the very very good news is that lauren's surgery went well and they're crossing their fingers that they got it all. lauren says there's been surprisingly little post-op bleeding and they're giving her good drugs. so things are going as best they can in the department o' cancer.

I hope all this is over.

as for me, I'm a few days into a wicked cold and a week into spring term. it's wintry here, snow coming and going throughout the days.

which reminds me: funniest thing last night:

I was at a four way stop waiting for the light to turn when this man comes up behind me. I notice him looking at me and fully turn my attention to the passing cars (as not to invite conversation). despite my very attentive car-watching, he says, "did it snow today?" which isn't funny unless you know that the day before there was no snow on the ground and when he asked me this question there was about 3 inches. I said, "yeah, a few inches," at which point I guess he realized how odd his question must have sounded. I turned back to watching the cars. "I took a nap" he said, by way of explanation.

of course.

a few moments later he ran out into traffic to get away from me and the awkwardness of our exchange. he crossed the street safely but without a light.