Well, it's settled. In September we are leaving for Europe. This will be the longest vacation (10 whole days!) we've taken in 10 years.*

Travel plans were swiftly confirmed by the government, who (as they usually do when I am planning to travel) within 24 hours of our making the plane reservation, issued new warnings about potential terrorist threats.

I don't know why, but it seems like this happens almost every time I get ready to fly anywhere. It's as if I don't already have enough to do in terms of arrangements and packing--in odd moments I wonder if I should make out my will.

Well, anyway. We are going. I will resume being excited.

(Please don't tell me the fact that I think 10 days is a long vacation is sad. I know it is sad. Tell it to the American business community.)