Alive and well -------------- Despite the recent prolonged silence, I am in fact alive and well and certainly haven't abandoned this phlog. Rather, I spent quite a bit of time getting an introduction to what the Finns call "mökki elämä", or "cottage life". During summer the majority of Finns retire to a family cottage (traditionally lakeside) and spend some time engaged in a combination of barbecuing, berry picking, drinking, fishing, hiking, mushroom gathering, and, of course, sitting in the sauna. My new boss kindly invited my wife and I, along with some of my new co-workers, to spend some time at her parent's cottage so we could all get to know each other in a relaxed environment. We had a wonderful time and I scarcely touched my computer the entire trip, hence the lack of updates.