3:41 a.m. Well, I've fallen behind. I'm so behind now that I might as well relax and enjoy the view -- I may never catch up again. Plus, I had to go to a little teeny tiny mini convention this afternoon ... so, I may be losing my deadlines left and right, but at least I now have a nice collection of new goodies.

And speaking of goodies, I went to the market and I am happy to be the proud owner of 30 yellow peeps. It's taking every bit of willpower that I barely have not to rip into them and start tearing their ittle heads off their plump round sugary ...

... but I have this idea for a photo shoot that I want to create, and artist that I am, I will try not to eat the props. If Van Gogh could limit himself to one ear, surely I can stick to the jellybeans for a few more hours ... and speaking of jellybeans, check out this brand-new (but very accomplished and fun) site, just in time for the holidays: Jelly Bean Juggler.

And speaking of new sites, here's another really polished journal just starting out: bunt sign. In both cases, you have a chance to start from the beginning if you start right now. Otherwise, you'll end up playing catch-up the way I'm suddenly doing with two more really good journals that I've discovered this week: Sykes Journal and LB's Journal. Deep, delicious archives. Start in, find yourself lost, but in a good way.

Once again, I marveled this evening at how much richer and busier my life is now that I'm posting online. I couldn't have imagined this when I was merely looking at the web, rather than participating in it. Real people vs. web people? I'm no longer making that distinction.

Here's but one example. A few weeks ago we were having dinner at one of our favorite local Italian cuchi-cuchi cucinas. The waitress, who was very young, was admiring my camera and talking about all things web-related. Her job search, her independent film which she was going to preview, her chats, her Moos. Typical conversation.

When she left, I noticed that the wealthy-looking older couple at the next table had been listening, and when I glanced over in their general direction, they looked away quickly and I suddenly felt like a dorky weenie nerdly type. Living the vida in loco reality.

When it got around to cappochino time, we ended up talking to the couple. Turns out they were not the longtime married, yacht-owning couple I had assumed them to be. No indeedy. He was from Brooklyn and she was from San Diego and they had met on the internet. After a yearlong courtship, he had just sold his place on the east coast and moved out here to be with his new love.

So, you never know. But the more I read, the more I appreciate listening in to other people's conversations. The writers may be several continents and many decades away from my little mindset, but the internet has made it seem as if they are right at the next table.

My favorite neighborhood boite has never been more lively. Plus, they never close.