20 Jan

(Memphis)
I woke up early again this morning. I’d like to think it would be in anticipation of today’s flight, but it’s probably because of how messed up my sleeping schedule is. I read in my bunk for a while and then headed over to get breakfast. After chow I called home and talked to Sara and the kids. Both kids were really talkative and we all had great conversations.

I eventually got cleaned up, got cleaned up, and packed my bags again. There wasn’t much of a rush in the morning since I had an 11.45 showtime at the airport. The lines at security were some of the worst I had ever seen. The whole operation was quite disorganized. But once we were all at our gate it was pretty relaxed. One thing I couldn’t believe was that while we were waiting to board we all watched “Team America”. And no, it wasn’t the edited version.

Our plane was jam packed. I don’t remember much of it because I fell asleep pretty much as soon as we took off and woke up when we landed. My buddy Max got Deep Vein Thrombosis last year when he was on a long overseas flight, so now I’m kind of paranoid. DVT was always just something that happened in the back of the airline magazine, but Max had to have surgery and was on sick leave for four weeks. And anyway, we weren’t flying that long, but I jumped up and stretched my legs and butt.

My corporate sponsor is named Johanna. At the airport I was met by Johanna and her friend Chris. We went to baggage claim and found my drags, headed out to the car,
and drove off. Everyone in this program stays at these corporate suites away close to work but kind of far from everyone else. But I use the term “suite” very loosely. They are really small. It’s more like a Motel 6. Maybe Motel 4. I share my suite with a guy named Mike who’s a beancounter he’s only here until the end of the March.

It was very dark when we got here, so I was a little turned around where everything is. But I was able to unpack my bags, take off my boots, and take a long hot shower. The internet doesn’t work in our room right now. I hope to get that fixed tomorrow. Or at least find a wi-fi hot spot nearby. There’s no phone to call Sara. I’ll have to call in the morning. And that is another day down for me.