September is here, I guess I should do something. I am going to try to take some classes on the internet — Prokaryotic Microbiology at University of Wisconsin, and GIS Analysis at UW. There is lots to learn and I must focus. If all goes well I will attempt to finish my PhD and maybe go into academics full time. Do some cool research, set up the institute, and get funky.

The Mariners have just won their 100th game — only 6 more wins to clinch the AL West. This has been a wild baseball season. It's a very good time to be a baseball fan in Seattle. Come on World Series.

At work: Oklahoma gangster types, Michigan boosters, and the Huskies beat Michigan in an incredible game. Chelsea tied Arsenal. Magic Johnson tipped me $20. Somebody found my geocache at Travertine Hot Springs — a cool feeling, like I can revisit the place every time somebody goes there.

On September 10th, I went for my evening run. All the tourists are gone, and the homeless people who feed on them are gone too. The waterfront is all mine. I will be working my 6th day tomorrow. I don't know what I'll do on my days off, but I aspire to do something interesting.

A "business as usual" attitude will be delayed for awhile. At work, I spoke with my co-worker from Gambia who is a devout Muslim. It was good that we talked — I understand more now about his religion. He denounced the action and said it is the worst thing for these terrorists to claim Islam as their driving force. He also said they will have problems when they die — the worst problems in the Muslim religion. I am glad I work in a place with so many different cultures. It is my hope that people don't start taking action against innocent people — that would be a real shame.

There is a weird funk going on in this city. People are trying, though not convincingly, to act normal. Some co-workers will have no hours at all next week — some have families to feed. I voluntarily gave up some of my hours, as I was prepared for this sort of thing. Went out for a drink with a buddy from work who is moving back to Minnesota. We were the only people in the nightclub.

That was a little more emotional than I would have liked. Just got back from getting coffee at the Space Needle. For the past few days there has been a flower vigil at the International Fountain. Thousands of people, but nobody making any noise — more like a giant funeral. People placing flowers in the fountain, pictures and poems everywhere. Fire trucks decked out in memorial material, ladders extended, a giant US flag flying at the top. Then I walked by a Catholic church on the way home, full of people, and the bell rang.

Also received my $270 speeding fine from Mono County for doing 85mph in a red convertible Mustang, playing with some Marines on their way to Mountain Warfare Training. The Marines passed me and honked their horn. Punks. And now everything is just sadness. I think no more holidays for awhile.

All I know is that there are two different eras now: the before, and the uncertain after. This is certainly a defining event, and the beginning of the new century.

So now I have become an economic statistic. Work called — too slow, they don't need me. I watched the stock market open and as soon as it went down 500 points, I turned off the TV. Westin stock lost 30% of its value. I close my eyes and I see those images. I open my eyes and I can still see them in the back of my mind. Every time I hear sirens, I think we are under attack.

Waiting to go back to work is a lot like waiting for the bus. You know it's coming, but when. Then the bus eventually does come, and you get on.

Baseball came back to town — Mariners won 4-0 over Anaheim. A million flags waving. When the first pitch went out, the game was back. Such a simple delight, so much needed. At the end of the game the players grabbed a big US flag, marched to the pitcher's mound, and knelt down to say a prayer. Religious or not, it was a moving experience. It shows that we will move on and be even stronger.

I am given hope by something Gandhi once said: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

The Mariners won 5-0 over Anaheim — we are now the American League West Division winners. This city really needs something like that. At the end of the game, instead of players jumping on each other, they grabbed a US flag and said a prayer at the pitcher's mound. We will move on, and be even stronger than we were before. Reading The Log from the Sea of Cortez by Steinbeck, set just before WWII. He describes the bustle of San Diego in 1941 — people and equipment getting ready for war even though it hadn't started yet. It reads the same as today.

Back to training. 35-mile bike ride and 3 geocaches. Rode from the Space Needle over the I-90 bridge across Lake Washington, up the eastside, then followed the lake back down to Seattle. Weather was perfect. Found 5 caches — all straightforward save for the haunted Edith Cache, where I got a flat tire, had to MacGyver a fix with tape (didn't work), got a ride to Redmond (bicycle capital of the northwest), found the cache in the dark, came home to find a water leak in my ceiling, popped the bubble with my shower curtain funnel, and then discovered the hallway smelled like rotten salmon. I know I am of Scandinavian descent, but I don't want people to think I am that guy.

