Not an awful lot to report really, but feeling that I should be checking in as I feel distinctly out of touch with family and friends at home.  My brilliant plans to improve work-life balance lasted about 2 days, and quite honestly, I am fed up with myself on this subject.  I have had an extraordinary time since Jen left, with almost every day working until quite late as I have lost a number of positions in my team and the work of 10 people is now being done by 5 very tired, but fantastic staff, including myself!!  We simply can not get on top of it.  The last week has been particularly busy as we have had ASCO GI in San Francisco and lots of people have come to the campus for visits. Usually I have a Director in my team to coordinate these very important strategic discussions, however, this is one of the positions 'on hold' so I find myself running around like a crazy person on this score, while I also prepare my presentations for the NSM in Vegas next week, and we continue the very busy work on this portfolio.  Having ASCO GI in the city has been great, as I have been able to catch up with many friends and colleagues, however, this has meant late nights every night as we tried to fit in all the dinner meetings, etc.  Last weekend, I did however manage to snatch a lovely time in the NorthBeach area, which is actually Little Italy, quite nearby me.  I went to the Post Office there to send some things back home to my Dad, and discovered that wandering around there on Saturday morning is really great.  There are so many strange and wonderful sights to see - a Chinese woman doing her Tai Chi right in front of the group of homeless men, families with strollers and endless queues for the great brunch, bread, cake and pizza places.  It was a really vibrant area, and a real find, I must say.  I stopped off at Tony's Pizza for the Slice of the Day (pepperoni and sausage) , and ordered one of his fabulous Americana pizzas to go - they part cooked it for me and I have been enjoying it on those nights when I simply fell through the door and could not possibly manage to cook a full meal.  It is now Saturday night, and I finally find myself at home, however, leave for the National Sales Meeting in Las Vegas on Monday morning, so Sunday will be washing, packing, and not much else, I am afraid.  Jen and Chris rang me today on their way home from the beach and I can not imagine such pleasure at the moment - our weather has gone from foggy, freezing, rainy,  to the occasional sunny afternoon, and pretty darned chilly.  I dream of the  beach..... and the sun......... Jen and Chris seem to be having a great time enjoying Summer, and both had fantastic Christmas and New Year breaks.  Chris reports a fantastic time in Germany and Austria skiing and touring around, and I simply can not wait to see all his photos and hear about it in detail.  The photos that he sent were amaaaazing......Good news, my dining table is finally being delivered next weekend, and the lounges will be delivered the week after.  I can get off the floor, which will be a God send.  I have fashioned a couch out of the TV delivery box and one of my special chair cushions from my accident, plus quilts and pillows.  It is crazy!!  So, dear friends, no doubt I will have much to report from LV.  Not sure who or what is the entertainer for the concert, but last year, it was Bon Jovi!!  And there has been an email sent to us all to let us know where we can go to hire RunWay Dresses.  I am afraid I am not going to do the designer ball gown, however, I am sure the Bright Young Things will.  Will let you know how it all goes. Love Deb