Day 3467

I made it to Florida. It was a long day but everything went relatively smoothly. Going through the TSA line didn't go smoothly, but it never does. The scanner broke down so the entire line had to move to another scanner. They didn't believe my phone was a real phone because it was in a weird looking case. As always, my bag had to be opened because my little container full of computer connecting cables, WiFi hotspots, and camera batteries looked suspicious. I got picked for a random security check too, but somehow the agent forgot to check me when she was inspecting my phone. All is well that ends well though. After this short delay I put my shoes back on, and headed for my gate.

I like flying Southwest because they don't have nearly as many delays as American Airlines. Most flights leave right on time. If you pay a little more, you can board the plane first so you can be sure there is still space in the overhead bins for your bag. I don't know where the people who board last put their bags. These planes are always full. There were a lot of kids on today's flight. I guess that makes sense. We were headed for Disneyland after all.

The rental car folks at the airport talked me into upgrading to a car that had GPS navigation. It wasn't a hard sell, because I'm totally lost without GPS. It was an easy drive to Titusville, which happens to be the closest town to the space center. My first impression of Florida was that basically the entire state is a giant swamp. A little girl in the seat ahead of me on the plane asked her dad if she was going to see any alligators. "I'm sure you will," he said.

My plane got in early enough that I was able to have dinner with several of the other people who will be attending the launch. As always, NASA assembled a very interesting group of folks. I met a guy who ran an independent radio station in Nashville, several entrepreneurs who started their own software companies, a retired physics teacher, a photographer, and several other writers.  Everyone was curious about what was going to happen tomorrow, but nobody knew for sure. Nobody, including myself, knew exactly why they were selected to attend this event, but we were all glad to be here.

It's just as hot and humid in Florida as it is in Texas. After sitting outside for several hours at a local brewpub, I'm glad to be back in an air conditioned building. I think I'll go to bed early tonight. It's going to be a very busy day tomorrow.

Kirby is today's Dalmatian of the Day

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Day 3466 - Summer Solstice

Today was the longest day of the year. It wasn't long enough however. I've felt way behind all day. I'm trying to get ready for my trip to Florida and as I often do, I didn't leave myself enough time. I did a bunch of stuff today that I should have done last week. I decided at the last minute that I needed to get a haircut. Then I decided that I needed a small backup battery I could use to recharge my phone. I already have something like this but it is too big to carry around with me all day. I wanted something I could put in my pocket. After getting a haircut, I found a slim phone recharger at REI that would fit in my pocket. Unfortunately, when I returned home I couldn't figure out how to hook the thing up to my phone. Back to the store. This time I picked up a pizza for dinner on my way home. I also paid a few bills and took them to the post office. There were no long walks today. There just wasn't enough time.

I still haven't packed my bags or decided what shoes to wear. This shouldn't be much of a problem. Some clean underwear, clean socks, black t-shirts, and an extra pair of jeans ought to do it. I need to remember to take a very small tube of toothpaste and little bottles of other liquids. I forgot last time and had to throw some stuff away. I need to take some slip on shoes too. Lace up boots are way too much trouble to take off for the TSA folks.

My exercise today was running errands and getting the remaining water off the roof. It's been so hot lately that most of the water from recent rains had already evaporated. I don't want to take any chances though. Last week I bought some of that Liquid Rubber in a Can that you always see advertised on TV.  Maybe this will work for sealing small tears in the elastomer material. If it works, it would sure beat calling the roofers over and over again and begging them to come out.

I didn't bother to go our for breakfast this morning. I just had a peach, a banana, and a cup of coffee. I thought this would save me some time, but it really didn't. You have to have a plan before time management actually means anything. Inch by inch I'm getting things done, but it's almost a certainty that I will forget something important. I always do.

Tonight I will put my meds in one of those flat plastic boxes with little bins for each day of the week. My parents used these pill containers when they traveled. I never thought I'd be doing the same thing. The little compartmented container certainly beats carrying a big sack filled with prescription bottles though. The compartments make it easier to remember if I've taken my pills too. Are there still pills in the Tuesday compartment? Oops. I'd better take them.

I wish I was a better traveler. I like being there. I just don't like getting there. I guess I've accomplished something. I've got new tires even though I'm not going to drive to Florida after all. I finally know my sister's phone number. I got a haircut. I've got a clever little gizmo that will let me recharge my phone in the field. Now all I need to do is pack my bags.

Barley is today's Dalmatian of the Day

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