A computer-free weekend, thanks to IBM

It’s been a few days since I’ve flipped my page, and it’s not because of power problems here in California. So far, we haven’t been directly affected by those, though I dread seeing my next month’s PG&E bill, especially the gas side of the bill.

Instead, we spent a computer-free weekend, thanks to IBM. More specifically, thanks to IMS. Diane works on tools to support IMS development, and so she was invited to the IMS Version 7 celebration on Saturday night at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. And since the celebration ran till midnight, they also provided a room at the Doubletree Hotel in Monterey. And they even let her bring me as a guest!

A good time was had by all (or at least by us); Jeffrey spent the night at a friend’s house, and he liked that, too. But by the time we got home on Sunday and caught up with errands and the newspaper, I didn’t feel like turning on the computer. Instead, we talked and watched part of The Six Wives of Henry VIII, which was a better use of our time.

I also finished The Amber Spyglass, the third and final volume in the His Dark Materials trilogy. I had a hard time putting it down to go to Monterey, but I did — and then as soon as we got home on Sunday, I sat down and finished the book. I strongly recommend it — but, even though it’s billed as a children’s book, I wouldn’t recommend it for a pre-teenager.

Now to read what all of you have written over the past few days….