In an airport with dark chocolate covered espresso beans

I'm sitting in an airport eating dark chocolate covered espresso beans and drinking diet coke awaiting a flight that will eventually take me to Boston. Then I will rent a car that will take me to U Mass Medical School, where I will sit through five days of intensive training, to become a board certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist.

Really, I'm more interested in the diet coke and espresso beans than some prestigious school's certification. Really, I'm already missing my dogs and my family.

I'm trying to coolly ignore the announcement overhead that the office of homeland security has just raised the security level to orange. I'm trying not to think about much of anything. I don't like flying. It's not natural, and flying gives one no appreciation for the vast expanse of this country.

Boarding call...time to sign off.