Well. My father has advanced prostate cancer, as well as a five centimeter tumor in his lung. They had established that the lung tumor was not connected to the prostate problem, but as of Friday there is some question about what's going on in his liver being involved with the lung tumor.

The lung tumor is around an artery, so it's not operable. It has pressed up against the nerves to his vocal cords, so he has lost the use of half of them, and will not regain his full voice.

On top of that, he got out of the car Friday night and tripped. Broken hip, so he's in the hospital until they decide whether his heart and lungs are up for the necessary operation on his hip.

My full-time job has been "downsized" out of existence as of this past Wednesday.

So: I'm finishing up some loose ends at my "part-time full-time job" for the next couple of days, and then taking what remains of my vacation days, and heading for Austin, Texas.