But first, a weather rant. I think I've moved back to Germany, except that it isn't as cold. Seriously, Germany can go for weeks with no sun, low lying gray clouds, rain and more rain. People who aren't used to it get depressed. I used to love it, though it took me awhile.

Now I live in Hawaii, land of aloha and sunsets. Nuh-uh. Not for the past three weeks. Rain, rain, low-lying gray clouds, no sun (or spots of sun). I feel like I never moved! Except it alternates between chilly and humid outside, which is different than Germany for sure.

It's hard to feel sorry for anyone who lives in Hawaii, I know, but consider this advice: never plan your vacation for Hawaii in February. In fact, it's best to avoid the winter months all together (Dec-Feb especially). We had a beautiful December in 2005. 2004 was horrible. You just can't predict it, so come in the spring and summer when the weather is better and the tourists aren't so many.

I know that has nothing to do with writing, but I'm tapped out today. Well, except for this interesting little article I came across at the New York Times: From Blogger to Publisher. Apparently, for a mere $30, you too can turn your blog into a keepsake book! Yes, one more thing to clutter your shelves!

Pricing for printed versions of your book from Blurb starts at $30 for an 8-by-10-inch full-color hardcover volume with dust jacket and up to 40 pages. A book of up to 80 pages is $3 more. (Blurb plans to eventually offer paperback editions selling for about 30 percent less than hardcover.) Authors will also be able to set up online bookstores through Blurb's Web site.

The software “downloads and reformats the contents of a Web log into a book that bloggers and their admirers can purchase online.” Yep, just what I was looking for. Another way to collect more stuff.