Lazing On A Sunny Afternoon

Excuse me blogging world, for it has been one week since I last blogged. That said, it's not like I really have a lot to blog about -- you may commence with your "that's never stopped you before" wisecracks in three, two, one...

Actually, there's not much going on in clown world. I'm still unemployed. I've been on the waiting list for a temporary document review since the start of last week. It took me two hours to fill out the conflicts check list, so I better get the damn thing. Then again, since they demanded such a long, detailed list, they're probably looking for any excuse to disqualify people on the basis of conflicts. Still, it would be nice to get back to work because I really owe the IRS a lot of money, and after I pay them, I'm not going to really have much money to live on.

I managed to find ways to keep myself busy last week without spending lots of money. Mainly, I get out of the apartment first thing every morning. I usually go to a Starbucks for a bit, get some iced tea, and read for an hour or two -- I've been rereading the last two James Ellroy novels, American Tabloid and The Cold Six Thousand, because I just purchased the final book of the trilogy, but it's been awhile since those two books came out, so I thought I would refresh myself before taking on the final book. Then I hit the Borders for a few hours and use their free wireless while working on my stories for the mothership.

Luckily, there were a bunch of sporting events in Houston last week that I was credentialed to attend, so I spent my nights getting free meals and watching free hockey and free college baseball. The hockey story will run in the mothership on Wednesday. The college baseball story will be in the mothership tomorrow. As for today at the mothership, you have my long-awaited, much anticipated 2010 Houston Astros season preview. (I lucked into a free ticket for tonight's Opening Day matchup between the Astros and Giants. Tim Lincecum's pitching for the Giants, and he's a favorite of mine.)

The Houston Cougars are keeping me busy, basketball wise. They hired a new coach last week, and I was at the presser and asked a few questions. The fan base isn't too excited by the hire. I've done some checking around, and I now know how the new coach ended up on the search list. But since I've only got one source, and he/she wants to remain anonymous, and since no one else will corroborate, I can't print it anywhere. Damn.

Right now, I'm sitting at the Borders, taking advantage of the free wireless. Just moments ago, I was listening to She & Him's "Volume Two" on my iPod. But they're now playing it over the speakers here at Borders. I recommend it. It's very good. By the way, have I mentioned lately that I've got this thing for Zooey Deschanel, the "She" of She & Him?

And I would like to ask a favor, to any of you who still pop by and read my missives. My niece is autistic -- it's a real mild form and she's highly functioning -- and my brother and sister-in-law are participating in one of those Autism walks in October, in Austin, where they live. I'm not asking that you sign up for the walk, though I did, but if you don't mind, could you contribute a few dollars? It would mean a lot to me, my family, my niece, and all others who have autism or have to deal with people who are autistic. I'm not asking for myself. I'm asking because there's nothing I wouldn't do for my niece.

Thanks.

Photo of Zooey Deschanel from Arena Magazine.