Packing Drama

I should arrive at my hotel shortly before midnight Thursday after 24 hours of travel across 12 time zones. Imagine the jetlag for a moment before I tell you that they've scheduled my presentation for Friday afternoon! Why is this a packing drama? Well, some of the participants who have already arrived in China did not get their baggage for over 24 hours. So now I'll have to tote more stuff in my carry-on. Then last night, 36 hours before departure, I was informed that they've added a formal event in Taipei, at a fancy hotel where "the president and movie stars go." Apparently, there's a great deal of excitement about this, but I'm left trying to figure out--and fit in--something ressembling formal attire. And there's a stain on my travel shirt, which should make for a chilly trip. @#$%^!!

Crackin' & Packin'

Today was the annual stonecrab festival at a nearby sleepy town on the Gulf. We went prepared for battle, armed with drop cloths and various implements of destruction. As we approached the outdoor dining area, we heard the familiar rhythm of wooden mallets pounding the flamingo-colored claws. The whacking and thumping was occasionally interrupted by a shriek from someone on the receiving end of a shrapnel barrage or a spritz of crab juice. We claimed two spots at a table and headed off to various booths to assemble our feast. For just over $50, we gorged on a mountain of smoked mullet dip, a kilo of stonecrab claws, gator tail, the best crab cake ever, and breaded and fried sweet potatoes and green beans. (Yes, they fry every vegetable down here.)The guy next to me and I took turns showering folks with shell debris and goo. Soon everyone in our vicinity was wishing for a shower or car wash. (At least Tom and I hadn't dressed up, as some of the newbies had.) Now we are home, fending off the cat and dog, and vowing not to eat again until tomorrow. It's time for me to start packing. I leave Wednesday for a two-week trip to China and Taiwan. It will take me 24 hours

of travel to get there, and I hope to post again before the end of the week, provided I can get on-line. (Photos will have to wait until I return.)

Nostalgic

One year ago today I was flying to Copenhagen for the start of my sabbatical. I wish, wish, WISH I could do it all over again--preferably without the balky leg. Instead, I'll be teaching today, which I love, and doing physical therapy. I had no idea this ordeal would last a year, but I'm hopeful we're making progress now. Tonight I'll be reading my travel journal and feeling very nostalgic...

My Big Excitement

I recently traveled to Phoenix for the opening of an exhibition I curated. It was great to be back in the Valley of the Sun and a thrill to see the show. (See me grinning wickedly at the preview.) The evening event was well attended by a very "mixed-up" crowd. In particular, I enjoyed meeting Jerry Montoya, one of the artists in the show. (His day job is teaching art in the LA area.) If you're in the Phoenix area in the next few months, please go visit the Tempe Center for the Arts and see our efforts. For more info: http://www.tempe.gov/tca/gallery/Exhibitions/Mixing/Main.pdf

From There to Here

Preparing to leave my summer place is a multi-day process, what with packing, cleaning, closing down Home Sweet Home for the season—and buying a year’s supply of cherry products. I planned to start with the outdoor furniture last Tuesday, but lost the day to rain. By late in the week I was questioning my ability to leave by Saturday (to avoid highway construction and workday traffic). Although the last days were a bit frantic, we left on schedule and made it back in two long days. (With doggie Valium, Holly is the perfect travel companion.) As I crossed the state line into Florida and headed east, a rainbow appeared over my destination and led me home.

After a happy reunion, I collapsed in our comfortable bed, intending to get a long night’s sleep. However, I awoke with a start a few hours later: there was an animal nose touching mine. After several weeks in the north woods, all my fuzzy brain could think was, “How did the raccoon get inside, and what do I do now?!” Then I heard purring and realized it was Hurricane welcoming me home. I am surprisingly content to be here, despite the torrid August weather.

Since my return, I’ve done loads of laundry and made appointments for a haircut and more therapy on my leg. (Not at the same time and place, of course.) And then the new semester will start. Now it’s back to www.patandtomsexcellentadventures.blogspot.com. I’ll pick up this blog again when I have my next break.

Tired of Driving Already

In the past week, I've made three trips for leg therapy (5 hours each roundtrip) and one trip to my rental property (6 hours roundtrip). And I've still got the big drive ahead. Ugh! Is it too late to teach Holly to drive?...

Red Tape

Or black and blue and tan, to be more specific. I came home from my recent therapy session with close to nine meters of techni-color tape on my leg. It feels good but attracts quite a bit of attention, especially at the pool. One twenty-something gushed, "Oh, the U.S. women's volleyball team uses tape like that." Like she mistook me for an Olympian...