Back to work — 3 days this week. Manager said honestly: slow until end of year, probably not back to normal until March. Filing for unemployment. Boeing may cut 30,000 jobs. It's not a good thing.

Reading the Icelandic Sagas — specifically Egil's Saga. This guy Egil is one messed up Viking. He just snaps on people and kills them for little or no reason. It's a good story.

Did a solid 20-mile ride. Picked up a Travel Bug called Deadly Ducks: Anger — an offshoot of geocaching where items travel the world collecting stories. I am going to drop this one off in Canada so it can continue its mission. I plan on sending one to South Africa, and New Zealand, so they can travel around there while I am here.

Okay. This month can end. It's been a long and difficult one for me, and many other people. I hope October can be just a little better. I've been watching a BBC film called Peacekeepers about the UN mission to Bosnia. Every time I watch it I want to curl into the foetal position. The situations they encounter are beyond words — as are so many other things as of late. Please don't stand there and watch this sort of thing happen again and again. You can help by donating to the UNHCR.

Well, like I said, I can hardly wait for this month to end. It's been rough.

Now that September is here, I guess I should do something. I am going to try to take some classes on the internet — Prokaryotic Microbiology at University of Wisconsin, and GIS Analysis at UW. There is lots to learn and I must focus. If all goes well I will attempt to finish my PhD and maybe go into academics full time. Do some cool research, set up the institute, and get funky.

The Mariners have just won their 100th game — only 6 more wins to clinch the AL West. This has been a wild baseball season. It's a very good time to be a baseball fan in Seattle. Come on World Series.

At work: Oklahoma gangster types, Michigan boosters, and the Huskies beat Michigan in an incredible game. Chelsea tied Arsenal. Magic Johnson tipped me $20. Somebody found my geocache at Travertine Hot Springs — a cool feeling, like I can revisit the place every time somebody goes there.

On September 10th, I went for my evening run. All the tourists are gone, and the homeless people who feed on them are gone too. The waterfront is all mine. I will be working my 6th day tomorrow. I don't know what I'll do on my days off, but I aspire to do something interesting.

A "business as usual" attitude will be delayed for awhile. At work, I spoke with my co-worker from Gambia who is a devout Muslim. It was good that we talked — I understand more now about his religion. He denounced the action and said it is the worst thing for these terrorists to claim Islam as their driving force. He also said they will have problems when they die — the worst problems in the Muslim religion. I am glad I work in a place with so many different cultures. It is my hope that people don't start taking action against innocent people — that would be a real shame.

There is a weird funk going on in this city. People are trying, though not convincingly, to act normal. Some co-workers will have no hours at all next week — some have families to feed. I voluntarily gave up some of my hours, as I was prepared for this sort of thing. Went out for a drink with a buddy from work who is moving back to Minnesota. We were the only people in the nightclub.

That was a little more emotional than I would have liked. Just got back from getting coffee at the Space Needle. For the past few days there has been a flower vigil at the International Fountain. Thousands of people, but nobody making any noise — more like a giant funeral. People placing flowers in the fountain, pictures and poems everywhere. Fire trucks decked out in memorial material, ladders extended, a giant US flag flying at the top. Then I walked by a Catholic church on the way home, full of people, and the bell rang.

Also received my $270 speeding fine from Mono County for doing 85mph in a red convertible Mustang, playing with some Marines on their way to Mountain Warfare Training. The Marines passed me and honked their horn. Punks. And now everything is just sadness. I think no more holidays for awhile.

All I know is that there are two different eras now: the before, and the uncertain after. This is certainly a defining event, and the beginning of the new century.

So now I have become an economic statistic. Work called — too slow, they don't need me. I watched the stock market open and as soon as it went down 500 points, I turned off the TV. Westin stock lost 30% of its value. I close my eyes and I see those images. I open my eyes and I can still see them in the back of my mind. Every time I hear sirens, I think we are under attack.

