I'd decided not to go anywhere tonight and get all caught up on my e-mail instead. But then I realized that we're two weeks away from the date the last ever episode of DL was originally to be posted, and I had a minor meltdown over how far behind schedule we are. After sending a couple of ranty e-mails to the rest of the team I decided it was time to step away from the computer before I said something truly regretful, or burst into tears, or threw up my hands and said "Screw this!" and quit the project altogether. So I left. Still didn't want to drive all the way to Tulsa, so I thought I'd hang out at Java Dave's and lay some more groundwork for my novel. But today is apparently the one year anniversary of their grand opening, and they were celebrating with a Hawaiian theme, and they had little girls in leighs hula dancing around the shop, and they were blasting corny island-themed music much louder than any such music ever deserves to be played, and it wasn't very conducive to any sort of writing. Plus, these people got a flat tire in the parking lot, and one of the guys who were changing it kept coming in to wash his hands, and for some reason every time he passed me he had to stop and explain to me why he was washing his hands. It went like this:

Guy (first time speaking to me ever): Hi again!

Me: Um ... hi?

Guy: Got grease on my hands!

Me: You sure did.

Guy (Coming back from the bathroom): All clean!

Me: That's good.

Guy (coming in a second time): Hi there! Grease all over me!

Me: That happens when you change tires.

Guy: Don't I know it! (Goes to bathroom, presumably washes hands, comes back out and stops at my table) Had to wash my hands again before I hold my nephew.

Me: That's probably a good idea.

Guy: I have to finish the tire, then I'll be back!

Me: All righty, then!

That was when I decided driving in to Borders might not be such a bad idea after all. So I did. While there, I started a chapter-by-chapter outline for Modern Brides, and got the vampire hunter guy fleshed out a little more. Still don't have a name for him, though. I also wrote a letter from Spike to Buffy, trying to get a feel for Souled Spike before I start my big post "Grave" fic. Amazingly enough, my version of Souled Spike feels remarkably similar to DL Spike, even though technically that version still doesn't have a soul. Anyway. Maybe later I'll type up the letter and polish it for posting.

I'm feeling much better now. Feeling more subdued about the whole deadline thing. Also, I did finally begin catching up on e-mail before I left. I started at the bottom of my in-box and am working my way up, so if you've written me recently it may still be a little bit before I reply. But at least I'm making progress.