Trains, planes, and automobiles...oh, and a sailboat

Me at the helm with the GGB in the background

Jay and Robert

In 12 hours it's back on the plane for Afghanistan. When asked, most people always say,"it was too short" in response to "How was R and R?" So how was mine? Too short. It is so nice to be home. And to see E. And to take long showers. And eat good food. And see my friends. And go dancing. And get a REAL smoothie (note to self: get one in the morning). I wonder how many people don't come back? Worry not sports fans, I am going back.  It was a whirlwind weekend. I taught ACLS on Friday then rode the train to Sacramento and took  a cab to the hotel. As we were checking in we saw the "free shuttle to Amtrak" sign. Now you tell us. Then dance workshop and Ball on Saturday. Off to see my friend Mary Sunday morning and Mom and Dad on Sunday night. Well Dad, anyway. Long story. Sailing this morning with my friend Robert on my other friends Jay and Jeannie's boat and then a really good dinner at Firefly in San Francisco and..I'm exhausted. I need to go back to Afghanistan for some rest. Not a lot of sailing in KAF. Well, there is the Poo pond, but let's not go there. Literally. While we were out someone jumped off of the Golden Gate Bridge, right in front of a ferry. I can only imagine the Captain trying to distract the tourists by saying "everyone look off the Port side..." Too bad. Not what you want to see on vacation. The Coast Guard kept making an announcement to keep a sharp look out for someone in the water. The ferry was parked right next to it. How much sharper of a lookout did the Coastie want them to be? She kept making the announcement and the Ferry Captain kept telling her that he was standing by next to the body. Ah government efficiency, how I've missed you so.
We flew Southwest airlines back from Indiana. So nice. No expectations, so no disappointments. Just some sodas and a bag of snacks and nice flight attendants. One sang at the end of the flight. And then at the end of her announcement said,"...and if you're connecting with another airline, we just don't care." Gotta love that.
I think that the longer that you're on leave, the harder it would be to go back. So many people that I didn't get to see. Sorry guys, next time. You're welcome to come visit me...well, not really. Ain't a lot of stuff for tourists to do. Not a lot for residents to do, either. But I'm off to the friendly skies. First to DC then change planes to Dubai. Overnight in Dubai then back to the beach without an ocean. Who knows what trouble I will get into over three days of traveling. Because I am flying United and they just don't care...