Waiting to go back to work is a lot like waiting for the bus. You know it's coming, but when. Then the bus eventually does come, and you get on.

Baseball came back to town — Mariners won 4-0 over Anaheim. A million flags waving. When the first pitch went out, the game was back. Such a simple delight, so much needed. At the end of the game the players grabbed a big US flag, marched to the pitcher's mound, and knelt down to say a prayer. Religious or not, it was a moving experience. It shows that we will move on and be even stronger.

I am given hope by something Gandhi once said: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

The Mariners won 5-0 over Anaheim — we are now the American League West Division winners. This city really needs something like that. At the end of the game, instead of players jumping on each other, they grabbed a US flag and said a prayer at the pitcher's mound. We will move on, and be even stronger than we were before. Reading The Log from the Sea of Cortez by Steinbeck, set just before WWII. He describes the bustle of San Diego in 1941 — people and equipment getting ready for war even though it hadn't started yet. It reads the same as today.

Back to training. 35-mile bike ride and 3 geocaches. Rode from the Space Needle over the I-90 bridge across Lake Washington, up the eastside, then followed the lake back down to Seattle. Weather was perfect. Found 5 caches — all straightforward save for the haunted Edith Cache, where I got a flat tire, had to MacGyver a fix with tape (didn't work), got a ride to Redmond (bicycle capital of the northwest), found the cache in the dark, came home to find a water leak in my ceiling, popped the bubble with my shower curtain funnel, and then discovered the hallway smelled like rotten salmon. I know I am of Scandinavian descent, but I don't want people to think I am that guy.

Back to work — 3 days this week. Manager said honestly: slow until end of year, probably not back to normal until March. Filing for unemployment. Boeing may cut 30,000 jobs. It's not a good thing.

Reading the Icelandic Sagas — specifically Egil's Saga. This guy Egil is one messed up Viking. He just snaps on people and kills them for little or no reason. It's a good story.

Did a solid 20-mile ride. Picked up a Travel Bug called Deadly Ducks: Anger — an offshoot of geocaching where items travel the world collecting stories. I am going to drop this one off in Canada so it can continue its mission. I plan on sending one to South Africa, and New Zealand, so they can travel around there while I am here.

Okay. This month can end. It's been a long and difficult one for me, and many other people. I hope October can be just a little better. I've been watching a BBC film called Peacekeepers about the UN mission to Bosnia. Every time I watch it I want to curl into the foetal position. The situations they encounter are beyond words — as are so many other things as of late. Please don't stand there and watch this sort of thing happen again and again. You can help by donating to the UNHCR.

Well, like I said, I can hardly wait for this month to end. It's been rough.

Now that September is here, I guess I should do something. I am going to try to take some classes on the internet — Prokaryotic Microbiology at University of Wisconsin, and GIS Analysis at UW. There is lots to learn and I must focus. If all goes well I will attempt to finish my PhD and maybe go into academics full time. Do some cool research, set up the institute, and get funky.

The Mariners have just won their 100th game — only 6 more wins to clinch the AL West. This has been a wild baseball season. It's a very good time to be a baseball fan in Seattle. Come on World Series.

At work: Oklahoma gangster types, Michigan boosters, and the Huskies beat Michigan in an incredible game. Chelsea tied Arsenal. Magic Johnson tipped me $20. Somebody found my geocache at Travertine Hot Springs — a cool feeling, like I can revisit the place every time somebody goes there.

On September 10th, I went for my evening run. All the tourists are gone, and the homeless people who feed on them are gone too. The waterfront is all mine. I will be working my 6th day tomorrow. I don't know what I'll do on my days off, but I aspire to do something interesting.

A "business as usual" attitude will be delayed for awhile. At work, I spoke with my co-worker from Gambia who is a devout Muslim. It was good that we talked — I understand more now about his religion. He denounced the action and said it is the worst thing for these terrorists to claim Islam as their driving force. He also said they will have problems when they die — the worst problems in the Muslim religion. I am glad I work in a place with so many different cultures. It is my hope that people don't start taking action against innocent people — that would be a real shame.

