1. Debate politics with family, family friends, and total strangers over email! It all starts with one of those chain letters about Obama the Radical Muslim.

I go to bed late and prefer to sleep in (topical comic). Some study recently reported that night owls are more prone to resist authority.

Visiting family, I always need a day or two to adjust to the new environment. The old folks go to bed early, for one thing. People have different routines, and I don't always have the familiar home comforts within reach (WiFi, my pantry, my getaway car).

I'm in Caffe Fiore in Ballard, reading a Stranger article about Barack Obama and sipping a luscious caffe breve. Feels like home.

Betsy and I are back in the Northwest for Christmas, visiting her family and mine. We're staying with friends tonight and in the meantime I'm relaxing. May go watch some English soccer with Josh today, do some shopping, play Eve. Probably some work, too.

It sure is nice to be back again.

We set up a little website for the Kluh/Bodenner wedding, with the date, time, directions, and accommodation suggestions. Our gift registries are also linked from the site. We're looking forward to seeing everyone there... Only 26 days to go!

My brother Chris is moving to DC to immerse himself in the political stew as it comes to a boil in '08. (He's too busy to blog about it, so I've got to take up the slack.)

I just got back today from a surprise visit to my Dad for his 60th birthday party. His lady friend set up a gathering of his friends at a small-town steakhouse, where many war stories were told. I wish I'd had my camera ready to capture his total shock when he saw me at the door.

Pictures from the party on flickr.

Chris finally made it up to Seattle after an epic train journey from Portland in the middle of the worst winter storm in 13 years. We celebrated with a late night of Settlers, Wild Turkey, and homemade pizza ('cause the takeout place was closed). Hoping to squeeze in some skiing Sunday and a trip to the climbing gym tomorrow.

Photos from last weekend in the San Juans are online.

Betsy and I will be joining the brothers Kluh for a few relaxing days on board the Klu Maru, cruising around somewhere in the San Juan islands. The dinner menu for the week reads something like this: crab, crab, crab, steak. Tune in for photos sometime next week.

Betsy and I just got back from visiting my brother Chris in New York. My mom was there, too, and we all stayed at Chris' apartment, which he rents from my cousin Scott. A real family reunion—and I finally got to meet Scott for the first time. We toured the city under Chris' patient guidance for four days.

Photos are here. Click "read more" for some talk of what we did and saw.