Out Of Town

I had to make a quick trip to my office in Pasadena last week. Quick summary:

-People in Southern California drive like complete lunatics. I know this isn't breaking news, but I had forgotten how fast and aggressive these drivers are. I can't believe I used to spend two hours a day in that insanity and that I was able to eat a bowl of cereal, mess with the radio, talk on the phone, and curl my eyelashes while whizzing along in the fast lane. This time, I had both hands on the steering wheel as I maintained an apparently granny-like 80 mph speed in the slow lane. Wow! I was scared.

-People in Northern California drive like near-sighted grannies. By the time I got back, I found myself tailgating slow pokes in the fast lane, cursing their cluelessness on how to properly use the lane intended for SPEEDING. GET OUT OF THE WAY!!! Yeah, I brought back a serious case of road rage.

-The air in Southern California is atrocious. Once again, not breaking news, but most of L.A. was surrounded by wildfires, so breathing was a tactile experience. The air particles were perceptibly felt entering my body and a dark film hung over the city.

-Despite all of the above, my office is in an exquisite location. I got to take a run on one of the great trails behind the lab. There is an entire gorgeous National Forest right out the door! I miss those trails and that forest.

-Our house is neater and Sarah is happier when Mike is left in charge. For the sake of our home and child, I think I'll have to leave them alone more often. I'm thinking a trip to Maui would get me out of their hair long enough. Aloha!