Nielsen and I met my Mom's new Weimer puppy last weekend. They got along very well. The three of them are like family, and create a funny "small, medium, large" image when laying around together. "Abbey" is fearless. At about 15 pounds, she has no problem getting right in 100 pound Nielsen's face. I guess she's given Mom some fits, though. She's a typical hyperactive stubborn puppy... Abbey, that is.

While I was there, I made reservations for her for a week in Cancun over Christmas. I wasn't planning on going to the Yucatan, but this'll be cool. I'll take my time heading down through Mexico and be in Cancun for the holiday. I think I got a great deal for her. The room and airfare I booked together were cheaper than anything I could find on Hotwire or Expedia for the flight alone.

"My Job's Been Posted."
I'm apparently at the point of no return at work. I'm outta here at the end of October whether I like it or not. My job's been posted. Actually, I wrote the ad a few weeks ago, but I saw it appear for the first time a few days ago. I think the new person will probably start a month or so before I leave so they can be up to speed when they're on their own. That'll be good because we'll be about to go into November ratings.

"My East Coast Friends"
I've mapped out a rough idea of how I'm gonna get around to see all my east coast friends and family before I head west in November. As planned, I'll first head to my Mom's in the UHaul and put my stuff in her barn. Hang out there a few days, then take a Greyhound to my Dad's near Roanoke. Spend a few days there, then rent a car and drive to Washington, stopping to visit some old hangouts in Richmond. Stay a couple of nights with friends there, then head on to Altoona, Pennsylvania. I think there are still some people there I used to work with. If not, I still want to see the city I had my first real TV job in. Then on to Pittsburgh for a few days and back to Roanoke. A total of maybe a week.

I could bus it the whole way, but since I'll likely be on Greyhound all the way cross country, why overdo it.

Now less than a hundred days to go. Very interesting.