So, I know I’ve been a bit communications-challenged of late; this is for a bunch of reasons. One, we’re building out a new datacenter on the day job front. This always involves all kinds of esoteric operations shenanigans that drain me. That said, it’s all going very well — hands down the best one I’ve done so far (and for my current gig, this will be my third — shriek).

Two, writing. I tend to blog less when I story more. I don’t feel like I’m storying more right now, per se, but stories are taking longer. Which drives me fricking nuts, sure, but what else can I do but get over it?

Third, Hermes. See, he’s a tricky guy. To tell you true, I don’t think about him very much. However, three or four times a year, though, he makes a special appearance, and during at least one of these, he makes my life miserable.

We’re in one of those times right now. I need to lay low, least something I say on the Internet come back to me later in a brown unmarked envelope. You know, when I can get on the Internet to begin with. (Did I mention that Time Warner turned off our service for no reason whatsoever? Never mind.)

There was some other stuff but I kind of forgot ‘em as I’ve been sitting here. See? Now the guy is stealing thoughts right out of my head. Dork.

Anyway, that’s that. Here’s a list for your trouble:

1. From the department of “I could be here all day”, I give you the This Might Be A Wiki, the ridiculously, mind-bogglingly comprehensive wiki on They Might Be Giants.

2. I’ve got a new Francesca Lia Block book sitting right here. A proof, even, haggled from a dude selling books in front of Connecticut Muffin in Windsor Terrace.

3. Speaking of which, I’ve been drinking at least one iced coffee per day. What the heck is this? I have never been a coffee person, despite the number of times that my mother encouraged me to “take it black” so that I wouldn’t fall asleep behind the wheel while driving late at night. But in the middle of this New York City heatwave we’re having, I’ve been chugging the stuff. When I’m not pacing myself, that is.

4. I asked this over on the sooper-half-secret LJ, but I’ll ask here, too: anyone use Vox? They sent out a bunch of invites, including one to me. I have no idea what to do with it, if anything. All the same, feel free to add me to your neighborhood if you hang out over there and I’ll add you back.

5. The Deepak/Grant thing went over well, apparently. Here’s one of the most surreal con shots you’ll ever see (that’s from Heidi’s blog). For more con fun, check out Kelly Sue’s Flickr pool.