I got the VW back today, and it turned out to be not the dreaded oil sludge problem, but rather the cam tensioner which needed replacing (under warranty). Also, I got the window switches, which were failing, replaced. I knew accessories were a reliability problem with VW, but I expected more from the engine, which has a 10-year/100k-mile warranty. Fahrvernugen is back, but it’s bringing bloggenbitchin with it.

In happier news, I’ve been playing with my new 580EX flash unit, and it’s very cool. It does seem to do a much better metering job than my 420EX (E-TTL II vs. E-TTL), but the really cool thing is the wireless multi-flash setup. The quality of light from two flashes held apart is significant enough, but I can also put one flash behind the subject as a hair light, or just put the second light somewhere pointing straight up as a bounce for really terrific indoor photos.

Tara, having mastered “laying down” is just learning to sit and to roll over as well. We don’t anticipate speaking for another year or so. I have been sitting her up on the bed and seeing how long she can remain upright. Generally she goes for ten seconds or so once I get her situated, but then tips over backwards in a very comical style. Video will be forthcoming. She learned to roll over from her front to her back by bringing her foot up by her side and pushing until she goes over. It still takes a little bit of luck for her to get over, but she’s working on it.

I know that I anticipated doing a lot more blogging on my leave, but I have honestly been having too much fun to bother spending any time writing about it. I am absolutely surprised at how fast the day goes by; it sure seems as though I am keeping busy but I still feel very relaxed. It’s hard to believe I’m already a third done with my leave–I can already tell I’m going to be bummed to go back to work.