Quick post from O'Hare Airport in Chicago, IL.

I'm at a payphone in the concourse checking mail and killing time during a 6-hour layover on my way back to YYC. Flights in and out of these smaller centers (e.g. Wilkes-Barre, PA) are a challenge. Not only do they invariably involve smaller jets or prop planes, but scheduling connections is a nightmare at best.

This morning (feels more like last night at this point) I got up at 0500 hrs to make my way to the airport to begin journey back to Calgary. We landed in Chicago @ 0900 hrs and am not scheduled to leave for Calgary until 1450 hrs.

The weather is fairly nasty in Chicago today and I have fingers crossed that we'll be able to get out of here on time and get back to YYC @ ~1730 Calgary time. This will mean that today's trip -- if all goes according to plan -- will take on the order of 14 hours door-to-door. Wish me luck ;-)

Greetings from Wikes-Barre, PA. I'm here ahead of a session tomorrow in Taylor, PA. This isn't exactly how I planned to spend my long weekend (it's the Thanksgiving weekend in Canada), but Riverside High School is having a professional development day for faculty and staff tomorrow (Columbus Day in the United States), so the date wasn't negotiable.

That said, I have a lot to be thankful for:

• I have a loving and supportive family
  
  
• I enjoy my job and school
  
  
• I'm enjoying my visit to Pennsylvania, the leaves on the trees have turned and resulting colorful countryside is something to behold
  
  
• The sun is shining today, and
  
  
• The Packers are leading against the Chiefs

[added 24Oct03 -- not that I'm any less thankful;-), but the Chiefs cames back and tied the game, and then scored following a fumble to beat the Pack -- at Lambeau no less -- something that's just NOT supposed to happen]