I had a productive business trip to the West Coast, and also got to visit with some of my family while I was there. I returned home late on Friday afternoon to the arms of my warm, wonderful spouse.

Along my way, I made some observations…

1. I have not found a pair of boots yet that will make it through security screening. I use the “TSA Precheck” line where screening is not as invasive. They say “you don’t have to take your shoes off.” But my boots still set off the alarms. Oh well, I’ll keep workin’ at it because I will *not* be one of those guys who wears sneakers (or worse, sandals or flip-flops). No way — I have a “bootman” reputation to protect!

2. Guys will wear boots at the airport, especially in winter, and especially in Phoenix, Arizona. Great airport for bootwatching.

3. Seaside California dudes own nothing but flip-flops. Blecccchhhh!

4. It amused me no end when a seaside California native pulled on a sweater when it was 70F (21C), saying, “I don’t like how cold our winters get!” (Yet he was still wearing shorts and flip-flops. I don’t get it. If you’re cold, why not put on long pants and warmer footwear?)

5. I am so glad I don’t live in California any more. The traffic is worse than ever.

6. Distances in California are measured in minutes or hours, not in miles or kilometers. It sure would be difficult to organize motorcycle rides when planning is done by time and traffic congestion, rather than by distance.

7. I’m not the “travel warrior” that I once was. This rather easy trip really wrung me out. Especially in how my chronic intestinal illness dealt the change in food, water, and climate. It took me about a day-and-a-half to recover upon my return, and I needed to be within running distance to … (the loo) … almost the entire time I was there. No fruits and nuts for me!

8. I do not adjust quickly to change in time zones. While there, I was ready to go to bed at 5pm each evening and I was waking naturally at 1am. Usually the sleep pattern adjusts by one hour each day. This time, it did not.

9. I can be very productive with work for six hours before my official “work day” begins. (So the issue in #8 above was actually a plus, not a gripe.)

Oh well… glad I am home. Busy weekend… back to work on Monday, then off again on yet another business trip on Wednesday afternoon. The fun doesn’t stop!

Life is short: travel well!