random thinks

Me and the King

(Click to enlarge)

Yep. Again with the "long time, no post" thing. I am trying to get better. I have managed to update my CIS class blog for their use this semester, and I have gotten TypeLists current, but not much with the posting. We are at the beginning of a new semester, and things are looking good.

More Soon.

BTW, the pics is of me and some guy I met in Vegas when Susan and I and the fam were there at Christmas. Looks familiar, don't he?

Travel Update - Not Gonna Happen

I give up. I made it to the freeway (I-94). It took me an extra 30 minutes (75 instead of 45) to do so and I went sideways once (I came out of it quickly...I love my Honda Element). I went 4 miles on I-94 and it took ten minutes. I got off at the first exit (going sideways again), and turned tail for home.

I'm gonna miss the poker, and I was supposed to deliver a printer to my brother, but I figure my nerves, and my car are better served missing this one.

Bad Travel Day?

(Click to see detail)

OK, so I am supposed to be driving over to Detroit for a semi-annual poker tournament in this weather. I am going to make the attempt, but it sure does not look terribly promising. My little box has AWD, and I can only imagine that there will not be too many other nutcases on the roads, so it will probably be a cool adventure.

Wish me luck, both for safe travel and good cards.

Made it to South Carolina!

Beaker and I made it safely to South Carolina. 11 hours, 680 miles, and 6 states (MI, OH, KY, TN, NC, SC). Beaker is pretty comfortable in a long haul, although I think I will have to do some tweaking (seat adjustment, etc.).

Warm down here (nice, but I can imagine it will be sticky tomorrow). I woke up in MI with the temp in the 50's.

Gas down here: $1.79. In MI: $2.09.

I'm Blowin' This Popstand...

I am packing and cleaning and getting ready to get out of town for a week. Travel? yes. Vacation? no. I am heading down to Clemson SC to meet up with about 125 other chemistry teacher geeks to read (grade) the 2004 Advanced Placement Chemistry Exam. Do I lead an exciting life or what?

I will spend seven 8 hour days, reading thousands of exams, grading one question over and over (and over and over). More fun than one man should be allowed to have you say? Actually, it is not that bad. The money is always good, and I have made some good friends among the chemistry geek-erati.

After a full reading day, there will be such things as golf, minor league baseball, the new Harry Potter movie, and if I find the time and a connection, blogging.

I am taking Beaker the wonder Element for her first big road trip, and leaving Shrunken Stuffed Patrick in charge of the house/dog sitter and the pooches whilst I am away. We'll see if fun and hilarity ensue in either place.

Memphis Photos Are Posted

I finally managed to get some photos from my whirlwind trip to Memphis (2/13 and 2/14/2004) posted. Go to the Photo Album here: Memphis, 2/2004. You can also click on the photoblog link on the right. The shots are mostly of the really cool neon signs on Beale Street at night, but I also have some pics of Sun Studio as well.

Home Sweet Home

Well, I made it. About 700 miles today, Memphis to Adrian. 12 hours on the road, passing in/through seven states: Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.

A beautiful day for a drive: I missed the morning snow in TN (I left early), and it was cold, clear, and bright the remainder of the day.

It was good to get home. The dogs have not left my side since I returned. Unpacking, checking the email, this post, and Alias, and then I am off to bed. I am wiped.

Much more coming soon. I have a long list of great "blogfodder" backed up.

Heading Home Tomorrow...

I am about 750 miles from home, and leaving Memphis tomorrow to go back. Barring bad weather, I should make it back tomorrow night. The travel has been fun, but I am looking forwward to seeing my dogs and sleeping in my own bed.

Strange Coincidences...

It turns out that I am not the only TypePad blogger travelling through Memphis this weekend.

Michael from eclecticism is here for a wedding. See his post here.

Michael is from Seattle, I am from Detroit. We don't know each other in person, just through the blogosphere, but I still find it interesting that we managed to end up in the same place, each so far from home. The only thing stranger would have been the two of us sitting in the same Blues club last night.

I made it!

Well, I made it. 1650 miles. A short day of driving today (340 miles), but I had Austin morning rush hour and some bizarre rain to contend with. It rained for most of the day, but with wildly varying degrees of intensity. From a mist to a total downpour, and cycles that lasted from 1 to five minutes (or so it seemed).

First impressions of deep south Texas: flat. Very flat with very straight roads. Reminds me of my time in Bartlesville OK. Lots of mesquite and palm trees. Warm and windy. Lots of citrus trees at the end. Very different from what I am used to.

It's good to see the folks. Mom and Dad are both nervous about Friday, but trying to hide it. Mom by changing the subject, Dad by bluster and bravado.

I am going to keep my thoughts mostly offline for now, posting when I can. Hopefully I can find an internet cafe or hotspot or something to occasionally connect by something other than dial-up.