1. I think I'm so thrilled that the day is finally here! Hooray for #perception_collection! I had such fun working out the details of this challenge with my friend Christine that I just know the next two weeks are going to be a total blast. I've actually been in a teeny Instagram funk this week, overworked and underpaid, I guess, and I know that this project is just what I need to get me going again. Your enthusiasm for it has inspired and delighted us and I can't wait to see what interpretations of the prompts you come up with. And Petra (and anyone else for that matter)... never fear! Instagram isn't the be-all-end-all. If any of these prompts inspire you, go for it. If you pop some #perception_collection inspired photos up on your blog, we'll be sure to share them too!

2. I think I was thrilled to have the opportunity to speak before the Chesapeake Bay Art Association this week. I mentioned in my Instagram (maybe it IS the be all end all?!) photo that I was stepping out of my comfort zone, but the truth is, I actually really enjoy public speaking. When it's on a topic I care about at least. Since they asked me to come and speak about blogging, well duh. I feel pretty strongly on the matter. It was wonderful to be in a room filled with great, creative minds, and they were an awesome, receptive audience. We may even be able to add some new bloggers to our ranks. Wouldn't that be terrific? I am all about people telling their stories. More! More!

3. I think that Cal wanted me to let you know that he'll have a blog post for you about his time in Richmond next week. And I still have his graduation post waiting in the wings. Re-entry is hard and middle school is harder. Baseball and homework before blogs, sadly, but with a four-day weekend looming, I plan on holding his nose to the grindstone. Mine too, I guess.

4. I think we're going low-key for Easter again this year. As usual. With no family in town, we're usually on our own for the holiday (that just means more ham, right?), and that will call for mostly food and quiet. We're meeting friends for Indian on Saturday, and I'd like to get a walk in on the beach, but other than that, I guess I'm good.

5. I think I'm baffled that my son is considering taking German over French in school next year. They had their language presentations on Wednesday, and he says that German is the front-runner. It's pretty funny. All the language departments do presentations showing how "cool" the program is and how fun it would be to take "their" language. German! White water rafting! Spanish! Argentinean zip lines! While there may have been information about the actual languages and what you learn in the presentations, that's not the takeaway of the two 14 year old boys I talked to. I think Cal's drawn to German for a couple of reasons. 1) A guy teaches it and 2) mostly girls seem interested in French. But never fear. I'm pulling in the big guns. I told Erin.