"So what have you been doing?"

This in an email today. My first response (unwritten):

Ummm, I have an online diary, and you read it. Don't you know?

But then, I thought back on it, and I haven't really said much in the diary lately about what my days have actually been like.

So. Today.

Monthly reports. Those nagging monthly summaries that the outfit places such high priority on. The only excuse accepted for not getting these things in on time is a death in the family.

Provided the death is your own.

And mine will be late this month, since the boss wants them by the fifth every month, and I didn't get them done and mailed until today. Part of the delay was from last Friday, when a lion hunter called from Hot Springs Town, wanting to get his harvested lion registered before his 72 hours were up. Which led to a frenzied search through all of my emails and files for the latest lion mortality form. Which I did not find. Which led to a call to the gals in the Regional Office, asking for a fax of the latest version. Shortly after I had acquired the proper form, and reviewed all the tooth and pelage aging characteristics of lions (since this would be my first this year), the lion hunter called back. Advising he had run into the game warden for his town while shopping downtown, and would be getting the lion checked in with him (hence saving himself a 35-mile drive on horrible highways, which were closed part of the day).

Ookay.

But hey, at least now I have the form. Which turned out to have been in the emails I had not downloaded over the New Year. So now I have the form twice. (And should I mention they sent out at least three or four versions of the new form in just one day, 'cause folks kept finding errors in it?)

Otherwise, today, I did laundry.

Woop.

Did visit briefly with the new neighbor across the way, as the heeler sisters were dragging me to the post office. He and his tiny, furry lapdog are less than thrilled with our sub-zero temperatures, and the fresh white stuff on his walks. Wants to be mowing grass again, not shoveling.

Methinks he's in the wrong state, and may not stay here too many years.

I also had to fight my new addiction to Judging Amy, acquired during the holiday break. And the wife and I watched the opening installment (no, we weren't looking for it, just hit it whilst channel surfing) of the new "Average Joe" reality dating show.

Gorgeous, gorgeous bachelorette, with incredible class. Who, after being stuck with all the sub-average "Joes" that the producers put on the show (obviously someone was too trusting to read the fine print on her contract), would be excused of any despicable behavior she might exhibit in response, but instead handled herself with grace.

If we come back to watch, it will just be to see her.

Now, tomorrow, I'll have to get the sage grouse database updated and sent in (a week late), work on completing some wildlife observation forms, and start looking into what we want to do with our elk seasons this coming fall. Plus summarizing the deer and antelope classifications from last year.

And so to bed.