I spent Monday and Tuesday working my butt off as a volunteer at an interesting conference to do with international conflict and risk. The conference itself (not just the participants) is covered by the
Chatham House Rule, so I can't talk much about it except to say that I met some incredibly interesting people (some of whom know a ton about genocide), learned a whole lot, got more than 20 business cards, and had a wonderful time.
Due to the
Metro accident on Monday, my commute was extended on Monday and Tuesday to two hours each way, leaving me between three and four and a half hours to sleep on those nights. Wednesday was slightly better - it was an hour and fifty minutes rather than two hours. Now it has gone down to about an hour and twenty. However, I do work until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays, and I had insomnia, so sleep was not had that night, either. Normal commute time: 35-45 minutes, depending on how trains are running. *sigh*
On Thursday, we took
papertigers's 11-year-old niece to
Grade A Student Night at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The woman at the check-in desk was highly impressed by the niece's straight As and straight 1s (a 1 means you are working above grade level). I was impressed myself. We all had a great time, and even went to see the "4D" movie, which engendered a conversation between
papertigers and me as to whether the 4th dimension is time or spacetime (
Wikipedia says it's spacetime or time depending on your model, which would make me right, but not make her wrong, which is kind of fun in itself to think about).
Now I want to see The Polar Express in "4D." Darned trailers.
Yesterday was somewhat calmer; I only worked until five, and we got to hang out and have some sleep last night. This morning, I was up early to take a friend and coworker who lives nearby to the MVA to get her learner's permit. Afterwards, she took us to lunch to celebrate.
papertigers and I were very tired and took a nap. We got up, went to the gym (where I swam), did some grocery shopping, and are now back home.
A crazy week, a long week, a very good week.