A Long-Short Trip

Posted 08:00 PST Sun Aug 5, 2007 in Travel

I spent last Wednesday—Friday traveling. I went to Washington, D.C. for a research meeting. The intent was to present results from our interim research report to the oversight panel, then present the workplan for the second phase of the project.

The bulk of Wednesday was spent in travel. I leave the house about 0430 and arrived at National at about 1700 (both local time). The principal investigator and I checked into our respective hotel rooms and then shared supper together. I enjoy Roger’s company and the evening was pleasant.

Thursday I met David (the other co-investigator) for breakfast and we visited about a variety of things over a shared meal. We met Roger and walked the short distance to the National Academy of Science facility.

It’s a nice place. I really like it and I generally like the folks who work there. We checked in through security and then joined a few others gathered in the conference room.

We worked our way through the presentation, sharing components and answering the panel’s questions.

It was interesting to watch the variety of folks work. The members of the panel bring a wide range of understanding and background to the project. I find those perspectives fascinating and have a great passion for understanding why people think the way they do and why they do what they do.

Near the end of the day, it was clear that the research team and the oversight panel did not share a common vision for the problem. That didn’t surprise me, because I was struggling with the exact formulation of the problem myself.

But, we had some ideas before the end of the day. We dismissed with the objective of finding food and rest and the intent of reconvening the next morning.

At that time, one of the panel members told me “I didn’t sleep much last night. I spent most of the night thinking about this problem.” His presentation was very good, although I disagreed over one point. I wanted more time to think/reflect so I could get my own thoughts clear on the topic.

I think I’ve done that now and am writing some notes to reflect my thoughts. I’ll try to finish those today.

We met and the panel member did an excellent job of presenting his thoughts. I really appreciate that sort of clarity. Noon came too quickly and the meeting dismissed. Roger, David and I grabbed some food and talked about a wide range of topics. Then David and I headed for the airport to work through security and wait at the gate.

We shared a flight to Denver which was to leave about 1800. We worked and visited in the boarding area. I wouldn’t pay for internet access, so I worked on my notes, partly typed, partly handwritten because I was working some basic statistics to get my head around the problem as cast earlier that morning.

I drew the last row of the aircraft — no reclining seats. My head was beginning to hurt and the ride was pretty miserable. I managed to sleep some while listening to my iPod. We arrived in Denver on time and asked the clerk for gate numbers for our final flights. We had a fairly long lay-over, so spent some more time working and visiting.

I drew the back row in my last leg as well, so I asked the clerk for another seat. I got an aisle seat that would recline, so I was happier.

A small child played with his mom and dad across the aisle on the facing row of seats. He made me laugh and that caused a set of interactions with the parents. The little boy reminded me of my own children at that age. It also made me miss my grandsons.

David’s flight was delayed by an hour. Mine boarded 20 minutes late, but then we sat at the gate for another hour. They compensated us by giving free television, so I spent my time watching the SciFi channel. I don’t watch much TV, so this was a kind of treat.

There’s more story here, but suffice it to say that I arrived home about 0030 Saturday morning — making a 22 hours day for me. I was still very tired Saturday evening. But, at least, I’m home again.