So I opened up my Beirut project in hopes of banishing the burnout I’m feeling over my current project, then realized that no, just like the last time I opened up that project, I still don’t have every issue of the Lebanese Daily Star for the summer of ‘82 and I can’t proceed until I do.  To the internet! I thought.

Two seconds later Google informs me that The Daily Star has SHUT DOWN due to financial troubles.  Two weeks ago.

…WHY DIDN’T I TRY TO GET BACK COPIES IN DECEMBER, ARGH

At this rate I’ll have to learn Arabic and my Beirut Novel will end up being my Very Famous Book About Dresden and won’t be finished until I’m 90.

So I tried working on my sewer vampire story but you know, it just wasn’t the same.  On the upside it reminded me that starting a new project blows, so am now feeling less burned out on current project.  Another victory for bourgeois sloth, I guess.

Fun fact: During the Lebanese Civil War, the morning traffic reports in Beirut would include which streets were safe and which streets had like a 50% chance of sniper fire.