It is likely that I will have net access a few times during the trip — in fact, a couple of the things they want me to address in my computer workshop are net-related, so I’m assuming the computers at the school are connected. So I may pop in once or twice just to let you know I’m still alive. I obviously won’t have much time to post, however.

But don’t despair: for the first time ever, I have arranged for a guest blogger to keep you entertained and engaged while I am out of the country. She’s one of the smartest people I know, and also one of the nicest — an academic, a mother of two adorable children, a handbell player and has put up with my brother Michael for a number of years now. When I stayed with Kelly and Michael in February, Kelly took me to Little Saigon for my first-ever bowl of pho. She also speaks German fluently and was a Fulbright fellow for an academic year at the university in Dusseldorf. She’s been thinking about starting a blog of her own, and so this is a great opportunity for her to kick the tires and take a test drive.

I don’t know what all she has planned but I know it will be interesting — more so than the normal drivel that appears in this space. Michael says she’s looking forward to it. It should be self-evident that her views are her own, and mine are my own, but given what happened to Brittney a few weeks ago at Nashville Is Talking I probably need to make that disclaimer anyway.

I’m not done posting tonight, and I’ll have a final goodbye post tomorrow morning, but you’ll be in Kelly’s capable hands after that. Please make her feel welcome.