Live From JAX.

.....You can tell there is a big difference in the attitudes of the TSA at the airport check points. Definitely more tense than it was just two weeks ago. A lot more grim and a lot more people getting the complete pat down and chemical scans. I guess they even saw me naked as I had to step into one of those full body scanners we've seen so much of in the news. I felt a little violated, but understand the need.

.....The sniffer smelled SOMETHING in my pocket as they had me pull it out of my sweat pants a couple of times. Then they took a sniffer tube directly to the pocket material itself. I was wondering if they were going to ask me to remove my pants at that point, but they finally waved me through. I think I would have liked a little explanation of what they thought they had found. But certainly didn't want to slow the process down anymore than it was.

.....I was up at 2AM to make the 5:30 flight. I actually feel pretty good. After dinner last night I took a bath and sat on the bed and zonked right out. I meant to call TBT and even had to find the phone in the bed where I dropped it. Oh, well, it could be a trip via light rail if she gets mad at me. Hopefully she'll be understanding. Can't wait to see her!

.....The Project Manager loaded me down with schedules and kit inventory check-lists on my way out the door yesterday. My bag weighed in at 74 pounds. Delta charged me $200 for the priviledge of checking the bag in at the counter. I reluctantly paid as I know it will be a battle to get the Travel Office to pay my claim. They have become a lot more aggressive this past year in scrutinizing and challenging claims. I understand the direction, but it makes the process monumental sometimes.

.....Watching the British Electoral Process on CNN. Definitely intersting things happening in Britain. Although it looks like more people showed up at the polls than were expected. That's good. Although I wonder if it is a precursor to our electoral process later this year. It could be pretty intense. It is interesting that Indiana, Georgia, and Florida are already starting their process in the elections.

.....Boarding is about to begin. Talk to you all later.

.....Aaron / Arontius.

Waiting In Atlanta.

.....Not looking forward to the next flight. Somehow my luck ran out and I got stuck with a middle of the row seat in the middle of a 767. If I had been paying more attention I also would have thought about the fact that when flying out from Atlanta, the trip to Seattle is five and a half hours, as opposed to the four if you fly into Chicago for your connecting flight instead. These little things make a big difference. When I was in DTS my main objective was to avoid United at all costs. Well, I did. But was it worth it? Well, American and Delta have not lost my luggage once yet, so I would have to give them marks for that. To balance out against the bad luck of seating assignments so far. :-)

.....Ran into a case of artwork at Jacksonville that would have interested TBT. It was a case of fabric birds, somewhat like what she makes for Christmas. There were about a dozen of them, all of different species. But I think TBT would have done a better job with the materials. They all looked a little 'art school'. TBT may have to add those birds to her storefront. They may be bigger sellers than she might imagine. :-)

.....I ended up annoying a whole line of people at the checkpoint here in Atlanta. The TSA agent looked at my Washington State Drivers License and asked me if I had lost a lot of weight recently. When I said yes, she asked me how and when I told her about the gastric bypass she had questions for me. Stood up the line for a good couple of minutes. I keep feel the hate and loathing of those behind me. :-)

.....I hadn't realized until that moment that it has been about four years since that license photograph was taken. I was 320 pounds in that photo. I've been hovering around 260 for about three years now. I need to finish losing the weight, but do not feel motivated. I have a friend at work who had the surgery done a little over a year ago. They finally took him off of the blood pressure medications he was on. They hadn't been paying attention to the fact that his heartbeat had slowed down to 25 beats a minute and they couldn't figure out why he was so tired all the time. :-)

.....The Atlanta airport looks a lot like the Chicago airport. I suppose they all start looking pretty generic after a while. All the same mall stores and 'cold drinks' waiting for passengers as they rush by. But the one wonderful thing they had was an open Starbucks! Can you imagine? Kingsland, Kings Bay and St. Mary's does not have a single Starbucks within their townships! That should be against the law! :-) Since our flight out of Jacksonville took off at 5:30 the Starbucks there had not yet opened. So I'm now finally reveling in my very own Venti, Sugar Free Vanilla, Soy Latte. Mmmmmmm! Go Starbucks! :-)

.....Mom was not happy that I was away from town last weekend. :-) She did not get her usual Sunday drive to shopping. I have been told in no uncertain, guilt-trip ridden tones, that I need to be at her doorstep on Sunday. :-) I'll let her know about Sean being on Facebook then. Although I'm not sure how I feel about her friending me their. But I don't post much to Facebook, so it shouldn't be a big deal I suppose. :-)

.....I think that I'll go and wander a bit and stretch my legs before boarding the plane. It's going to be a long flight. Sigh!

.....Aaron / Arontius.