There is a weird funk going on in this city. People are trying, though not convincingly, to act normal. Some co-workers will have no hours at all next week — some have families to feed. I voluntarily gave up some of my hours, as I was prepared for this sort of thing. Went out for a drink with a buddy from work who is moving back to Minnesota. We were the only people in the nightclub.

That was a little more emotional than I would have liked. Just got back from getting coffee at the Space Needle. For the past few days there has been a flower vigil at the International Fountain. Thousands of people, but nobody making any noise — more like a giant funeral. People placing flowers in the fountain, pictures and poems everywhere. Fire trucks decked out in memorial material, ladders extended, a giant US flag flying at the top. Then I walked by a Catholic church on the way home, full of people, and the bell rang.

Also received my $270 speeding fine from Mono County for doing 85mph in a red convertible Mustang, playing with some Marines on their way to Mountain Warfare Training. The Marines passed me and honked their horn. Punks. And now everything is just sadness. I think no more holidays for awhile.

All I know is that there are two different eras now: the before, and the uncertain after. This is certainly a defining event, and the beginning of the new century.

So now I have become an economic statistic. Work called — too slow, they don't need me. I watched the stock market open and as soon as it went down 500 points, I turned off the TV. Westin stock lost 30% of its value. I close my eyes and I see those images. I open my eyes and I can still see them in the back of my mind. Every time I hear sirens, I think we are under attack.

Waiting to go back to work is a lot like waiting for the bus. You know it's coming, but when. Then the bus eventually does come, and you get on.

Baseball came back to town — Mariners won 4-0 over Anaheim. A million flags waving. When the first pitch went out, the game was back. Such a simple delight, so much needed. At the end of the game the players grabbed a big US flag, marched to the pitcher's mound, and knelt down to say a prayer. Religious or not, it was a moving experience. It shows that we will move on and be even stronger.

I am given hope by something Gandhi once said: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

The Mariners won 5-0 over Anaheim — we are now the American League West Division winners. This city really needs something like that. At the end of the game, instead of players jumping on each other, they grabbed a US flag and said a prayer at the pitcher's mound. We will move on, and be even stronger than we were before. Reading The Log from the Sea of Cortez by Steinbeck, set just before WWII. He describes the bustle of San Diego in 1941 — people and equipment getting ready for war even though it hadn't started yet. It reads the same as today.

Back to training. 35-mile bike ride and 3 geocaches. Rode from the Space Needle over the I-90 bridge across Lake Washington, up the eastside, then followed the lake back down to Seattle. Weather was perfect. Found 5 caches — all straightforward save for the haunted Edith Cache, where I got a flat tire, had to MacGyver a fix with tape (didn't work), got a ride to Redmond (bicycle capital of the northwest), found the cache in the dark, came home to find a water leak in my ceiling, popped the bubble with my shower curtain funnel, and then discovered the hallway smelled like rotten salmon. I know I am of Scandinavian descent, but I don't want people to think I am that guy.

Back to work — 3 days this week. Manager said honestly: slow until end of year, probably not back to normal until March. Filing for unemployment. Boeing may cut 30,000 jobs. It's not a good thing.

Reading the Icelandic Sagas — specifically Egil's Saga. This guy Egil is one messed up Viking. He just snaps on people and kills them for little or no reason. It's a good story.

Did a solid 20-mile ride. Picked up a Travel Bug called Deadly Ducks: Anger — an offshoot of geocaching where items travel the world collecting stories. I am going to drop this one off in Canada so it can continue its mission. I plan on sending one to South Africa, and New Zealand, so they can travel around there while I am here.

Okay. This month can end. It's been a long and difficult one for me, and many other people. I hope October can be just a little better. I've been watching a BBC film called Peacekeepers about the UN mission to Bosnia. Every time I watch it I want to curl into the foetal position. The situations they encounter are beyond words — as are so many other things as of late. Please don't stand there and watch this sort of thing happen again and again. You can help by donating to the UNHCR.

Well, like I said, I can hardly wait for this month to end. It's been rough.

