i realized after i got on the train saturday morning that i hadn’t updated before i left, and of course i haven’t had time until now. i’m in massachusetts spending the holiday at my parents’ house, and i’ll be here until friday. unfortunately whatever minor plague i had before i left has developed into something quite nasty so i haven’t been doing much other than trying to sleep and taking lots of vile cough medicines, and reading. i think i’m starting to get better - if moving from feverish and throat-swollen to congested and coughing can be said to be better. it’s different, anyway.

my brother spent the night here last night so that he could be here for our usual christmas morning such and whatnot, so that was nice. we had croissants and coffee and opened presents and everything. i have to thank everyone who sent me letters and ecards and things from my wishlist - i’m always amazed at that sort of thing, especially from people i haven’t even spoken to on irc or anything. my parents have a hard time grasping that people i don’t know actually visit my site and would be involved enough to send me a card, much less a gift - but it happens and i’m very grateful.

i don’t know if i’m going to have a chance to update again before i get back; i hope i will, but i’ll see how it goes. the rest of my family - my aunt and uncle, cousins, and grandparents - are coming here shortly for a big christmas dinner thing, which should be nice. i hope all of you survive your various family gatherings, assuming you have them, or in any case have fun. i’ll be back in a few days.