Right, so it’s 124 shopping days until Christmas, there’s a chill in the air, the squirrels move like steel balls in a pinball game, and the family of wild turkeys in my neighborhood are now sporting flak jackets.

Not much happened this summer.  It never does.  Sarin here, sarin there, but otherwise?  Business as usual.

I did learn how to cook a few vegetarian dishes I’ve been trying to master for years.  That’s something.  Got down the fried tofu squares tossed in hoisin, toasted sesame seeds, and a smidge of sambal olek.  Figured out the sweet pea pesto.

And, yes, it’s true: I’m writing for several Asian publications.  Two in Bangkok–Sewasdee and Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia–and one in Hong Kong–a consortium of travel magazines.  That ought to stir the waters.

Electronics or clothing?  Still time to decide.