Random Traffic Through Nick's Brain

• For the first time in a long time I travelled light. All I took with me on my 2-day trip to Windsor was my backpack.
• On the way from Detroit to Windsor, there was a sign: “Do not follow your GPS. Follow signs for bridge to Canada.”
• Months and months ago, I systematized some things. All at once, it seems like things are coming together, and my work this month is made easy by all the serendipitous planning.
• I had difficulty crossing both borders. The Canadian border was surprisingly difficult to cross. At the US border, the guard tapped the car looking for hidden panels.
• The view from my hotel room in Windsor was pretty at night. 10th floor. View across the river to the lights of downtown Detroit (and Christmas lights on trees).
• In case I haven’t mentioned it already, I enjoy business travel without the business suit.
• Annoying travel event: Sitting next to an ultra-fidgety (presumed to be based on luggage adornment and figure) Victoria Secret model on my flight home yesterday. Thankfully she didn’t have enough body mass to shake the row of seats much.

I’m in Boston for the week… apparently I’m having trouble adjusting.

• My instincts are now to spell “Culture Shock” as “Culture Schock”… even trying to type it correctly results in my typing Sc[BACKSPACE]hock.
• I’m no longer used to the roads (potholes, disregard for speed limit, poorly planned streets).
• I realize that I just don’t talk when I’m in Switzerland. When I’ve been out to eat in the evenings here I’ve noticed that I don’t really talk to the people I deal with day-to-day. When waiters ask me questions, I usually nod. I point to menu items. Oddly, I realize that I don’t particularly mind this except when reminded of it here.

1. I will be in the Boston area between the 14th and 23rd. Most of my time will be taken up by work and Mystery Hunt.
2. I will be in 4 offices in the span of 8 calendar days (NL, CH, US, CA).

Alex seems like he’s really starting to think and reason things through… not at the slow-and-steady toddler pace… but on his feet… it’s interesting to watch.

Arianna is pulling to standing. Very chuffed with herself when she does, frustrated when she can’t. She’s understood object permanence for going on a month now. She’s becoming a bit nonchalant about peek-a-boo.

Not that great Mexican restaurant: $7.50 for a Corona, $14.50 for a tiny margarita, ~$30.00 – $35.00 for a fajita (with no cheese).

Brainstorming what to do if someone isn’t listening to me (they heard me, but they’re not listening).

• How do I convince them / make them pay attention / make them listen?
• Is it a sign that I shouldn’t be bothering them with something unimportant (either dropping it completely, or asking someone else)?
• Maybe they’re very busy. How do I make it easy for them to listen to me?
• …