Howdy.

Sunday. It's been a warm weekend, which, combined with lots of snow, means it's a big wet mess outside. Melted snow equals awfulness. Me hopes it's all gone soon; more cool, crisp, dry days would be perfect. Of course, I'm leaving the country on Wednesday, so no worries -- but I'd love to come back to a Norway all dried up.

Left my cat with my parents today, and that always sucks. Not that my parents won't take good care of her, but it's always a bit emptier in the apartment without her. Yup, I'm a big softie (in a manly way, of course). I live alone, so I love company any way I can get it, and the cat's pretty good company most of the time. Besides, she's pretty lost without me, I think. She doesn't exactly have a large circle of friends.

Watched the latest episode of Buffy on Friday, and boy-oh-boy, I like where this is going. It was a tensely plotted and extremely well-written (when isn't it?) episode. The conversation between Buffy and her would-be slay -- the psych-student vampire -- was a stroke of genius; a perfect example of how the writers blend fantasy and real life in an engaging and original way. But most importantly, we're getting some terrifying glimpses of this season's Big Bad -- the morphing thingy -- and this ain't no "Nerds of Doom" (from last season; back again in this episode, actually). In fact, this seventh (and possibly) last season of Buffy may be up there with the best of 'em. I look forward to the next episode.

One last thing: Anyone out there live in Seattle or is familiar with the city at all? I'll be spending the weekend, and it'd be nice to know where to go, where to eat, watch movies, shop, sightsee, and generally, uh, hang out on a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Any and all tips would be much appreciated!  ¶ 20:02