So the Bushes are back in town. I have to pinch myself to believe it, as I'm sure George did this morning when he woke up this morning as president for the first time. I actually don't dislike him at all; in fact, he seems like a decent guy, likeable in his own doofus way, though not a patch on his Dad. (2008 note during editing: I can't believe I wrote this - how wrong I was!) What worries me most about his administration are some of his nominees, and his attitudes towards the environment and engagement with the rest of the world.

If he cares at all about the environment, it's only to the extent that saving it doesn't impinge at all on economic growth. On engagement with the world, since he's never read any books, he can be forgiven perhaps for not knowing the obvious lessons of history that what is going on in somebody elses back yard will one day be in our own front garden. But what about his much better informed appointees? Surely they know better?

Speaking of appointees, I reserve particular distaste for Ashcroft. I don't think there can be anything more disgusting than this nasty right-wing bigot wrapping himself in the mantle of moral, God-fearing self- righteousness. There, I've had my little say, and gone against my decision to not write about politics here (not wanting to be flooded with nasty email like last time I did this). Now there's nothing to do but let Bush get on with it for four years.

It was lovely to drive through the Marina early Friday morning, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and into lush, green Marin, for a meeting with the company I'll hopefully be working with for the next six months. I say "hopefully" because it's not a done deal yet, but it's certainly an exciting prospect, and a great opportunity for me. The company has a sparkling, brand-new building into which they moved only three weeks ago, and our meeting could not have gone better. I was just a peon in this meeting, but I managed to put in enough interjections to get myself noticed, I hope.

On Friday night, I did my boyfriendly duties and accompanied Jed to a late dinner at 2223 to celebrate the birthday of one of his friends. I'm at my least comfortable in a dinner party with twenty men I don't know, but at least I had Jed by my side. The most interesting component of the evening was that Jed's ex love interest was there, a man I'd heard a great deal about but had not even seen a photograph of until this night. I have to say that he was really hot - I mean really, really hot! This put Jed in something of a new light for me, since this guy was the kind of guy I'd never have the nerve to approach myself.

The late dinner kept my stomach revolving until one in the morning, which, since I always seem to wake up at five-thirty recently, meant that I was dog tired all day Saturday. Despite this, I was full of bonhommie and happy energy, and had a great workout at the gym with Cecilia. Afterwards, I went over to Pasta Pomodoro to pick up my chicken- caesar salad.

I was served by Christian, who's this cute, slight young guy who's been working there for quite a while now. He was wearing a grey Argyle sweater over a soft, white cotton shirt, and he looked just so darned cute. He has always excited my tender side, since he has such a sweet smile, and a kind, warm friendliness. I think he's straight, though, like most of the guys who work at Pasta Pomodoro. Probably a good thing! I found myself, while waiting for my lunch, thinking about what it would be like to kiss him. I've long believed in monogamy, but for a second I found myself thinking that there must be something wrong with that ideal if it meant depriving yourself of a sweetness like Christian.

I'm off again to our headquarters in the south again tomorrow. Don't they ever get sick of us country hicks over there? This week is our annual sales meeting, where they drag everyone in from all corners of the country to listen to various VP robots drone on about sales channels, market-space, upsell/cross- sell opportunities, and speed-to-market. Ho hum.