I got absolutely nothing done yesterday at work. Basically, as Sarah so eloquently put it, we all played "arm chair" meteorologists, desperately waiting for the next weather forecast. The ironic thing is, at the end of the day, it was pretty clear that the worst Lili would do to us is a few wind gusts, and maybe some rain (not even heavy rain!). And the better news for Louisiana is that she was downgraded to a MUCH safer Category 2 hurricane overnight. Still, it is kind of disappointing, I was hoping for a little exciting inclement weather. Just a little.

I had a very disturbing dream last night. I don’t think this journal would be a good place to describe it, but it was disturbing.

My mom is en route right now -- I don't even think her little puddle jumper flight will be delayed in this weather. I'm very excited, I may be buying a house VERY soon. Though now I have to worry about it being blown away in the NEXT hurricane, whenever that may be.

I’ve started a new project too. I decided that I if I’m ever going to write my-family-is-a-soap-opera in novel form (don’t worry, I’ll fictionalize and change names, a little), I should work to improve my writing by studying others. The problem is that I read a LOT, but I usually get so absorbed in a novel, that I don’t even notice the writing, I just sink myself into the story. So, I don’t really know what draws me to some writing over others. I’ve decided to try to be more conscious of the words and sentences and structures that catch my attention – to this end, I’ve started a journal where I will copy the most interesting phrases. My first entry was a description of the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights) that was the most perfect picture (from the two times I’ve ever seen them).