A Cheshire Cat moon hangs above.

Willow continues to grow bigger (she's back up to 4 pounds, 6 ounces) and stronger. She has been finishing her bottles at the designated feeding times, and is showing interest in her surroundings. Tonight, after she finished eating, she spent some time just looking around. Who knows what she makes of her surroundings - she seemed to be looking at the overhead lighting. She also looked at me, of course. It's amazing to cradle her in my arms while she tries out her eyes and her facial muscles. Her mouth changes from a smile to a little pout to an "o" of surprise and back again. It's sort of like she hasn't figured what all the buttons do yet. She'll learn.
She sucks on her bottle with more tenacity now, and doesn't lose interest. Earlier in the day she nursed and used the bottle. Jen has been pumping milk like crazy to keep up. We did manage to take a little break between feeding times and go see a movie - David Cronenburg's "Spider". If you've ever wondered how that haunted-looking guy who's muttering to himself while picking miscellaneous objects off the sidewalk got the way he is, this film offers one possible scenario. Very recommended.

Earlier this weekend I talked briefly with a friend (who I probably see about once a year) who had recently gotten hit by a car. She still stutters due to nerve damage sustained in the accident. I remember when I heard about her being hit I thought that if she had been more seriously injured (or worse) I might not have heard about it for a long time, if ever. It would be like looking up at the stars and seeing their reassuring light, even though some of those stars we "see" might actually have gone supernova during the vast span of time that it takes their light to reach the earth. One perceives that everything is all right until news to the contrary reaches one's ears. If the news, for whatever reason, never comes, then... well, I guess this would be a case of "ignorance is bliss". That said, I'm glad she escaped with only minor injuries.

I also managed to find the time to go on a hike with M. in the woods near his house. This was during the time that we had set aside to rehearse for the upcoming Irr.App.(ext.) show, but G. and R. decided to pick this weekend to become ill. Perhaps next weekend things will work out.

cds I listened to while light from stars that may or may not still be there shone down upon me: Forrest Fang "Gongland", Magma "Les Voix" and "Mekanik Kommandoh", Strebers "Oga For Oga", Pearls Before Swine "Constructive Melancholy", Univeria Zekt "The Unnamables", Vladimir Martynov "Night in Galicia", and Voivod "s/t"

now: Howard Shore "M Butterfly" soundtrack