Nightlife and Hayley Mills.

Why, oh why? Why am I up? Portland city lights winking out my studio window. Fewer with each passing moment past Cinderella hour. Seriously. Why am I up.

Because this is when I can work. In the bluelight hours (more boringly called day), I teach. I fix our home. I play with my children and bride. And frequently try to work. But the siren call of too many other obligations, commitments, and Hayley Mills movies is strong. Too strong.

I can do some work in those bluelight hours. But other work, I need blocks of time; a linear chunk of time to get immersed and down to business. I call it "Cinderella work.”

Note: I just invented both those terms as I was writing. Bluelight and Cinderella.

Hayley Mills. Love her and her chirpy, cheerful English cadence. We just watched the original Parent Trap with our daughter. What a terrific, silly film. And all the scandalous subtext underneath the adult chitter-chatter...the subtle intonations and inferences in the dialogue of those '60s, times-a-changin' movies is so charming...what a sweet film. Despite the horrendous bluescreen footage in a couple scenes. Some things you shouldn't skimp on with the budget.

And she loved it. Is it too late to get her a British accent? Is too late for me to get one? Family discount?

Can't wait to watch Amélie with her someday.

photograph: November 07

He lights up when she bounds into sight. Eyes start fluttering, Jupiter-size grin breaks out. Arms pumping and legs a-skatter as she plops all around and over him.

Hi Johanni! Hi! Hi! Did you miss me? Yes, I'm sorry I wasn't here, don't be mad. Okay Johanni? Okay? Don't watch the television - here, I'll cover your eyes. No! No, you're not supposed to be watching television, silly Johanni!

And he glug-smiles and drools litres and leaks spitup as he and Big Sister snuggle. Like their Mum and Dodes. We are snuggly family extraordinaire.

Gute nacht.