It's time to hunker down. Food budget approaching $20/week. Award-winning Franzia instead of Glenlivet. Spying on neighbors instead of going to the movies. And always watching out for the first signs of an adventure beginning or a chance to be a freelance hero.

It's time to drop out and become a goatherd. Or an adventurer. Where should I go for adventure? How do you get a gig as a freelance hero? I was just in a four hour meeting and the market lost like 4% while I was out. That means it's time to cash out and join the battle against cosmic evil.

"Man, I just wish I could vote for Bush again." That's what I plan on saying when people ask me what I think about the elections or who I'm voting for. Aside from how it directly touches my industry (health insurance), I try not to comment much on politics in polite conversation.

I'm no financial expert. I'm not even a finance novice. I'm just some sort of young fool. I don't quite know what to think of this financial crisis and the rescue (not bailout, I've been advised) package.

Don't worry, no spoilers. The ending wasn't terrible. They managed to keep it together. All in all, it was an interesting book, better than Dan Brown, a light 900-page read that managed to keep my attention and not disappoint me for wasting my time. Gave me a few things to think about, but wasn't really all that great, philosophically. Really, the parts that evoke the most philosophical thought are not the ones where they explicitly discuss a naive philosophy of science, but rather the parts where the novel forces you to consider how you ought to relate to the world of technology, what the good life is here in Babylon, etc. Good fun, though, and I'd recommend it if you can breeze through 900 pages and enjoy sci fi.

Yesterday. I think it's a sign.  That and I got a newsletter with the CEO of my company wearing a double-breasted suit. It is unambiguous: I need a double-breasted suit if I want to move up in the world. There is no other path. Anyadgatir naasti.

I'm about 250 pages in. I can get about 40 pages in on each train ride and maybe 30 at lunch - I get and eat a lunch and then read, I don't try to read while eating - so I'm making quick progress. It actually has a plot now, which is good.

As mentioned elsewhere, tonight is WINGS NIGHT. Husites everywhere are welcome to join in spirit by eating wings on your own.

Other things you can do with me, but on your own: hundredpushups.com or reading Anathem. NO SPOILERS.

Despite my worries about impending death and destruction (http://www.hulver.com/scoop/story/2008/9/23/112218/968 and http://www.hulver.com/scoop/comments/2008/9/23/135458/831/3#3), I woke up feeling, well, chipper.

I was petrified. My legs are sore after yesterday's run. It feels like normal fatigue except for the lower part of my left calf - that feels a bit sore in a different way. I should've iced it last night but didn't get around to it. It shouldn't be a problem.

Somebody guilted me into doing a charity 5K run on the 4th. Should be fun. I'll shoot for 25 minutes. I'm still fairly out-of-shape.