Fortunately, something immediately rushed in to fill it, so I don't need to sweat that I might suddenly have to deal with free time. That would have been terrible. But it's a cool project that pays fine, and I'm excited to do it--details if and when it comes together.
The vacation did me a lot of good--got a cover mostly finished, barring twiddling, and even whipped out two 5 x 7 mixed media pieces to send up to Anthrocon.
http://yerf.com/vernursu/thegrape.jpg (This is MY grape.)
http://yerf.com/vernursu/seasock.jpg (This one would be autobiographical, if I were a sea serpent. I find sock puppets a little...off. But then again, that's a pretty big 'if'.)
And! I finally finished the walrus! Now I just gotta photograph him...