I went to a conference last week in Orlando. I also went to the first attempt of the Ares 1-X launch. Yes - attempt. Friend of Survivor and I waited for 5 hours & no launch that day. Foiled again! It did finally launch the next day when I was in conference mode.

While I was in Orlando, I got to catch up with some of my favorite people. In addition to the launch adventure, Friend of Survivor and I had a wonderful dinner with her mom. Two of some of my most favorite women - they really crack me up with their unique relationship and perspective. I also took advantage of visiting with another friend, Chemo Brain (his term). Over lunch, we delved into some of the research issues that I have been battling. The thing is, when I look at the issue with the same pair of eyes, it always seems to look the same and mock me endlessly. Chemo Brain made some very thoughtful suggestions and made a Regression analogy to my recovery.

Clarification - he says Chemo Brain whenever he can't find a word. He had the most horrifying experience with cancer, chemo, and recovery that I have ever heard. That he is a fighter and survivor is a given.

Parts of lunch were very much "When I was in the hospital this happened." "yeah, I totally know what you mean - I thought/felt the same thing/way" It was neat to connect in that odd way. Never a comparison so much as a companion of survivorship. I am very thankful to have such intelligent and compassionate people in my life.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Nigeria experience is 1/3 of the way through. Bob has been there forever and will *hopefully* be home on December 23rd. Skype really has been our savior. It is so good to see him, although the high-metabolism stinker usually fidgets into a pixellated blur .

Nothing else new on the homefront. The book project has yet to take off - my home computer is a netbook with a teeny-tiny keyboard. I need to get set up so that I can plug in a regular computer keyboard and whatnot. Eventually. Everything is eventual.