Now that September is here, I guess I should do something. I am going to try to take some classes on the internet — Prokaryotic Microbiology at University of Wisconsin, and GIS Analysis at UW. There is lots to learn and I must focus. If all goes well I will attempt to finish my PhD and maybe go into academics full time. Do some cool research, set up the institute, and get funky.

The Mariners have just won their 100th game — only 6 more wins to clinch the AL West. This has been a wild baseball season. It's a very good time to be a baseball fan in Seattle. Come on World Series.

At work: Oklahoma gangster types, Michigan boosters, and the Huskies beat Michigan in an incredible game. Chelsea tied Arsenal. Magic Johnson tipped me $20. Somebody found my geocache at Travertine Hot Springs — a cool feeling, like I can revisit the place every time somebody goes there.

On September 10th, I went for my evening run. All the tourists are gone, and the homeless people who feed on them are gone too. The waterfront is all mine. I will be working my 6th day tomorrow. I don't know what I'll do on my days off, but I aspire to do something interesting.

A "business as usual" attitude will be delayed for awhile. At work, I spoke with my co-worker from Gambia who is a devout Muslim. It was good that we talked — I understand more now about his religion. He denounced the action and said it is the worst thing for these terrorists to claim Islam as their driving force. He also said they will have problems when they die — the worst problems in the Muslim religion. I am glad I work in a place with so many different cultures. It is my hope that people don't start taking action against innocent people — that would be a real shame.

There is a weird funk going on in this city. People are trying, though not convincingly, to act normal. Some co-workers will have no hours at all next week — some have families to feed. I voluntarily gave up some of my hours, as I was prepared for this sort of thing. Went out for a drink with a buddy from work who is moving back to Minnesota. We were the only people in the nightclub.

That was a little more emotional than I would have liked. Just got back from getting coffee at the Space Needle. For the past few days there has been a flower vigil at the International Fountain. Thousands of people, but nobody making any noise — more like a giant funeral. People placing flowers in the fountain, pictures and poems everywhere. Fire trucks decked out in memorial material, ladders extended, a giant US flag flying at the top. Then I walked by a Catholic church on the way home, full of people, and the bell rang.

Also received my $270 speeding fine from Mono County for doing 85mph in a red convertible Mustang, playing with some Marines on their way to Mountain Warfare Training. The Marines passed me and honked their horn. Punks. And now everything is just sadness. I think no more holidays for awhile.

All I know is that there are two different eras now: the before, and the uncertain after. This is certainly a defining event, and the beginning of the new century.

So now I have become an economic statistic. Work called — too slow, they don't need me. I watched the stock market open and as soon as it went down 500 points, I turned off the TV. Westin stock lost 30% of its value. I close my eyes and I see those images. I open my eyes and I can still see them in the back of my mind. Every time I hear sirens, I think we are under attack.

Waiting to go back to work is a lot like waiting for the bus. You know it's coming, but when. Then the bus eventually does come, and you get on.

Baseball came back to town — Mariners won 4-0 over Anaheim. A million flags waving. When the first pitch went out, the game was back. Such a simple delight, so much needed. At the end of the game the players grabbed a big US flag, marched to the pitcher's mound, and knelt down to say a prayer. Religious or not, it was a moving experience. It shows that we will move on and be even stronger.

I am given hope by something Gandhi once said: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

The Mariners won 5-0 over Anaheim — we are now the American League West Division winners. This city really needs something like that. At the end of the game, instead of players jumping on each other, they grabbed a US flag and said a prayer at the pitcher's mound. We will move on, and be even stronger than we were before. Reading The Log from the Sea of Cortez by Steinbeck, set just before WWII. He describes the bustle of San Diego in 1941 — people and equipment getting ready for war even though it hadn't started yet. It reads the same as today.

Back to training. 35-mile bike ride and 3 geocaches. Rode from the Space Needle over the I-90 bridge across Lake Washington, up the eastside, then followed the lake back down to Seattle. Weather was perfect. Found 5 caches — all straightforward save for the haunted Edith Cache, where I got a flat tire, had to MacGyver a fix with tape (didn't work), got a ride to Redmond (bicycle capital of the northwest), found the cache in the dark, came home to find a water leak in my ceiling, popped the bubble with my shower curtain funnel, and then discovered the hallway smelled like rotten salmon. I know I am of Scandinavian descent, but I don't want people to think I am that guy.

