Where the Heck Am I?

I consider myself a fairly experienced traveller, given that I take at least a dozen flights each year for business. This past week was a bit unusual, though, as I started in DC, flew out to California, then Texas, then back home...in the span of 3 days. My system is pretty much out of whack to begin with, but all the travelling and time zone changes led to me getting by on about 3-4 hours of sleep a night, although I was still functional. Good sign for busy season!

The trips were for site visits for my new client, and I have to say that it was one of the more enjoyable business trips that I've ever taken. The teams were both extremely well-prepared for myself and the partner, so we had very efficient meetings to go over their status. The cool part, though, was the tour of the facilities. I've been at the firm for just over 7 years, and this is the first client that I've had which actually makes something. So the first tour we took was to view the satellites that were currently being built. The satellites are assembled in a clean room, so we went through the standard cleaning procedures (clean jackets, hair nets, booties, air shower) and headed into the assembly area. I really didn't understand the technical information that the client rep provided, but I did gather that the satellite we were looking at was just one of several that would ultimately be sent into orbit in the next few years to help speed up communications around the world. The satellite itself was what I expected - a very large boxy thing with solar panels and other attachments jutting out from various places. For a multi-million dollar piece of equipment, there were certainly some pieces that looked like they were held together by duct tape.

The very next day, we were up and out of the hotel by 4:30 to catch a 6AM flight to Dallas for the second site visit. We landed in the very overcast Dallas-Fort Worth area and headed to the client site, where we talked business for a couple of hours before jumping in the car and driving down the road to the air base where the planes were being built. Walking into the building and passing by the various program offices with the titles Program Director and Chief Test Pilot, I had a sudden, almost violent urge to start spewing out lines from Top Gun (I feel the need, the need for speed!!!). I've had a lifelong interest in military jets (actually had my heart set on applying to the USNA to become a pilot before mom and dad nixed that idea), so this was about as close as I'd ever get to sitting in the cockpit. The planes were in various states of assembly, and the factory itself was enormous. We walked about a half mile down one wing of the factory to take a look at the newest model that was being built, and that was only about a half of the line. Since it was overcast, none of the jets were being put through their paces, but there were enough models and pictures of the finished product displayed around the building for me to have a pretty good appreciation of the incredible amount of firepower that those planes could unleash. I could only muster two words when the partner asked me what I thought: So...Cool!

We went out to dinner that night in downtown Fort Worth. I'd heard the saying that everything is bigger in Texas, and I totally believed it when my dinner came out. I had carne asada with a couple of enchiladas, which also came with sides of rice, beans, guacamole, and fresh salsa. My arteries are currently seizing in protest as I think about that meal. I mainly got it because I'd never had carne asada before, and if I ever go back to Fort Worth, I am definitely getting that dish again. I managed to eat about a quarter of the plate and stopped so I could save some room for dessert (apple crumb with fresh cinnamon ice cream...so good!).

The next day, I worked from the hotel and left for the airport around 4PM, only to have my flight delayed due to weather. I ultimately got home around midnight, and was pretty tired, so I slept pretty well. I woke up the next morning not really knowing where I was. I realized I was home when I rolled over and saw the ceiling fan...then the clock and realized that I was also quite late for work.

And so went another week at work. I am looking forward to at least a much quieter week starting tomorrow, so hopefully I'll be able to catch up on all those things that got pushed to the end of the year. At least I'll be able