Sorry for the long lag in blog posts, but RL has overridden my time for access
for the mud.  Over the July 4th week, I took the week off for some vacation
time.  Basically, I spent each day out in the timber in the morning hours
either picking black raspberries or pulling out more wood for firewood.  The
afternoons were either more firewood gathering or long naps.  A few evenings I
went to watch my brother race (no first place finishes).  On another evening
we went to my brother's place for a steak grill out and I got my hair cut
(finally).  I did not go out to any 4th of July celebrations this year, other
than the usual family grill out.    I had a great week away though, nearly
perfect sunny weather in the 80's and no stress.

I came back into work on Monday and found out that I had to travel to St.
Louis, Missouri that evening for a 2 day customer support trip.  No time to
blog, as I had to pack and be out to the airport by 6pm.  Arrived a bit after
7pm, set-up in the Marriott by the airport, hit a BBQ place up the road for
some supper.  Food wasn't too bad, and reasonably priced.  Tues. meetings
didn't run long, and we even got a chance to go out to the assembly hangar to
look at a partially assembled F-1.  Pretty neat to see what it really takes to
put one of those planes together.  Wed. meetings came and went, and I was back
into Cedar Rapids by 6pm.  Just went home instead of going to work.

Really could use a nap this afternoon.  Just can't get into work with tomorrow
already Friday and being out of the loop for 2 weeks basically.  I just didn't
sleep very well on the road, so I'm starting to feel the effects of that as
well.  Bed was too soft, and I couldn't get the room very dark as the heavy
curtains wouldn't close.  For almost 200 bucks a night room, you'd think I
could get a decent night's sleep in one of those.  Or at least get more
freebies besides a morning paper (not even a continental breakfast).  Oh yeah,
ate down in the The Hills (Italian district) in St. Louis.  Expensive,
butfairly good.  Not a place I would go to normally, but then again, I'm not
rich nor dating. ,)  Overall, trip not exactly worth it for me, but was a good
trip for the program.  I guess that is all that matters, eh.  Tonight's blog
entry brought to you by "Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath" Black Sabbath