Back to work — 3 days this week. Manager said honestly: slow until end of year, probably not back to normal until March. Filing for unemployment. Boeing may cut 30,000 jobs. It's not a good thing.

Reading the Icelandic Sagas — specifically Egil's Saga. This guy Egil is one messed up Viking. He just snaps on people and kills them for little or no reason. It's a good story.

Did a solid 20-mile ride. Picked up a Travel Bug called Deadly Ducks: Anger — an offshoot of geocaching where items travel the world collecting stories. I am going to drop this one off in Canada so it can continue its mission. I plan on sending one to South Africa, and New Zealand, so they can travel around there while I am here.

Okay. This month can end. It's been a long and difficult one for me, and many other people. I hope October can be just a little better. I've been watching a BBC film called Peacekeepers about the UN mission to Bosnia. Every time I watch it I want to curl into the foetal position. The situations they encounter are beyond words — as are so many other things as of late. Please don't stand there and watch this sort of thing happen again and again. You can help by donating to the UNHCR.

Well, like I said, I can hardly wait for this month to end. It's been rough.

Now that September is here, I guess I should do something. I am going to try to take some classes on the internet — Prokaryotic Microbiology at University of Wisconsin, and GIS Analysis at UW. There is lots to learn and I must focus. If all goes well I will attempt to finish my PhD and maybe go into academics full time. Do some cool research, set up the institute, and get funky.

The Mariners have just won their 100th game — only 6 more wins to clinch the AL West. This has been a wild baseball season. It's a very good time to be a baseball fan in Seattle. Come on World Series.

At work: Oklahoma gangster types, Michigan boosters, and the Huskies beat Michigan in an incredible game. Chelsea tied Arsenal. Magic Johnson tipped me $20. Somebody found my geocache at Travertine Hot Springs — a cool feeling, like I can revisit the place every time somebody goes there.

On September 10th, I went for my evening run. All the tourists are gone, and the homeless people who feed on them are gone too. The waterfront is all mine. I will be working my 6th day tomorrow. I don't know what I'll do on my days off, but I aspire to do something interesting.

A "business as usual" attitude will be delayed for awhile. At work, I spoke with my co-worker from Gambia who is a devout Muslim. It was good that we talked — I understand more now about his religion. He denounced the action and said it is the worst thing for these terrorists to claim Islam as their driving force. He also said they will have problems when they die — the worst problems in the Muslim religion. I am glad I work in a place with so many different cultures. It is my hope that people don't start taking action against innocent people — that would be a real shame.

There is a weird funk going on in this city. People are trying, though not convincingly, to act normal. Some co-workers will have no hours at all next week — some have families to feed. I voluntarily gave up some of my hours, as I was prepared for this sort of thing. Went out for a drink with a buddy from work who is moving back to Minnesota. We were the only people in the nightclub.

That was a little more emotional than I would have liked. Just got back from getting coffee at the Space Needle. For the past few days there has been a flower vigil at the International Fountain. Thousands of people, but nobody making any noise — more like a giant funeral. People placing flowers in the fountain, pictures and poems everywhere. Fire trucks decked out in memorial material, ladders extended, a giant US flag flying at the top. Then I walked by a Catholic church on the way home, full of people, and the bell rang.

Also received my $270 speeding fine from Mono County for doing 85mph in a red convertible Mustang, playing with some Marines on their way to Mountain Warfare Training. The Marines passed me and honked their horn. Punks. And now everything is just sadness. I think no more holidays for awhile.

All I know is that there are two different eras now: the before, and the uncertain after. This is certainly a defining event, and the beginning of the new century.

So now I have become an economic statistic. Work called — too slow, they don't need me. I watched the stock market open and as soon as it went down 500 points, I turned off the TV. Westin stock lost 30% of its value. I close my eyes and I see those images. I open my eyes and I can still see them in the back of my mind. Every time I hear sirens, I think we are under attack.

