*Ahem* ... Is this thing on?
What's this? She's back? No... this must be a mistake. And yet...
I know, I know. I've been silent as of late, and I swear there are good reasons!
Good reason #1: The Laptop
Excuses, excuses - but this one's a doozy. I literally just got my laptop back from the manufacturer. Apparently my motherboard was melting AC adapters at a fairly rapid rate (not to mention my harddrive and the battery) so they sent it in to get the whole schebang replaced. I'm officially on the "buy an extended warranty on your day-to-day electronics" bandwagon... But whatever you do - make sure you remember to have them replace the part your laptop melted in the first place so you don't have to try and get it shipped to you after the fact. Twice. Then a third time when they finally get your correct address.
Good reason #2: The Trip
What's that you say? Wasn't it forever and a day ago that you went to Colorado? Well... yeah. It was a month ago now, and no. I still don't have pictures. Actually - I'll be honest. I haven't missed them since I haven't had a laptop to not post them on, but now that I have it back I'll be pestering Nel to get me the pictures soon.
Good reason #3: The Apartment
Who would've thought that moving, going on vacation, coming back, and then supporting pre-flight operations, flight operations, and post-flight recovery would be such a bad idea? I swear - the apartment is one solid day's (that'd be tomorrow's) work away from being picture perfect and ready to display for all on the web to see. The pillows are sown (thanks Ann!), the furniture is in (thanks guys!), the painting is complete, and all that's left is a good old fashioned cleaning (the worst part).
Good reason #4: The Flight
See... I'm not certified yet. So working the flight shouldn't be as stressful for me, right? Almost right. While no - it's not my immediate neck on the line when the Space Station threatens to come crashing down around our heads, it certainly puts everyone in the hot seat to help as much as possible in coming up with solutions. Did I do a lot? Not compared to the ridiculously talented group of people I work with, but I'd like to think I did my small, uncertified part. I helped certify procedures that had never been run before... I helped replan and rework the flight on a day to day basis (and by that I mean I helped the people who were actually doing it check their work)... and I tried to stay out from underfoot as much as possible.
Overall, the past couple of weeks have been madness and I was glad for a nice relaxing day to recover. I appreciate all of the support everyone has given over the last few stressful weeks, and I promise - after the scrub down this apartment is getting tomorrow, you will all see why I was so excited to be moving in!
(And man... I might have to get upset. My laptop is feeling awfully warm already...)
The Petrie