Hi Everyone,

As the first third of the year has finished up, I find that although I haven't been as productive as I'd hoped, things are still moving along nicely. I've been working on some writings, I've made several new contacts, and the website, although delinquent for its May 1st premiere, is coming along at a steady pace. I've been getting caught up on my reading and language study (haven't been doing much of either for a long time). I've been planning a few trips (actually, I've been planning several hundred trips, but I'm really only able to commit to a few). I've been eyeing luggage at various department stores and online. Basically, the travel bug has bit again. And, like every other time that's happened, I don't resist. I know better by now.

I was back in Chicago last week for Nick & Amy's wedding. I'll have pictures of that later this month. 'Twas a great time, being back in my "hood" (home town) and seeing my "peeps" (family and friends) and eating lots of "food" (food). The wedding reception alone was worth the trip back. I've toyed with the idea of moving back there someday, but right now, the general feeling is best summed up as...Nahhhhhhhhhhh. Still, Chicago is a great place, and I may be back for 4th of July, one of the best times to be there.

This month will be a bit busy, since I'm now hoping to update the site once a week at the very least. Although I'm planning to learn Flash one of these days, in the meantime I'm stuck with HTML refreshers, trying to relearn all the code. While I don't want to get too bogged down with web design (one of the rules of being a writer is to leave everything but the writing to someone else), right now I'm the only one who can do it. I'm also hoping to get the blog updated more often. Part of my new set of goals is to write more in every aspect: travel writing, a journal ("Dear Diary, whoever shall I invite to prom?"), the blog, and even personal letters (why is it so hard to actually write one of those things?!). I know the trick is to just do it, little by little, but even that can be a challenge. Slow and steady...

All else is well. Work is busy but stable as per usual. Dating has become a little easier and more comfortable, although no great romances just yet. Jazz guitar still proves to be a challenge, but I'm hoping to play out somewhere (either a gig or maybe just an open-mic event) by the end of the year. Right now music has taken a back seat to travel, and while I'd prefer to do both whenever possible, I'd decided not to take the advice of my friends who tell me to "write songs about travel." Nice suggestion, tho'...

OK, that's all for now. More soon!

Mazel Tov (or whatever)!
dave