Waiting to go back to work is a lot like waiting for the bus. You know it's coming, but when. Then the bus eventually does come, and you get on.

Baseball came back to town — Mariners won 4-0 over Anaheim. A million flags waving. When the first pitch went out, the game was back. Such a simple delight, so much needed. At the end of the game the players grabbed a big US flag, marched to the pitcher's mound, and knelt down to say a prayer. Religious or not, it was a moving experience. It shows that we will move on and be even stronger.

I am given hope by something Gandhi once said: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

The Mariners won 5-0 over Anaheim — we are now the American League West Division winners. This city really needs something like that. At the end of the game, instead of players jumping on each other, they grabbed a US flag and said a prayer at the pitcher's mound. We will move on, and be even stronger than we were before. Reading The Log from the Sea of Cortez by Steinbeck, set just before WWII. He describes the bustle of San Diego in 1941 — people and equipment getting ready for war even though it hadn't started yet. It reads the same as today.

Back to training. 35-mile bike ride and 3 geocaches. Rode from the Space Needle over the I-90 bridge across Lake Washington, up the eastside, then followed the lake back down to Seattle. Weather was perfect. Found 5 caches — all straightforward save for the haunted Edith Cache, where I got a flat tire, had to MacGyver a fix with tape (didn't work), got a ride to Redmond (bicycle capital of the northwest), found the cache in the dark, came home to find a water leak in my ceiling, popped the bubble with my shower curtain funnel, and then discovered the hallway smelled like rotten salmon. I know I am of Scandinavian descent, but I don't want people to think I am that guy.

Back to work — 3 days this week. Manager said honestly: slow until end of year, probably not back to normal until March. Filing for unemployment. Boeing may cut 30,000 jobs. It's not a good thing.

Reading the Icelandic Sagas — specifically Egil's Saga. This guy Egil is one messed up Viking. He just snaps on people and kills them for little or no reason. It's a good story.

Did a solid 20-mile ride. Picked up a Travel Bug called Deadly Ducks: Anger — an offshoot of geocaching where items travel the world collecting stories. I am going to drop this one off in Canada so it can continue its mission. I plan on sending one to South Africa, and New Zealand, so they can travel around there while I am here.

Okay. This month can end. It's been a long and difficult one for me, and many other people. I hope October can be just a little better. I've been watching a BBC film called Peacekeepers about the UN mission to Bosnia. Every time I watch it I want to curl into the foetal position. The situations they encounter are beyond words — as are so many other things as of late. Please don't stand there and watch this sort of thing happen again and again. You can help by donating to the UNHCR.

Well, like I said, I can hardly wait for this month to end. It's been rough.

Now that September is here, I guess I should do something. I am going to try to take some classes on the internet — Prokaryotic Microbiology at University of Wisconsin, and GIS Analysis at UW. There is lots to learn and I must focus. If all goes well I will attempt to finish my PhD and maybe go into academics full time. Do some cool research, set up the institute, and get funky.

The Mariners have just won their 100th game — only 6 more wins to clinch the AL West. This has been a wild baseball season. It's a very good time to be a baseball fan in Seattle. Come on World Series.

At work: Oklahoma gangster types, Michigan boosters, and the Huskies beat Michigan in an incredible game. Chelsea tied Arsenal. Magic Johnson tipped me $20. Somebody found my geocache at Travertine Hot Springs — a cool feeling, like I can revisit the place every time somebody goes there.

On September 10th, I went for my evening run. All the tourists are gone, and the homeless people who feed on them are gone too. The waterfront is all mine. I will be working my 6th day tomorrow. I don't know what I'll do on my days off, but I aspire to do something interesting.

A "business as usual" attitude will be delayed for awhile. At work, I spoke with my co-worker from Gambia who is a devout Muslim. It was good that we talked — I understand more now about his religion. He denounced the action and said it is the worst thing for these terrorists to claim Islam as their driving force. He also said they will have problems when they die — the worst problems in the Muslim religion. I am glad I work in a place with so many different cultures. It is my hope that people don't start taking action against innocent people — that would be a real shame.

