Here in the US it was Labor Day weekend, and I inexplicably spent my spare Monday on a hike through the glorious hills of Berkeley, marching through the 300-acre Ecological Study Area. If you like stunning views and having to slide down steep fire roads on your butt, I fully recommend it.

For me though, I’d hear the bells of The Campanile and think to myself, “Oh yeah, Usurper of the Sun has a few scenes down on the campus. I wonder if I should contact someone there so they’ll know.” Well, instead I just decided to blog about it.

Then there was the treachery of the last bit of the hike. It’s like a death trap, especially if one’s shoes lacked traction as mine did. (Seriously kids, buy some books. Papa needs a new pair of hiking boots!) And even as I tried to avoid twisting my ankle or landing face-first, I thought, “Is it going to take me a week to die? Will my blood taint a river’s water red like in ‘Seven Rooms’ by Otsuichi?” You know, the story from ZOO, a book which, by wild coincidence, is also out next week?

I know, I know, it’s sad to be so obsessed with work. I feel lucky that I even have a job, especially one I looove (well, except for the commute!) but even on Labor Day? Even amidst the beauty of the natural world? Even my dog was laughing at me!