my name is mwd

Next week is IRSYM – internal work symposium held just out of Portland. Last year’s was good – as much as it’s a pain to move us to the US for a few days, it’s good to see all of what IR is doing, and meet with other researchers, and also to get out and see the mothership. In addition, that part of the world is beautifully mountainous and covered with trees – really amazing. You can see my few camera pics form it last year here.

In addition this year I’m flying in and out of Seattle, which is a place I’ve not been since I was a slim young thing back in 1998, when I interviewed at Microsoft in Redmond. Back then it was my first trip out the country, my first flight, etc. But I had a great time, and was showed around by relatives of a friend, so I got to see interesting bits of Seattle I’d not otherwise have seen. I’m looking forward to going back, albeit briefly. At some point I’ll have to go and visit that bit of the world for more than a few days at a time.

Of course, if I make it this year is subject to the current flight restrictions. Hopefully I should be fine – yesterdays’ equivelent flight (BA0049 if you’re into plane spotting) made it out, albeit 140 minutes delayed, but it made it out. More frustrating is the packing restrictions which mean I can’t take any books into the cabin with me. Argh! I have 9.5 hours on a plane and probably a couple of hours past security, with nothing to do. Sob. I really hate sitting around with nothing to do – Peter yesterday recommended I do a crash course in Zen before my flight :)

Anyway, I’m up early packing. I’ve fairly sure I’ll make it across the atlantic, I’m just fairly sure you don’t want to have to meet me as I come off the plane, as I’ll be a gibbering wreck (well, more so than normal ;). I’ve already gone and adjusted my hire car reservation to add GPS and stuff – the idea of navigating stange cities on strange sides of the road with strange lacks of clucth post being up now and dull flight doesn’t strike me as fun.

Anyway, I shall pack some more (where are my US power adapters?). At the moment I’m coping in the only way I know how – fresh croissants. (there was meant to be a pic of croissants here, but I can’t operate my phone at the moment, so you’ll have to do without pictures, sorry).

If you have been, then keep doing so.