Logistics

I'm just about set for my conference trip next week.

There's a Travelodge only five blocks from the conference, for about half the price of the big hotels ($60 per night, plus taxes). Reviews don't sound scary. So I've got reservations there.

And the Greyhound bus stop is right on the Riverwalk, and it picks me up a thirty-minute walk from my house (though Robin says he'll insist on driving me). So, even though my car is working fine again, I've got reservations for that, too.

Could it really be that easy?

The last thing is figuring out what to do with my luggage between the time I arrive and the time I can check in to the hotel, and between the time I have to check out and the time I leave. I've already thought of three options:
* Store it in a locker at the bus station (if there are lockers at the bus station).
* Ask the hotel to hold onto it for me (my parents did this in Las Vegas).
* Pack very lightly so everything fits into a knapsack.

Now that I'm no longer so focused on problem solving, I'm starting to get excited about the trip.

Also, all kinds of other fun things are happening this weekend. There's a movie and lecture on the health of the oceans tomorrow evening. Then Explore UT, an open house at the university all day Saturday. Then Brave Combo is playing for the Austin Ballroom Dancers anniversary dance. Then Sunday night I get to go to a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by people who didn't have one last November. And then Monday through Wednesday is my conference.

Broken Systems

The broken system du jour is my computer again. I again couldn't get to any of my documents. This time the network administrator decided it was my messed up firewall that was to blame, which he had tried but failed to replace months ago. There is a new computer waiting for me, and that will fix my problems eventually. Meanwhile, I can access my documents via the web.

However, I cannot print anything. I know it's the same problem because when I search the network to find a printer to "add," my computer can't see any. I don't have the heart to call my network administrator again today.

And two, count them, two reports that were supposed to have been run by today and that will give me enough work to do for the entire month, were not run. One was forgotten, for the second month in a row, out of two months total so far. The other report someone was afraid to run until feeling more sure that a certain broken something has been fixed and so is waiting for another guy to placate these fears.

Well, so that's fine because I've been volunteered to help with another project anyway, which I normally wouldn't have time for. Except that apparently the delegater has no time to see me today. The one time proposed was during a meeting I have, I replied that I was available all other times until 5:00, and there has been no response.

I'm tired and I want to go home.