Okay, here goes-- my first LiveJournal entry. I have to say that at the moment, this resembles the awkwardness of a first date-- like there are going to be a bunch of long pauses, and I'm going to say something stupid and embarrass myself. I guess I shouldn't be too nervous, though. I don't imagine a lot of people will be reading this, except those I choose to tell about it, and that won't be happening until later, when I'll actually have interesting things to say. I should explain: the reason I decided to start a LiveJournal in the first place is because I'll be living in Russia for a while, and I thought that an online journal would be better than sending mass emails to my friends to update them on my various adventures and antics. That's why I named my LJ "Sputnik"-- it's the Russian word for "satellite" of course, but it translates to "traveling companion"-- and this journal will be my traveling companion. I won't be leaving for Russia until the end of August, but I figured the summer would be a good time to get the journal started and learn all the features of LJ and, um, comment on life's little foibles, I guess. So I've got one last summer of Bay Area sunshine and palm trees, and then it's off to Russia. Where they keep the cold when other places aren't using it. Nah, I'm excited to go. But it will be a bit of a gear change, to say the least.So that'll do it for my first entry. I'm new to LJ, but it seems like it has a great community vibe. So, if you're reading this, leave me a comment and I'll return the favor; add me to your friends list and I'll do likewise.