CenterLeft.net

Made it home finally.  Boy was security tight in the Amsterdam airport though.  They’ve moved the security right up to each gate and you have to go through an interview before having your bags and body searched.  That’s been normal fair for that airport for over a year now, but this time it was even tighter than before.

Apparently there was something suspicious about my passport.  The screener didn’t like the feel of it, so I had to sit off to the side for about 20 minutes while a US immigration official came down to have a look.  Once he got there and had a look I was passed through pretty quickly.  But it was still amusing to get pulled out like that for a while.

Working near home this month.  It’s been a while since I’ve spent this long at home.  Definitely a nice change, but I’m ready to be on the road again I think.

Working at the national labs this month.  Don’t worry, the doctor promises that lump growing on my neck isn’t from drinking the local water.

I’m local this week.  A few things to get wrapped up before being on the road again for the next month or so.  Weather was great this weekend, hopefully it’ll continue through the week.

The weather is great this week.  I’m in eastern Washington visiting Washington State University.  And hey, as a perk I actually found a hotel available this time.

Waiting for parts.  Lots of time to enjoy the hotel in the meantime.

It’s cold and wet, but I’m home.

The truck’s all fixed.  I keep thinking that it might be cheaper to get a new one of these days; that better gas mileage and less maintenance would be worth it.  But then I look at the actual numbers and the huge long list of emergency and routine maintenance last week cost less than a new car payment for the month would have.  So, instead, I get to enjoy another 700 mile week of driving in my favorite truck.

It’s always a pleasure to leave sunny Denver, Colorado, and come back to wet and snowy Seattle.  When we were out skiing last week it was sunny and 50 degrees.  Now that we get home it’s snowing and 30 degress. How does that even work?  I think thre is something wrong with the world.

Last week took 3 tanks of gas and this week is looking to be more of the same.  I’m starting out in Seattle, then I’ll be heading east for the rest of the week.  I’ll be back for Beth’s birthday this weekend though.