Delays to the Airport

This morning as I started my car a warning light came on that I had low tire pressure.

My first thought was that I had another defective tire pressure sensor, but upon further checks found that one tire was low.

Pontiac G6 GXP, Blue Car, Auto Work

The tire still had 19 psi so I drove Old Blue to the dealer to see if I could get the tire fixed quickly so I could head off to the airport.

Luckily I had planned on spending a couple hours at the office on the way to the airport.

Goodyear tires, new tires, Pontiac G6 GXP

They checked the tire and while they were backing it into position I notice a big nail or screw sticking out of the tread. They were able to repair the tire and I was then able to head off to the office.

ICE Train, Frankfurt Airport, FernbahnhofI needed to stop by the office to print out the instructions and pass code that I need to redeem my rail ticket once I get to Germany. I am trying out a combination plane/rail ticket on this trip. Something that I should have probably been using for years.

I also wanted to see a couple people at the office, especially since I hadn’t seem them all year 🙂

One of my colleagues who has worked for the company for 30+ years is also retiring at the end of this week and I wanted to wish him good luck in his retirement. We were able to share a few good memories. I will miss him as he does a lot of work that benefits me, plus I may have to do a few of his tasks once he retires.

Anza Parking , airpot parking, San Francisco Airport, SFO, Shuttle Bus

I was soon on the way to drop my car off with ANZA Parking and was on the shuttle to the airport. I made it to the airport with plenty of time before the flight, but I was a bit worried this morning when I left home. It is a good thing that I planned on spending some time at the office on the way here.

San Francisco Airport, United, 777I will soon be boarding my flight for the long trip to Germany. Hopefully I will have an empty seat by me.

Steven

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Formulaic Packing

Packing for me is usually formulaic. How many days will I be traveling? How many work days? Will I be attending any special functions? Will I have access to laundry? All of these plus many more are inputs to The Packing Formula.

CRC Standard Mathematical TablesUnfortunately there are no standard packing tables in a math book like this.

Robinson's Mathematical Series, Old School Book, 1864But, I don’t need to use a text like this old book on Higher Arithmetic that belonged to my 2nd great grandfather Alfred VanDuzor. See: Old School Books

I just need to do a bit of basic math and a lot of counting. However, Geometry does come in handy when trying to figure out where to put everything in the suitcase.

Weather, Jena, Germany, Cold Weather, Rain, ClothingIt is also important to check the weather where you are going to see if you need to take a rain jacket or a heavy coat. This week if you are traveling within the United States that is very important as it is very cold in many places.

I checked the weather for where I am going in Germany and it looks like I can keep the heavy winter coat at home. The temps will barely drop below freezing which can easily be handled with layers. So several sweaters will go into the bag. I also may need my rain jacket, which is also another layer 🙂

Empty Suitcase, Packing, packing formula, Trip, TravelOnce you determine what to take it is time to fill up the suitcase.

Packing, Suitcase, Clifford the Big Red SuitcaseThe suitcase will look similar to this when it is packed. Including the fleece that is shown here. It has been on most of my trips. You can also see the blue rain jacket that folds up into a little packet and my shaving kit. Or should it be called a shaving kit? It will have a razor in it for trimming purposes only 🙂

Now to finish packing as soon as the clothes in the dryer are finally ready.

Is your packing formulaic?

Steven

 

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