The Mathematician and the Girlchild are about to leave for England. She'll be gone for two weeks and he'll be gone for four.

In the two weeks I've got alone, I aim to finish Pajama Jones. You'll have to hold me to that, okay? Once I get back from the airport, the countdown begins. I estimate another 25,000 words to get this puppy out the door.

I will post (briefly), to record how it's going and drop bits of information. Such as this: a girl with a blog (as she calls herself) has started something called The First 150. The idea is, you post the first 150 words of your favorite novel. There are some interesting choices already up. If I had time I'd put up a few myself: Byatt's Possession, Helprin's A Soldier of the Great War ... I could do this for dozens of books. What a great way to procrastinate.

If I didn't have to finish this novel.