There is a weird funk going on in this city. People are trying, though not convincingly, to act normal. Some co-workers will have no hours at all next week — some have families to feed. I voluntarily gave up some of my hours, as I was prepared for this sort of thing. Went out for a drink with a buddy from work who is moving back to Minnesota. We were the only people in the nightclub.

That was a little more emotional than I would have liked. Just got back from getting coffee at the Space Needle. For the past few days there has been a flower vigil at the International Fountain. Thousands of people, but nobody making any noise — more like a giant funeral. People placing flowers in the fountain, pictures and poems everywhere. Fire trucks decked out in memorial material, ladders extended, a giant US flag flying at the top. Then I walked by a Catholic church on the way home, full of people, and the bell rang.

Also received my $270 speeding fine from Mono County for doing 85mph in a red convertible Mustang, playing with some Marines on their way to Mountain Warfare Training. The Marines passed me and honked their horn. Punks. And now everything is just sadness. I think no more holidays for awhile.

All I know is that there are two different eras now: the before, and the uncertain after. This is certainly a defining event, and the beginning of the new century.

So now I have become an economic statistic. Work called — too slow, they don't need me. I watched the stock market open and as soon as it went down 500 points, I turned off the TV. Westin stock lost 30% of its value. I close my eyes and I see those images. I open my eyes and I can still see them in the back of my mind. Every time I hear sirens, I think we are under attack.

Waiting to go back to work is a lot like waiting for the bus. You know it's coming, but when. Then the bus eventually does come, and you get on.

Baseball came back to town — Mariners won 4-0 over Anaheim. A million flags waving. When the first pitch went out, the game was back. Such a simple delight, so much needed. At the end of the game the players grabbed a big US flag, marched to the pitcher's mound, and knelt down to say a prayer. Religious or not, it was a moving experience. It shows that we will move on and be even stronger.

I am given hope by something Gandhi once said: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

The Mariners won 5-0 over Anaheim — we are now the American League West Division winners. This city really needs something like that. At the end of the game, instead of players jumping on each other, they grabbed a US flag and said a prayer at the pitcher's mound. We will move on, and be even stronger than we were before. Reading The Log from the Sea of Cortez by Steinbeck, set just before WWII. He describes the bustle of San Diego in 1941 — people and equipment getting ready for war even though it hadn't started yet. It reads the same as today.

Back to training. 35-mile bike ride and 3 geocaches. Rode from the Space Needle over the I-90 bridge across Lake Washington, up the eastside, then followed the lake back down to Seattle. Weather was perfect. Found 5 caches — all straightforward save for the haunted Edith Cache, where I got a flat tire, had to MacGyver a fix with tape (didn't work), got a ride to Redmond (bicycle capital of the northwest), found the cache in the dark, came home to find a water leak in my ceiling, popped the bubble with my shower curtain funnel, and then discovered the hallway smelled like rotten salmon. I know I am of Scandinavian descent, but I don't want people to think I am that guy.

Back to work — 3 days this week. Manager said honestly: slow until end of year, probably not back to normal until March. Filing for unemployment. Boeing may cut 30,000 jobs. It's not a good thing.

Reading the Icelandic Sagas — specifically Egil's Saga. This guy Egil is one messed up Viking. He just snaps on people and kills them for little or no reason. It's a good story.

Did a solid 20-mile ride. Picked up a Travel Bug called Deadly Ducks: Anger — an offshoot of geocaching where items travel the world collecting stories. I am going to drop this one off in Canada so it can continue its mission. I plan on sending one to South Africa, and New Zealand, so they can travel around there while I am here.

Okay. This month can end. It's been a long and difficult one for me, and many other people. I hope October can be just a little better. I've been watching a BBC film called Peacekeepers about the UN mission to Bosnia. Every time I watch it I want to curl into the foetal position. The situations they encounter are beyond words — as are so many other things as of late. Please don't stand there and watch this sort of thing happen again and again. You can help by donating to the UNHCR.

Well, like I said, I can hardly wait for this month to end. It's been rough.