Again, Back From The Wilderness

I sort of don't know what to do with this blog right now. The life I was living when I started it is no longer my life, and keeping people abreast of the inside baseball I was quietly enjoying at my job is no longer a possibility. I don't have the tons of free time I used to have, since I now live with my girlfriend instead of with strangers, and my daily habits are much different than they used to be -- for instance, I don't go sit in cafes and just type for hours at a time.

So, what am I going to do with Lapplander? I'm really not sure. But I'm not shutting it down, and I can't see that being a possibility in the foreseeable future. I like having a blog too much, for one thing, even if it's kind of quiet right now. And updating everyone on my escapades is still something I'd like to be able to do without making a million phone calls; I just need to decide how much of a priority I'm going to make it, and let people know that it's worthwhile to check in here once in a while. I've also considered posting more of my photography, since it's been getting some good notices. To whit: here is a Tanzanian warthog. And here is a very well-composed shot of a pond and some storks. Here is a Zanzibari sunrise. Look around. There's something for everyone.

In personal news, I had a ridiculous few days in Atlantic City this week. I got in on Tuesday, won $350 in a few hours at the poker tables, went to sleep, lost $1250 on Wednesday taking one bad beat drubbing after another, went to sleep, and won $1310 on Thursday, leaving me up $410 for the trip (I tipped the cashier!). I can take the swings. It makes me stronger than oak. Tonight Stephanie and I are going to a poker dinner party where I fully expect to win everyone's money.

Also, I'm about to start looking for another job and also finally about to start writing a novel I concocted while the two of us were traveling around Italy a few weeks ago. More information on these exploits will be forthcoming as they develop.