The Road Back

A year ago, I followed Janssen's example of chronicling my life for a full week. Being on vacation this week, I'm hoping that my entries will not be as intense as the ones last year when Bartle had his eye tumor removal and I was working on my SoCal lectures.

Day 1, Sunday

12:00 am - 3:00 am Final night of a conference, where else would I be except in a dueling piano bar. I would have to say that Keys on Main in Salt Lake City is one of the best piano bars I have visited. Following last call and a brisk walk several blocks in the cold to the hotel, we were met by the Hog Convention attendees who were lingering outside the entrance. After printing boarding passes, I called James to report the night's activities and discovered I was too wired and unable to sleep so I began packing for the next day.

7:30 am - 10:30 am Amazingly enough, I woke with the first alarm, packed and got dressed quickly to meet my boss for breakfast. For some who have never seen me in a more casual setting, my appearance may have been a bit startling. Not many people have seen me in a ponytail and minimal makeup. It was humorous how many times we were stopped for conversation on our way across the lobby. It was also enlightening to hear my boss jokingly inform a group that he had made a smart decision in promoting me (It is nice to hear.). Then I received a hug and praise from a colleague who typically ignores me which prompted my boss to remark that he did not receive a handshake and yet I received a hug. Then we met two other colleagues for breakfast.

10:30 am - 3:00 pm I spent more than two hours on the phone with Mich playing catch-up followed by a nap before heading downstairs to meet my boss and our shuttle. After a round of final goodbyes we headed to the airport. Amy was still in the terminal so the three of us had lunch which was humorous. Anyone who has ever been around Amy and I together can attest that sometimes the conversation filter comes off. We're very similar in our thoughts and humor, which my boss has not witnessed in tandem.

3:00 pm - 12:00 am Our flight was on time though the weathermen were predicting six to eight inches of snow in Indianapolis. Upon arrival, the snow did not appear too bad until we reached the parking lot and the shape of the car was disguised by the layers of snow. Most of the interstate signs were covered and the roadway was icy through the city. As soon as we reached I-69, the road appeared to get worse. With the snow coming down in a thicker mist and no snow plows in sight, the drive became more difficult. Our speed ranged from 20-40 mph based on if other tire tracks were visible, if we could see the road, and other drivers. We were on the road longer than expected.