Unwinding

AH, BOOKS!

I went to the library after work today, and checked out the following books: The Things They Carried, by Tim O'Brien, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, by Victor Hugo. I really wanted to read Mrs. Dalloway, but last night I checked the online catalog and it wasn't available at the library on-base. I think I will search the bases closer to our house, though.
I'm really starting to like this extremely easy access to so many (free!) books; the library is right across the street from my office building. I may just get a card for the library in downtown Tampa- I think Dan already has one.

THE TOUR (ALAS, NO PICTURES)

Last weekend I went on a USO tour with a friend from work; we went to the Black Forest, where we each bought a cuckoo clock and sampled a slice of their legendary Black Forest cherry cake, which had quite a bit of liquor in it. We took photos in front of Germany's highest waterfall, and ended the day with a tour of the Triberg museum. I left my camera in the car, but my friend took some pictures, and I will be uploading those soon. I was going to take a picture of my cuckoo clock and include it here, but was unable to for the following reasons: 1) due to the strong winds last weekend, our internet and phone access was disconnected, for a total of five days, and 2) I just realized that my camera is no longer functional- I think it must have been a delayed reaction after a recent fall.

WORK AND OTHER NEWS

Dan is enjoying his job (he is becoming more familiar with his co-workers) and my situation is not too bad, either. I am now officially able to receive overtime compensation(though I don't think I will be staying late too often!), and today it was decided that I will be eligible for my crew evaluation within the next two weeks, hopefully...once I have passed that, I will have a somewhat steadier schedule, which I am looking forward to.
The car situation is not faring too well, but there is better news: our furniture is being delivered next week! And this weekend a co-worker of mine will be dropping off a futon and a desk, for which we are supremely grateful.