Tweeters,

It's been a while since I skipped a night's sleep. But I was bound and
determined to get the second downtown Peregrine egg on real-time video tape as
well. I brought a bunch of work and sugar (donuts, yum) and ensconced myself
behind the video equipment up in the penthouse of The Washington Mutual Tower.

Last year Bell produced her eggs at anywhere from 50 to 55 1/4 hour intervals.
This year's first egg at 22:26 on the 23rd, the second could be laid anytime
after midnight, very early on the 25th.

Well, I had six hours of undisturbed work. It's been months since I've been
able to work for that length of time without a single interruption.
Unfortunately the one interruption I wanted didn't come. Bell spent the night
on top and next to her first egg (Steward came and spelled her a bit), but she
didn't lay the second one.

I had to leave for a commitment at 10:45, so I popped in a 2-hour tape prior
to departure. I returned just when that tape was full. And, as I found out
later, smack dab halfway on that tape is when she laid her second egg. Around
11 AM.

Two down, two more to go.

I'll keep you informed.

Martin sleepy in Seattle and loving it Muller
MartinMuller at msn.com