Chindi

It's a book, by... um... Jack McDevitt, I think? I just finished reading it, and I liked it. Looking forwards to the others in the series now.

It's about humans exploring the universe and not finding spacefaring alien races because most everyone nukes themselves back to the stone age (and humans don't have any reason to think they'll be an exception). So it's all about 'archaeology'. Indiana-Jones style.

I had a dream last night that included a scene that just came to mind, where I was in a book store and found a couple books that I thought would be really fun to read right away. Pity that's just a dream; there's nothing in my queue that really reaches out and grabs me. Chindi didn't either, though, so maybe I'll get lucky again.

Italiano!

We had another farewell lunch today, for Shuyi, one of the devs on my team, who got another job elsewhere in the company. This one was a little farther away than Azteca (it was down at Crossroads) so we carpooled.

I ended up in Andrew's car, which is a 'convertible' in the sense that there are plastic windows you can hang from the rollbars. It's nice and warm and sunny, today, so those weren't up -- so since Shuyi got shotgun, the rest of us got to climb into the car Dukes of Hazzard style.

Climbing in was easy enough, but I had a little trouble getting back out without hurting myself, and everyone had to wait a few seconds while I squirmed around until I could get both feet out the window at the same time. The second time they all stood there watching me and giving pointers. o.o;

The ride itself was... long -- construction had 156th half-closed and down to one lane in each direction just north of Crossroads, and that's a busy stretch under the best of circumstances. And I have to drive it again after work to pick up Shadarack... eep.

As for the food, it was pretty good italian -- really expensive, though. Andrew picked up the tab, but I think I would have owed like $20.

On the way back, Andrew remarked on how lovely the weather is, and said "It's strange that all of us are wearing pants." There was silence for a few seconds before we figured out he meant 'instead of shorts'.