Summer...?

Hello, hello, is this thing on....? It seems that time has been flying without my getting a post up this summer. I'm working on it! Actually, we haven't had much summery weather here in Berlin at all, but I guess that's neither here nor there. In June, I spent several weeks back again at the BESSY synchrotron doing unnatural shifts of (worthwhile?) scientific work there. Now, I have been enduring an avalanche of visitors for the rest of the summer up until now. Mom and Dad and Anna and Casey came through Germany in mid-summer and I met my parents in Rome for the better part of a week as well. Uncle John, Aunt Barbara, and John John came through Germany, passing through Berlin in early August. Then, Karen came for a visit until just a couple of days ago, and we traveled a bit through Germany and visited Paris, as well as spending some time in Berlin. I have also had a number of friends and acquaintances passing through town. I did miss one who e-mailed me one morning to ask if I was available for breakfast that same morning as he was passing through Berlin (maybe next time?). Good to see everyone who made it! But, I'm happy to have maybe a tiny break from visitors for a few days....

In a couple of days I will have to go down to a castle in Bavaria for almost a week for our department's annual meeting (speaking of, I should probably be practicing my presentation...). Then afterward, I hope I will be spending a little more time in Berlin for a bit and I'll also be able to get a blog entry or two up. So, get excited! ;)